On this extraordinary 18-day voyage, explore the fascinating Falkland Islands and mind-blowing South Georgia, before heading to the Antarctic Peninsula - all the highlights of the Southern Ocean. After the Falklands, we venture onwards to South Georgia. A strip of jagged glacier-clad mountains piercing the brooding sky, South Georgia leaves a mark on every visitor, and it is no mystery why. The shores brim with wildlife, with thousands of King Penguins, elephant seals and Antarctic fur seals. The vast penguin colonies, seal-filled seas and albatross-packed skies have to be seen to be believed. Continuing southward, we delve deeper into the inlets and bays of the Antarctic Peninsula; Icebergs, glaciers, mountains and rugged snowfields characterise this wildly beautiful landscape.
See black browed albatross and elusive macaroni penguins - in the Falkland Islands
Witness the king penguins - in their thousands, a true wildlife spectacle!
Soak up the rich history of these regions - on this epic polar adventure
Polar expeditions and cruise
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hut, Ship Cabin
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Ushuaia, South Georgia, Drake Pa
Ushuaia, South Georgia, Drake Passage, Antarctic Sound, Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, Falkland Island
Outdoor lovers will be in their element on this tour through some of South America's most outstanding landscapes. Chile is a land of extremes, showcasing barren desert moonscapes, dramatic granite spires and verdant farmland peppered with emerald lakes. We'll explore it all on this trip from the Atacama down to the mountains of Torres del Paine.
Atacama Desert - Walk in the Moon Valley and on the Salar de Atacama
Puerto Varas - Hike in Chile's Lake District, in the shadow of the Osorno Volcano
Torres del Paine - Discover the glacial lakes and mountain ranges of one of the most impressive locations on earth
Why not extend your trip? - Take a short stay on the mysterious Easter Island (trip code: EIE)
National parksAdventure
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
Santiago, Torres Del Paine, Puer
Santiago, Torres Del Paine, Puerto Natales, Valparaiso, Atacama Desert, Toconao, El Tatio, Calama, Osorno Volcano, Punta Arenas
Experience the island chain that has enchanted explorers since Darwin first dropped anchor off its shores. Spend a week exploring the incredible wildlife of the Galapagos archipelago aboard a stylish vessel - the Archipel I. Travelling between the central, west and east islands, you will have the chance to explore from land and from the sea; snorkel with penguins at Vicente Roca and spot frigatebirds at North Seymour, and head to Santa Cruz's verdant highlands to see giant tortoises in their natural environment.
Archipel I Catamaran - Spend seven nights cruising onboard this modern, spacious catamaran with a naturalist guide and experienced crew
Wildlife spotting - Try to find all three distinct species of booby, as well as sea lions, iguanas, Galapagos penguin, giant tortoises and much more
Snorkel and walk - Discover an underwater paradise as well as a volcanic landscape, with daily snorkelling and on-shore excursions
Adventure
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, Galapagos Islands, Santa
Quito, Galapagos Islands, Santa Fe Island, North Seymour Island, Puerto Ayora, Isabela Island, Isla Fernandina, Rábida Island
Experience the island chain that has enchanted explorers since Darwin first dropped anchor off its shores. Spend four nights exploring the incredible wildlife of the Galapagos archipelago aboard a stylish vessel - the Archipel I. Travelling between the central and west islands, you will have the chance to explore from land and from the sea; snorkel at Vicente Roca amongst tropical fish and seahorses, and head to Santa Cruz's verdant highlands to see giant tortoises in their natural environment.
Archipel I Catamaran - Spend four nights cruising onboard this modern, spacious catamaran with a naturalist guide and experienced crew
Wildlife spotting - Find blue-footed booby padding around on the islands, as well as sea lions, iguanas, Galapagos penguin, giant tortoises and much more
Snorkel and walk - Discover an underwater paradise as well as a volcanic landscape, with daily snorkelling and on-shore excursions
Adventure
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, Galapagos Islands, Isla I
Quito, Galapagos Islands, Isla Isabela, Isla Fernandina, Rábida Island
An excellent trip on a comfortable boat with a good crew and good food. We saw all of the expected wildlife, and snorkelling with sea lions and turtles amongst the fish was a particular highlight.
The boat is not operated by Explore, so on my trip there were other nationalities who had booked through other operators, but it was a good mix. On the afternoon of the first day at the hotel I received a WhatsApp from the cruise operator providing details of the airport transfer (handled by the hotel in my case) and of their representative who met me at the airport to provide my printed boarding pass and Transit Control Card. They also helped with the additional baggage check required before bag drop. The message also includes the flight details if you want to complete the bio-security form at https://declaracion.abgalapagos.gob.ec/ before arriving at the airport.
After snorkelling the crew will rinse all your gear and then hang wetsuits to dry (I think it was 80 USD to rent a wetsuit on board for the six days, but masks, snorkels and fins were free). There are lines with clothes pegs on the top deck to dry your swimwear.
Remember to take USD cash for tipping the crew and guide at the end of the trip. Two envelopes were left in my cabin for this, but the amount suggested at 15 USD per day for the guide and 25 USD per day for the crew of 11 was about double that in the trip notes.
