Great local culture trips in Andes in 2025/2026. Compare prices for 40+ local culture tours with 120+ trip reviews. Book today and save up to 40% on Bookmundi.com!
My husband and I had a wonderful trip, but our friends, who aren't as physically fit, had a hard time in the high altitudes - something to consider if you are older and not in good shape. The country is beautiful, the people were very friendly, and our main and local guides were wonderful.
I just returned from an incredible trip to Argentina and Brazil with Contiki, and I can’t recommend it enough! The scenery was absolutely breathtaking, from the vibrant streets of Buenos Aires to the stunning landscapes of Rio de Janeiro. Every activity was amazing, whether we were exploring the iconic landmarks or enjoying exhilarating adventures.
The food was a highlight, with delicious local dishes that truly showcased the culture. The blend of rich traditions and friendly locals made the experience even more special. I made some great friends along the way, and our tour guide was fantastic—knowledgeable, engaging, and always ready to ensure we had the best time possible.
Overall, this trip was an unforgettable journey filled with adventure, culture, and great company. If you’re looking for a memorable travel experience, I highly recommend traveling with Contiki!
The highlight of traveling with you was the promptness and timeliness of service.
All Hotels were very good and our favourite excursion was at Iguazu Falls, it was very scenic.
All the guides were very good, we are very pleased with the service. Everything was excellent.
The Journey to Macchu Picchu with National Geographic and G Adventures was so much more than I bargained for. Not only did we see and explore Macchu Picchu, but in the days leading up to the "Big Mountain' we learned so much about the Incan culture and practices from the visits to other lesser-known archeological and cultural sites, that by the time we arrived at the UNESCO World Heritage, Macchu Picchu, I felt that I actually understood this extraordinary site and its significance to the Incan people.
Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Lake Titicaca, Santiago, Valparaiso, Buenos Aires, Pampas, Iguassu National Park, Iguassu National Park, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Puno
This tour operator organized a cultural, spiritual and community immersion for me, my husband, my adult daughter and her boyfriend for 16 days in late February/early March of 2023. It was the most exciting trip I’ve taken. This is saying a lot considering I have spent a lifetime of travel, both personal and professional, focusing on Latin America.
Everything ran smoothly, even with chaotic settings and complex logistics. A big part of this was by providing us with amazing guides, starting with Jahel Amaru, who met us at the La Paz airport to whisk us across the altiplano to Oruro for its truly spectacular Carnival. Jahel is knowledgeable, patient, down-to-earth, smart patient, funny, and an extremely enjoyable person to spend time with. She guided us through the hectic Oruro Carnaval during its culminating weekend - with boundless energy and contagious enthusiasm. We had the time of our lives cheering on the colorful characters as they paraded and danced thanks to Jahel knowing exactly where to go, when, and providing invaluable context.
Community tourism (where visitors are connected with everyday Bolivians to learn about their lives) - has started to blossom in Bolivia, and this company is one of its pioneers. We got to experience it in Potosi, where we had another excellent guide, Marlene Quispe. She took us through Cerro Rico mine, which was the world’s leading supplier of silver. Marlene has close ties to mining: her brothers, parents and even she has worked there. As we ventured deeper into the earth, we learned from her about the mining process and cooperatives involved with it. She also introduced us to one of the mine's “tios” (“uncles” who are believed to protect miners), to whom she made an offering as she explained his importance.
Marlene took us to the Quechua community of Phuto Phuto, one of several in the rural district Cabanias that welcomes visitors as part of its community tourism program. Families take turns showing visitors their homes and traditions, including cooking huts with steaming pots, whose contents you later share for lunch. Marlene and one of the family members we met then led us on a beautiful hike to a spot where they invited us to participate in a ritual offering to Pacha Mama (Mother Earth). It was an incredible day I will always remember.
Another wonderful community tourism experience was in the majestic Cordillera Real (Central Andean range), where we appreciated both the nature and culture of the region by staying near the town of Tuni with the multi-generational Quispe family (not related to Marlene). Family members share with guests Aymara traditions like placing fishing nets, spinning yarn, making quinoa flour, and shearing alpaca fleece. Patriarch Jaime is a charismatic host and a certified mountain guide who along with his adult son Denys, also a certified mountain guide, have expertise leading visitors of different ages and abilities. We loved staying with them!
There are a few other places that stood out on our trip:
Hostal Las Olas in Copacabana on the shore of Lake Titicaca with gorgeous, artistic “cabins” and lovely views
Templo del Retiro Espiritual Cruz Andina (the Andean Cross Spiritual Retreat Center), in Tiwanaku steps from the ruins and owned by spiritual and cultural guide Rosse Mary Vargas Vilela. It’s filled with cats and crystals and offers delicious vegetarian meals. This is not a stop for everyone, but worth visiting or staying in if you are interested in mindfulness, ancient healing, and/or new age spirituality.
From mountain peaks to bustling markets, "Classic Peru" is a nine-day sightseeing adventure that starts and ends in Lima, weaving through Puno, Cusco, and beyond. This easy-paced small group tour captures Peru’s natural grandeur and rich history, from the awe-inspiring citadel of Machu Picchu—one of the Seven Wonders of the World—to the vibrant life of colonial cities.
With a knowledgeable local guide by your side, retrace the steps of the Incas, explore colorful markets, and meet welcoming communities along the way. This trip’s unique selling point is its seamless combination of iconic highlights and authentic local experiences. Accommodation, transport, meals, and expert guidance are all included, making this tour package a perfect introduction to Peru’s diverse landscapes and cultures.
Thank you very much for the wonderful trip to Peru! We were in the exclusive situation of being able to enjoy the trip as a private adventure, because apart from us two only the respective tour guide and the driver / s were there, no other participants. Everything was well organized, the hotels with good / very good standard. Thanks also to the professional and safe drivers who have always brought us well to our respective destinations and provided us well on the way. Special thanks to our tour guides, without whose comprehensively transmitted knowledge the journey would have been only half as intresting: - Viktor Aranda - interesting and varied information about Lima and the Inca culture, - Ronny Vizcarra - always in a good mood, with the ability to inspire the fellow travelers. May he keep his humor and his dreams would be! - Hermann Bouroncle - just one day, but with lots of information about the country and its people. - Benito Gonzales - excellent, full of profound knowledge that he was able to convey well. All the best for him, always good harvests and possibly one or two Wuawua !!! - Anani Tarraga - very good knowledge, unobtrusive mediated. She showed us the most beautiful corners of Machu Picchu and offered some more highlights on the journey. A strong woman with a big heart, whom we wish the best for the future.
