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.
Well prepared Salkantay trek 5d/5n zone with Saul G as a guide and Gregorio as a chef and Cesar and Walter as porters. Good food all the way and amazing places to sleep such as the hobbit houses and the star gazing houses the very first night. Bonus was the lomo saltado cooking class and the visit of a coffee farm.
Trekking and HikingCamping
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
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
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, Cusco, Pun
Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Cusco, Puno, Amantani, La Paz, Uyuni, Salar De Uyuni, San Pedro De Atacama, Amazon Jungle, Salta, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Estancia, Iguazu Falls, Paraty, Iguazu Falls, Ilha Grande, Ollantaytambo, Inca Trail
It is truly an experience that should be cherished and embraced at least once in a lifetime. We were incredibly fortunate to have been blessed with a sunny day, which enhanced the perfection of every moment.
Great trip in Argentina and Chile. We visited El Calafate and Puerto Natales in Chile, both very nice.
Trekking and HikingExplorer
Tour Type
Independent TourTypically a private tour undertaken by one or two travelers
Accommodation
Camping, Hotel
Age Range
1-99 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
El Calafate, Ushuaia, Torres del
El Calafate, Ushuaia, Torres del Paine National Park, Punta Arenas, El Chalten, Puerto Natales, Perito Moreno Glacier, Beagle Channel Cruise, Tierra Del Fuego National Park
My husband and a friend travelled for around 25 days visiting some of the most beautiful destinations in Argentina and Chile. Our favourite part was Mendoza and Bariloche for its exceptional landscapes and gastronomy. It is a trip that will remain in our memory forever.
ExplorerCity sightseeing
Tour Type
Independent TourTypically a private tour undertaken by one or two travelers
Age Range
1-79 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Santiago, El Calaf
Buenos Aires, Santiago, El Calafate, Ushuaia, Puerto Iguazu, Punta Arenas, Salta, Purmamarca, San Pedro De Atacama, Toconao, Santiago De Chile, Valparaiso, Tierra Del Fuego National Park, Iguazu Falls, Iguazu Falls
"We did the 2D/1N trip to Machu Picchu. Our tour guides David and Ciprian are truly great people and made sure everyone was taken care of. Ciprian was carrying someone’s backpack to help them out, for the entire 8 mile hike. I got a stomach flu during the second morning and had to miss part of the 2nd day but David gave me a personal tour of Machu Picchu when I started feeling better. That’s when I found out how truly knowledgeable David was because I asked so many questions and David gave detailed and extremely educated responses. Because of this, I have a much deeper understanding and appreciation of the Incas and their culture. David didn’t have to give me a make up tour of Machu Picchu, but he did so out of kindness and care.
Besides the gorgeous views all around and our exceptional tour guides, the next highlight for me was the lunch. We had lunch around 1pm and we were all surprised at how they managed to cook such amazing food without a kitchen. It was better food than some restaurants we had in Cuzco. There was avocado dip and fried wanton, chicken + mango ceviche, lomo saltado, potatoes, battered trout, apple water, various vegetables, and apple pie. The food was truly *chefs kiss* and maybe the best food we’ve had on a hike ever.
I highly recommend this tour and our tour guides David and Ciprian"
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
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
Set off on a 24-day Premium Highlights of South America tour, traversing Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil for an epic journey designed for seasoned travelers and seniors. Marvel at the wonders of Machu Picchu, delve into the biodiversity of the Amazon Jungle, and soak in the infectious rhythms of Santiago and Buenos Aires. The trip’s moderate activity level means you’ll explore lively neighborhoods, sample world-class wine in Mendoza, and feel the spray of Iguazu Falls. Guided by passionate locals, this cultural tour package stands out for its seamless blend of ancient sites, vibrant cities, and natural marvels—culminating in the iconic Rio de Janeiro. The USP: an immersive, expertly-led adventure revealing South America’s dazzling diversity in one unforgettable sweep.
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