*** Temporary office hours (Monday-Friday) *** 

SAT Argentina:	9:00 - 13:00	SAT Ecuador:	9:30 - 17:30
SAT Brazil:	9:00 - 13:00	SAT Peru:	8:00 - 14:00
SAT Chile:	9:00 - 13:30	SAT Uruguay:	9:30 - 13:30
SAT Colombia:	9:30 - 17:30

With its incredible biodiversity and spectacular landscapes, Ecuador is one of the places to go for bird lovers! More than 1650 species can be found there and we will take you to some of the best spots in the country to observe them.
Leaving Quito behind, your destination is the Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge & Reserve, Ecuador's first private ecological reserve. On the way, you stop at the Yanacocha Reserve on the northwest flank of the Pichincha volcano. Besides pumas and spectacled bears, the reserve is home to the endangered black-breasted puffleg which is endemic to this region. During your 3-night stay at the Bellavista Lodge, you spend your days exploring the reserve and keeping an eye out for the many birds that live in the lush cloud forest, like the plate-billed mountain toucans. They can be heard yelping and rattling their beaks throughout the day and are relatively easy to track down. On day 4, you start the morning with a visit to the private refuge "Paz de Las Aves", well known among ornithologists. The owners, brothers Angel and Rodrigo Paz, will show you the special birds that thrive under their protection. In the afternoon, you return to Quito for the night. The next day, you make your way eastwards to the Antisana Natural Reserve. During a 2-hour walk through the Andean moorland, you have ample opportunity to observe the small but beautiful paramo flowers and Andean birds. This is one of the few places in Ecuador where the Andean condor still remains! In the evening, you arrive at Guango Lodge, located close to the hot springs of Papallacta, where you spend the next 2 nights. Some of the local birds you can spot here are the sword-billed hummingbird, buff-breasted and hooded mountain-tanagers and the slaty brush-finch. Additionally, you can enjoy the beautiful orchid garden of the lodge, where there is almost always a nice assortment in bloom. On day 7, you visit the thermal baths of Papallacta for a relaxing soak in the warm water after a busy day of exploring. The next morning, you return to Quito. 
This tour only includes some of the possibilities - there are a lot more places for birdwatching in Ecuador! Please contact us to learn more.
Picture credit: Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge

The main allures for Bolivia visitors are usually the Uyuni Salt Lake and Lake Titicaca. But did you know that Bolivia is also a dream-come-true for trekking and hiking enthusiasts? Between tropical forests and rough mountains, there are countless routes to explore and we want to show you some of our favorites!
Your adventure starts in Santa Cruz, the biggest city in the country. Thanks to its location in the Amazon basin, Santa Cruz is surrounded by the lush nature of the tropical lowlands. After a relaxing first night, you embark on a city tour, visiting the Zoological Garden, the beautiful city center and the handicraft markets La Recoba and Artecampo. You can spend your afternoon exploring restaurants, cafés and shops in the modern district Equipetrol. The next day, you head to Amboró National Park, a cloudy rainforest with gigantic tree ferns that have been growing for over 300 million years. Immerse yourself completely in nature as you take an extensive hike through the jungle and appreciate its colorful vegetation and exotic fauna. On day 3, you board a flight to Cochabamba, located in a valley of the Andes in the center of the country. It is home to the second highest statue of Jesus Christ in the world - higher than the one in Rio de Janeiro! You can stroll through the city center and watch the busy bustling at the main square, Plaza Principal. You get up early the next morning to start your journey to Torotoro National Park, which is famous for findings of dinosaur bone fragments and footprints. On the way, you visit the colonial village Tarata as well as Umajalanta Cave, with its huge stalactites and stalagmites, rock formations and small bodies of water. You spend the next two nights in the village Torotoro. An exploration and hike in the mountains is on the schedule for day 6. You climb to an altitude of approx. 4000m (13123ft) and marvel at the fascinating rock formations along the way. There are even small caves with rock paintings estimated to be 2000 years old! In the afternoon, you encounter some of the dinosaur footprints that have been discovered in the park before returning to the hotel. You drive back to Cochabamba for one night and continue your trip to La Paz on day 8. You spend a quiet day exploring one of the world's highest cities (3,600m/11800ft) and preparing for the trek ahead. The highlight of your trip, the  Choro Trek, starts on day 10. In the course of three days, you walk in the steps of the pre-Incas from 4900m (16076ft) down a beautifully preserved stone path into the subtropical vegetation of the Yungas. Here, you can see citrus and banana trees, coffee and coca plantations, colorful birds and butterflies and, if you are extremely lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the elusive spectacled bear! After spending two nights in camps along the route, the trek ends in the town of Chairo at 1400m (4592ft) from where you return to La Paz. The program ends with the transfer to the airport on day 13.
For more information about hiking and trekking adventures in Bolivia, please contact us!

Sharing the home of a local family is the ideal way to take a deep-dive into a new culture. If you are interested in getting a glimpse of someone else's everyday life, our 10-day "Home Stay" experience in Peru is the way to go!

The program starts at the airport of Cusco and a transfer to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You participate at a shamanic welcome ceremony before visiting the weaving cooperative Awanakancha. Here, you can observe traditional weavers and learn about the communities animals - lamas, alpacas, vicuñas and guanacos. The next day, you visit one of the most famous sites in the world: Machu Picchu! After a guided tour, you return to the Sacred Valley. On day 3, you head to the Amaru community to meet the family where you spend the night. On the way, you visit the famous Pisac market. The community welcomes you with a traditional Mother Earth ceremony (Pachamama) and you learn about natural dying and weaving techniques that you can try your hand at as well! The day ends with a communal dinner. The following morning, you go on a trekking tour (6-7h) to the Huallafara community, reaching an altitude of 4200m (13779ft) and enjoying fantastic views of lagoons and the mountains. A local family welcomes you with dinner and a room ready for the night. After breakfast, the villagers teach you about local crops and agricultural techniques. If you like, you can even make use of their traditional tools and help with the daily work! After a well-deserved lunch, you return to Cusco for two nights and have a full day to explore the city. On day 7, you leave Cusco and drive across the highlands to Puno. Along the way, you visit the small community Raqchi which is famous for its ceramics. You start the next day with an excursion on Lake Titicaca, visiting the famous floating islands of the Uros, before heading to Amantani Island. You spend the afternoon and night in the community, exploring the island, watching local dances and enjoying a delicious dinner. After a traditional breakfast, you continue to Taquile Island, famous for its knitting men and weaving women, and return to Puno for the night. On the last day of your tour, you visit the Chullpas of Sillustani, an archaeological site with grave towers of different cultures, as well as the home of a local farming family. In the evening, you board a flight back to Lima.
If you like to learn more about home stays in Peru, please contact us for details!
Picture credit: Tierra de los Yachaqs

Did you know that Chile offers some of the world's clearest night skies? No wonder that astronomers, both professional and amateur, travel to Chile's many observatories to discover the cosmos. Our Astronomic Journey takes you to some of the best destinations for stargazing, including Atacama, the driest desert in the world.

You start off in Santiago de Chile with a sightseeing tour that includes the San Francisco Church, the central market and the viewpoint of the San Cristóbal Hill. The following day, you explore the nearby Colchagua Valley and stay at the Santa Cruz vineyard. Besides a winetasting, the overnight also includes the use of the observatory near the winery. On day 3, you board a flight to La Serena, located north of Santiago, and drive to the Elqui Valley. In the evening, you have the opportunity to watch the night sky at the hotel's own observatory, Elqui Domos. You explore the mystical and fascinating Elqui Valley the next day, including a visit to the Puclaro Dam. After a guided tour of a pisco distillery including a tasting, you embark on a city tour through Vicuña, the valley's capital, and continue your journey to Montegrande for a visit to the tomb of Gabriela Mistral. In the early evening, you arrive at the Mamalluca Observatory. Day 5 starts off with a flight via Santiago to Calama and the transfer to Hotel Nayara Alto Atacama in San Pedro de Atacama. In the afternoon, you can choose your excursions for the next three days from the hotel's excursions program. This includes half and full day tours to the salt desert, local villages and the Moon Valley. The property also has an observatory. Thanks to the lack of light pollution, you can observe the stars and constellations with the naked eye and a professional telescope allows you to view the moon’s craters, or hundreds of constellations and nebulae, depending on the time of the year. On the morning of day 9, you return to Calama and fly back to Santiago.

