For a traveler on a budget this is ideal. A week in the Ecuadoran highlands, exploring volcanoes, cloud forest and local communities followed by a week in The Galápagos.
Our land based island tour gave us freedom of movement within the itinerary, allowed for personal exploration, choices of restaurants and shopping opportunities. We met giant tortoises, some wandering freely, others in breeding centres. We walked to the top of the caldera of the Sierra Negra volcano on Isabella. There were snorkelling trips with colourful fishes and a walk round North Seymour Island where frigate birds were displaying and baby boobies were fledging. Yellow land iguanas, black sea iguanas and SallyLightfoot crabs were plentiful too.
Back on the main islands, sea lions were snoozing on the pavements by the harbour, pelicans and lava herons were catching tidbits from the local fishermen cleaning their catch.
It was wonderful!
We saw all the wildlife on the Galapagos list for October, except the flightless cormorant. If you are a specialist looking for differences between species on different islands, then cruising may be better. However for the non- biologists this trip ticked all the boxes. It was 😊 GREAT👍
Active and outdoorWildlife
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
Quito, Guayaquil, Sierra Negra
Quito, Guayaquil, Sierra Negra, Isla Santa Cruz, Santa Fe Island, Tortuga Bay, Otavalo, Laguna Cuicocha, Mindo, Cotopaxi National Park, Galapagos Islands, Puerto Villamil
9% OFF TODAY
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If you like to discover new cultures, customs and feel the peace of nature, this unique tour of Cusco and Machu Picchu is all you need. We hope you will join us for an experience that will change your life.
Right through the day or night, Cusco is a city that is full of charms and exciting tourist attractions. The mornings are ideal for strolling Inca streets, visiting colonial churches, visiting the legendary San Blas Artisan Quarter (craftsmen) or visiting Inca villages and archaeological remains.
In the evenings, the city dresses up with lights, discos, pubs and restaurants, and its main tourist attractions come alive for visitors. The nightlife in Cusco is fun, exciting and unique, and it's certainly enough to satisfy the most demanding national and foreign visitors.
The city of Cusco and Machu Picchu are without a doubt experiences you will cherish all your life.
This was a great trip with a good range of experiences, scenery, nature, culture, communities and food.
Our guide was very knowledgeable and great at spotting and identifying birds. She judged exactly the right pace for walks and exploring, enabling everyone to participate fully.
Ecuador is a wonderful country to visit and I thoroughly enjoyed the trip.
Active and outdoorExplorer
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
Quito, Guayaquil, Riobamba, Cuen
Quito, Guayaquil, Riobamba, Cuenca, Otavalo, Peguche, Cotopaxi National Park, Tena, Misahualli, Misicocha, Banos
This was an excellent trip in every way. The leader Alejandro was outstanding- very caring, helpful , informative and well-organised. Peru is a varied and interesting country and although Machu Picchu was spectacular there were many other highlights to our tour. The itinerary covered a lot of ground but it was not too rushed with a good mix of organised activities and some free time. The transport by bus and train was comfortable and the hotels were good and well-situated.
Active and outdoorExplorer
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
Cusco, Lima, Sacred Valley, Mach
Cusco, Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Barranco, Arequipa, Chivay, Puno, Taquile Island
14% OFF TODAY
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This was a fantastic trip that lived up fully to its billing, as we saw many spectacular and varied landscapes and we sampled many gorgeous wines. The guide Lucia was very knowledgeable and helpful throughout. My only observation is that it was a hard trip in terms of several very long days travelling of 8 or more hours - over 12 hours on one day - which meant we rarely had the chance to relax and/or enjoy the hotel facilities (e.g. pools in most hotels).
The Trip Notes highlighted this but even so, after more than a dozen Explore trips previously which we thought prepared us for a lot of time on the road , we were still surprised. Essentially the trip was 12 full days and we thought it could have been stretched to 14 to cover the same itinerary - maybe an extra day in Cafayate and in Cachi?
Why for example, did we travel from Mendoza to Aconcagua (a brilliant trip) but then back to Mendoza (3 hours each way) on one day, only to retrace our steps almost all the way back to Aconcagua on the next day, on the way to the next stop? This retracing of the same route wasted 6 hours, or almost a full day? Why did we not go from Aconcagua directly to the next stop, instead of back to Mendoza?
In summary, this is a great tour, but we recommend you review the itinerary and through better planning and some extra time make it a more relaxing tour spread over over one or two more days.
Active and outdoorFood tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Villa
Age Range
16-79 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Cafayate, Mendoza
Buenos Aires, Cafayate, Mendoza, Salta, Humahuaca, Barreal, Villa Union, Belen, Cachi
As a solo traveller, this was my first experience in a group, and it won't be my last. The whole tour exceeded my expectations and every day had a 'Wow' factor.
