BUENOS AIRES
Experience tango (1-day stay)
The emblematic dance and music of the Argentinian culture is tango and it evolves while never leaving its roots. This day offers an historical and contemporary tango immersion with a specialized French speaking guide. Visit Carlos Gardel museum located in his childhood’s neighborhood, “El Abasto”, attend to a tango course at the traditional academia, enjoy before dinner drinks at the Confiteria Ideal where the portenos come to dance and finally attend to the cabaret show in San Telmo neighborhood.
BUENOS AIRES
SAFARI AT ESTEROS DEL IBERA AND AT THE VALDES PENINSULA (minimum 2-day stay)
For the nature’s amateurs, safaris enable everyone to observe the unique wildlife of our planet. At Esteros del Ibera, the tropical wildlife, and at Valdès, birds and sea animals from South Atlantic including whales (from July to December.)
PATAGONIA
3 short-trekkings to Perito Moreno Glacier as part of the offerings 3 existing tours to experience differently the glacier :
- Mini-Trekking: 1h40 walking approximately on the Perito Moreno glacier. From 10 to 65 years old.
- Big Ice: 3h30 walking approximately on the Perito Moreno glacier. From 18 to 65 years old.
- Safari Nautique: 1 h navigating on the Lago Rico to be close to the glacier.
WESTERN ARGENTINA
ABOUT WINE (2 to 4-day stay)
Discover Mendoza and Cafayate, regions of sun and good wine. Visit the most famous vineyards and taste the best vintages. Discover the Mendoza vineyards by bike, while enjoying the extraordinary sceneries of the Andes mountains. From Calayate to explore the Calchaquies valley peppered by vineyards, scenic villages with strong indigenous identity.
SALAR DE UYUNI AND SUR LIPEZ (minimum 4-day stay)
Among the most extraordinary natural site of the world, discover the world’s largest salt flat on 4×4 with an expert guided tour. From geysers volcanos to purple and turquoise lagoons inhabited by pink flamingos. Visit the villages where indigenous communities are living of salt production.
JESUIT MISSIONS (minimum 4-day stay)
From Santa Cruz de la Sierra, crossing the region of Chiquitos where the most impressive heritage of the Jesuit missions attest to the historical wealth of Bolivia. Visit Concepcion, San Javier, Santa Ana and other villages and explore their unique cultural heritage.
RIO DE JANEIRO
BIKE TOUR (1 day or more….)
Rio is considered one of the most ideally suited cities for bike rides. The city offers to amateurs bike lanes along the beaches from Leme to Leblon (approximately 12 km) around the famous lagoon to Aterro gardens. A sporting manner to discover the emblematic sites of the city and available to all.
RIO DE JANEIRO
PRIVATE EVENTS
Museums and mansions surrounded by gardens can be privatized for gala dinners for MICE groups. Let’s mention Moreira Sales Foundation at the foot of Tijuca with its lounges and gardens designed by the famous landscaper Burle Marx.
AROUND RIO
For the history and nature buffs alike, the Rio region offers exceptional getaways only a few hours from the city.
Petropolis and the “fazendas” of coffee – it is the 19th Brazilian century displayed through the historical centre of Petropolis, the resort city of the imperial family and the surprising mansions of the “Lords of Coffee” in the Vassouras region.
Parati and Ilha Grande – the colonial Brazil remains lively in the Parati village including the urban plan, dwellings and churches provide an accurate insight of the 17th and 18th centuries architecture. Facing the village a dazzling bay where Ilha Grande shines, privileged place for hikes to watch wildlife and flora.
SALVADOR DO BAHIA
About the Afro-Brazilian culture (1 day)
Immersed in the Salvador’s syncretic culture to witness the martial art and “candomblé” named the “capoeira” -, African religion very spread out. Tasting the Bahiaian delicious cuisine used as an offering to the candomblé sacred gods. Dances and chants performances from the rich folklore of Bahia.
La Chapada Diamantina (minimum 2-day stay)
From the historical city of Lençois surrounded by the diamonds valley of Brazil, easy treks to explore the green gem of the national park: table mountains cover a thick and lush jungle peppered by rivers and water falls.
NORDESTE
Lençois Maranhenses (minimum 4-day stay)
The most spectacular national Park in Brazil extends between Sao Luis, the Nordeste colonial city and the Atlantic Ocean beaches. Hundreds of hectares of fine sand dunes are surrounded by transparent waters lagoons and surrounded by lush jungle. True/false desert, can be explored by foot and by 4×4.
ATACAMA DESERT
Outdoors evening observing the sky
This “cosmic” journey is operated by a French engineer. Specialist in photography with wide experience in astronomy as a scientific photographer at the Palomar observatory in California (USA), as well as La Silla observatory in Chile. In recent years, this French citizen, in love with the region, has created his astronomic tourism agency in San Pedro. First of all, he will describe the technical skills needed to understand the constellations, then he will give a poetic interpretation of how the ancient civilizations were interpreting the stars. Lastly, we will observe the sky using powerful telescopes.
It is also possible to organize an outdoors evening in the desert to observe the night sky. The visit will be hosted by a francophone expert guide.
CHILOE ISLAND
Sailboat cruise around the island (minimum 3-day stay)
200 km long and 50 km wide, Chiloé island is located in an unique place in Chile, in a specific remote geographical, historical and cultural location. With its natural beauty, the scenic villages, many 200 years old churches and designated World Heritage Sites by Unesco, the colorful wooden houses appear to be hanging from the sky, the Chiloé island allows you to discover a Chile of indigenous traditions that are still very much part of the picture. This cruise for small groups, offers stops by fishing ports to discover the island landmarks.
PATAGONIA
Cruise on the Grey Lake (3 hours)
Boarding at the canoe and cruise on the Grey lake passing by the Lengas wood where you might watch the green woodpeckers.
You will navigate between the deep blue ice floes (Lake Icebergs) to arrive facing the Grey Glacier, famous for its ice avalanches.
SAN AGUSTIN (minimum 3-day stay)
For travel and discovery of unique archaeological sites. Discover the Andean highlands transformed in graveyards for nobles, military and religious leaders. Monumental stone tombs built and carved with sacred animals across esplanades surrounded by lush vegetation. On foot journey through the highlands called “Alto de los Idolos”, “Alto de las Piedras”.
COFFEE REGION (minimum 3-day stay)
Characterized by the coffee plantations as far as one can see with snow-capped in the background, the “coffee triangle” stands around the cities of Manizales (Caldas), Armenia (Quindio) and Pereira (Risaralda). You can visit or even stay on-the-spot in a traditional hacienda and learn all about the culture of coffee, explore by Willys (Jeep), walking or by horse ride the Cocora Valley where gigantic wax palm trees grow, hiking on the Parque de los Nevados glaciers, strolling through the narrow streets of Salento village with colorful architecture. The region is ideal for horse ridings, hikes in the wilds, and also relaxing stays.
THE PLACES IN COLOMBIA CAN BE PRIVATIZE FOR VISITS AND EVENTS
Bogota: Botero Museum
Zipaquira: the salt Cathedral visit built in a deactivated underground mine.
Cartagena: Heredia Theatre, 17th century beautiful building where the rich Afro-Colombian folklore can be performed and presented.
AROUND COLOMBIAN MUSIC (minimum 4-day stay)
The diversity of the popular and traditional Colombian music offers a rich stay around this theme. The visits suggest meeting to private concerts at the Villa de Leyva – Andean music; Cartagena – Afro music and dances which la Cumbia and the “Colombian salsa”. In the coffee region, the rural music – the Colombian country music.
STAY IN NATIONAL PARKS (minimum 3-day stay per park)
For thematic visits around the nature and adventure tourism, Costa Rica provides natural parks hosting diverse and unique wildlife and flora:
TORTUGUERO – discover the eco systems of the region bathed by the Caribbean sea. Navigating in a private boat through the canals which crosses the mangrove, visit picturesque seaside villages.
