For a traveler on a budget this is ideal. A week in the Ecuadoran highlands, exploring volcanoes, cloud forest and local communities followed by a week in The Galápagos.
Our land based island tour gave us freedom of movement within the itinerary, allowed for personal exploration, choices of restaurants and shopping opportunities. We met giant tortoises, some wandering freely, others in breeding centres. We walked to the top of the caldera of the Sierra Negra volcano on Isabella. There were snorkelling trips with colourful fishes and a walk round North Seymour Island where frigate birds were displaying and baby boobies were fledging. Yellow land iguanas, black sea iguanas and SallyLightfoot crabs were plentiful too.
Back on the main islands, sea lions were snoozing on the pavements by the harbour, pelicans and lava herons were catching tidbits from the local fishermen cleaning their catch.
It was wonderful!
We saw all the wildlife on the Galapagos list for October, except the flightless cormorant. If you are a specialist looking for differences between species on different islands, then cruising may be better. However for the non- biologists this trip ticked all the boxes. It was 😊 GREAT👍
Active and outdoorWildlife
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
Quito, Guayaquil, Sierra Negra
Quito, Guayaquil, Sierra Negra, Isla Santa Cruz, Santa Fe Island, Tortuga Bay, Otavalo, Laguna Cuicocha, Mindo, Cotopaxi National Park, Galapagos Islands, Puerto Villamil
9% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Not only does this two-week adventure visit one of the famed Seven Wonders of the World (Machu Picchu), but it also dips into the natural wonder of the Amazon Jungle as well as Puno, capital city Lima and bustling Cusco. Whether you opt to sweat it up on the ancient Inca Trail or take the scenic train route, you can choose your own adventure, making some unforgettable new friendships along the way! Stay in a proper eco-lodge in the jungle, where you’ll explore by day and float on the Amazon River by night (look out for anacondas, jaguars and caimans) then stay with a local family on the shores Lake Titicaca, where you can soak away your worries. Hit the nightlife in Cusco, then end it all with a couple of relaxing days in foodie paradise Lima.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Camping, Lodge, Home-stay, Eco Lodge
Age Range
18-35 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Lima, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Puert
Lima, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Puerto Maldonado, Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu
13% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
There are many sides to South America, from the energy of the cities, the beauty of the lansdcapes and the spirit of its people. Discover it all on this trip that winds through the Inca heartlands and jungles of Peru, the enigmatic cities and natural wonders of Argentina and the dynamism of Brazil's vivacious Rio. See animals, meet locals, traverse trails and marvel at all the contrasts of this very special corner of the world.
AdventureWaterfalls
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Camping, Lodge, Eco Lodge, Home-stay
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Puno, Cusc
Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Puno, Cusco, Inca Trail, Amazon Jungle, Mt Pisco, Buenos Aires, Ituzaingo, Foz Do Iguacu, Iguazu Falls, Nazca, Arequipa, Chivay, Lake Titicaca
13% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
This is a very active, fast-paced trip with plenty of opportunities for long hikes, amazing scenery and fabulous flora and fauna. Some long journeys, as it is a vast area to cover, but well worth it. An absolutely fabulous experience.
WildlifeActive and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
16-79 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Perito Moreno Glac
Buenos Aires, Perito Moreno Glacier, El Chaltén, Mount Fitzroy, Puerto Iguazu, Iguazu Falls, Ushuaia, Tierra Del Fuego National Park, Punta Arenas, Torres del Paine National Park, Los Glaciares National Park
This travel operator provided us with a two-day trek to Machu Picchu that has to be experienced to be truly understood. Their crew of porters and cook provided exceptional service and meals. David's knowledge was outstanding and his attention to detail in regards to accommodation travel and gear storage was second to none. If you want a first class trekking experience this company should be your first choice.
Sightseeing ToursAdventure
Tour Type
Private and Group Tour Private Tour with a few fixed group departures available.
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
6-75 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Sacred
Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, Cusco
Visit Peru's incredible natural and historical highlights on this awesome adventure. Retrace the steps of the Incas to Machu Picchu, admire bustling cities, explore vibrant markets and meet the locals in this South American country with a difference. Return home with incredible memories of the panoramas and people of Peru. Amazing wildlife, both on land and underwater, is the drawcard of the remote Galapagos Islands. Tour the Galapagos' outstanding natural beauty and interesting history by foot, boat and bike on this active adventure. Trace Darwin's theory of evolution, spot colourful, bizarre and beautiful creatures and have an experience that is completely out of this world as you discover the incredible Galapagos Islands.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Home-stay
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Quito, Lima, La Loberia, Galapag
Quito, Lima, La Loberia, Galapagos Islands, Isla Santa Cruz, Cusco, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, Puno
10% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Absolutely incredible experience! Our tour guide, Rom, was so patient with our group and provided so much information for each spot! 100% will use this agency again!
AdventureTrekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Private and Group Tour Private Tour with a few fixed group departures available.
