Simple stays with essential amenities. Typically guesthouses, hostels or hotels rated below 3 stars — clean, no-frills, and great for value-conscious travelers.
Comfortable and reliable 3-star stays. Expect private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, and solid amenities — a great balance between comfort and cost.
Upscale 4-5 star hotels and lodges. Enjoy high-end service, refined comfort, and premium locations — ideal for travelers seeking extra indulgence.
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
We just returned from a 5-week trip to South America. The team was AMAZING. They helped us plan a very complex itinerary that included multiple cities in Chile and Peru, a side-trip to Easter Island, Machu Picchu and the sacred valley, and finally Iguazu Falls in Argentina and Peru. The advice they gave and the hotels they chose were truly exceptional. The detailed day-by-day itinerary was very helpful, and all of their in-country partners (e.g., drivers, tour guides) were terrific. Everything went perfectly. Best travel experience ever! Thank you, Analia and Antonella!!!
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Camping, Lodge, Tent
Age Range
5-79 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
El Calafate, Ushuaia, Torres del
El Calafate, Ushuaia, Torres del Paine National Park, Punta Arenas, El Chalten, Tierra Del Fuego, Puerto Natales, Patagonia, Perito Moreno Glacier, French Valley, Tierra Del Fuego National Park, Torres Del Paine
The itinerary was as expected although some of the details were out of date or obsolete. An up to date review would be useful.
Lucie, the Explore Leader was exceptional!
National parksAdventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
This was my 5th Contiki and it was another unforgettable experience. The trip manager () was excellent, a true expert in all things South American. My only constructive comment is linked to the number of days spent in Buenos Aires. The add ons and city were disappointing compared to the rest of the trip. I can't believe we spent so long there. I would have much rather spend more time in the Amazon or in Rio.
Initially before booking the trip I thought it was extremely overpriced.
However(our tour guide) was fantastic. He made the trip worth every penny and was extremely organised and knowledgeable. The locations were great, and the activities were really cool.
was a fantastic character, and became a friend by ensuring we all had fun. He looked after and catered for everyone’s needs and requirements, promoting safety above all else, and more than once went the extra mile to ensure we all had a great time (joining myself at CrossFit and his traditional dance moves were personal highlights).
I hope he gets the recognition he deserves, as I would love to book a similar trip with Contiki in future because of this great experience.
I would also recommend that you include huacachina in future - I went there on my own and it was one of the coolest experiences - maybe this could be added as an extra at the beginning of the trip.
Adventure
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge, Home-stay
Age Range
18-35 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Lima, Cusco, Puerto Maldonado, S
Lima, Cusco, Puerto Maldonado, Sacred Valley, Aguas Calientes, Arequipa, Puno
My Patagonia trip was a lifetime experience, made even better by traveling with a great group. Together, we explored beautiful trails, shared meals, and encouraged each other through windy hikes and long days. Being with the group made every moment more fun from spotting wildlife to reaching incredible viewpoints with mountains, glaciers, and bright-blue lakes all around us. We laughed a lot, learned from our guide, and enjoyed the peaceful feeling of being surrounded by nature. The scenery was stunning, the company was wonderful, and the trip left me with memories I’ll never forget.
The trip was really good with lots of standout places and experiences. Our trip manager was brilliant. He was friendly and knowledgeable and made everything easy. Some of the accommodation wasn’t the best (poor showers, uncomfortable beds, no safety lock box, no elevator) but for the most part acceptable.
It was the adventure of a life time, expert guides and the best tour manager anyone could ask for Esteban! From unbelievable nature sites to fantastic cultural experiences, it was an unforgettable trip entirely!
The trip was fantastic, and I felt like I was able to see a lot of Peru and really experience the culture while there. The homestay and Machu Picchu were definitely the highlights!