VOLCAN RINCON DE LA VIEJA Y ARENAL NATIONAL PARK –
Hikes, canopies, treks to discover volcanos, primary forests embellished by waterfalls.
MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK – on the Pacific coast, this park offers at the same time the terrestrial and maritime wildlife of whales and dolphins and other species observation.
RURAL TRIP (minimum 3-day stay)
Country where coffee is called “the green gold” thanks to the quality and taste of its grains, a tour maybe done in small “fincas” where you can discover all the process of the coffee plantation. Lodging in villages nearby and meeting with the community. For small groups.
THE WELCOME PRESENT
The “Panama” hat
Newly arrived guests are welcomed with a nice present to remember their trip to Ecuador. The craftsmen from Cuenca know how to weave like nobody the straw extracted from an endemic palm of the region, famous for its beauty and fineness. Garden, beach and fashion hats, a present that customers will keep forever.
THE BAROQUE ROUTE (minimum 2-day stay)
Guided tours operated by lecturer-guides to get to know all about the famous “escuela quitena”, syncretic style combining hispanic baroque and indigenous culture. Flourishing during the 17th and 18th centuries, the “escuela quitena” one of the most precious cultural heritages in Latin America through sculptures, churches, ornaments, jewels, paintings in majority with mystic inspiration.
JUNGLE SAFARIS (minimum 4-day stay)
Guided by a professional guide-photographer, to explore the Ecuadorian Amazonia around the Napo river or in Coca. Medical plants, tropical trees and flowers, birds and monkeys are making the uniqueness of the wildlife and flora that will make the enjoyment of all the photographers-travelers.
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
EXPLORE THE ISLANDS (minimum 4-day stay)
An itinerary combining a stay in two or three of the archipelago islands. Discover the remarkable wildlife and flora of the archipelago through hikes and short sailing trip. This stay offers the discovery and the comfort of lodging at the hotel.
AROUND THE INDIAN MARKETS (minimum 3-day stay)
Strolling through many of the Indian markets in Guatemala is a privileged moment to discover the Maya’s people ancestral traditions proudly maintained. With an expert guide, visit the main markets:
Wednesday – Almolonga market in the known region as orchard of Guatemala
Friday – vegetables and fruits market at Solola or livestock market in San Francisco El Alto
Sunday – Chichicastenango market bringing all the Maya local communities. Rituals and prayers at the Santo Tomas church.
CELEBRATE GUATEMALA
Three moments to enjoy unparalleled cultural and mystic syncretism in the Maya country.
There are very popular celebrations and ceremonies and it is essential to book long time in advance.
HOLY WEEK IN ANTIGUA – Street processions with flower carpets in this colonial city among the most beautiful in Latin America. The Mayas communities along with the catholic rituals add a living representation of the Métis culture. The most important days are:
Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
ALL SAINTS’ KITES – Magic commemoration of the Day of the Dead in the Todos Santos village when the colored and gigantic kites representing the ancestors’ soul are flying by hundreds.
GARIFUNA CELEBRATION IN LIVINGSTON – The Afro community of Guatemala commemorates the slavery abolition every 26 November. Dances, chants, marimba orchestras host the village where African and indigenous traditions are well preserved.
OVERFLYING TEOTIHUACAN IN BALLOONS – View from the air, the largest indigenous esplanade of Mexico takes its full dimension. Overflying the pyramids of TEOTIHUACAN with technical experts. It is one of the most beautiful activities to offer to motivated groups, thrilling excitements buffs alike. Departure trip from Mexico city.
PRIVATE VISIT OF AMPARO MUSEUM IN PUEBLA – Settled in a sumptuous residence that once belonged to a rich family of the city, this museum offers two aspects of the Mexican history and culture: valuable collection of pieces and pre-Colombian sculptures and colonial sacred art. You can enjoy a cocktail at the nice patio of the villa.