Adventure
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, Galapagos Islands, Isla I
Quito, Galapagos Islands, Isla Isabela, Moreno Point, Isla Fernandina, Isla Santiago, Rábida Island
Travelling aboard the upgraded Treasure of the Galapagos catamaran, experience the island chain that has enchanted explorers since Darwin first dropped anchor off its shores. Spend six nights discovering the incredible wildlife of the Galapagos archipelago in comfort, with access to your own private cabin balcony as well as a sundeck Jacuzzi. Travelling between the central and west islands, you will have the chance to explore from land and from the sea; snorkel at Vicente Roca and spot large schools of tropical fish, find the Galapagos penguin near Isabela Island and head to Santa Cruz's verdant highlands to see giant tortoises in their natural environment.
Treasure of the Galapagos Catamaran - Spend six nights cruising onboard this first class catamaran with a naturalist guide, experienced crew and with the luxury of an onboard Jacuzzi
Wildlife spotting - Swim with sea lions and the Galapagos penguin, and spot the flightless cormorant, blue-footed boobies, iguanas and giant tortoises on land, among many other species
Snorkel and walk - Discover an underwater paradise as well as a volcanic landscape, with daily snorkelling and on-shore excursions
Adventure
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, Galapagos Islands, Isla I
Quito, Galapagos Islands, Isla Isabela, Moreno Point, Isla Fernandina, Rábida Island
Experience the island chain that has enchanted explorers since Darwin first dropped anchor off its shores. Spend a week exploring the incredible wildlife of the Galapagos archipelago aboard a stylish vessel - the Archipel I. Explore from land and from the sea; find waved albatross on Espanola Island, head to Santa Cruz's verdant highlands to see giant tortoises in their natural environment, and snorkel with schools of tropical fish at Devil's Crown.
Archipel I Catamaran - Spend four nights cruising onboard this modern, spacious catamaran with a naturalist guide and experienced crew
Wildlife spotting - Spot blue-footed boobies, as well as sea lions, iguanas, Galapagos penguin, giant tortoises and much more
Snorkel and walk - Discover an underwater paradise as well as a volcanic landscape, with daily snorkelling and on-shore excursions
Adventure
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, Galapagos Islands, Florea
Quito, Galapagos Islands, Floreana Island, Punta Suárez, San Cristobal Island
Experience the island chain that has enchanted explorers since Darwin first dropped anchor off its shores. Spend a week exploring the incredible wildlife of the Galapagos archipelago aboard a stylish vessel - the Archipel I. Visit Espanola Island and snorkel at Gardner Bay, spotting large schools of tropical fish. Head to the northernmost island and find the nesting sites of red-footed boobies. And, of course, see giant tortoises in their natural environment.
Archipel I Catamaran - Spend seven nights cruising onboard this modern, spacious catamaran with a naturalist guide and experienced crew
Wildlife spotting - See the waved albatross population on Espanola Island, spot red-footed boobies, sea lions, iguanas, giant tortoises and much more
Snorkel and walk - Discover an underwater paradise as well as a volcanic landscape, with daily snorkelling and on-shore excursions
Adventure
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, Galapagos Islands, Genove
Quito, Galapagos Islands, Genovesa Island, Bartolome Island, Floreana Island, Punta Suárez
This was a terrific group tour. Wonderful itinerary, with hikes that could be modified for various levels. Lots of very interesting sights. Included hotels were very good. Our guide, Pili, made sure everyone was well taken care of, from the sprinters to the turtles and that all were having a good time. Her depth of knowledge in so many areas was truly impressive (including geography, culture, history, ecology, flora and fauna). Her passion was infectious! The group included single travelers as well as couples, and people came from several different countries.
Trekking and HikingAdventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Patagonia, El Calafate, El Chal
Patagonia, El Calafate, El Chaltén, Perito Moreno Glacier, Puerto Natales, Torres Del Paine
Discover the magic of Colombia with an unforgettable adventure blending urban culture and tropical bliss! Explore vibrant Medellin, Bogotá, and Cartagena, then bask in the sun on Rosario Islands’ pristine beaches. Immerse in local coffee culture, marvel at colonial architecture, and savor mouthwatering cuisine. This tour promises a perfect mix of urban excitement and exotic relaxation, offering an authentic experience of Colombia's diverse landscapes and rich heritage. Embark on a journey that truly captures the essence of this captivating country!
AdventureExplorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Camping, Hostel, Hotel, Tent
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cartagena, Medellin, Santa Marta
Cartagena, Medellin, Santa Marta, Tayrona National Park
Embark on an enchanting journey where the mysteries of the Amazon rainforest meet the timeless charm of Cusco. From exploring the lush jungles of Puerto Maldonado to discovering the rich tapestry of cultures in Cusco, this six-day expedition offers an array of unforgettable experiences. Journey through diverse ecosystems, witness extraordinary wildlife, engage in authentic cultural activities, and retreat in serene accommodations—each moment crafted for adventurous souls.
AdventureWildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
In a country filled with enchanting historic monuments, there is one that stands out above all, the impressive ‘Lost City of the Incas’ – Machu Picchu. Let Peru’s most beautiful archaeological sites inspire you during this seven-day tour of the country. Start in Peru´s capital, Lima, explore the ancient seat of the Inca Empire in Cusco, discover the archaeological sites of the Incas in the Sacred Valley, and end with an awe-inspiring visit to Machu Picchu, high up in the Andes. Join this dream trip that promises impressive things to see and memorable experiences.
Embark on a captivating expedition through Uyuni’s mesmerising landscapes, including the enchanting Train Cemetery, dazzling salt flats, vibrant lagoons, and striking geologic formations. Witness spectacular wildlife like flamingos, relax in soothing thermal waters, and spend immersive nights in the singular salt hotel and a remote hostel. This journey promises a blend of natural wonders and cultural richness, offering an unforgettable experience.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers