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Central & South America Adventure Tours

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Central & South America Trips

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South America Hiking Adventure Tours v3

From Peru's Ancient Incan Empire and Patagonia's dramatic landscapes to the dreamy Galapagos, get ready for a South America hiking adventure tour like no other!

South America is one of the most diverse of all the world's continents, and we reckon the best way to explore its many landscapes is to join a South America hiking and adventure tour. Witness some of the earliest evidence of human society in Peru, as well as mind-boggling engineering at sites like Machu Picchu. Journey deep into Patagonia's pristine National Parks and discover the rich and flourishing wild flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands. With small groups and experienced guides, you'll explore well off-the-beaten-path and embrace the local way of life on the way. These are some of the most diverse and authentic South American hiking tours you'll find.
South America Hiking Adventure Tours

Hike, bike and kayak in South America's most iconic landscapes, at your own pace

Here at Active Adventures we understand the need for variety, and in such a huge place it would be impossible to cover all of the ground in one trip - so we've created a bunch which all appeal to different interests. Our trips travel through Peru, Patagonia, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands - we believe you should be able to enjoy the destination that appeals to your most, without having to rush to the next spot.

Hear from our Happy Guests
4.85/5 Rating | 6,500+ Reviews

What Our Guests Say About Our Trips

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Costa Rica Guanacaste Adventure - April 2024

Costa Rica Guanacaste Active Adventure

"We truly appreciated the constant care and attention to detail provided by our Guide (Roy) and Chauffeur (Jose)! Roy is a fountain of knowledge and Jose is an excellent driver, along with a great sense of humor!

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"We truly appreciated the constant care and attention to detail provided by our Guide (Roy)… read more

"We truly appreciated the constant care and attention to detail provided by our Guide (Roy) and Chauffeur (Jose)! Roy is a fountain of knowledge and Jose is an excellent driver, along with a great sense of humor! read less

5 Stars (14 reviews)

M Maureen | April 2024

Costa Rica Tortuguero Adventure - March 2024

Costa Rica Tortuguero Adventure

"This holiday was one of the best experiences we've ever had. Costa Rica is a special place, and made even better by having a very knowledgeable and experienced guide called Sterling. As well as keeping us on track with all of the activities, he was always on the lookout for all of the beautiful wildlife that Costa Rica has to offer. We loved all of the activities that included Ziplines, Rappelling and Kayaking. We'd recommend this trip to anyone who's looking for an adventure into the rainforest and like a more active holiday.

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"This holiday was one of the best experiences we've ever had. Costa Rica is a… read more

"This holiday was one of the best experiences we've ever had. Costa Rica is a special place, and made even better by having a very knowledgeable and experienced guide called Sterling. As well as keeping us on track with all of the activities, he was always on the lookout for all of the beautiful wildlife that Costa Rica has to offer. We loved all of the activities that included Ziplines, Rappelling and Kayaking. We'd recommend this trip to anyone who's looking for an adventure into the rainforest and like a more active holiday. read less

5 Stars (42 reviews)

M Mark Withycombe, | March 2024

Costa Rica Guanacaste Adventure - March 2024

Fun Adventure

"This was my first group tour so I wasn't sure what to expect. I was a little sus, actually, and was uncertain how things would go. Those concerns were quickly dismissed once I met our guide, Roy, and driver, George. They found excellent hotels, activity vendors, restaurants, led informative and exciting hikes, and put together an overall awesome itinerary. Each day was filled with adventure, fun and local food. I have to admit the trip exceeded my expectations and I'm considering exploring the east coast of Costa Rica now that I've experienced the west coast.

