The Complete South America

We have traveled with Collette for several tours. The tour manager makes the difference in a great tour and an average tour. Complete South America was a good trip that lived up to the name "Complete". The tour manager helped to make sure all transfers and transportation was smoothly completed. We only had to handle our big luggage a couple of times through airports.

Fast-paced with only a few half-days of down time. We needed all four seasons of clothing types. Just one hotel that did not meet expectations. Seeing the iconic South America sites made the tour.

Collette office staff called and ensured we applied for visa promptly. They continued to monitor and follow-up with deadlines. Tour manager was good in arranging all logistics on tour.

I thought Machu Picchu would be the highlight, but Iguazu Falls was my favorite.

Very well organised but it was rushed needs to be about 4weeks .And some days we did not get flights till late morning so that was all day traveling for a 2-3 hour flight

It was rushed to much would be better if it was for 4weeks .some days we got a flight about 11am for a2-3 flight so that was a day wasted just going to the airport.needed a bit more free time

If you want to experience the top South American destinations in one trip, the ones you've dreamed about seeing, this is the tour. Collette's tour manager was one of the best we've had and all the hotels except for one were top notch. The Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Chilean Wine Region, Patagonia, Buenos Aires and Igaucu Falls were the highlights. Before you decide on this tour, be prepared! The cost of the trip doesn't include costly airfares to/from/around South America. Collette's tour description says moderate physical activity. This trip goes to a large part of the continent in only 23 days and requires 7 flights, 40+ bus trips, boat trips, train and gondola rides, And that doesn't include optional pre/post tour extensions and daily tours. You need to have exceptional stamina and patience. Arrive for the tour a day early and spend an extra day at the end. Schedules are in flux each day - sometimes you'll arrive at your hotel for a heavy dinner at 9pm or later, go to bed at midnight, eat breakfast at an ungodly hour and leave the hotel well before dawn. A border crossing by bus could take hours. The included meals are geared to the tastes of the majority of people. Exceptional meals will be the ones that you have on your own. Most activities are outdoor, rain or shine, so bring GOR-TEX apparel: jacket, pants, hat, shoes and waterproof socks. Pack a change of clothes on long days. If you are prone to illness: colds, flu, coughs, gastrointestinal flareups, headaches, etc. pack what you need to protect yourself; you'll be in close quarters with many people for weeks. Forget workout clothes; you won't have time and you'll be too exhausted. Bring comfortable, sturdy hiking shoes as you'll be traversing irregular surfaces. Skip the day trip to Uruguay and see more of Buenos Aires on your own. Bring lots of US Dollars in small denominations - they are welcomed nearly everywhere and unless you are from Europe or Australia where Collette conveniently bundles gratuities into the cost of the trip you'll frequently need that cash. From my research, a tour is a must to see this much of South America in such a short time. Another week would allow more free time and regular schedules. We don't prefer tours but if we wanted to see a place that's challenging to travel, we'd consider another tour and likely use Collette.

Spending time with local people, seeing all the top sights, enjoying the tango show and having free time in Buenos Aires.

The rating reflects the Tour Manager, ****** ********* along with the limo service from our home to the airport (both ways). The logistics to get around a continent were handled my ****** seamlessly. She is the best of the best. This is our 10th Collette tour and we can honestly say she set a standard very few, if any, can live up to.

It was pricier than any trip we have taken thus far. I would have liked more clear info before the trip from Collette as well as our travel agent concerning the Brazil Visa and all the vaccines we were told to take.

The Complete South America 23 day trip had an excellent itinerary. (personal details removed by Feefo) was a superior, experienced, knowledgeable, patient, and caring guide. Most of the local guides were good, but some were difficult to understand. It also seemed that some were reluctant to do everything that (personal details removed by Feefo) wanted for us and that there were dome disagreements in Spanish, which I did not understand except for the emotions being expressed. Sorry, I didn't take names and notes on the local guides. as I was there to enjoy myself, not be a tattle-tail. Most of the hotels were excellent as well as the food. The Tango show and dinner was especially nice. One thing I think could be improved is to have more music on the trip. We greatly enjoyed what music there was and wished there was more. How about one night of sing-a-long, as a starter. I think there are several times on the long transport in a van or bus that would have been improved by some musical leadership. Song sheets with the words of some trip-relevant songs might be nice. Now for a criticism. I really hate the necessity to tip local guides and bus drivers. Since there were many on this trip, and sometimes more than one in a day, this became tedious and unpleasant. Half of our group were British and we were told that they (three separate groups) had arranged to have their tips all paid up front. That left the few Americans responsible for tipping. I have taken many cruises where "tips" are paid in a lump sum, sort of like a service charge, with optional tipping always possible for extra or exceptional service. I suppose this is what the British members of our group had arranged. Why can't you do this for the Americans too? My hate of this tipping business is enough for me to prefer to take cruises in the future rather than Collette land tours. I suppose you could go part way and just eliminate tipping for local guides and bus drivers and reserve it for the general tour director. I and several member of our group were sick on this trip. (personal details removed by Feefo) was an excellent help, stopping at pharmacies and even taking a couple of us to the emergency room. She indeed provided superior service.

I consider this an overall 5 star tour because of the wonderful itinerary and the excellent tour director. My suggestions for the inclusion of more music and the elimination of individual tipping, notwithstanding.

Phenomenal experience. Loved our guide (personal details removed by Feefo). Very cheerful, attentive and knowledgable. Every stop was a home run.

Obviously Machu Picchu and Iguazu Falls, but cruising the glaciers in far southern South America and the Patagonia need to be included. Coupled with visiting major cities such as Buenos Aires, Santiago and Rio

Exceptionally well organised throughout the tour by the lively and attentive tour manager.

Fantastic experience with Iguassu Falls being my highlight. Only problem was the poor health of some of our group one of whom should not have been allowed to travel let alone be accepted on the tour. This made progress a lot slower than it should have been.

Collette delivered everything they promised.

They delivered everything they promised.