Discover one of the world's most iconic hiking destinations, taking on must-do treks as well as endless empty trails in off-the-beaten-track gems. Travel a route lined with glaciers, witness the majestic Perito Moreno up close and take a special ice hike on the Creston Glacier. The challenging ascents of the Fitz Roy Massif to Laguna de los Tres, and to the base of the towers in Torres del Paine National Park, introduce keen hikers to the majesty of this mountain landscape.
Mount Fitz Roy - View the Fitz Roy skyline from Laguna de los Tres
Glacier Route - Hike to Creston and Huemul Glaciers and see Perito Moreno Glacier up close
Torres del Paine - Take on a selection of walks in this iconic hiking paradise
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Camping, Hotel, Lodge, Tent
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Mirador Base Torre
Buenos Aires, Mirador Base Torres, El Chaltén, Los Glaciares National Park, Los Huemules Private Reserve, Fitz Roy, Torres del Paine National Park
Follow in the footsteps of Shackleton on this quintessential polar voyage - from the serene ice of the deep south to the subantarctic wildlife paradise of South Georgia. Experience the Antarctic Peninsula and set foot on the continent before making your way north to the spectacular Antarctic Sound, gateway to the Weddell Sea. Embrace the adventure as you voyage further east, navigating as far as possible into the Weddell Sea. From here set a course to Elephant Island, the desolate outpost where Shackleton and his men finally made landfall after 497 days at sea. On the final leg of your voyage, follow the course of the James Caird across the Scotia Sea to South Georgia, where Shackleton's voyage reached its remarkable conclusion. As you retrace the steps of this historic voyage, your expert expedition team will be by your side to enrich your journey with insights, wildlife-spotting tips and stories of Shackleton's epic adventure.
Follow in the footsteps of Shackleton - to the wildlife haven of South Georgia
Enjoy full daylight hours - soak up the near endless summer daylight in Antarctica
Marvel at enormous tabular icebergs - in the Weddell Sea
Hike from Fortuna Bay - repeat the final leg of Shackleton's remarkable traverse from each to west of South Georgia
Polar expeditions and cruise
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Camping, Hotel, Hut, Ship Cabin
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Ushuaia, South Georgia, At Sea
Ushuaia, South Georgia, At Sea, Drake Passage, Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea, Elephant Island
If you love big landscapes, deserts, rock formations, volcanoes, geysers, remoteness and views that go on forever, then this is the trip for you. This was combined with very friendly people, local culture and good wine, making for one of the best trips I've ever had.
This was my first trip with Explore. (All the other members of the group had travelled multiple times with them). I would say the trip exceeded my expectations in every respect. Judging by the comments of the rest of the group, it was one of the best many of them had been on too. I have taken away memories that will last forever and met some wonderful people along the way.
There were six travellers in the group (all solo travellers) as well as Andres our guide, local guides and drivers. This was the first trip run on a new itinerary or at least one which Explore has not sold for a number of years. So in that respect our group were the guinea-pigs for the trip. I felt the group got on very well. I would say six was a good group size for the minibuses. It gave us room to spread out with our bags and snooze if needed on the longer journeys.
Itinerary:
The itinerary covers a lot of ground in a short space of time so is definitely full-on. However, overall, I thought it was well-paced with well-timed rest periods. Given that this was a new itinerary, there are a couple of "tweaks" I would make (mentioned below). However, they are minor changes only to what I found to be a well-rounded and balanced trip.
HIghlights for me included the Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia. I loved the desert, lagoons, volcanoes, flamingoes, the salt hotel and of course, our meal with our wonderful Bolivian guides - which I'll never forget. Another highlight was the sunset and moonrise over the Atacama Desert near San Pedro. I felt the trip was a gift that kept on giving. Just when you had one experience which you thought could not be topped, along came another one. The trip was cleverly planned in that sense.
In terms of amendments, I would suggest the following:
HIgh altitude is a feature of this trip and perhaps needs to be emphasised and explained a little more fully in the trip notes so that travellers can take a view. However, for me, any discomfort was more than compensated for by the remoteness and beauty of the landscapes we saw.
I particularly loved Bolivia and perhaps Explore could consider adding that another day to this leg of the trip. This would allow more time to get to know this fantastic country and its people but would also allow more time to acclimatise.
We had a wonderful day in the wine region of Cafayate. Both wine and food were delicious and plentiful. However, I think we all felt the number of tours and tastings should be reduced a little to allow us to relax into one wine tour and the meal without worrying about time.
Guiding:
Andres was our Explore guide and I cannot speak highly enough of him. Most of the group had travelled extensively over the years with Explore and said that he was one of the best guides they had ever had. Andres was excellent in every respect - professional, knowledgeable, organised but relaxed and very person-centred, attending well to the different needs of the group. The trip ran very smoothly and to time. Andres paid close attention to detail, making small changes to the itinerary as needed, He found good places to eat, and timed visits to avoid any crowds in particularly popular places. As far as I am aware, there was one small logistical glitch during the whole trip. This was beyond Andres' control but he took it in his stride, dealt with it and it did not affect the group. Definitely 5* for Andres.
