I had a great time with Gadventures trip to Peru and Boliva. I highly recommend Gadventures, National Geographic small group trips. I believe these trips offer special insight into the local cultures.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Absolutely amazing is all I can say. The hike was definitely one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but it was so worth it. Our guides made sure that we had the best overall experience and I would recommend G adventures to everyone! The scenic views throughout the hike were absolutely breathtaking. The food was really good and we had no issues with our accommodations or travel. Thanks again to all the wonderful staff at G adventures that were with us throughout our Journey!
WildlifeTrekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
A short trip but a good way to experience the highlands of Ecuador.
Highlights are Cotopaxi mountain lodge and national park and Cuenca. Both beautiful places.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
I thought my experience was fantastic! From meeting people from all over the world and being in similar situations but going through fun activities together. It was a great way to make new friends and learn something new about everywhere. I found the places we visited to be beautiful and having learned a bit about each town was extremely fascinating. I would highly recommend.
Wildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hostel, Resort
Age Range
18-39 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
San Jose, La Fortuna, Arenal Vol
San Jose, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano, Punta Arenas, Playa Santa Teresa
We saw the beauty and power of God's creation in Iguazu at the falls and at the bird park. Make sure to go to both the Brazil and Argentina sides of the falls. We took a helicopter ride and saw the birds on the Brazil side. If you don't have any physical disabilities, you can take a boat ride through the falls on the Argentina side. I highly recommend this trip.
The guides, chef, and porters are all amazing. The food on the Inca trail is exceptional. How they do it, I don't know. This is a hard hike but you are well taken care of.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
It was amazing. I had such a fun time and got to see things I never imagined. I really enjoyed the people I toured with including the tour guide. I definitely want to book more tours with G Adventures.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
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
1-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
La Paz, Potosi, Uyuni, Copacaban
La Paz, Potosi, Uyuni, Copacabana, Sucre, El Alto, Yumani, Villamar, Bolivia, Silolio Dykuma, Tomasamil
