was a great tour director made sure about everyone needs
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
5-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Lake Titic
Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Lake Titicaca, Santiago, Valparaiso, Buenos Aires, Pampas, Iguassu National Park, Iguassu National Park, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Puno
Experience the diversity of wonders across Peru, Chile, Argentina and Brazil on a 24-day Premium journey. Be immersed in the ancient culture of the Incas, visit the Amazon Jungle and revel in the magnificent citadel ruins of Machu Picchu. Soak up the energy of Santiago and Buenos Aires’ lively neighbourhoods and sip some of the world’s best wine in Mendoza. At the border with Brazil, experience the magnificent might of Iguazu Falls, before finally arriving in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Rio de Janeiro. With the guidance of passionate local leaders, you’ll find out South America dances to the beat of its own drum.
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, Lodge, Resort
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Santiago
Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Santiago, Valparaiso, Mendoza, Buenos Aires, Puerto Maldonado, Puerto Iguazu, Amazon Lodge Tambopata, Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Machu Picchu
This land and cruise tour will take you to see the marvels of two iconic South American cities and to the Fjords of Tierra del Fuego in Patagonia. Start this adventure in Santiago, a beautiful cosmopolitan city where you will see Santiago’s most important sites like Plaza de Armas, Modena Palace, Santa Lucía Hill and Barrio Lastarria, the latest is famous for the cultural, inherited and gastronomical options. Continue to Punta Arenas from where you will board your cruise to explore Patagonia. During this cruise you will see the fjords of the southern edge of Tierra del Fuego. Sail the Strait of Magellan into the labyrinth of channels from where you will see the highlights and most important sites and glaciers of the region, you will also visit Wulaia Bay and Cape Horn, known as the “End of the Earth”. After this wonderful cruise in Patagonia, you will disembark in Ushuaia from where you will fly to your last stop, Buenos Aires where you’ll have the chance to explore many of the city’s intriguing and varied neighbourhoods and learn about their culture and history before your tour ends.
CruiseCity sightseeing
Tour Type
Independent TourTypically a private tour undertaken by one or two travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Ship Cabin
Age Range
8-99 yrs
Operated in
English
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Punta Arenas, Ushu
Buenos Aires, Punta Arenas, Ushuaia, Wulaia Bay, Pia Glacier, Cóndor Glacier, Santiago
Capture the true essence of South America on an 18-day Premium adventure through Peru, Chile and Argentina. This journey showcases the continent’s diversity of natural beauty, historic wonder and world-class cuisine, passing by the Andes and the Amazon, Mendoza and the majestic Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and sultry Santiago, all the way to the Argentinian powerhouse of Buenos Aires. Gain an insight into ancient Inca culture and local communities, indulge in fine food and some of the region’s best wine, and get to the heart of each destination with expert local knowledge at every step.
Natural landmarks sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Discover breathtaking natural wonders and famous cities with this small group tour of Argentina and Chile! Begin your journey in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, to explore the bustling neighborhoods of the city and learn about the local history. Visit La Boca and walk around San Telmo, two of the most famous districts in Buenos Aires. Catch a flight to El Calafate as you cross the border into Chile and discover the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the largest glaciers in the world. Explore the Patagonia Andean Forest and stop at the Curva de Los Suspiros known for its breathtaking views. Take the bus to Puerto Natales, a charming town with beautiful views of the southernmost peaks of the Andes Mountains, and the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park. Visit Torres del Paine National Park and discover Nordenskjold Lake with its emerald-green color. See the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers, travel to Punta Arenas and catch a flight to Santiago, a cosmopolitan city with historic attractions and modern splendors. Visit the Plaza de Armas and other famous attractions in this exhilarating city, where you will end your tour of Argentina and Chile.
