TREKKING HOLIDAY: Embark on a 5 day trek through lush jungle and local settlements to uncover Colombia's Lost City, overnighting in rustic camps along the way. Climb the 1,200 stone steps which lead to the Ciudad Perdida, a fascinating site made up of stepped terraces carved into the side of a mountain. Top off your stay with some relaxation by the beach in Tayrona National Park.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Bogota, Santa Marta, Adan's Camp
Bogota, Santa Marta, Adan's Camp, Rio Buritaca, Ciudad Perdida, Tayrona National Park
Discover the treasures of Peru from the spectacular depths of Colca Canyon to the dizzying heights of Machu Picchu and the Incan citadel. Take in the floating islands of Lake Titicaca staying with the local Aymara people before delving into the exotic Amazon Rainforest for a jungle experience.
This small-group tour will take you on a magical adventure to some of the most popular attractions in South America! Begin your journey in Lima, from where you will fly over the breathtaking Andes Mountains to Cusco. Explore the ins and outs of this magnificent city as you visit the San Cristobal Plaza, taste the rich flavors of the San Pedro Market, and discover the Korikancha Temple. From there you will take a train to Machu Pichu, the most famous tourist attraction in Peru and one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Bask in the beautiful scenery of this extraordinary site, also known as the "Lost City of the Incas". Make your way back to Cusco, one of the most scenic and gorgeous overland trips in Peru. Stop at various sites along the way as you travel to Puno, including Racchi, the Temple of the Wiracocha God, and La Raya, a natural border between the two cities. Enjoy a breathtaking cruise of Lake Titicaca — the highest navigable lake in the world. From there you will head to Lima, and transfer to La Paz, via a tourist bus, to begin the second part of the trip. Explore La Paz's highlights, including cable car rides, the Valle de la Luna aka Moon Valley, and vibrant markets. Board an overnight bus to Uyuni and arrive for a traditional breakfast before venturing out to the famous Salt Flats of Bolivia. Discover the Train Cemetery, Colchani village, and unique salt formations. Visit Incahuasi Island, where giant cacti thrive amidst the salt and witness stunning sunset views before spending the night in Uyuni. From here, you’ll head back to La Paz and fly back to Lima, where this amazing tour of Peru and Bolivia will come to an end.
Sample Argentina’s great outdoors with this trip from the magnificent Iguazu Falls to the awe-inspiring glacier of Perito Moreno. Passing through wine country for a tipple continue to Bariloche for forays into the wild cordillera.
Sightseeing Tours
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Buenos Aires, El Calafate, Iguaz
Buenos Aires, El Calafate, Iguazu Falls, Mendoza, San Carlos de Bariloche
Discover southern Peru, the heartland of the Inca Empire, on this 14 day group tour which starts and ends in Lima. Take in Peru's contrasting landscapes, from plunging canyons to soaring mountains, while exploring ruined temples and vibrant indigenous markets. Spot condors over Colca Canyon and visit the unique floating reed islands of Lake Titicaca. Spend time in the enchanting cities of Arequipa and Cusco, explore the Sacred Valley and magnificent Machu Picchu, Peru's crown jewel.
Walking toursSightseeing Tours
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picch
Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Puno
If you love big landscapes, deserts, rock formations, volcanoes, geysers, remoteness and views that go on forever, then this is the trip for you. This was combined with very friendly people, local culture and good wine, making for one of the best trips I've ever had.
This was my first trip with Explore. (All the other members of the group had travelled multiple times with them). I would say the trip exceeded my expectations in every respect. Judging by the comments of the rest of the group, it was one of the best many of them had been on too. I have taken away memories that will last forever and met some wonderful people along the way.
There were six travellers in the group (all solo travellers) as well as Andres our guide, local guides and drivers. This was the first trip run on a new itinerary or at least one which Explore has not sold for a number of years. So in that respect our group were the guinea-pigs for the trip. I felt the group got on very well. I would say six was a good group size for the minibuses. It gave us room to spread out with our bags and snooze if needed on the longer journeys.
Itinerary:
The itinerary covers a lot of ground in a short space of time so is definitely full-on. However, overall, I thought it was well-paced with well-timed rest periods. Given that this was a new itinerary, there are a couple of "tweaks" I would make (mentioned below). However, they are minor changes only to what I found to be a well-rounded and balanced trip.
HIghlights for me included the Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia. I loved the desert, lagoons, volcanoes, flamingoes, the salt hotel and of course, our meal with our wonderful Bolivian guides - which I'll never forget. Another highlight was the sunset and moonrise over the Atacama Desert near San Pedro. I felt the trip was a gift that kept on giving. Just when you had one experience which you thought could not be topped, along came another one. The trip was cleverly planned in that sense.