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"This was my first group tour so I wasn't sure what to expect. I was… read more

"This was my first group tour so I wasn't sure what to expect. I was a little sus, actually, and was uncertain how things would go. Those concerns were quickly dismissed once I met our guide, Roy, and driver, George. They found excellent hotels, activity vendors, restaurants, led informative and exciting hikes, and put together an overall awesome itinerary. Each day was filled with adventure, fun and local food. I have to admit the trip exceeded my expectations and I'm considering exploring the east coast of Costa Rica now that I've experienced the west coast. read less

5 Stars (14 reviews)

S Steven | March 2024

Costa Rica Guanacaste Adventure - March 2024

Pura Vida - Costa Rica

"This is my second trip with Austin / Active Adventures and it won't be my last! Costa Rica, Guanacaste trip was amazing. The activities were well planned and ran smoothly. The nature was beautiful and everything I hoped it would be. But the best part was our guide Roy and our driver Jorge! They 100% made my trip the best it could be. I am a single traveler and I always felt safe, taken care of and very much entertained and educated! I definitely recommend the Guanacaste, CR trip and if you are lucky to get Roy and Jorge, you are guaranteed to LOVE IT!

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"This is my second trip with Austin / Active Adventures and it won't be my… read more

"This is my second trip with Austin / Active Adventures and it won't be my last! Costa Rica, Guanacaste trip was amazing. The activities were well planned and ran smoothly. The nature was beautiful and everything I hoped it would be. But the best part was our guide Roy and our driver Jorge! They 100% made my trip the best it could be. I am a single traveler and I always felt safe, taken care of and very much entertained and educated! I definitely recommend the Guanacaste, CR trip and if you are lucky to get Roy and Jorge, you are guaranteed to LOVE IT! read less

5 Stars (14 reviews)

J Jeannine | March 2024

Patagonia Hiking Adventure - March 2024

Patagonia Adventures

"Wonderful experience exploring Patagonia - outstanding guide (CEM), spectacular scenery and great food.

CEM went out of his way to ensure we were well taken care of throughout the trip. Highly recommend any trip with him. He was the best guide! Our group named him "Guide of the Year" to our farewell dinner.

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"Wonderful experience exploring Patagonia - outstanding guide (CEM), spectacular scenery and great food.

CEM went… read more

"Wonderful experience exploring Patagonia - outstanding guide (CEM), spectacular scenery and great food.

CEM went out of his way to ensure we were well taken care of throughout the trip. Highly recommend any trip with him. He was the best guide! Our group named him "Guide of the Year" to our farewell dinner. read less

5 Stars (377 reviews)

M Michelle | March 2024

Patagonia Hiking Adventure - March 2024

Liz

"The Patagonia adventure was epic. Our guide, CEM, was an experienced professional who cared about each of us.

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"The Patagonia adventure was epic. Our guide, CEM, was an experienced professional who cared about… read more

"The Patagonia adventure was epic. Our guide, CEM, was an experienced professional who cared about each of us. read less

4 Stars (377 reviews)

M Mary | March 2024

Patagonia Hiking Adventure - March 2024

Stickney Family Trip to Patagonia

"It was the most beautiful and adventurous trip we have taken as a family. Calving glacier, 3 Pumas, Condors, gorgeous scenery....and a whole lot of family time together. Our guides Gustavo and Nico were excellent and made the trip the success that it was.

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"It was the most beautiful and adventurous trip we have taken as a family. Calving… read more

"It was the most beautiful and adventurous trip we have taken as a family. Calving glacier, 3 Pumas, Condors, gorgeous scenery....and a whole lot of family time together. Our guides Gustavo and Nico were excellent and made the trip the success that it was. read less

5 Stars (377 reviews)

K Kathleen | March 2024

Classic Machu Picchu Adventure - March 2024

Great Trip

"My husband and I had a wonderful time on the Classic Macchu Pichu trip. The itinerary was well thought out. We learned so much about Inca (and pre-Inca) life leading up to seeing Macchu Pichu. There were also hikes to see the beautiful countryside. The food was excellent. Our guide Wilson was very knowledgeable and fun while being concerned about our well being.

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"My husband and I had a wonderful time on the Classic Macchu Pichu trip. … read more

"My husband and I had a wonderful time on the Classic Macchu Pichu trip. The itinerary was well thought out. We learned so much about Inca (and pre-Inca) life leading up to seeing Macchu Pichu. There were also hikes to see the beautiful countryside. The food was excellent. Our guide Wilson was very knowledgeable and fun while being concerned about our well being. read less

5 Stars (1 reviews)

F Frank | March 2024

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure - March 2024

Exceeded Expectations

"Every step of this adventure was amazing! Pepo and Paolo, our guides, made the logistics of the trip seamless, but more importantly, their knowledge, experience and pride in their Islands and its people gave us a real understanding of the marvel that is the Galapagos. The trip could not have been better and we will look for other opportunities to travel with Active Adventures.

