Experience autumn's spectacular beauty with over 1,800 tours across South America in January 2001. Perfect temperatures, stunning fall colors, and harvest celebrations await, rated by 4,500 autumn adventurers.
Simple stays with essential amenities. Typically guesthouses, hostels or hotels rated below 3 stars — clean, no-frills, and great for value-conscious travelers.
Comfortable and reliable 3-star stays. Expect private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, and solid amenities — a great balance between comfort and cost.
Upscale 4-5 star hotels and lodges. Enjoy high-end service, refined comfort, and premium locations — ideal for travelers seeking extra indulgence.
Done over 30 trips with Explore.
Always good.
Small group, well led, safe & comfortable but not luxurious.
Free time on some days, and some very full-on days.
Worth paying close attention to the itinerary
WildlifeActive and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge, Eco Lodge
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls Nat
Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls National Park, Amazon Brazil, Salvador
CharlieTheTraveler does such an excellent job balancing out trips, such as this Costa Rica trip. I enjoyed the balance between active daytrips and daytrips that allowed me to relax and enjoy my time away. This was the perfect vacation for me and something I would not have been able to plan on my own.
We loved our trip to Costa Rica/Panama and it was a perfect mix of tours and time on our own. The guides were all great and the hotels (including breakfast) all good -- one less so but not bad... Highly recommend this trip!
National parksWildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Villa
Age Range
8-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Panama City, San Jose, Panama Ca
Panama City, San Jose, Panama Canal, Soberanía National Park, Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio
Arturo was the best leader ever and would highly recommend him for the leader of the year. The trip was varied and taught be so much. Definitely ( if you can!) go to Inti Raymi. The most spectacular event I have ever seen
The Amazon extension was well worth the money as stayed in superb lodges with excellent food
Active and outdoorRafting
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picch
Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Puerto Maldonado, Amazon Jungle, Barranco, Arequipa, Chivay, Puno, Uros Floating Islands
Thanks for everything !!! This trip was just perfect. This was my first cruise ever and I loved it. I thought the stop at Port Lockroy was the icing on the cake. I was really worried that we would not be able to stop there as I didn't know if it was a sure thing or not. But we went there and I got a TON of souvenirs. I hope to travel with this tour operator in the near future. Thanks again !!!!!!!
Cruise
Tour Type
Cruise Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Ship Cabin
Age Range
8-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Antarctic Peninsul
Buenos Aires, Antarctic Peninsula, Ushuaia, Drake Passage
We loved the La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Sarapiqui River tour! La Paz is beyond beautiful with orchids, hummingbirds, frogs, toucans, scarlet macaws, parrots, coatis, sloths, ocelots, margays, and a jaguar. The gardens and waterfalls are exquisite. A wonderful buffet lunch was included.
Our trip down the Sarapiqui River in a covered boat was so much fun! We saw two caimans, iguanas, Anhingas, swallows, butterflies, and five troops of Mantled Howler monkeys.
Oscar and Armando, our guide and driver were so kind and taught us so much. We stopped at a lovely coffee finca to see the beans ripening, a sopa (local restaurant) in the mountains to take in spectacular waterfall and hummingbird views, we watched whitewater rafters, and sampled fresh pineapple at a farmstand.
Oscar and Armando treated us like family and made our first day in Costa Rica amazing!
National parksRaftingVolcanoes
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge, Eco Lodge, Resort
Age Range
8-79 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
San Jose, Tortuguero National Pa
San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Orosi, La Fortuna, Cahuita National Park
Arturo was a fantastic leader and guide. Knowledgable, helpful, caring, experienced and amusing. This was my 11th Explore holiday and Arturo is up there with the best guides. The porters and cooks are heroes - we were very happy to tip them generously. The itinerary was perfect, though no one should underestimate the challenge of around ten hours walking on day three. Cusco hotel staff were fine but the layout around a central atrium means the rooms are very noisy. The hotel near Machu Picchu was lovely but the staff were rude, unhelpful and disinterested. Overall I’d fully recommend this trip - but be sure to get into shape beforehand and consider your kit carefully.
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
The itinerary was as expected although some of the details were out of date or obsolete. An up to date review would be useful.
Lucie, the Explore Leader was exceptional!
National parksAdventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
We came away from this trip with a much better understanding of not only Machu Picchu, but Incan culture and the history of the region. All thanks to our kind and very smart guide, who took such good care of us over these 5 days. I would recommend this tour operator in a heartbeat, I have no complaints at all.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Camping, Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Salkantay, Cusco, Machu Picchu
Salkantay, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Soraypampa, Colcapampa, Santa Teresa, Aguas Calientes
Thoroughly enjoyed the trip with our amazing guide Anderson! He spoke English very well and took into consideration my dietary needs (gluten/vegetarian) at every food stop. Accommodation was good and the activities were a lot of fun, highly recommended! Thanks Anderson =)
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