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
Embark on a captivating journey through Costa Rica's diverse landscapes and vibrant culture with this meticulously crafted itinerary. Begin your adventure with a private transfer from Juan Santamaria International Airport to your hotel in San Jose, where you'll receive a warm welcome and an introduction to the country's rich heritage. Explore Costa Rica's cosmopolitan capital, San Jose, home to bustling streets, iconic landmarks, and a myriad of gastronomic delights.
Next, venture into the misty cloud forests of Monteverde, where exhilarating horseback riding tours and guided walks through the renowned Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve await. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking natural beauty and abundant wildlife of this verdant region.
Continue your journey to Manuel Antonio, a paradise of unspoiled beaches and lush rainforests. Spend your days snorkeling, hiking, or simply basking in the sun-kissed tranquility of this coastal haven. With a variety of optional tours available, including mangrove boat tours, horseback riding adventures, and guided walks through national parks, there's something for every adventurer to enjoy.
As your unforgettable Costa Rican odyssey draws to a close, bid farewell to this enchanting country and its warm-hearted people with a private transfer back to Juan Santamaria International Airport for your departure.
Prepare to be captivated by the beauty, biodiversity, and boundless adventure that await you in Costa Rica.
AdventureTrekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
1-79 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
San Jose, Manuel Antonio Nationa
San Jose, Manuel Antonio National Park, Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio
Take an adventure in diverse South America on this 25-day trip from La Paz to Rio de Janeiro. See amazing natural wonders, walk the streets of busy cities and meet the charming locals with a leader by your side who knows all the best spots. Tour the city of Colonia del Sacramento, discover why Salta is nicknamed ‘La Linda’ (‘the beautiful’) and tick immersive Buenos Aires off your bucket list with your new group of friends. Witness the magic of the Iguazu Falls, journey through the untamed desert scenery of San Pedro de Atacama and see the otherworldly Salar de Uyuni salt flats. You’ll have plenty of free time to explore each location, and all the logistics are taken care of for you, so you can concentrate on making new connections and discovering new places.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-35 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Rio de Janeiro, La Paz, Buenos A
Rio de Janeiro, La Paz, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Estancia, Iguazu Falls, Paraty, Ilha Grande, Salar De Uyuni, Altiplano, San Pedro De Atacama, Salta
13% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Experience the full spectrum of South America on this epic 39-day adventure – the perfect way to forge lifelong connections. Follow in the footsteps of ancient people on the Inca Trail in Peru, drive past volcanoes, lakes, llamas and flamingos in the Atacama Desert and marvel at the might of Iguazu Falls. Spend nights on an estancia (farm) in Uruguay and at a homestay on Lake Titicaca, sample Argentinian barbecue in Buenos Aires and roam through the Amazon jungle. With like-minded travel companions and a local leader providing recommendations at every stop, this’ll be a South American expedition like no other.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Camping, Home-stay, Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
18-35 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Puno, Lake
Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Puno, Lake Titicaca, La Paz, Salar De Uyuni, Altiplano, San Pedro De Atacama, Puerto Maldonado, Salta, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Estancia, Cusco, Iguazu Falls, Iguazu Falls, Paraty, Ilha Grande, Ollantaytambo, Inca Trail
Calling all nature lovers, solo travellers and young adventurers! Spend a week in Costa Rica beginning in San Jose – the thriving urban centre with colourful markets, vibrant nightlife and spontaneous art fairs. Explore Monteverde’s Cloud Forest at your own pace, keeping your eye out for sloths and the elusive quetzal bird. Head to La Fortuna, shadowed by the immense Arenal Volcano, and enjoy free time to chase waterfalls and soak away your worries in the natural thermal hot springs. Explore Cahuita National Park with a hike and a swim, then enjoy some beach time on the Caribbean coast in Puerto Viejo. If you're lucky, spot sloths, hummingbirds, iguanas, monkeys, toucans, coatimundis, quetzals and racoons, then take a cooking class to learn the local cuisine. With a local leader with insider knowledge and a likeminded group of travellers – what better way to dive into Costa Rica?
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-35 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
San Jose, Monteverde, La Fortuna
San Jose, Monteverde, La Fortuna, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Initially before booking the trip I thought it was extremely overpriced.
However(our tour guide) was fantastic. He made the trip worth every penny and was extremely organised and knowledgeable. The locations were great, and the activities were really cool.
was a fantastic character, and became a friend by ensuring we all had fun. He looked after and catered for everyone’s needs and requirements, promoting safety above all else, and more than once went the extra mile to ensure we all had a great time (joining myself at CrossFit and his traditional dance moves were personal highlights).
I hope he gets the recognition he deserves, as I would love to book a similar trip with Contiki in future because of this great experience.
I would also recommend that you include huacachina in future - I went there on my own and it was one of the coolest experiences - maybe this could be added as an extra at the beginning of the trip.
Adventure
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge, Home-stay
Age Range
18-35 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Lima, Cusco, Puerto Maldonado, S
Lima, Cusco, Puerto Maldonado, Sacred Valley, Aguas Calientes, Arequipa, Puno