The best Local culture trips through-out the world. We offer over 650 Local culture trips with more than 5,800 reviews from the best destination experts only.
Jovi did an outstanding job putting together our Itinerary for a 15-Day Trip to China, from which we have just returned.
From start to finish the guides, hotels and the scheduled activities went off smoothly.
We would like to recommend Linda Xu and Vivian Wang, the rep who arranged our trip, ifi you are looking for a company to arrange your trip to China.
The tour was perfectly organised, in a fairly short time you can see a very large number of sights. It was a surprise to me that this was actually an individual tour. For that price, this format is miracle, at the same time, all the guides are russian speaking, which was also pleasent.
Our accommodations, upgraded to four-star hotels, were excellent, and drivers and guides were always punctual. The tour operator checked in with us daily and was responsive to any questions or requests, like adding a sunrise visit.
Everything went perfect. From the time I was picked up from the hotel in Manaus, the boat ride crossing the Negro and Amazon rivers, the drive from the pier to the boat ride to the resort. I was in awe of the beauty and enormity of the forest. While boating through the flooded path amidst the trees, I fell in love with the Amazon forest. Definitely coming back again.
This tour operator organized a cultural, spiritual and community immersion for me, my husband, my adult daughter and her boyfriend for 16 days in late February/early March of 2023. It was the most exciting trip I’ve taken. This is saying a lot considering I have spent a lifetime of travel, both personal and professional, focusing on Latin America.
Everything ran smoothly, even with chaotic settings and complex logistics. A big part of this was by providing us with amazing guides, starting with Jahel Amaru, who met us at the La Paz airport to whisk us across the altiplano to Oruro for its truly spectacular Carnival. Jahel is knowledgeable, patient, down-to-earth, smart patient, funny, and an extremely enjoyable person to spend time with. She guided us through the hectic Oruro Carnaval during its culminating weekend - with boundless energy and contagious enthusiasm. We had the time of our lives cheering on the colorful characters as they paraded and danced thanks to Jahel knowing exactly where to go, when, and providing invaluable context.
Community tourism (where visitors are connected with everyday Bolivians to learn about their lives) - has started to blossom in Bolivia, and this company is one of its pioneers. We got to experience it in Potosi, where we had another excellent guide, Marlene Quispe. She took us through Cerro Rico mine, which was the world’s leading supplier of silver. Marlene has close ties to mining: her brothers, parents and even she has worked there. As we ventured deeper into the earth, we learned from her about the mining process and cooperatives involved with it. She also introduced us to one of the mine's “tios” (“uncles” who are believed to protect miners), to whom she made an offering as she explained his importance.
Marlene took us to the Quechua community of Phuto Phuto, one of several in the rural district Cabanias that welcomes visitors as part of its community tourism program. Families take turns showing visitors their homes and traditions, including cooking huts with steaming pots, whose contents you later share for lunch. Marlene and one of the family members we met then led us on a beautiful hike to a spot where they invited us to participate in a ritual offering to Pacha Mama (Mother Earth). It was an incredible day I will always remember.
Another wonderful community tourism experience was in the majestic Cordillera Real (Central Andean range), where we appreciated both the nature and culture of the region by staying near the town of Tuni with the multi-generational Quispe family (not related to Marlene). Family members share with guests Aymara traditions like placing fishing nets, spinning yarn, making quinoa flour, and shearing alpaca fleece. Patriarch Jaime is a charismatic host and a certified mountain guide who along with his adult son Denys, also a certified mountain guide, have expertise leading visitors of different ages and abilities. We loved staying with them!
There are a few other places that stood out on our trip:
Hostal Las Olas in Copacabana on the shore of Lake Titicaca with gorgeous, artistic “cabins” and lovely views
Templo del Retiro Espiritual Cruz Andina (the Andean Cross Spiritual Retreat Center), in Tiwanaku steps from the ruins and owned by spiritual and cultural guide Rosse Mary Vargas Vilela. It’s filled with cats and crystals and offers delicious vegetarian meals. This is not a stop for everyone, but worth visiting or staying in if you are interested in mindfulness, ancient healing, and/or new age spirituality.
Just finished my Costa Rica Trip and had the best time ever!! If you are considering it DO IT!!!
I’ve been on many many group tours and this was by far the best I have done to date! The group leader - Elmer, honestly made the trip and just went above and beyond in every possible way to ensure we were having a good time! Will definitely be booking another Intro trip soon as it was the best two weeks ever!
Our experience with this tour operator was great. Dat's impeccable service and communication was fantastic. The local guides took care the trip well. The entire itinerary was thoughtfully curated, leaving us eager to return and uncover more of Asia's wonders.
As always with Kings the tour director Margate and coach driver Mark both did excellent jobs. The accommodation as always was very good, the food was also very good. I would recommend AAT Kings to anyone wanting a great experience