Natural landmarks sightseeing
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
8-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Santiago, El Calaf
Buenos Aires, Santiago, El Calafate, Puerto Natales
Against the magnificent backdrop of the Andes Mountains, journey from Santiago to Buenos Aires, taking in all the history, culture and cuisine in between. This nine-day Premium adventure will show you the heart of Chile and Argentina as you stroll the streets of Santiago with a local guide and sip piscos on a rooftop in the historic centre of Valparaiso. Sample some of the world’s best wine in Mendoza, stroll the stylish neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires and discover El Tigre Delta for an adventure to remember. Packed with Exclusive Experiences, historical Feature Stays and with a local leader by your side, you’ll fall for the vibrancy and indulgent atmosphere of this part of the world in no time.
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
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Santiago, Valparai
Buenos Aires, Santiago, Valparaiso, Mendoza
18% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
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
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
Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime with this 38-day journey through five incredible South American countries — a dream for history buffs, nature enthusiasts, and nightlife seekers alike. Ride the rails through Peru’s stunning Urubamba Valley to the iconic Machu Picchu, dive into the vibrant culture of Lake Titicaca, and marvel at the surreal landscapes of Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni and Chile’s Valley of the Moon in the Atacama Desert. Explore colorful Valparaíso, find thrills in the adventure haven of Pucón, and relax in the lakeside charm of Bariloche. From the tango halls of Buenos Aires to the samba beats of Rio de Janeiro, and the thundering majesty of Iguassu Falls, every moment of this trip will leave you in awe and hungry for more.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Guest House, Hotel, Resort
Age Range
12-100 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Rio de Janeiro, Lima, La Paz, Su
Rio de Janeiro, Lima, La Paz, Sucre, Potosi, Uyuni, Salt Flats, San Pedro De Atacama, Cusco, Santiago, Valparaiso, Pucon, San Carlos de Bariloche, Buenos Aires, Foz Do Iguacu, Paraty, Ilha Grande, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes, Puno
22% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Ready to dive into the history, culture, and breathtaking wilderness of South America? Spend 11 unforgettable days exploring Bolivia and Chile, uncovering iconic highlights and hidden gems. Marvel at the surreal salt flats of the Salar de Uyuni, wander through the otherworldly desert landscapes of the Atacama Plateau, and venture off the beaten path to experience the best of this diverse region. With just the right mix of guided adventures and free time, this journey is the perfect way to truly connect with two extraordinary destinations.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Guest House, Hotel, Resort
Age Range
12-100 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Santiago, La Paz, Sucre, Potosi
Santiago, La Paz, Sucre, Potosi, Uyuni, Salt Flats, San Pedro De Atacama
22% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina, where South America’s most iconic cities and landscapes come alive. Stroll the surreal salt flats of Salar de Uyuni and lose yourself in the otherworldly Atacama Desert. Wander the colourful streets of coastal Valparaíso, chase adrenaline in Pucón’s adventure-sport playground, and experience authentic gaucho life on a ranch near charming Bariloche. Cap it all off in the vibrant cosmopolis of Buenos Aires, where tango, culture, and culinary delights await. Fall head over heels for the region’s diverse landscapes, warm people, and mouthwatering cuisine — and leave already dreaming of your next adventure.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Guest House, Hotel, Resort
Age Range
12-100 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Buenos Aires, La Paz, Santiago
Buenos Aires, La Paz, Santiago, Valparaiso, Pucon, San Carlos de Bariloche, Sucre, Potosi, Uyuni, Salt Flats, San Pedro De Atacama
22% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Discover the natural wonders of wild Patagonia on this nine-day Premium journey. Travel from Santiago through Torres del Paine National Park, take in stunning views of glaciers and icebergs and explore the incredible Perito Moreno Glacier – one of the few glaciers left in the world that isn’t shrinking! Along the way, keep your eyes open for sea lions, penguins, guanacos and pumas. Cruise past icebergs and glaciers and listen to the crack of the ice as it plunges into the waters below. This trip takes you into the heart of the drama and the calm of this vast wilderness with unique wildlife opportunities and striking natural landscapes.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
