Explore South America through expert eyes with over 1,700 professionally guided tours spanning the continent. Local insights, historical context, and hassle-free exploration await, rated by more than 3,300 guided tour enthusiasts.
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.
Local culture
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Hostel, Home-stay
Age Range
1-75 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
La Paz, Potosi, Uyuni, Copacaban
La Paz, Potosi, Uyuni, Copacabana, Sucre, El Alto, Yumani, Villamar, Bolivia, Silolio Dykuma, Tomasamil
Dear Christian,
I'll like to thank you for the Patagonia hikes. It is most scenic area of all the hikes that I have done before. Izabela and Vera are the best guides we had. They are the best team together. I enjoyed the trip very much. I plan to go back there with my family and other friends in the future.
Trekking and HikingGlaciers
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Tent, Hut, Sleeping Hut, Guest House
Age Range
18-79 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
El Calafate, Torres del Paine Na
El Calafate, Torres del Paine National Park, Puerto Natales, Patagonia, Patagonia, Perito Moreno Glacier, W Trek, El Chalten, Camp Los Cuernos, French Valley, Glacier Grey, Camp Agostini, Rio Blanco Valley
Step into a world of surreal landscapes on the Uyuni Salt Flats & Desert Adventure 5D/4N tour, a small group expedition beginning and ending in La Paz. Designed with a relaxed activity rating, this adventure is ideal for young adults, seasoned explorers, and photography enthusiasts alike. Traverse the vast Uyuni Salt Flats, explore the eerie train graveyard, marvel at colored lagoons, and unwind in natural hot springs—all set amidst the high-altitude Bolivian desert. With comfortable accommodations and expert local guides, you’ll enjoy seamless travel between jaw-dropping sites like San Juan, Refugio Huayllajara, and Uyuni. The USP: an immersive journey that blends otherworldly natural wonders with unique cultural experiences, ensuring both adventure and comfort on one unforgettable trip.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
We had a fabulous nine-day tour, including the two day Inca experience, Inca trail/Machu Picchu, and Rainbow Mountain. John, our contact, met us at the airport and helped us generally acclimate to the new culture.
We cannot praise Adolfo, our guide, enough for his knowledge, experience, and attentiveness to our needs. He was so fun to be with. Our driver, Edgar, was excellent. All over, a fantastic adventure.
Eco tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
All the places that I visited were amazing, but among them, I particularly liked Ibera wetland
(although getting there in a rainy day was extremely tough).
It was such an unique ecosystem with a large variety of animals, where floating marsh creates different scenery everyday in a huge lagoon, which was absolutely unforgettable.
I found this tour company to be extremely organized and helpful from the beginning to the end, and tour coordinators were always available.
I would like to convey my gratitude here. Thank you very much!!
Wildlife safaris and game drives
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
5-79 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
Iguazu Falls, Puerto Iguazu, Pos
Iguazu Falls, Puerto Iguazu, Posadas, Ibera Wetlands, Buenos Aires
Excellent email communication throughout, and when we arrived in each new region, the local tour specialists welcomed us and let us know they were available if we needed anything. It comes highly recommended.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Camping
Age Range
1-79 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, El C
Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, El Calafate, Puerto Iguazu, El Ombu, Perito Moreno Glacier, Iguazu Falls National Park
This was a perfect trip for those who want to get out of Santiago and step into nature for the day. The valley was beautiful and the hike was perfect, not too difficult. The picnic at the end of the hike was the cherry on top of this tour.
