How was your Explore Tour Leader?

He was a very skillful tourleader, provided a lot of information about the cities, places and regions where we came through, we had a lot of fun with him

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

"it´s a trip where you have to let a lof of way behind you - crossing the continent. the accommodations partly are very excellent. In San Pedro and Salta you should expect the desert with sand and dust, depending on your traveltime nights are cold.
If you are on a night bus - take your ""music-equipment"" with you."

This was an amazing trip covering a vast area in a relatively short space of time.  The diversity in scenery was simply stunning.  Highlights...Iguassi Falls, Atacama Desert/San Pedro, Rio, Santiago and Salto. 

Would definately recommend this tour as a good introduction to South America.  If you go in July/August pack for massive range of temperatures(-17 to 30 degrees for our tour). Also stay in groups and take minimum valuables when walking around the cities. (SRE -23rd July 2011)

Brilliant  travel  adventure. Highs would have to be Atacama, Iguazu Falls and horse riding (great bit of fun). Be prepared for the vastness of SA it's tiring and mind "boggling" at the same time. Carry plenty of fluids "wine is very cheap" (SRE - 9th October 2010)

South America was a dream destination for my husband and this trip fulfilled his dreams (and mine). It was a trip of contrast and excitement. To travel over 5000 miles by bus for most would be daunting but because the vehicles changed, the terrain was varied and the climate hugely contrasting the whole trip was a "wow". To say farewell to the Pacific and say hello to the Atlantic was special - but in between - the aridness of the Atacama, with it's salt plains, lakes, geysers (at dawn, -8 degrees C) sunsets and valcanos compares with nothing; then travelling to Iguacu falls where around every bend a yet more amazing sight was revealed accompanied by the roar of the water with the wonderfull rainbows as highlights. Interlinked by varied spectacular landscapes, cultures, food and history this was a trip that will remain special for ever. Culminating in Rio with spectucular weather and a final excursion to the Favelos has given me a real insight into part of South America. (SRE - 10th October 2010)

L Houghton
A wonderful comprehensive tour which I would thoroughly recommend to anyone.  I completely fell in love with the Andes and can’t wait to return.  There are some long journeys but the scenery on view is just spectacular.  Some of the trips are at high altitude but well within most people’s capabilities. The short hike in the high Andes following a visit to Salar de Atacama, was easy and well worth the walk for the splendid picnic provided for us. So many highlights – Atacama desert, El Tatio Geysers, the journey from St Pedro to Salta over the Andes, the wonderful dancing at the Old Railway Station in Salta, horse riding in Argentina, Iguacu Falls, Jesuit Missions, the train journey to Serra do Mar.  Plus what a lovely and patient tour leader we had in Bera.    Not so good was the journey from Serena to St Pedro where we had to change buses 3 times – one had its heater stuck full on!   Contrary to the other review I found the overnight Argentinean bus journey comfortable – there were no complaints from any of the 16 people on my tour.  And as for Brazil – oh dear!  I know the rain forest is called that for a reason, but it never stopped pouring with rain during our entire time in the country except, of course, for our last morning before flying home. Then there was that hotel room in Vina del Mar …..  but I guess I was just unlucky!  Tips:  Make sure you have plenty of warm clothing if you intend to visit El Tatio geysers – it was minus 9C when we visited.  You can buy lovely warm hats, etc. in St Pedro.  The track to the geysers is incredibly rutted and I found my neck cushion was a Godsend. I loved this trip so much, I would consider doing it again (SRE - 1st October 2007)

Highlights- Atacama desert, Salta, Iguasa falls and Paraty. Overnight bus in Argentina for 17 hrs without being let off needs to be looked at. Some sleeping pills needed by some people to get some rest on this very, very long journey. (SRE- 19th June 2010)