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"Every step of this adventure was amazing! Pepo and Paolo, our guides, made the logistics… read more

"Every step of this adventure was amazing! Pepo and Paolo, our guides, made the logistics of the trip seamless, but more importantly, their knowledge, experience and pride in their Islands and its people gave us a real understanding of the marvel that is the Galapagos. The trip could not have been better and we will look for other opportunities to travel with Active Adventures. read less

5 Stars (502 reviews)

M Mary Ellen | March 2024

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure - March 2024

Amazing adventure in the Galapagos

"The Ultimate Galapagos Adventure was an amazing trip, four islands, several snorkeling opportunities, beautiful beaches, hiking, biking, and kayaking for variety. The guides were very knowledgable and gave us plenty of information about the geology, ecology, and culture of the islands. Food was delicious, hotels right on the beach with amazing views. The small group experience meant that we had flexibility, everyone got along, and we all were ready to go on time, never had to wait for late comers.

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"The Ultimate Galapagos Adventure was an amazing trip, four islands, several snorkeling opportunities, beautiful beaches,… read more

"The Ultimate Galapagos Adventure was an amazing trip, four islands, several snorkeling opportunities, beautiful beaches, hiking, biking, and kayaking for variety. The guides were very knowledgable and gave us plenty of information about the geology, ecology, and culture of the islands. Food was delicious, hotels right on the beach with amazing views. The small group experience meant that we had flexibility, everyone got along, and we all were ready to go on time, never had to wait for late comers. read less

5 Stars (502 reviews)

M Margaret | March 2024

Patagonia Hiking Adventure - February 2024

Amazing adventure!

"The guides (Cem and Alejandro in particular) were amazing and the activities were awesome! I enjoyed that travel days also included activity, so we were always exploring. Going on the W trek was a highlight of my life!

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"The guides (Cem and Alejandro in particular) were amazing and the activities were awesome! I… read more

"The guides (Cem and Alejandro in particular) were amazing and the activities were awesome! I enjoyed that travel days also included activity, so we were always exploring. Going on the W trek was a highlight of my life! read less

4 Stars (377 reviews)

H Heidi | February 2024

Patagonia Hiking Adventure - February 2024

Miraculous Views

"I completely did not know what to expect and this just was incredibly amazing. I completely was lucky enough
to enjoy the most incredible guide, Gem. He was attentative, knowledgeable, funny, definitely an asset to the company.
My group was small 9 people including myself. Trip was a total of 2 weeks. I was brave enough to do the camping with 2 others. I do not regret that at all. What an experience!! I loved the refugios, speechless views, sunsets, sun rises, amazing Glaciers and of course experienced the winds!! The other 6 picked glamping, which had a great guide. We all met together again at the end of the "w Trek". The food along the way was perfect! Experienced local dinning, camping food, lunch boxes , lots of choices.
The rides through Chile and Argentina to get to our destinations was great. Got to see many animals, birds, plants on the way. Every little town we stayed in was phenomenal!!!
I already miss my guide and all the great people I have met along the way.
Will definitely do this again, but not without my guide Gem!!

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"I completely did not know what to expect and this just was incredibly amazing. I… read more

"I completely did not know what to expect and this just was incredibly amazing. I completely was lucky enough
to enjoy the most incredible guide, Gem. He was attentative, knowledgeable, funny, definitely an asset to the company.
My group was small 9 people including myself. Trip was a total of 2 weeks. I was brave enough to do the camping with 2 others. I do not regret that at all. What an experience!! I loved the refugios, speechless views, sunsets, sun rises, amazing Glaciers and of course experienced the winds!! The other 6 picked glamping, which had a great guide. We all met together again at the end of the "w Trek". The food along the way was perfect! Experienced local dinning, camping food, lunch boxes , lots of choices.
The rides through Chile and Argentina to get to our destinations was great. Got to see many animals, birds, plants on the way. Every little town we stayed in was phenomenal!!!
I already miss my guide and all the great people I have met along the way.
Will definitely do this again, but not without my guide Gem!! read less