Feel free to request more information about stargazing tours in Chile here!
Picture credit: Sernatur

In the last couple of years, many people have discovered their passion for running. Since practically no equipment is needed apart from your running shoes, why not explore a new city "on the run" with our local guides? Buenos Aires offers amazing routes that show you some of the city's landmarks along the way. We have selected three of our favorites for you!
Route 1 (approx. 12km/7.4mi) starts at your hotel in the city center towards Avenida Libertador. You follow the large street, passing by beautiful  city parks with statues and monuments. After passing by the National Museum of Fine Arts, you continue on Avenida Figueroa Alcorta, where the impressive building of the Law Faculty of the University of Buenos Aires is located. You will then get to see one of Buenos Aires' emblems: the large flower sculpture "Floralis Genérica". From here, you make your way towards the planetarium and finally run through the scenic park El Rosedal with its lovely rose gardens, before returning to your hotel. 
If you are looking for a run in nature, our second route (approx. 12km/7.4mi) is for you. You leave your hotel and head in the direction of the modern harbor neighborhood Puerto Madero, a very popular place for locals to work out, or just to walk around and disconnect from the busy city life. Between the harbor and the water of the Río de la Plata lies the lush Ecological Reserve of Buenos Aires. Your run through the reserve leads you through marshland and forest, passing by the river bank as well as lagoons. From here, you return to your hotel. 
If you are new to running and prefer a shorter workout, our third route will allow you to experience the bustling city during an approx. 7km (4.3mi) run. Leaving from your hotel, you follow the famous Avenida de Mayo, which connects the Congress Building and the presidential palace Casa Rosada. Just behind the iconic pink building you reach the harbor neighborhood Puerto Madero. You return around here and make your way back to your hotel. 
Please contact us for more running suggestions in Buenos Aires and routes of different lengths or difficulty levels!

Uruguay has a rich culture and history that can easily compete with that of its bigger neighbors. Well preserved colonial buildings stand next to modern architecture, fine arts and graffiti go hand in hand and an impressive offer of renowned museums delight the hearts of art lovers.
We take you to Uruguay's cultural hotspots, starting with the capital Montevideo. During a city tour, you visit the impressive Congress Building, constructed between 1908 and 1925 with local marble of 52 colors and 12 types of wood! You also visit the Centenario Soccer Stadium, venue of the very first World Cup final. The next day, you discover the works of famous Uruguayan plastic artist Joaquin Torres Garcia, known as the founder of Constructive Universalism, at the Torres Garcia Museum. Afterwards, you visit the Museum of Decorative Arts, located at the French-style Palacio Taranco. You leave for Punta del Este the next morning. During a stop in Piriápolis, a coastal town built in the “belle époque” and evocative of the Côte d’Azur, you visit the “Argentino Hotel”, an embodiment of that era built in 1930. In Punta Ballena, you visit the Museum Casapueblo, the abstract home and atelier of famous Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró. The following morning, you embark on a tour of Punta del Este. One of the highlights is the Ralli Museum of Contemporary Art, which houses a fine collection of paintings and sculptures by noted Latin American artists as well as a permanent exhibition of Salvador Dalí pieces. Afterwards, you stroll through the Pablo Atchugarry Foundation, a magnificent indoor and outdoor space that beautifully juxtaposes art and nature. Large-scale sculptures dot the 15-hectare (37-acre) gardenlike grounds, and the exhibition halls showcase collections of the artist’s works. You return to Montevideo the next day and visit the Salvo Palace upon arrival. Built as an art decó-style luxury hotel in 1928, it used to be the highest building in South America until 1935. Your last destination of the day is the beautiful Solis Theater, built by Italian architect Carlo Zucchi. Since its inauguration in 1856, it has been a centerpiece of Montevideo's cultural life offering operas, ballets, concerts and plays. After breakfast, you head towards Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay’s oldest city and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The historic center is a perfect representation of the city's colonial past, including cobble-stone streets, Portuguese-style stone houses and Spanish-style brick buildings. On day 7, you drive back to Montevideo, visiting Bodega Juanico, one of Uruguay's leading wineries, en route. A wine tasting accompanied by cold meats, cheeses and bread, followed by a delicious lunch is the perfect way to end your tour. 
Would you like to build your own Uruguay tour featuring art and architecture or another theme? Contact our team here!
Picture credit: Museo Casapueblo

