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.
Let Bolivia catch you by surprise with its amazing landscapes, rich culture and multiple facets. Join us on this 12-day, private, guided tour to see the best that Bolivia has to offer. Starting from the lowlands of Santa Cruz's subtropical forest, the tour begins with a visit to the Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos, a jewel of the colonial era.
This is followed by two days in the city of Sucre where you will enjoy a peaceful atmosphere along with stunning treasures of colonial architectural. Then comes the largest salt flat in the world, Uyuni. Enjoy driving through this immense, surreal landscape.
Get the glimpse of Bolivia's rich past while driving through Potosi, which once had the largest silver mine in the world. Your journey continues to La Paz thereafter. Visit the National Museum of Ethnology and Folklore in thee capital city before it is time to head home. For more details, please go through the itinerary below.
Very happy, the tour was mostly as expected, travel was mostly smooth and we got to see and do lots of things in a month which was amazing. One thing I would rate low is the booking experience, website was down, multiple people I spoke to were completely lost (one was very helpful and she’s probably the reason I booked because I was about to give up) the itinerary disappeared afterwards and when I contacted you I spoke to another completely lost person who was massively unhelpful. no one thought to give me heads up that i need to provide evidence of onward travel for Peru and I almost didn’t make my plane, etc. overall I would say your guides on the tours are very organized compared to the people doing the bookings and providing support and you should definitely work on that.
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort, Guest House
Age Range
12-100 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Lima, La Paz, Sucr
Buenos Aires, Lima, La Paz, Sucre, Potosi, Uyuni, Salar De Uyuni, San Pedro De Atacama, Cusco, Santiago, Valparaiso, Pucon, San Carlos de Bariloche, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes, Puno
Take a deep dive into Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil on an epic 51-day trip. With local leaders guiding you to the best neighbourhoods as well as plenty of time to explore independently, you’ll wonder what took you so long to appreciate this corner of the globe. Trek or train to the lost Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, spend a few days on an estancia in Uruguay, take a 4WD adventure through the Andean desert to the Uyuni salt flats and wind up in all the best cities – Buenos Aires, La Paz and Lima, to name a few. Finish up with beach and party vibes in Brazil – a perfect spot to chill out after your adventure to South America’s hotspots.
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Camping, Home-stay
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Cusco, Inc
Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Cusco, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Puno, La Paz, Sucre, Potosi, Uyuni, Salar De Uyuni, Ballestas Islands and Paracas National Reserve, Tilcara, Buenos Aires, Colonia Del Sacramento, Estancia, Iguazu Falls, Iguazu Falls, Nazca, Paraty, Ilha Grande, Arequipa, Colca Canyon
Get exploring South America on a 15-day small-group experience that takes you deep into Bolivia and Argentina. Beginning in La Paz, journey from whimsical potion-filled markets through Sucre’s landscaped streets to the once-rich silver ore mines of Potosi. Take on the Bolivian desert as you embark on a 4WD adventure across the salt pans of Salar de Uyuni, winding up among the cactus-filled valleys of Bolivia’s wild west. Cross the border into Argentina to discover indigenous cultures in Tilcara, before spending a few days at leisure in the fiery capital of Buenos Aires. Local knowledge will lead the way, and plenty of freedom to explore will give you the power to see South America in your style.
Follow the path of the Andes in South America on a 35-day adventure that hits both modern cities and ancient worlds. Spot birdlife circling canyons and search for signs of life in vast salt flats and lunar deserts scapes. Get acquainted with the local cultures at La Paz’s markets and the homes on the floating islands of Lake Titicaca. Learn the mysteries of the Nazca lines, wander the streets of Cusco and trek to the mighty Machu Picchu. With stops at Lima, Cusco and vibrant Buenos Aires and a local to lead the way, your South American adventure is jam-packed with fascinating experiences and plenty of space for independent travel.
Explore South America on this 31-day tour. Take the road less travelled from sky-high La Paz to party-ready Rio de Janeiro, stopping along the way to see the mind-bending Uyani Salt Flat, follow your rhythm in Buenos Aires, ride horses on a Uruguayan estancia and wonder at the incredible power of Iguazu Falls. This overland adventure is big on freedom – your local leader will give you insider info, your group will provide the company of curious, like-minded travellers, and then you decide how you want to spend your days.
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Rio de Janeiro, La Paz, Salta, B
Rio de Janeiro, La Paz, Salta, Buenos Aires, Colonia, Estancia, Foz Do Iguazu, Iguazu Falls, Paraty, Ilha Grande, Sucre, Potosi, Uyuni, Salar De Uyuni, Altiplano, San Pedro De Atacama
Alice HuonTravel Expert in Bolivia
Lisa ArtalTravel Expert in Bolivia & Peru
Maria SzlafszteinTravel Expert in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru & Uruguay
Clara GonzalezTravel Expert in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru & Uruguay
