My friend introduced me to this tour operator. After speaking with Kiara, we had a suitable itinerary. Our mission was straightforward: book a round-way ticket to Vietnam and enjoy the trip. They coordinated really efficiently and provided competent services. There are no mistakes on the tour, which I enjoyed. All of the hotels were in central locations, making it easy for us to walk about or find local restaurants. The daily trips were scheduled on time, and transportation was comfortable. We traveled from the north to the south of Vietnam. Visiting many famous and beautiful sights, including Hanoi, Halong Bay, Pu Luong, the Golden Bridge, Ho Chi Minh, and the Mekong Delta. This was indeed a fantastic tour.
Discover the wonders of Greece on this 9-day journey from Athens to Santorini. Explore ancient Athens and visit landmarks like the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Travel north to the sanctuary of Delphi and the soaring rock-top monasteries of Meteora. Then island-hop to Mykonos, known for its whitewashed streets and iconic windmills, before arriving in Santorini, famed for its volcanic views and cliffside villages.
This 13-day tour of Japan will introduce you to the cultures – old and new – that define this small but influential archipelago. Beginning in tech-mecca Tokyo and finishing with three nights in Kyoto, this immersive tour will also introduce you to lesser-known cities through Japan’s centre and southern reaches. Discover scenic beauty on the Hakone ropeway, sip the best sake in Takayama, find out about the Hiroshima of today and wonder at the floating torii gate of Miyajima. You’ll have a local to guide you through these lesser-known destinations and reveal layers of culture and history.
See the best of Cambodia on a comprehensive two-week journey right into the heart of the country. Get to know the people, landscape, customs and cuisine, from the capital city Phnom Penh to the rural village Sambor Prei Kuk. Experience the French elegance of Battambang and see the time-worn grandeur of Angkor Wat – a UNESCO World Heritage site – at sunrise. Visit the remote south and discover the country of the Khmers, before heading to Koh Rong Island for two days of blissful beach time. If you want to see all the best sights that Cambodia has to offer, with a local leader who knows all the secrets, this one’s for you.
The Wonders of Bhutan tour was truly exceptional. The itinerary was well planned to give us the fullest possible experience of this culturally rich and geographically challenging country. Our guide gave us insights into the local culture not found in guide books. It will remain one of my most memorable trips.
This was our first trip as a family (ages ranging from 13 to 79) and I was nervous beforehand whether we would fit into a group of strangers who may not wish to travel w 2 teens.
I need not have worried! The kids had a great time, grandma made friends without us and the entire group as well as Toru has become "family" at the end of the tour.
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 returned from.this Mongolia trip. It was a wonderful holiday. Mongolia is vast and fascinating. The holiday was made more enjoyable and informative by our guide MG. The Eagle Festival was unbelievable. 120 eagle hunters with their beautiful Golden Eagles.
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
Ulaanbaatar, Khustain Nuruu Nati
Ulaanbaatar, Khustain Nuruu National Park, Ugii Lake, Erdene Zuu Monastery, Olgii, Terelj National Park, Dalanzadgad, Bayanzag, Khongoryn Els, Bayan Gobi, Arvaikheer, Kharkhorin
Fantastic trip the organisation was brilliant from start to finish (including booking arrangements). A very well thought out and well planned holiday. It hit all the buttons!