EXPLORING THE COBA SITE BY BIKE OR BY RICKSHAW – for over 50 guests groups by bike to visit Coba or by rickshaw for under 10 guests groups guided by francophone expert-guides. Very broad site embellished by a lush vegetation and the tour criss-crosses the park searching for the ball game, from the pyramid to the other temples. Stopping by the main monuments. Trip length: Two hours departure from Cancun or Playa del Carmen.
“Panama Chombo Style” – Music, dances, cuisine and crafts express the cross-cultural heritage of Panama like Brazil and Cuba. We suggest to immerse into the Afro-Panamean traditions meanwhile visiting day with the communities, museums with typical meals with decoration and presentation of a “congo” private show: music and dances of this rich culture.
Passing through Panama Canal – Boarding at the Amador Causeway harbor. Partial crossing of the canal by private boat or every ship. Passing by two systems locks on the Pacific side of the Canal: Miraflores and Pedro Miguel and navigating on the Gatun lake. Duration: half day.
Coffee region and rum-making – 2 days/1 night in the Chitré region to visit the picturesque villages bustling by the coffee and rum productions. Discover the coffee and sugar cane plantations among the magnificent mountain and valley landscapes.
National parks – the government of Panama has designated several parts of the territory as sanctuaries of nature. Mainly: around the canal, Anton valley, Soberania and the Baru volcano. Watching the precious flora and wildlife, mainly birds. Very well equipped for “adventure tourism”, many outdoors activities can be organized such as kayak on the Gatun lake, hikes and treks, zip-lines, etc.
TREK CHOQUEQUIRAO – 5 days/4 nights
QUIMBAYA LATIN AMERICA offers an innovative trek called “CHOQUEQUIRAO” leading to the Inca site with the same name, called by the Incas “the gold cradle,” departing from Cusco. Located at 3,000 m of altitude, CHOQUEQUIRAO is a prodigious site as much as its well-known neighbor MACHU PICCHU is, due to its location and its particular shape of buildings and terraced fields !
Horse show in the Lima region – In a traditional hacienda display of “caballos del paso”, specific equestrian art of Peru, developed since the colonization. Lunch, cocktails and gala dinner can be organized in the gardens as well as in the magnificent lounges of the mansion.
Deserts and soft adventure – Southward of Lima lays the Paracas dunes desert which follows the Pacific Ocean. Ideal entry point to get away by 4×4 and tours to Ballestas islands, natural habitat for birds and marine life. In the evening, dinner in tents dressed up in the middle of the desert.
Lodging in an hacienda surrounded by vineyards or in a resort facing the ocean. 2 days/1night.
Machu-Pichu and the sacred valley of the Incas: Don’t hesitate to spend a night in Aguas Calientes before you climb the Machu-Picchu. After the journey on the train “Hiran Bingham” with its panoramic windows, one night at the sumptuous Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo, ultra arty-eco-chic address. For the return, stop at Ollantaytambo, surrounded by the sacred valley of the Incas and located 1h30 away from Aguas Calientes. In the valley, hikes can be planned to get to the villages and to the indigenous markets in a beautiful natural scenery. This journey can be suggested for discovery travel MICE. 2 days/1night.
Cusco: the baroque route: two Premium addresses and a major getaway to grasp the colonial and baroque universe of Cusco. The Marriott El Convento where design and tradition meet; the Mat Café where Coque Ossio Chef performs an exquisite Peruvian cuisine and the “baroque route” around Cusco, itinerary presenting the treasures of the famous “escuela cusqueña» (school of Cusco). 2 days/1 night.
Dare the Peruvian Amazonia: 45 minutes flying from Cusco, it is already the Amazonian jungle. For small groups, the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica, an eco-lodge de luxe facing the Madre de Dios river with 35 wood bungalows inspired by the Ese’Eja culture. Starting from the lodge, skilled guides will lead your group to discover the beautiful wildlife and flora and will plan a visit by the private canopy, with a 30 meters high bridge and privileged sights of the Amazonia.