Honestly, this trip to Chile was something else. I didn’t know what to expect going in, but wow — it blew me away. From city life to total wilderness to the most surreal desert I’ve ever seen… it had everything.
Santiago totally surprised me. It’s got this cool energy. one minute you're walking past old colonial buildings next you’re sipping wine on a rooftop with views of the Andes. And the food? Next level. I was legit full the entire time.
Then came Patagonia and I mean, come on. You see photos online, but being there? Completely different. Puerto Natales was the cutest little town, super chill with killer views, and it just felt so peaceful. And then you're surrounded by mountains that make you feel really, really small (in a good way).
And just when I thought the trip had peaked, boom we’re in the Atacama Desert. I’ve never seen landscapes like that before. Moon Valley looked like Mars, no joke. The salt flats were insanely quiet and still, like the world paused for a second. And those mirror-like lagoons? Unreal. I took way too many pictures.
The whole thing was smooth — flights, guides, hotels — didn’t have to think about a thing. If you want a trip that’s equal parts adventure, nature, and just pure “whoa,” this one’s it. I came back with full camera storage and even fuller memories.
City sightseeingChill out
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Villa
Age Range
8-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Santiago, Atacama Desert, San Pe
Santiago, Atacama Desert, San Pedro De Atacama, Puerto Natales
Embark on an unforgettable adventure through the breathtaking landscapes of the Atacama Desert and Uyuni Salt Flats. Discover awe-inspiring sights like Moon Valley, the striking Red Lagoon, and the world-renowned Uyuni Salt Flats. Experience unique activities such as stargazing in one of the clearest night skies on Earth and exploring surreal rock formations. This tour promises an immersive journey filled with natural wonders, perfect for travelers seeking extraordinary experiences in South America's most dramatic desert scenery.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hostel, Villa
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Uyuni, Calama, San Pedro De Atac
Uyuni, Calama, San Pedro De Atacama, Villamar Mallcu
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the mesmerizing Uyuni Salt Flats, a photographer's dream destination. Explore surreal landscapes, including vibrant desert lagoons, towering volcanoes, and the captivating Train Graveyard. Encounter unique wildlife at Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve, and experience authentic Bolivian culture as you traverse this otherworldly terrain. This adventure offers exclusive guided tours, stunning sunrise and sunset vistas, and immersive experiences that make it a must-do for nature lovers and thrill-seekers. Book now for an unparalleled Atacama adventure!
ExplorerAdventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Uyuni, Atacama Desert, San Pedro
Uyuni, Atacama Desert, San Pedro De Atacama, Uyuni Salt Flat
Embark on an unforgettable Uyuni Salt Flats and Desert Adventure, journeying from Atacama to La Paz. Explore surreal landscapes of Salar de Uyuni, vibrant lagoons, and the enigmatic Dali Desert. Encounter diverse wildlife, and marvel at the stunning contrasts of the world's largest salt flat. Perfect for thrill-seekers and nature lovers, this tour includes guided excursions, comfortable 4x4 rides, and cultural experiences with local communities. Capture breathtaking photos and create lasting memories on this extraordinary adventure.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
La Paz, Atacama Desert, La Paz
La Paz, Atacama Desert, La Paz, Uyuni Salt Flat, Uyuni, San Pedro De Atacama
Embark on an enthralling journey through Bolivia's mesmerizing salt flats, enchanting flamingo-dotted lagoons, and stunning desert landscapes. Over three days, discover the captivating beauty of the Uyuni Salt Flats, volcanic wonders, and vibrant hues of untouched nature. Indulge in local culture, adventure, and serenity. This trip blends natural wonders with cultural insights, promising an unforgettable exploration.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Embark on a mesmerising 3-day exploration of Bolivia's surreal landscapes. From the eerie beauty of the Train Cemetery to the vivid hues of the coloured lagoons, discover natural wonders and cultural treasures across the Uyuni Salt Flats and the breathtaking Andean highlands. Stay in unique accommodations like the Hotel de Sal, wholly constructed from salt, as you journey through this captivating terrain.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hostel, Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
La Paz, La Paz, San Pedro De Ata
La Paz, La Paz, San Pedro De Atacama, Uyuni, San Juan, Refugio Huayllajara
The trip is incredible. The scenery varies every day and you'll ride on all possible terrains: sand, rock, gravel, tarmac and every day offers a lot of fun. The landscape of the Moon Valley in Chile is surreal and the Tatio geyser excursion is a stunning experience. Chile and Argentina are lovely countries; the areas visited still haven't been reached by mass tourism and you barely see any other tourists while travelling.
ExplorerBicycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort, Lodge
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
San Pedro De Atacama, Quilmes Ru
San Pedro De Atacama, Quilmes Ruins, Molinos, Salta, Moon Valley, Susques, Purmamarca, Tilcara, Cafayate
The 30 day tour of South America was a trip of a lifetime made unforgettable by the dedication and enthusiasm of the CEOs.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
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
22% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Discover the adventure of a lifetime with an exhilarating journey from La Paz to Salta. Embark on vibrant city tours, breathtaking Uyuni Salt Flats excursions, and immersive cultural experiences. Traverse stunning landscapes from Bolivia’s Altiplano to Argentina’s rugged mountains. Enjoy thrilling activities like stargazing, historical site visits, and vibrant local markets. Perfect for adventure seekers and culture enthusiasts, this South American odyssey offers unforgettable memories and unparalleled natural beauty. Join this epic journey and explore some of South America's most iconic destinations!
Sightseeing Tours
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
La Paz, Salta, Candelaria, Lagun
La Paz, Salta, Candelaria, Laguna Colorada, San Pedro De Atacama
Discover the stunning landscapes between Salta and La Paz with an adventure-packed travel pass. Immerse yourself in the vibrant cultures of Argentina and Bolivia while exploring UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the Quebrada de Humahuaca. Wander through La Paz's bustling street markets, marvel at the breathtaking Salt Flats of Uyuni, and hike in the scenic Andes. Perfect for thrill-seekers and nature enthusiasts, this journey promises unforgettable experiences and unparalleled beauty. Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
La Paz, Salta, Sucre, San Pedro
La Paz, Salta, Sucre, San Pedro De Atacama, Uyuni Salt Flat, Potosi
The trip was a wonderful experience. We learned quite a bit about the local people and their culture by visiting their communities. Watching the women weave was amazing!
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
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
Santiago, Lima, La Paz, Sucre, P
Santiago, Lima, La Paz, Sucre, Potosi, Uyuni, Salar De Uyuni, San Pedro De Atacama, Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes, Puno
22% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Embark on an unforgettable adventure from the vibrant culture of Salta to the mesmerizing Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia. This 10-day experience offers unique encounters with breathtaking Andean landscapes, ancient ruins, and indigenous villages. Highlights include traversing the awe-inspiring altiplano, marveling at surreal salt deserts, and exploring colorful lagoons teeming with flamingos. Perfect for thrill-seekers and culture enthusiasts, this tour promises an extraordinary blend of nature, history, and adventure for an unmatched South American escape.
AdventureWalking tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
La Paz, Salta, La Paz, San Pedro
La Paz, Salta, La Paz, San Pedro De Atacama, Uyuni
If you love big landscapes, deserts, rock formations, volcanoes, geysers, remoteness and views that go on forever, then this is the trip for you. This was combined with very friendly people, local culture and good wine, making for one of the best trips I've ever had.
This was my first trip with Explore. (All the other members of the group had travelled multiple times with them). I would say the trip exceeded my expectations in every respect. Judging by the comments of the rest of the group, it was one of the best many of them had been on too. I have taken away memories that will last forever and met some wonderful people along the way.