5 Stars (377 reviews)

M Monica | February 2024

Patagonia Hiking Adventure - February 2024

Outstanding Patagonia adventure

"Our trip leader Gustavo, all our local guides, and Active made this a spectacular trip to Patagonia. Everything ran smoothly from start to finish, and the team did a great job accounting for a wide variety of interests and abilities to make sure the whole group had a wonderful time. Highly recommended.

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"Our trip leader Gustavo, all our local guides, and Active made this a spectacular trip… read more

"Our trip leader Gustavo, all our local guides, and Active made this a spectacular trip to Patagonia. Everything ran smoothly from start to finish, and the team did a great job accounting for a wide variety of interests and abilities to make sure the whole group had a wonderful time. Highly recommended. read less

5 Stars (377 reviews)

B Brian | February 2024

Patagonia Hiking Adventure - February 2024

Trip of a lifetime!

"We had an excellent time on our Patagonia adventure. The trip was very well run, thanks to Gustavo, our trip leader and with the help of our two sets of local guides Christian and Ganzalo in Chile and Rosio and Sebastian in Argentina. The drivers were also friendly, courteous and made sure we reached our destinations safely and on time. The bike guide and the guide to the glacier were also full of information. We felt that even though this was primarily and active hiking trip, we came home with some appreciation for the culture and people of Patagonia as well. Our traveling companions also deserve credit for creating a fun and respectful atmosphere. We had an amazing trip. Gustavo did an excellent job making it seem easy to wrangle all of us and smooth out any issues that cropped up. We were all able to finish this trip tired, happy and grateful.

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"We had an excellent time on our Patagonia adventure. The trip was very well run,… read more

"We had an excellent time on our Patagonia adventure. The trip was very well run, thanks to Gustavo, our trip leader and with the help of our two sets of local guides Christian and Ganzalo in Chile and Rosio and Sebastian in Argentina. The drivers were also friendly, courteous and made sure we reached our destinations safely and on time. The bike guide and the guide to the glacier were also full of information. We felt that even though this was primarily and active hiking trip, we came home with some appreciation for the culture and people of Patagonia as well. Our traveling companions also deserve credit for creating a fun and respectful atmosphere. We had an amazing trip. Gustavo did an excellent job making it seem easy to wrangle all of us and smooth out any issues that cropped up. We were all able to finish this trip tired, happy and grateful. read less

5 Stars (377 reviews)

S Susan | February 2024

Patagonia Hiking Adventure - February 2024

Patagonia

"Our trip with Active Adventures was outstanding. Our guide was amazing and the views were stunning

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"Our trip with Active Adventures was outstanding. Our guide was amazing and the views were… read more

"Our trip with Active Adventures was outstanding. Our guide was amazing and the views were stunning read less

5 Stars (377 reviews)

R ROBERT | February 2024

Ultimate Machu Picchu & Galapagos Islands Adventure - February 2024

Ultimate Machu Picchu & Galapagos Islands Adventure

"Great experience! We had a wonderful trip. Both of our guides were terrific and really made it an awesome vacation for all of us!

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"Great experience! We had a wonderful trip. Both of our guides were terrific and really… read more

"Great experience! We had a wonderful trip. Both of our guides were terrific and really made it an awesome vacation for all of us! read less

5 Stars (66 reviews)

A Anna | February 2024

Our Trips... from our Guests' Perspective

ACT Deals page

It's time 2 Adventure - 30% off every 2nd traveler!

Save 30% on every second traveler’s adventure of a lifetime when you book before April 30, 2024. 

Choose an epic adventure from 25 countries, 6 continents, and over 85 itineraries, then bring a friend or family member and save 30%! 

Now is the time 2 explore, 2 discover and 2 find a new adventure! 

Offer ends April 30, 11:59 PM (Pacific Daylight Time).  