The local guides and drivers in each country were very friendly and efficient. I would say the guides in Argentina and Bolivia were particularly knowledgeable. The warmth and kindness shown to us was lovely. I would single out Wilbur in Bolivia for particular praise.
Accommodation:
Before the trip, I did not have particularly high expectations of the hotels, thinking that location would take priority over hotel standard and that budget hotels would be used to keep costs down. To a certain extent this proved to be the case. I would say in most places the standard was 3*. I found all of them were perfectly acceptable although some had variable hot water and wifi which is only to be expected really given the region. All hotels were very friendly and in a very good location. Some hotels stood out as having more character and better service than others. The Salt Hotel (Laguna Salada) on the Uyuni flats was something truly special. The stunning location, the hotel design and the friendliness of the staff there were something I will never forget. The Hotel Los Flamencos at the Laguna Hedionda was graded as "simple" and we warned to take warm sleepwear as it can get cold at night. However, I found the hotel to be warm and characterful and again, the location was stunning. Standing outside the hotel (albeit at about -5 degrees Celsius), watching the flamingos on the lagoon and the sun come up over the volcanoes behind was something truly memorable.
San Pedro de Atacama was the most touristy place we visited and I would say the hotel there reflected that. It felt a bit more generic than the others, although the barman was excellent and served some knockout Pisco sours.
Overall, I would give this trip 5* without hesitation. Unforgettable - in the best possible way. Any quibbles are very minor ones to me. I would highly recommend.
Sightseeing Tours
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
Buenos Aires, San Pedro, Santiag
Buenos Aires, San Pedro, Santiago, Salta, Cafayate, Purmamarca, Tilcara, Tupiza, Uyuni, Incahuasi, San Pedro De Atacama
Embark on a unique stargazing tour in El Calafate, where an expert astronomer will guide you through the southern skies. Enjoy a scenic drive, a delicious dinner with panoramic views, and try your hand at astrophotography, all under a sky full of stars
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Offering helicopter adventures no one else can, our cutting-edge 12-day Antarctica by Helicopter: Icebergs, Mountains and Remote Lands itinerary maximizes opportunities to explore the interior of the magical 7th Continent, as well as Erebus and Terror Gulf, Antarctic Sound and the great Weddell Sea. Anticipate unrivalled views you never dreamt possible: sculpted icebergs arising from the depths of the sea; and snow-capped peaks you’re tempted to reach out and touch as you fly by. Enjoy two Heli Flightseeing adventures and one Heli Excursion—all included in the price of your voyage—while exploring in the comfort of Ultramarine.
You’ll learn what it's like to step out of a helicopter onto Antarctica and gaze upon polar landscapes previously seen by just a few fearless explorers. In fact, some areas of the east side of the Peninsula resemble the planet Mars. Ultimately, this innovative voyage on board Ultramarine—with its two twin-engine helicopters—will translate into the expedition of a lifetime.
Polar expeditions and cruise
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Hut, Ship Cabin
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Drake Passage, Ush
Buenos Aires, Drake Passage, Ushuaia, Antarctic Sound, Weddell Island
30% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Uncover the landscape, wildlife and stillness of the remote Antarctic Peninsula on this 11-day adventure like no other. Conquer the famed Drake Passage, explore scenic natural environments and take daily Zodiac expeditions to the South Shetland Islands. Here, you can walk, hike and get up close to the colonies of penguins and birds that call this remote paradise home. Spot whales and seals, enjoy talks on history, biology and glaciology by your handy polar experts, and personalise your adventure with optional activities that suit your interests, like kayaking, snowshoeing and paddling. Take on this incredible journey and cross the 7th Continent off the list—your way.
Polar expeditions and cruise
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Ship Cabin
Age Range
8-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Ushuaia, Antarctic Peninsula, Drake Passage
Ushuaia, Antarctic Peninsula, Drake Passage
27% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
The Walking Tour of Buenos Aires is the best way to get to know the city. Our tour is done walking and traveling by public transportation. The idea is to get to know, in a sustainable way and without losing sight of the daily reality of the porteños, the most beautiful and interesting corners of the city. You will experience a unique and real contact experience with our beloved metropolis. Throughout the tour you will taste typical local food ending the tour in a spectacular bar and viewpoint overlooking the Plaza Congreso and the most colorful avenues of the city
Walking tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
First, take in the highlights of Buenos Aires on a comprehensive sightseeing tour and visit Plaza de Mayo, historic San Telmo and La Boca, and the magnificent Recoleta Cemetery.
In the afternoon, you will visit Tigre and have the chance to navigate around the islands of the area and discover a different and more relaxed way of life next to the capital
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Private Airport Transfer to or from the Buenos Aires Aeroparque. Enjoy maximum security and privacy in our modern vehicles. Professional drivers escort you to and from the airport
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
This traditional "tanguería" declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 1982, is located in San Telmo neighborhood which represents the cultural essence of tango. El Viejo Almacen has a stunning show with professional dancers and a live band and it is the best way to watch a spectacular show in one of the most historic and internationally renowned tanguerías in the world.
Visiting this traditional place is a must!
Culture shows and excursions
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
