South America 4 week tour

Planet

Transport:
As you move from place to place, you’ll use public buses where possible, which an effective way to help lower your carbon footprint, mingle with the locals and soak up the scenic views as you make your way to the next location. There are multiple walking and cycling tours during this trip, which allows for a relaxing and slower paced visit. A lot of our activities are based on walking from place to place. These cycling and walking trips will provide you with light exercise - looking after your well being, while also reducing the carbon footprint on the planet - looking after the planet’s well being!

Accommodation:
All of the places we stay in are locally run and passionate about doing their part when it comes to the environment. On this tour, we stay in hostels & guesthouses, a great way to immerse yourself in a local South American traditions. Whilst you’re staying in each of these places, we encourage you to use local services on offer, this way your money goes straight into the local community and economy. Check out the Local Restaurants or Street Food Vendors rather than visiting chains. The local coffee is some of the best!

In Cusco, the hostel implements sustainable actions to contribute to environmental care, encouraging travellers to be part of positive change during their stay. The hostel implemented water-saving measures, such as water-saving shower heads and encouraging guests to reuse towels. They have also implemented a rainwater harvesting system.

In Buenos Aires, the hostel aims to transform tourists into mindful travellers who positively impact economic, social, and environmental aspects of each destination. They foster connections between guests and local communities, promoting a greener and more empathetic future. More information can be found on Viajero Hostels website under the tab 'sustainability'.

Wildlife:
We visit some stunning natural wonders of the world, such as an adventure across the stunning mountains of Patagonia, or enjoy a 4-day hike in one of the Natural Wonders of the World and see Machu Picchu. When enjoying these hikes, we encourage travellers to follow waste disposal rules – carry out any trash, and use eco-friendly products to avoid pollution. Stay on the designated paths and do not climb or touch ancient ruins. When visiting the Salar de Uyuni Salt Flat, be mindful of the Flamingos that live here and do not be tempted to take a souvenir of salt with you. Natural rock formations and sinkholes deep in the jungle allow our travellers to soak in the beautiful nature South America has to offer, so we recommend you use biodegradable sunscreen when bathing in the pools

Top Tips:
We do not encourage our travellers to drink tap water in South America however we still suggest packing a reusable water bottle in case there are safe refill stations so that we can still try to minimise the trail of plastic left behind.

We also recommend packing as light as possible, to help keep your carbon footprint low.

People

Local tour guides:
By hiring local tour guides we help support the local people and provide employment opportunities.

For example, in Colombia we take a visit to Finca el Ocaso Coffee Farm, where travellers can learn about the coffee plantation from the people who work there. Whilst we take on the classic 4-day Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu and a Rainbow Mountain hike, and even during our visit to the iconic Bolivian Salt Flats, local experienced guides and porters will accompany travellers throughout, ensuring your safety throughout. As travellers enjoy a tango class in Buenos Aires, who better to teach these dance moves than straight from an expert dance teacher who is local to the area.

Local experiences:
Learn about how Tango has a cultural significance in Colombia and of course discover how coffee is an integral part of Colombian culture, by learning about the traditional coffee-making techniques and the livelihoods of local farmers. Cusco showcases colonial and indigenous influences, whilst the Route of the Sun dives deep into the historic sites, indigenous villages, and ancient ruins. A walking tour of La Paz will showcase the history and culture or Bolivia’s high altitude capital, whilst you can learn about the indigenous communities, such as the Uros people, who live on floating reed islands when visiting Lake Titicaca. Enjoy a Tango Lesson and take a deep dive into Argentina’s most famous dance and of course this tour would not be complete without a a visit to one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, symbolising Brazilian history and faith.

As a sign of respect, we think that it is important for travellers to learn a few key words or phrases in the native language, so we offer classes to learn about the local language and encourage learning along the way.

All of our customers’ interactions are with local suppliers, and we promote integration between travellers and local people through our “unmissable” included activities and our optional activities, and opportunities for authentic cultural immersion.

Our Adventure Leaders are trained in ensuring that customers are aware of local customs and traditions, educating them on when it is appropriate to take photos and/or videos.