In terms of amendments, I would suggest the following:
HIgh altitude is a feature of this trip and perhaps needs to be emphasised and explained a little more fully in the trip notes so that travellers can take a view. However, for me, any discomfort was more than compensated for by the remoteness and beauty of the landscapes we saw.
I particularly loved Bolivia and perhaps Explore could consider adding that another day to this leg of the trip. This would allow more time to get to know this fantastic country and its people but would also allow more time to acclimatise.
We had a wonderful day in the wine region of Cafayate. Both wine and food were delicious and plentiful. However, I think we all felt the number of tours and tastings should be reduced a little to allow us to relax into one wine tour and the meal without worrying about time.
Guiding:
Andres was our Explore guide and I cannot speak highly enough of him. Most of the group had travelled extensively over the years with Explore and said that he was one of the best guides they had ever had. Andres was excellent in every respect - professional, knowledgeable, organised but relaxed and very person-centred, attending well to the different needs of the group. The trip ran very smoothly and to time. Andres paid close attention to detail, making small changes to the itinerary as needed, He found good places to eat, and timed visits to avoid any crowds in particularly popular places. As far as I am aware, there was one small logistical glitch during the whole trip. This was beyond Andres' control but he took it in his stride, dealt with it and it did not affect the group. Definitely 5* for Andres.
The local guides and drivers in each country were very friendly and efficient. I would say the guides in Argentina and Bolivia were particularly knowledgeable. The warmth and kindness shown to us was lovely. I would single out Wilbur in Bolivia for particular praise.
Accommodation:
Before the trip, I did not have particularly high expectations of the hotels, thinking that location would take priority over hotel standard and that budget hotels would be used to keep costs down. To a certain extent this proved to be the case. I would say in most places the standard was 3*. I found all of them were perfectly acceptable although some had variable hot water and wifi which is only to be expected really given the region. All hotels were very friendly and in a very good location. Some hotels stood out as having more character and better service than others. The Salt Hotel (Laguna Salada) on the Uyuni flats was something truly special. The stunning location, the hotel design and the friendliness of the staff there were something I will never forget. The Hotel Los Flamencos at the Laguna Hedionda was graded as "simple" and we warned to take warm sleepwear as it can get cold at night. However, I found the hotel to be warm and characterful and again, the location was stunning. Standing outside the hotel (albeit at about -5 degrees Celsius), watching the flamingos on the lagoon and the sun come up over the volcanoes behind was something truly memorable.
San Pedro de Atacama was the most touristy place we visited and I would say the hotel there reflected that. It felt a bit more generic than the others, although the barman was excellent and served some knockout Pisco sours.
Overall, I would give this trip 5* without hesitation. Unforgettable - in the best possible way. Any quibbles are very minor ones to me. I would highly recommend.
Sightseeing Tours
Tour Type
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
Buenos Aires, San Pedro, Santiag
Buenos Aires, San Pedro, Santiago, Salta, Cafayate, Purmamarca, Tilcara, Tupiza, Uyuni, Incahuasi, San Pedro De Atacama
We saw the beauty and power of God's creation in Iguazu at the falls and at the bird park. Make sure to go to both the Brazil and Argentina sides of the falls. We took a helicopter ride and saw the birds on the Brazil side. If you don't have any physical disabilities, you can take a boat ride through the falls on the Argentina side. I highly recommend this trip.
Join us on this 5-day trip to the Colombian Amazon and get the chance to experience the stunning beauty and rich biodiversity of the world's largest tropical rainforest. The Amazon region makes up over a third of Colombia's total area and is home to a mind-blowing array of animal and plant species.
Start this trip with a pickup service from Leticia Airport to Tanimboca Natural Reserve. Go out on a nocturnal hike through the forest and see the animals that hide during the day. Walk through the forest to visit the Huitotos, an indigenous community living in the area.
Take a boat to Marasha, a natural reserve located in the Peruvian territory, and enjoy seeing a variety of wildlife before making your way to Mocagua, in Colombia. Walk through the forest and see woolly monkeys and other animal species. Travel to Parque Santander in Leticia to see thousands of parakeets and other birds.
Go beyond sightseeing and experience the Amazon in fun, active and exciting ways. Enjoy zip lining on the final day of the trip and fly from canopy to canopy before making your way back to Leticia Airport. For more about this trip, please go through the itinerary below.
