January 2001 Summer Adventures Across South America
Make the most of January 2001 with over 1,900 incredible tours across South America. Peak season means perfect weather for outdoor activities, vibrant festivals, and unforgettable experiences, all rated by 4,100 summer travelers.
Iguazzu Falls are spectucular and not to be missed when visiting South America. This was an enjoyable spectacular trip of a lifetime - a few too many border crossings that should be reduced to level up the expereince.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
5-100 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Foz Do Iguacu, Iguazu Falls Nati
Foz Do Iguacu, Iguazu Falls National Park, Iguazu Falls
This was the trip of a lifetime for me. We met our guide Luis on arrival at the hotel in San Jose and were welcomed by name. Every day was different and special. Luis was impressively knowledgeable about all aspects of the trip. Travel, wildlife, agriculture, social structures, the economy. He asked about our interests and made sure we were all accommodated. We experienced several completely different areas of Costa Rica with different climates and environments. We had a variety of optional activities which were all fun. Our driver, Danny was brilliant; we always felt safe. The group was great too.
Active and outdoorWildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
The Contrasts of Colombia holiday with Explore certainly lives up to its name.
From the moment you arrive in Bogotá to the end point in Cartagena you will experience the very best that Colombia offers - and it doesn’t hold back! The colours, people, art, sights, sounds, smells, music and food are vibrant! This is a tour like no other I have been on. Truly memorable for the right reasons.
Led by Andreas, an outstanding tour director and our wonderful group we had an amazing trip from start to finish. Andreas kept us on track, sorted any issues quickly and efficiently and with complete ease. He was truly remarkable, an expert in his field. His love of the country is as infectious as his smile and sense of humour. We all learned so much about ourselves, Colombia and each other. And at the end of the day, that’s what we look for in these types of trips, right? Something that stretches our senses and minds.
Highlights for me were Bogotá, where you get rooted in the country’s history and its rich, historical past and many challenges from which it is thankfully rebuilding; to the beauty of the Andes, drinking ‘the best coffee’ at the Hacienda de Roble; completing a pilgrimage to Mount Monserrat; stunned into silence at the engineering and the beauty of the salt cathedral; danced the salsa in Villa de Leyva; went on rickshaw rides, discovered wine, cocktails and cable cars; Played the explosive game of Tejo, hung onto oir *****’s jeep in Salento, where we climbed the foothills of the Cocora valley witnessing the flight of the magnificent Condor; to discovering the real Medellín (and how to pronounce it!) and much much more including a swim in the warm waters of the Caribbean at Cartagena.
From cities, to mountains I only dreamed about to the coast. All remarkable in its own unique way. Beautiful Colombia!
Andreas was joined by local guides and drivers who were experts in their local area so could give you their own take and continue to build on your knowledge. If you wanted something or anything everyone went the extra mile to sort!
The accommodation was great, really authentic and comfortable and clean. Food is very authentic so don’t expect burger and fries or fried chicken in breadcrumbs! This is the food of Colombia! Personally I like that but if you don’t like coffee you might like to bring your own tea bags. Don’t trust the water and use the guidance that is given in the notes. Weather was good for us so February was a great time to travel. Hot on the coast but a steady temperature inland. Very pleasant! When it rains, an umbrella or poncho is best.
Some of the travel days are long and food service can be slower than the UK (as it’s freshly cooked) so you need to be flexible especially when travelling with a large group e.g using the toilets, being on time, ordering ahead etc. but our group was amazing and we all looked after each other, swapped seats etc. everyone was very kind and friendly. Mucking in is best as you spend a lot of time together.
So if you are considering this holiday, I would say “I would do it all again in a heartbeat”. Colombia is beautiful and trying to rebuild its reputation with innovative makers, artists, musicians and tourism.
There is much to see and admire and I’m proud to be an ambassador and glad to have been. I have come back a better person and with some great friendships and memories. 10/10!! Just remember to ask for Andreas, the best leader!
Active and outdoorExplorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Villa
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Bogota, Cartagena, Medellin, Gua
Bogota, Cartagena, Medellin, Guatapé, Paloquemao, Villa De Leyva, Barichara, Guane, Chicamocha National Park, Cocora Valley
Our island guides were great.Yanni in particular was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the Galapagos islands that she really managed to convey just how very special they are.She had a lovely manner about her.Erika too was a very pleasant and knowledgeable guide , without them both we would have missed so much.
Miriam accompanied us throughout & again she was a wonderful guide She really looked out for the group, gave us great recommendations & was extremely knowledgeable about her city/country.
Equador is a great choice of country to visit as it is so varied in landscape & climate, something for everyone I would say.
Active and outdoorWildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Venture to the shores of Lake Titicaca on the "Lake Titicaca & Isla del Sol Explorer 3D/2N (La Paz to Cuzco)" adventure trip. Over three days, travel from La Paz to Cusco, passing through the mystical Isla del Sol and the cultural heartlands of Bolivia and Peru. Guided small-group activities include boat rides on the world’s highest navigable lake, explorations of ancient Inca ruins, and immersive visits with local communities—offering a blend of relaxation and hands-on discovery. Young adults and experienced travelers will appreciate the relaxed yet enriching pace, while the standout feature is the rare opportunity to experience two vibrant cultures on one seamless journey through the Andes.
AdventureExplorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
This was an excellent trip in every way. The leader Alejandro was outstanding- very caring, helpful , informative and well-organised. Peru is a varied and interesting country and although Machu Picchu was spectacular there were many other highlights to our tour. The itinerary covered a lot of ground but it was not too rushed with a good mix of organised activities and some free time. The transport by bus and train was comfortable and the hotels were good and well-situated.
Active and outdoorExplorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
16-79 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cusco, Lima, Sacred Valley, Mach
Cusco, Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Arequipa, Chivay, Puno, Taquile Island
Our accommodation in Rio Bamba was terrible, I felt I could not use the shower as it was so dilapidated. We only had one towel that had already been ripped in half. We felt it would have been hygenically unsafe to use the 'restaurant' and went out for breakfast. We were unsure why we went to Rio Bamba as it was not a nice place and it felt unsafe at night. Apart from 4 nights the accommodation was quite good. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and spoke to us for most of the time during the coach journeys. Nothing was too much trouble for him to do for us. The itinerary was very good apart from Rio Bamba (which should have been avoided) and a wasted last day in Quito. We could have caught an earlier flight to Quito, from Cuenca, the next day and not spent another day in a hotel that is a long way from Quito city which we had already explored.. Also it would have been better to have flown from Cuenca on the early morning flight to Quito then straight to Bogota and the to LHR.
Active and outdoorExplorer
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, Riobamba, Cuen
Quito, Guayaquil, Riobamba, Cuenca, Otavalo, Laguna Cuicocha, Cotopaxi National Park, Papallacta, Misahualli, Banos