There were six travellers in the group (all solo travellers) as well as Andres our guide, local guides and drivers. This was the first trip run on a new itinerary or at least one which Explore has not sold for a number of years. So in that respect our group were the guinea-pigs for the trip. I felt the group got on very well. I would say six was a good group size for the minibuses. It gave us room to spread out with our bags and snooze if needed on the longer journeys.
Itinerary:
The itinerary covers a lot of ground in a short space of time so is definitely full-on. However, overall, I thought it was well-paced with well-timed rest periods. Given that this was a new itinerary, there are a couple of "tweaks" I would make (mentioned below). However, they are minor changes only to what I found to be a well-rounded and balanced trip.
HIghlights for me included the Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia. I loved the desert, lagoons, volcanoes, flamingoes, the salt hotel and of course, our meal with our wonderful Bolivian guides - which I'll never forget. Another highlight was the sunset and moonrise over the Atacama Desert near San Pedro. I felt the trip was a gift that kept on giving. Just when you had one experience which you thought could not be topped, along came another one. The trip was cleverly planned in that sense.
In terms of amendments, I would suggest the following:
HIgh altitude is a feature of this trip and perhaps needs to be emphasised and explained a little more fully in the trip notes so that travellers can take a view. However, for me, any discomfort was more than compensated for by the remoteness and beauty of the landscapes we saw.
I particularly loved Bolivia and perhaps Explore could consider adding that another day to this leg of the trip. This would allow more time to get to know this fantastic country and its people but would also allow more time to acclimatise.
We had a wonderful day in the wine region of Cafayate. Both wine and food were delicious and plentiful. However, I think we all felt the number of tours and tastings should be reduced a little to allow us to relax into one wine tour and the meal without worrying about time.
Guiding:
Andres was our Explore guide and I cannot speak highly enough of him. Most of the group had travelled extensively over the years with Explore and said that he was one of the best guides they had ever had. Andres was excellent in every respect - professional, knowledgeable, organised but relaxed and very person-centred, attending well to the different needs of the group. The trip ran very smoothly and to time. Andres paid close attention to detail, making small changes to the itinerary as needed, He found good places to eat, and timed visits to avoid any crowds in particularly popular places. As far as I am aware, there was one small logistical glitch during the whole trip. This was beyond Andres' control but he took it in his stride, dealt with it and it did not affect the group. Definitely 5* for Andres.
The local guides and drivers in each country were very friendly and efficient. I would say the guides in Argentina and Bolivia were particularly knowledgeable. The warmth and kindness shown to us was lovely. I would single out Wilbur in Bolivia for particular praise.
Accommodation:
Before the trip, I did not have particularly high expectations of the hotels, thinking that location would take priority over hotel standard and that budget hotels would be used to keep costs down. To a certain extent this proved to be the case. I would say in most places the standard was 3*. I found all of them were perfectly acceptable although some had variable hot water and wifi which is only to be expected really given the region. All hotels were very friendly and in a very good location. Some hotels stood out as having more character and better service than others. The Salt Hotel (Laguna Salada) on the Uyuni flats was something truly special. The stunning location, the hotel design and the friendliness of the staff there were something I will never forget. The Hotel Los Flamencos at the Laguna Hedionda was graded as "simple" and we warned to take warm sleepwear as it can get cold at night. However, I found the hotel to be warm and characterful and again, the location was stunning. Standing outside the hotel (albeit at about -5 degrees Celsius), watching the flamingos on the lagoon and the sun come up over the volcanoes behind was something truly memorable.
San Pedro de Atacama was the most touristy place we visited and I would say the hotel there reflected that. It felt a bit more generic than the others, although the barman was excellent and served some knockout Pisco sours.
Overall, I would give this trip 5* without hesitation. Unforgettable - in the best possible way. Any quibbles are very minor ones to me. I would highly recommend.
Sightseeing Tours
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
Buenos Aires, San Pedro, Santiag
Buenos Aires, San Pedro, Santiago, Salta, Cafayate, Purmamarca, Tilcara, Tupiza, Uyuni, Incahuasi, San Pedro De Atacama