Experience the best of Colombia's coffee region's nature and culture during this 5-day, guided tour. Start your adventure with a visit to a coffee plantation. Travel through Los Nevados National Park next and see the Santa Isabel Glacier. Enjoy hiking through the Otun Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary and the Cocora Valley, home to howler monkeys, hummingbirds and the tallest palm trees in the world.
Colombia is not just famous for its coffee but also for its varied geography, immense biodiversity and scenic landscapes. This hike will take you through an area of Los Nevados known for its collection of glaciated volcanoes and past the Cocora Valley.
Enjoy the beauty of the quaint town of Salento and its sprawling colonial houses. Learn more about the unique paramo environment, part of the alpine tundra ecosystem that is found only in Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador. Walk through cloud forests full of exotic birds and flowers and past Andean farms thousands of meters above sea level and far removed from civilization.
End your journey in Eje Cafetero. We will drive you to Pereira Airport from where you will take your flight back home.
Natural landmarks sightseeing
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Guest House
Age Range
12-65 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
Salento, Pereira, Cocora Valley
Salento, Pereira, Cocora Valley, Los Nevados National Park, El Jordan, Otun Quimbaya Flora And Fauna Sanctuary
This travel operator provided us with a two-day trek to Machu Picchu that has to be experienced to be truly understood. Their crew of porters and cook provided exceptional service and meals. David's knowledge was outstanding and his attention to detail in regards to accommodation travel and gear storage was second to none. If you want a first class trekking experience this company should be your first choice.
Sightseeing ToursAdventure
Tour Type
Private and Group Tour Private Tour with a few fixed group departures available.
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
6-75 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Sacred
Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, Cusco
This fascinating tour begins with hotel pick-up, followed by a drive down the main avenue of the city as we explore its history and key landmarks.
We will start with a panoramic visit to the Central Market, where you can admire the architecture of the place and learn a bit more about its history. Next, we will head to Plaza de Armas, the heart of the city, where we can admire the impressive Santiago Cathedral with its colonial architecture. However, it is possible that the cathedral may be closed for a special event or activity. We will then continue with a walk to the Palacio de la Moneda, the seat of the Chilean government, and Plaza de la Constitución, where we will learn more about Chile's history and its institutions. Depending on the month and day, it is possible to witness the Changing of the Guard, a solemn event that regularly takes place, but this stop may be omitted due to internal activities at the Palacio de la Moneda. We will then head to Cerro Santa Lucía, one of the most iconic hills of the city, where we will stop for a short walk and enjoy panoramic views of Santiago.
Our tour continues with a panoramic visit of the iconic Lastarría and Bellavista neighborhoods, known for their cultural offerings, cuisine, and art, giving us a panoramic view of local life. It is a perfect spot to soak in the atmosphere of Santiago and its historic charm.
Next, we will visit Parque Bicentenario, a beautiful green space, where you will have time for a relaxing walk in a natural environment.
Optionally, if preferred by the passengers, a visit to Bluestone, a lapis lazuli store, the national stone of Chile, can be arranged, where we can admire and/or purchase beautiful jewelry and local crafts.
The tour will end with a drop-off at the hotel, the entrance to Cerro San Cristóbal, or at Patio Bellavista.
"We did the 2D/1N trip to Machu Picchu. Our tour guides David and Ciprian are truly great people and made sure everyone was taken care of. Ciprian was carrying someone’s backpack to help them out, for the entire 8 mile hike. I got a stomach flu during the second morning and had to miss part of the 2nd day but David gave me a personal tour of Machu Picchu when I started feeling better. That’s when I found out how truly knowledgeable David was because I asked so many questions and David gave detailed and extremely educated responses. Because of this, I have a much deeper understanding and appreciation of the Incas and their culture. David didn’t have to give me a make up tour of Machu Picchu, but he did so out of kindness and care.
Besides the gorgeous views all around and our exceptional tour guides, the next highlight for me was the lunch. We had lunch around 1pm and we were all surprised at how they managed to cook such amazing food without a kitchen. It was better food than some restaurants we had in Cuzco. There was avocado dip and fried wanton, chicken + mango ceviche, lomo saltado, potatoes, battered trout, apple water, various vegetables, and apple pie. The food was truly *chefs kiss* and maybe the best food we’ve had on a hike ever.
I highly recommend this tour and our tour guides David and Ciprian"
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Join us on this exciting 4x4 vehicle excursion to capture and experience extraordinary moments immersed in the Patagonian nature and its breathtaking 360° panoramic views, which allow us to observe the majestic Lake Argentino, Cerro Fitz Roy, and the Tower in El Chaltén
Sightseeing Tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
