Exactly the tour that I expected with this organization. No surprises, no disappointments, and worth the value you get. Always getan exceptional guide who is well-educated and enjoys his job.
For a traveler on a budget this is ideal. A week in the Ecuadoran highlands, exploring volcanoes, cloud forest and local communities followed by a week in The Galápagos.
Our land based island tour gave us freedom of movement within the itinerary, allowed for personal exploration, choices of restaurants and shopping opportunities. We met giant tortoises, some wandering freely, others in breeding centres. We walked to the top of the caldera of the Sierra Negra volcano on Isabella. There were snorkelling trips with colourful fishes and a walk round North Seymour Island where frigate birds were displaying and baby boobies were fledging. Yellow land iguanas, black sea iguanas and SallyLightfoot crabs were plentiful too.
Back on the main islands, sea lions were snoozing on the pavements by the harbour, pelicans and lava herons were catching tidbits from the local fishermen cleaning their catch.
It was wonderful!
We saw all the wildlife on the Galapagos list for October, except the flightless cormorant. If you are a specialist looking for differences between species on different islands, then cruising may be better. However for the non- biologists this trip ticked all the boxes. It was 😊 GREAT👍
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Quito, Guayaquil, Sierra Negra
Quito, Guayaquil, Sierra Negra, Isla Santa Cruz, Santa Fe Island, Tortuga Bay, Otavalo, Laguna Cuicocha, Mindo, Cotopaxi National Park, Galapagos Islands, Puerto Villamil
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This was a great trip with a good range of experiences, scenery, nature, culture, communities and food.
Our guide was very knowledgeable and great at spotting and identifying birds. She judged exactly the right pace for walks and exploring, enabling everyone to participate fully.
Ecuador is a wonderful country to visit and I thoroughly enjoyed the trip.
This was an excellent trip in every way. The leader Alejandro was outstanding- very caring, helpful , informative and well-organised. Peru is a varied and interesting country and although Machu Picchu was spectacular there were many other highlights to our tour. The itinerary covered a lot of ground but it was not too rushed with a good mix of organised activities and some free time. The transport by bus and train was comfortable and the hotels were good and well-situated.
Our leader made sure each and every one of us had the best experience of the countries that he was so passionate and knowledgeable about. They are beautiful and varied with snow capped mountains, glaciers creating large lakes and miles and miles of wide open spaces where a variety of animals such as grey foxes, sheep and guanacos roam. We learned of their history, culture, food, music and people whilst travelling from Buenos Airies to the ‘end of the world’ in Ushuaia and north through Chile. It is an experience I will never forget and would thoroughly recommend to those who love to travel.
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Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
16-79 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Perito Moreno Glac
Buenos Aires, Perito Moreno Glacier, El Chaltén, Ushuaia, Tierra Del Fuego National Park, Punta Arenas, Torres del Paine National Park, Torres Del Paine, El Calafate
This was a fantastic trip that lived up fully to its billing, as we saw many spectacular and varied landscapes and we sampled many gorgeous wines. The guide Lucia was very knowledgeable and helpful throughout. My only observation is that it was a hard trip in terms of several very long days travelling of 8 or more hours - over 12 hours on one day - which meant we rarely had the chance to relax and/or enjoy the hotel facilities (e.g. pools in most hotels).
The Trip Notes highlighted this but even so, after more than a dozen Explore trips previously which we thought prepared us for a lot of time on the road , we were still surprised. Essentially the trip was 12 full days and we thought it could have been stretched to 14 to cover the same itinerary - maybe an extra day in Cafayate and in Cachi?
Why for example, did we travel from Mendoza to Aconcagua (a brilliant trip) but then back to Mendoza (3 hours each way) on one day, only to retrace our steps almost all the way back to Aconcagua on the next day, on the way to the next stop? This retracing of the same route wasted 6 hours, or almost a full day? Why did we not go from Aconcagua directly to the next stop, instead of back to Mendoza?
In summary, this is a great tour, but we recommend you review the itinerary and through better planning and some extra time make it a more relaxing tour spread over over one or two more days.
As a solo traveller, this was my first experience in a group, and it won't be my last. The whole tour exceeded my expectations and every day had a 'Wow' factor.
It was very full on and not a relaxing holiday, but when you're travelling that far, why would you not want to embrace everything that the whole country has to offer?!
The accommodation was all very good and in perfect locations for exploring the towns and cities. All were very clean and equipped with everything you could need during your stay.
Our guide, Pabel was excellent. Very friendly, helpful, accommodating to our needs and has a true passion for, and a very deep knowledge of his country. He deserves a huge pay rise!
A totally amazing trip and I'm already looking at my next destination.
Our tour Leader was brilliant. He was engaging , knowledgeable, Apporachable and very patient. Made the Trip super fun.
Itinerary was full on and packed. Would like Explore to consider adding Rainbow Mountain to the Itinerary rather than an option. Did the Trip with my daughter who really enjoyed herself. So there could be a future Explore traveller!!
This is a very active, fast-paced trip with plenty of opportunities for long hikes, amazing scenery and fabulous flora and fauna. Some long journeys, as it is a vast area to cover, but well worth it. An absolutely fabulous experience.
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
16-79 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Perito Moreno Glac
Buenos Aires, Perito Moreno Glacier, El Chaltén, Mount Fitzroy, Puerto Iguazu, Iguazu Falls, Ushuaia, Tierra Del Fuego National Park, Punta Arenas, Torres del Paine National Park, Los Glaciares National Park
Arturo was a fantastic leader and guide. Knowledgable, helpful, caring, experienced and amusing. This was my 11th Explore holiday and Arturo is up there with the best guides. The porters and cooks are heroes - we were very happy to tip them generously. The itinerary was perfect, though no one should underestimate the challenge of around ten hours walking on day three. Cusco hotel staff were fine but the layout around a central atrium means the rooms are very noisy. The hotel near Machu Picchu was lovely but the staff were rude, unhelpful and disinterested. Overall I’d fully recommend this trip - but be sure to get into shape beforehand and consider your kit carefully.
Are you ready to travel to one of the most breathtaking destinations in the world? With this small group tour of Patagonia, you will discover magnificent mountains, extraordinary waterfalls, majestic glaciers, and glistening lakes! Begin your tour in Buenos Aires, the Argentine capital where you will visit famous landmarks such as Plaza de Mayo and La Boca. Catch a flight to Bariloche and visit Campanario Hill where you will discover breathtaking views of the surrounding lakes. Travel to El Calafate where you will see the Perito Moreno Glacier during your trip to Los Glaciares National Park. Enjoy a scenic boat ride around the glacier. Board your flight to explore Iguazú National Park where you will discover the majestic waterfalls, one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the Natural World. Visit the Devil's Viewpoint and enjoy the magnificent views of Iguazu Falls before you travel back to Buenos Aires where you will end your tour of Patagonia!