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 4,200 summer 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
Enjoy beautiful Costa Rica on this seven-day tour, including wonderful rainforests, volcanoes, cloud forest and natural trails combined with the incredible opportunity to see wildlife. You will fall in love with this tropical paradise.
Active 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
6-99 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
San Jose, Sarapiqui, Arenal Volc
San Jose, Sarapiqui, Arenal Volcano National Park, San Gerardo De Dota
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
Enjoy the many highlights of Costa Rica on this 14-day itinerary, including wonderful rainforests, volcano, cloud forests and the exotic North Caribbean side of Costa Rica. Discover a country of great natural beauty, whether you are watching the Arenal volcano whilst bathing in hot springs, walking in the canopy of Monteverde's cloud forest, relaxing on the pristine jungle of Tortuguero or enjoying the warm waters of the Pacific Coast. This is the real nature lover's paradise.
Active and outdoorBeach
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Eco Lodge, Lodge
Age Range
6-99 yrs
Operated in
spanish, english
Destinations
San Jose, Tamarindo, Tortuguero
San Jose, Tamarindo, Tortuguero, Tortuguero National Park, Arenal, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve
Uncover essential Costa Rica during this 13-day exotic adventure. Beginning and ending in the capital, San Jose, this tour offers you the chance to discover different aspects of this emblematic destination. Visit the most predominant natural areas of Costa Rica, including Arenal Volcano National Park, and the cloud forest of Monteverde. Spend precious time in mesmerising Tamarindo, one of Costa Rica’s most famous beaches, indulging in the fun surf town atmosphere and getting closer to the inspiring local culture and adventurous spirit.
Active and outdoorBeach
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort, Eco Lodge, Lodge
Age Range
6-99 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
San Jose, Alajuela, Tamarindo, T
San Jose, Alajuela, Tamarindo, Tortuguero, Tortuguero National Park, Arenal, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve
I usually don’t post reviews, but I wanted to thank the staff for helping to make our 2 week Argentinian adventure as flawless as possible. First Melina helped plan our itinerary, which was quite challenging since it included 4 flights and 5 hotels! The activities she suggested, from ice trekking to Tango shows were all fun and unique. The transportation to and from activities and hotels was stellar and such a time saver. We chose mid range hotels and each was clean and so fitting for the location we were at. Milagros took over once our itinerary was set and what a bonus that was! What stood out most was how graciously she accommodated all the issues we had once we began our trip - and there were a lot. From lost luggage to last minute flight and hotel changes, Milagros handled everything graciously and without an upcharge to do so. The farewell bottle of wine was such an unexpected surprise. Muchas Gracias, team!
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Tent
Age Range
5-79 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, El C
Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, El Calafate, Ushuaia, El Chalten, Iguazu Falls National Park, Patagonia, Perito Moreno Glacier
The trek was very well organized from the beginning to end. I was quite nervous to do it but the team was very motivating and attentive, which I really appreciated. The guide was very informative and the food was great.
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
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
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