If you have professional or academic groups interested in traveling to South America, there is a variety of fields that we can cover, one of the most popular being agriculture. Brazil for example is home to some of South America's largest cereal producers, cattle breeding farms and dairy cooperatives. Combined with beautiful landscapes, fascinating culture and historical cities, our Brazilian agricultural journey leaves nothing to be desired!
In São Paulo, you start your adventure with a guided tour of a historic coffee farm with coffee tasting, followed by an extensive city tour the next day. You travel to Foz do Iguassu on day 3 to visit the magnificent Iguassu Waterfalls in the afternoon (Brazilian side). The next two days are dedicated to visiting nearby farms, which produce cattle, soy, corn, wheat and oat. On day 6, you head across the border to visit the Argentinean side of the Iguassu Waterfalls, including the Devil’s Throat, the most prominent and one of the highest falls. In the afternoon, you board a flight to Curitiba. In the following two days, you visit the regions Castro and Carambei, renowned for their production of milk, soy, corn, pork, chicken and cheese, as well as the small historic city Morretes and the harbor town Antonina with great bay views. You travel to Porto Alegre in southern Brazil on day 9. Here, you explore the wine producing cities Bento Gonçalves and Garibaldi, which were shaped by Italian immigrants. After the visit of a dairy-producing cooperative on day 11, you head towards Lajeado in the afternoon. A visit of another cooperative of producers and manufacturers of dairy products is on the schedule for the next day, followed by the return to Porto Alegre. On your last day, you explore the historical downtown with its colonial buildings, beautiful museums and impressive monuments, before being taken to the airport.
For details about this or other professional and academic programs in Brazil, please do not hesitate to contact us!

Colombia is widely known as the hotspot of Salsa but there are many more influences that shape the rhythm of this beautiful country. Let us introduce you to the many types of music and dance that make the heart of Colombia beat! 

After your arrival in Bogotá, you have some free time to explore the city and relax. The following day, you set out on a city tour through this vibrant melting pot of different music genres such as Salsa, Cumbia, Champeta and Merengue. You visit the famous Gold Museum in the colonial center and in the afternoon, you attend your first dance lesson for an introduction into Colombian rhythms. At night, you head to a local club to show off what you have learned. After a free morning, you board a flight to Cali, the Capital of Salsa. In the evening, you enjoy the glittering nightlife in one of the countless Salsa bars to watch the amazing dance styles of the locals and maybe even join them on the dancefloor. The next day starts with a city tour followed by a visit to a Salsa Dancing School. At night, you have another opportunity to dance at a local Salsa bar. On day 5, you fly to Medellín, where Tango is the most popular dance, which you will see during a visit of one of the city's best Tango sites. The next day's city tour shows you the famous Botero statues as well as the hustle and bustle of downtown Medellín. Afterwards, you learn about local street art and street dancing before visiting a dance club at night. From Medellín you continue your journey to Cartagena to discover Caribbean rhythms and moves. On your first morning, you get to know old Cartagena during a city walk. In the early afternoon, you attend a Salsa lesson at the famous bar Quiebra Canto, followed by an  open Zumba session in Getsemani. At night, you head to the famous dance club Havanna to enjoy its live music. On your last full day in Cartagena, there is one thing to do: relax and sunbathe at heavenly Bendita Beach with its crystal clear water! The program ends with the transfer to the airport on day 10.
Are you interested in dancing your way through Colombia? Please contact us to start planning!