Great trip, it really was a contrast of the different parts of Colombia. My favourite part of the trip was staying in the coffee region and the day we went to the Coco Valley by an old jeep, played tejo and walked around Salento. I also enjoyed the cookery lesson and coffee tour. Overall highly recommended and a real insight in to Colombia.
Andres was a great guide, super kind and considerate. I felt really safe and well looked after by him on the tour.
This was the best trip for me sp far. I got to know a country that has so much to give. The Colombian peaple and the i digenous communties welcomed us with open arms and we felt so safe all the time. Thank you G Adventures, thank you Carlos and thank you Hugo and your fantastic trio (you. Mono and Pinochio?
Wow - this was a challenging hike! Not so much the terrain, definitely due to the hot weather. Putting the heat, sweat and fatigue to one side - this hike is unique and rewarding. Along the route there is lots to see and the destination is mind blowing! Our team (Stiwen, Brayan & Pinnochio) were attentive and did everything possible to make this a safe & memorable trip. The side journeys on this itinerary were all worthwhile and enjoyable. It was just the two of us for the duration of this trip and at all times we felt safe and everything ran without a hitch.
Take in the highlights of captivating Colombia, wander around colonial cities, uncover sun-kissed beaches nestled in the wildlife-rich Tayrona national park and discover the ancient stone monuments of San Agustin on this 16 day adventure which starts in bustling Bogota and ends in sun-kissed Cartagena.
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.
Discover Ecuador's diverse landscapes and rich culture on this 15-day group tour. Begin the journey in captivating Quito, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Travel along the stunning Avenue of the Volcanoes to the charming city of Cuenca and explore Las Cajas National Park. Then fly to Galapagos Island for an incredible 6-night cruise. Take in the highlights of this fascinating archipelago, renowned for its unique biodiversity and striking scenery. Visit different islands each day, snorkel in pristine waters and encounter an incredible array of wildlife.
This epic multi-sport expedition explores the culturally rich region near Cusco, Peru. The expedition combines trekking, biking, rafting, and zip lining in an unforgettable experience. Get a unique view of ancient archaeological sites, beautiful valleys, and stunning mountain glaciers before making your way to Machu Picchu.
Join as a solo traveler or with friends to experience these amazing destinations with fellow travelers from all over. We guarantee all group departure dates even if only one person is signed up. We recommend asking how many people are currently in your group before booking.
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.
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.
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.
This two week adventurous tour takes you through some of Argentina’s most beautiful and diverse landscapes. You’ll start your tour in Argentina’s never-sleeping capital city of Buenos Aires before heading right down into Patagonia, to Ushuaia and El Calafate, before heading north to the amazing Iguazú Falls. You’ll continue your Argentina odyssey exploring the colorful landscapes and native cultures around Salta and Jujuy in Argentina’s northern desert region. The package includes Transfers, Excursions & Accommodation
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.
Experience the beauty of Puerto Madryn with our 4-day/3-night vacation package, highlighting the key tourist attractions in the area.
Enjoy the convenience of roundtrip transfers between the airport and your hotel throughout your excursions. Expert guides will accompany you on tours to Peninsula Valdes, Punta Tombo, and dolphin watching! Your accommodation at a 4-star hotel includes a standard room with daily breakfast. Immerse yourself in the beauty of Puerto Madryn