*Terms & conditions apply – see below

 

Terms & Conditions

*Offer applies for every second guest for trips departing no later than June 30, 2025, valid for new bookings for two or more guests made no later than April 30, 2024 (11:59 pm US PDT). A 30% discount is applied to the pre-tax trip cost for every second guest booked, and all other guests are subject to the full advertised trip cost. To secure the booking and discount, a 50% deposit is due at time of booking. Your 50% deposit is non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-changeable. If you change or cancel your trip, you will forfeit your 50% deposit, and no refunds will apply. Discount cannot be combined with any other offers. Other restrictions may applyWe highly recommend purchasing Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. We recommend Redpoint Insurance – you can find details here. 

30 off every 2nd traveler April Deal

Every 2nd Traveler SAVES 30%

Limited Time Deal!

Save 30%* on every second traveler’s adventure of a lifetime when you book by April 30, 2024.

Choose an epic adventure from 25 countries, 6 continents, and over 85 itineraries, then bring a friend or family member and save 30% on their trip! Want to bring a group of friends? Every second group member's adventure is 30% off!

The offer applies to ALL trips - so now is the time to book a new adventure!

Offer ends April 30, 11:59 PM (Pacific Daylight Time).

*Terms & conditions apply – see below

 

*Offer applies for every second guest for trips departing no later than June 30, 2025, valid for new bookings for two or more guests made no later than April 30, 2024 (11:59 pm US PDT). A 30% discount is applied to the pre-tax trip cost for every second guest booked, and all other guests are subject to the full advertised trip cost. To secure the booking and discount, a 50% deposit is due at time of booking. Your 50% deposit is non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-changeable. If you change or cancel your trip, you will forfeit your 50% deposit, and no refunds will apply. Discount cannot be combined with any other offers. Other restrictions may apply. We highly recommend purchasing Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. We recommend Redpoint Insurance – you can find details here.

Central & South America Travel Blogs & Stories

Best Time to Visit Peru | Destinations, Climate, and Seasons

So, when is the best time to visit Peru?If you're considering traveling to Peru, the…

W Trek Patagonia – Everything You Need to Know

Calling Torres del Paine National Park a dramatic landscape is an understatement. It’s a hiker's…

Where to Travel in 2022: Top Adventure Trip for Each Month

So, you're ready to make 2022 a year of incredible adventures? Dust off the hiking…

Podcast: Kit Parks Interviews David and Tina About their Ecuador Adventure

Kit Parks from Active Travel Adventures interviews David and Tina about their 7-day Ecuador Volcano…

Podcast: Kit Parks Interviews Dave and Tina About their Galapagos Land and Sea Adventure

Kit Parks from Active Travel Adventures, Dave and Tina discuss their recent Galapagos Adventure. It's…

Adventure Travel to Costa Rica: Everything You Need to Know

Photo by Kamchatka/Getty Images

With coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, and…

Travelling to Ecuador and the Galapagos During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Notice anything different about this picture? Look closely - there's a small sign this photo…

Top 5 Open Destinations to Visit in 2022: Where Can Americans Travel?

The light at the end of the tunnel is finally here and keen travellers are…

The Best Time to visit the Galapagos Islands

If you’re heading to the Galapagos Islands, you probably can’t wait to get out your…

Podcast: Erin Chambers talks with Kit about her adventure to Patagonia

 

 

Our Local Guides

South America Travel FAQs

Do you recommend buying travel insurance?

As an Active Adventures traveller, It’s essential you take out travel insurance to cover the likes of personal injury, medical expenses, trip cancellation for your travel with us. Please head to our Travel Insurance page for more in-depth information and insurance provider options. It’s also important to check your insurance covers all the activities you’ll be partaking in, in case you’re travelling to altitude or looking at extreme sports.

What's included on your South America trips?

