Journey Latin America Traveller Reviews

I had long planned a trip to South America to mark my retirement, and was lucky enough to be able to share the experience with a group of friends with similar aspirations. We are a group of 5 couples, each couple planning a slightly different itinerary -- I was responsible for collating the plans, and liaising with Journey Latin America to come up with a final bespoke itinerary. Plans were drawn up 18 months or so before our planned departure, giving us ample time for research and discussion to optimise our plans; our JLA representative, Margot Chard, was pivotal in enabling us to realise our aspirations, and to make the most of our time away. Our final plans comprised of a core 3 week trip to Peru, with each couple having additional add on journeys variously to the Amazon, Galápagos Islands, Bolivia, Chile (Atacama, Santiago and Patagonia), Argentina (Buenos Aires, Patagonia) and Iguazu falls. High altitude treks in Peru (Lares and Inca trails) and travel across the Bolivian Salar were facilitated through adequate acclimatisation beforehand, and we were very grateful for this when we came across other less well-prepared travellers. Time away varied for each couple, from 3 to almost 7 weeks travelling. Between us we experienced some of the most iconic wonders on earth, from historic sites such as Machu Picchu in Peru and Tikanawu in Bolivia to the natural wonders of the Amazon, the Salar de Uyuni, Perito Moreno glacier, Torres del Paine national park, El Chalten, Bariloche and Iguazu falls. Trekking through the Lares valley, we met local people and were privileged to share some of their lives in their homesteads, and hear their stories through our Quechua-speaking guide, and watch them weaving on their back-strap looms in the field as they tended their grazing animals. It was an experience like no other, and which will never be forgotten.

Journey Latin America listened to what each of us wanted to achieve through our time away, and came up with proposals to make the most of our available time. They subcontract to local providers in each locality, but clearly communication is excellent as we were always expected at each destination, and transfers and guides were always waiting for us. All hotel arrangements were excellent, with accommodation virtually always exceeding that expected. Transport and guides, whether shared or private was always well organised, and we felt confident that if there were to be any unexpected event, then a solution would be found. This proved to be the case towards the very end of our trip where our intended flight was cancelled by the airline. The local agency made alternative plans on our behalf, and we were able to safely return to Buenos Aires in time for our final flight home. We were all impressed with the arrangements made on our behalf by Journey Latin America, and would have no hesitation in recommending them to others intending to travel to South America.

We spent 3 days in each of the following: Tortuguera Corcovado Arenal Monteverde Our main interest is wildlife and our favourite destination was Tortuga Lodge at Tortuguero. The highlight was watching newly hatched green turtles make their way safely to the ocean. An unexpected treat.

We have done 4 trips with Journey Latin America and they are always excellent. Would not use any other company for Latin America.

I went to Patagonia with Journey Latin America. It was a wonderful trip.

The travel consultant and tour leader have been very helpful and knowledgeable. I enjoyed the trip very much.

A five course experience: Aperitif : Santiago and Valpariso Starter: Chilean Lake District and Chiloe Main: the peaks and glaciers of Torres del Paine, Perito Moreno and Fitzroy Dessert: Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego Digestif: Buenos Aires

Very professional throughout.

It was a really enjoyable experience. I loved the changing landscape and the beauty in the areas we visited and the people we met.

It was well-organised, giving us the opportunity to see a vast amount of the beautiful country of Peru at a leisurely pace, and in excellent accommodation. We had a wonderful tour leader who was both patient and enthusiastic, with an extensive knowledge of the areas we visited.

was great!

A 21 day trip to some of the national parks in Patagonia in Chile & Argentina, starting and ending with visits to the country's capitals.

JLA took all of the hassle of the planning & preparation so that I could simply get on & enjoy my holiday

A great trip with a really wonderful tour leader. History, cities, countryside and cocktails but above all wonderful music!

Very good with the key to their business being good tour leaders.

The holiday was perfect on every way. From the moment I joined the tour leader and group I knew I was in safe hands and everything would run efficiently and my thoughts were not wrong, The accommodation, food, excursions and transport were all to a high standard. The memories of my time in Machu Pichu,The train journey on the Andean Explorer, The boat trip on Lake Titicaca and my cruise in The Galapagos Islands will last forever. A Magical Experience Living The Dream.

The tour operator for the mainland was Journey Latin America, they also organized the trip to the Galapagos Islands but the tour group was Klein Tours.I cannot praise the tour operators highly enough. Everything was organized to a high standard and ran like clockwork. This trip was a very busy schedule. A big thank you to the tour operators for ensuring that my dream became reality.

Interesting, well-paced and comfortable trip. Everything went very smoothly.

Obviously very experienced in dealing with this area.