It was very full on and not a relaxing holiday, but when you're travelling that far, why would you not want to embrace everything that the whole country has to offer?!
The accommodation was all very good and in perfect locations for exploring the towns and cities. All were very clean and equipped with everything you could need during your stay.
Our guide, Pabel was excellent. Very friendly, helpful, accommodating to our needs and has a true passion for, and a very deep knowledge of his country. He deserves a huge pay rise!
A totally amazing trip and I'm already looking at my next destination.
Active and outdoorExplorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cusco, Lima, Machu Picchu, Sacre
Cusco, Lima, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Nazca, Arequipa, Chivay, Puno, Taquile Island
25% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Our tour Leader was brilliant. He was engaging , knowledgeable, Apporachable and very patient. Made the Trip super fun.
Itinerary was full on and packed. Would like Explore to consider adding Rainbow Mountain to the Itinerary rather than an option. Did the Trip with my daughter who really enjoyed herself. So there could be a future Explore traveller!!
Active and outdoorRafting
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House, Home-stay
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cusco, Lima, Machu Picchu, Arequ
Cusco, Lima, Machu Picchu, Arequipa, Chivay, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Sacred Valley
25% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Arturo was a fantastic leader and guide. Knowledgable, helpful, caring, experienced and amusing. This was my 11th Explore holiday and Arturo is up there with the best guides. The porters and cooks are heroes - we were very happy to tip them generously. The itinerary was perfect, though no one should underestimate the challenge of around ten hours walking on day three. Cusco hotel staff were fine but the layout around a central atrium means the rooms are very noisy. The hotel near Machu Picchu was lovely but the staff were rude, unhelpful and disinterested. Overall I’d fully recommend this trip - but be sure to get into shape beforehand and consider your kit carefully.
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
From the heights of the Andes to the depths of the Amazon Jungle to the amazing wildlife, both on land and underwater. Tour the Galapagos' outstanding natural beauty and interesting history by foot and boat on this active adventure. You’ll also walk through the Amazon Jungle with an Indigenous guide leading the way, hike in Cotopaxi National Park – home to one of the world’s largest active volcanos – and canoe to your river-side eco-lodge accommodation on the edge of the rainforest. You’ll also get a glimpse into everyday life during a homestay with a local family where you’ll connect with them, lending a hand with chores, doing seasonal activities and maybe brushing up on your Espanol. There’s so much to see, do and learn in this South American paradise.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Eco Lodge, Home-stay, Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Quito, San Cristobal Island, Isl
Quito, San Cristobal Island, Isla Isabela, Isla Santa Cruz, Tena, Banos, Yunguilla
I did a very similar trip to this in March of this year and everything was just perfect. The company works with small and nice centric hotels which were just a great selection. The staff at each destination was very helpful and kind. Bariloche and Ushuaia were my favourite places in Argentina.
GlaciersNational parksExplorer
Tour Type
Independent TourTypically a private tour undertaken by one or two travelers
Age Range
1-79 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
Buenos Aires, El Calafate, Ushua
Buenos Aires, El Calafate, Ushuaia, San Carlos de Bariloche, Perito Moreno Glacier, Villa Llao Llao, Tierra Del Fuego National Park
The trip is incredible. The scenery varies every day and you'll ride on all possible terrains: sand, rock, gravel, tarmac and every day offers a lot of fun. The landscape of the Moon Valley in Chile is surreal and the Tatio geyser excursion is a stunning experience. Chile and Argentina are lovely countries; the areas visited still haven't been reached by mass tourism and you barely see any other tourists while travelling.
ExplorerBicycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort, Lodge
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
San Pedro De Atacama, Quilmes Ru
San Pedro De Atacama, Quilmes Ruins, Molinos, Salta, Moon Valley, Susques, Purmamarca, Tilcara, Cafayate
Head into the serene highlands of Colombia's famed coffee region and learn how to roast the perfect blend during a tour of a working coffee plantation. Discover the laidback pace of Salento, explore the nightlife of Medellin, then trade the country's lush interior for its coast. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cartagena and Santa Marta, then hike to the ancient archaeological site of Teyuna, or the Lost City. Within the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, this site can only be reached by a guided multi-day trek. Meet local Indigenous leaders, sleep in mountain campsites away from the hustle and bustle of modern life and spend four days in the mountains, hiking through rainforest and jungle to this sacred Colombian site.
ExplorerTrekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hut
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Bogota, Santa Marta, Adam, Parai
Bogota, Santa Marta, Adam, Paraiso Teyuna, Salento, Cocora Valley, Medellin, Cartagena