Accommodation

On your South America trip you'll stay in a variety of places depending on the destination and activities. In Peru you'll stay in nice hotels, tents while you're hiking (complete with porters to put them up for you, cook your meals and generally make sure it's the best camping experience ever!), jungle lodges and local homes on Amantani Island (a truly once in a lifetime experience). In Ecuador mainland you'll stay in hotels and jungle lodges, and on the Galapagos Islands you'll stay on dry land, meaning you're free to walk around each evening and get to know the residents of these famous isles. Down in Patagonia you'll lay your head each night in hotels, lodges and the famous 'refugios' in the National Parks. While these may sound basic they have incredible facilities (including electricity), the views are out of this world, they have restaurants and you'll meet an incredible array of people that have travelled from far and wide to visit the bottom of the world.

Transport

Your transport will be a mixture of bus, plane, boat, bike and your very own two feet on our trips in South America. You'll spend most time on a boat in the Galapagos Islands as you make your way from island to island during the day, and down in Peru you'll travel by boat in the Amazon to get to your lodge. We have domestic flights included in our Galapagos Islands and Peru trips to shorten our travel times and to ensure you have the best experience possible. All your transport is included from the start of your trip and we'll drop you at the airport at the end. The details are all listed in the trip specific itineraries.

Meals

All your meals are included as described in the itinerary except on your free days. We have found that people enjoy checking out what is on offer by themselves sometimes, so you can go and see what's out there! On every other day and especially after any long hikes, we've chosen places to eat that can cater for our hearty appetites, work well with our small groups (they know we are coming) and provide us with an authentic destination specific culinary experience. There are always options for you, so you can either be brave or choose something more familiar. On the hiking portion of our trips (such as on the Inca Trail) we work with an outstanding team of cooks who will amaze you with what they can produce on a campsite miles from the nearest town. You can be assured that on all our trips we will make sure you are very well fed.

Trip leaders

Our trips are all led by an experienced Trip Leader. Our Trip Leaders are very proud to work with Active Adventures and often lead our trips for many years, for which we are very lucky and very grateful as it means we're able to consistently offer a fantastic level of service. They work closely with our local specialist guides to provide you with a seamless, fun, exciting and memorable trip. They will happily share with you as much or as little as you want to know about the history, culture, social aspects and lifestyle of the country you are visiting. In the Galapagos Islands you will be accompanied by a specialist Nature Guide, qualified to provide you with plenty of information about the species that make their home on the islands.

How many people are there on each of your South America trips?

We generally take up to 14 people per trip, although this can vary, and all our trips have at least two of our guides to look after you (apart from the occasions we have a small group). We have found that our trips tend to attract a particular kind of person and many people have commented that the social scene was one of the highlights of their trip!

Do you charge a forced single supplement if I'm a solo traveller?

We welcome many solo travelers on our trips – in fact, we get so many solo travelers and they always say it’s a great way to travel alone, but not actually by themselves. You’ll have an incredible adventure sharing your experiences with other like-minded travelers, and the best part is we don't charge extra for solo travelers, providing you don’t mind sharing a room. However, for bookings within 90 days of your chosen departure, a forced single supplement will apply if there is no other guest of the same gender already booked to share with.

If you prefer not to share a room at all, you can upgrade to a single room, if one is available. If your trip uses refugios which can only accommodate guests on a multi-share basis, the upgrade cost will reflect this.

Why Travel With Us

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Experience adventure the way you want

You’ll be inspired and exhilarated, enjoying mind-blowing scenery on foot, in a sea kayak, or by bike - all at your own pace.

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Crafting award-winning trips for decades - the New Zealand way

We're proud of our New Zealand roots and you’ll love our professional and warm style of hosting. We’re always here to help with planning... even hiking boot recommendations!

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Every detail covered, to maximise your time

We've got everything covered – top-notch meals, comfortable transport, superb accommodation, amazing guides and INCREDIBLE service.

benefit group travel

Group travel for those who aren’t ‘group travelers’

With an average of 12 guests per departure and an industry-leading average 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you'll get to know your fellow travelers and have the flexibility to go at your own pace.

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Explore hidden gems through our expert local guides

All our carefully selected guides are highly experienced and have deep personal connections to nature and culture. You’ll enjoy an authentic local experience.

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Over 10,000 5-star reviews - that’s pretty solid

We could hang around all day telling you how wonderful our trips are... but the best people to hear it from are our guests themselves.