Experience the best of Ecuador on an exclusive women's journey, blending cultural immersion with natural wonders.
From the vibrant markets of Otavalo to the tranquil Polylepis Lodge, enjoy spa treatments, Amazon adventures, and cultural engagements, immerse yourself in the heart of Ecuador's culture, history and natural beauty.
Explore Baños, Quilotoa, and Cotopaxi, and participate in hands-on experiences like cooking classes and rose plantation visits. Connect with like-minded women travelers, savor local flavors, and delve into indigenous traditions. Enjoy nature walks, wildlife encounters, photography sessions at stunning sites and relaxing spa services during this epic all-women Ecuador vacation.
See the itinerary section for more details.
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.
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.
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.
Embark on an unforgettable Patagonia adventure, navigating through awe-inspiring fjords aboard a cargo boat from Puerto Montt. This unique tour offers breathtaking views of untouched landscapes, pristine waters, and remote coastal villages. Experience the magic of glaciers, diverse wildlife sightings, and serene seclusion. Perfect for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers, this journey combines the raw beauty of Patagonia with the authentic charm of maritime life. Witness the wonders of Southern Chile on an extraordinary exploration of natural splendor.
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.
Discover adrenaline-pumping adventure with an exhilarating rafting experience on the Chili River in Peru! Navigate thrilling rapids set against the stunning backdrop of the Andes Mountains. This unforgettable white-water journey offers a blend of natural beauty, heart-racing excitement, and expert-guided safety. Perfect for both novice and seasoned rafters, this Peru rafting tour promises lasting memories. Join us for a unique outdoor escapade and immerse yourself in this South American gem. Book now for an epic adventure!
Discover the breathtaking beauty of Peru's Sacred Valley with an exhilarating trek that immerses you in ancient Inca culture and stunning landscapes. Explore historic ruins, vibrant local markets, and picturesque villages set against majestic Andean peaks. Enjoy guided tours to iconic sites like Ollantaytambo and Pisac, while experiencing authentic Andean traditions. Perfect for adventure seekers and history enthusiasts, this unforgettable journey offers a unique blend of natural splendor and cultural richness in one of the world's most enchanting destinations.
