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.
Local culture
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Hostel, Home-stay
Age Range
1-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
La Paz, Potosi, Uyuni, Copacaban
La Paz, Potosi, Uyuni, Copacabana, Sucre, El Alto, Yumani, Villamar, Bolivia, Silolio Dykuma, Tomasamil
Let Bolivia catch you by surprise with its amazing landscapes, rich culture and multiple facets. Join us on this 12-day, private, guided tour to see the best that Bolivia has to offer. Starting from the lowlands of Santa Cruz's subtropical forest, the tour begins with a visit to the Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos, a jewel of the colonial era.
This is followed by two days in the city of Sucre where you will enjoy a peaceful atmosphere along with stunning treasures of colonial architectural. Then comes the largest salt flat in the world, Uyuni. Enjoy driving through this immense, surreal landscape.
Get the glimpse of Bolivia's rich past while driving through Potosi, which once had the largest silver mine in the world. Your journey continues to La Paz thereafter. Visit the National Museum of Ethnology and Folklore in thee capital city before it is time to head home. For more details, please go through the itinerary below.
Natural landmarks sightseeing
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
1-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
La Paz, Potosi, Uyuni, Sucre, Sa
La Paz, Potosi, Uyuni, Sucre, Santa Cruz De La Sierra, Concepcion, San Ignacio De Velasco, San José De Chiquitos, Colchani
Well prepared Salkantay trek 5d/5n zone with Saul G as a guide and Gregorio as a chef and Cesar and Walter as porters. Good food all the way and amazing places to sleep such as the hobbit houses and the star gazing houses the very first night. Bonus was the lomo saltado cooking class and the visit of a coffee farm.
Trekking and HikingCamping
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Bolivia is a geographically diverse country and is often referred to as the Tibet of South America. On this guided tour, explore the natural splendor of the Andean landscape and gain a deeper understanding of the complex contemporary culture of the region.
Walk the streets of La Paz, a city that touches the sky, and roam through its most important squares and attractions. Visit the city of Sucre, which is Bolivia’s most beautiful city and the symbolic heart of the nation. It was here that independence was proclaimed.
Explore the Uyuni and its Colchani village, Incahuasi Island, famous for its soaring cacti, and the Chiguana salt flat. Highlight of Uyuni is the Red Lagoon and its blood-red tint. Also, get a deeper understanding of pre-Incan culture of the region at Tiwanaku.
Join us on this 15-day tour to discover the Bolivian Andes. Starting from La Paz, this trip will take you to Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, followed by the foothills of Cordillera Real, which you will explore on foot.
See majestic mountains from up close. Hike through remote mountainous terrain, wild Pampas, the fields of Altiplano and, finally, the lush vegetation of the Yungas. Meet the locals and stay at their homes enjoying an authentic experience that most tours fail to provide. Help them pen their llamas, observe their daily life and enjoy delicious meals prepared with locally sourced produce.
This adventure will provide you with a better understanding to the life of the people living in rural Bolivia while bring you face to face with stunning landscapes of inexplicable beauty. For more details, please go through the itinerary below.
Take in the highlights of the unique flora- and fauna-rich islands of the Galapagos on this eight-day adventure. From rubbing shoulders with giant tortoises to gazing up in wonder at the spectacular blue-footed boobies’ synchronised fishing technique, the Galapagos offers the chance to see an abundance of rare creatures at close range. We’ll show you the best islands, coves and natural wonders, and give you plenty of time to explore (with local advice!) so you can spend your time the way you want. Snorkel with sea lions, swim with sea turtles and relax in paradise.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hostel
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Quito, San Cristobal Island, Isl
Quito, San Cristobal Island, Isla Santa Cruz, Isla Isabela
Ecuador is a land of variety: from snowcapped mountains, lush cloud forests to horizon-stretching coastlines.
Adventure riders from around the globe descend to the country to experience its varied topography, which changes in a matter of hours.
During this 10-day tour you will ride to mountain villages, you will cross the equator, see volcanoes, crater lakes, historic towns and world heritage sites.Enjoy the nature and surrounding in your own pace while riding an enduro motorbike through natural parks, paramo, dirt roads and serpentines in the Ecuadorian back country.
It's an adventure you won't find in any other parts. Put on your gloves and strap on your helmet and join us for an unforgettable time on the road!
Motorcycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Guest House, Hotel
Age Range
18-60 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
Quito, Banos, Cotopaxi National
Quito, Banos, Cotopaxi National Park, Mindo, Machachi, Mt Illinizas, Chugchilán, Salinas De Guaranda, Chimborazo, Papallacta
Join us on this nine-day group tour to discover the historic and natural landmarks of Peru. Starting from Lima, this tour will take you to Cusco, Machu Picchu, Puno and Lake Titicaca before returning back to Lima.
Sample the delights of the Peruvian capital city of Lima. Walk on the cobblestone streets of Cusco and see the incredible landscapes of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Lose yourself among the ruins of Machu Picchu and travel to the spectacular Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake. And see the Quechua people whose life sways to the rhythm of the quena and the charango. Discover their customs and traditions.
Please scroll down to the itinerary section for more details.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Home-stay
Age Range
6-70 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lima, Puno
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lima, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Aguas Calientes, Luquina
Join us on this 6-day tour and get the chance to enjoy both the stunning natural beauty and incredible cultural heritage of Peru. We will pick you up upon arrival at the airport in Cusco and drive you to your accommodation in the city. Go out on a guided sightseeing tour of this imperial city in the afternoon.
Travel to Aguas Calientes on the second day of the trip and discover Machu Picchu with your guide on the third day. To make sure that you get your fill of this famous Inca citadel, the itinerary provides you with some free time as well. The second last day of the tour involves a trip to Rainbow Mountain. Enjoy the beauty of this unique natural heritage before travelling back to your hotel.
The itinerary also includes trips to Maras, known for its archaeological ruins, and the salt pits of Moray that have been used to produce salt for centuries now. We will drive you to the airport after the trip is over. For more details, please go through the itinerary below.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
1-79 yrs
Operated in
English
Destinations
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Moray, Sacr
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Moray, Sacred Valley, Aguas Calientes
This was the best tour that we have ever done before. We can highly recommend the experience to: the best of Machu Picchu, Cusco and Amazon in seven days. The places we went to, the ancient ruins we saw, the delicious food we had and the picturesque landscapes we experienced through the tour were all memorable. But what made this tour so outstanding and unique were our guides: Peter our Machu Picchu expert and Gris that showed us the other sites in Cusco. They were not only amazing tours guides, very knowledgable and funny, but they also helped us to capture these beautiful sites with pictures. thanks a lot for that.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Eco Lodge, Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
12-60 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Amazon Peru
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Amazon Peru, Sacred Valley, Lima, Iquitos
