South America Explorer with Gapforce

South America Explorer with Gapforce

Location
Multiple Locations +2
  • Peru
    • Cusco
  • Ecuador
    • Quito
Length
4 - 12 weeks
Payment plans
Health & Safety

Program Details

Activities
Animal Viewing Backpacking City Exploring Hiking Rafting Sightseeing Surfing Trekking
Timeframe
Year Round
Housing
Guesthouse Host Family Hostel Tent
Primary Language
English
Age Min.
18

Pricing

$4,300
Price Details
4 weeks: $4300
7 weeks: $6300.00
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Meals Tour Guide Transportation Wifi
What's Included (Extra)

Pre-departure briefing and support
Airport pick-up
Gapforce Leader
Local guides and support staff
Welcome and orientation briefing
All accommodation
Spanish lessons
All tours on itinerary
Project donation
Meals listed in itinerary
Social activities
24/7 UK emergency back-up

What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance Visa
Apr 20, 2026
Nov 06, 2025
52 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Your 7-week South American adventure begins in the cultural heart of Peru: Cusco. Here, you’ll ease into the altitude and lifestyle with Spanish lessons, local homestays, and visits to iconic sites like the Sacred Valley. You'll then move onto the breathtaking trek along the Salkantay route to Machu Picchu—an off-the-beaten-path experience through snowy passes and cloud forests to one of the world’s most iconic archaeological wonders. Unwind with surf lessons and beach time in Punta Negra before heading into Ecuador for the scenic, culturally rich Quilotoa Loop trek.

The adventure continues in Baños, followed by hands-on volunteering at an animal rescue sanctuary in the Amazon and a rare immersion into indigenous life in Tamandua. Experience jungle hikes, chocolate-making, and night walks. Finally, cap off your journey with a week of ziplining, river tubing, and exploring Ecuador’s highlands.

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This program offers a rich mix of trekking, volunteering, and cultural experiences across Peru and Ecuador, with supportive leaders and a friendly group atmosphere.

Program Highlights

  • Stunning 5 day Andean trek to Machu Picchu, one of the seven modern wonders of the world
  • Surf the pacific waves off the coast of Mancora, Peru's best known beach town
  • Navigate your way through the rapids with some white water rafting near Baños, Ecuador's adventure sports capital
  • Get up close and personal with a vast range of animals whilst volunteering at an Amazon Wildlife Rescue Sanctuary
  • Trek the Quilotoa Loop, arguably one of the best multi-day trekking routes in South America and one of Ecuador's most popular treks!

South America Explorer: September 18th

Video and Photos

Impact 🌎

We are committed to exert a positive impact on the regions, countries and communities which we visit. For us it is paramount that the local organisations and communities benefit from our cooperation by working with trusted local businesses and project partners who align with our sustainability objectives.
We are passionate about travel and the positive impact it has on young people’s outlook and future prospects. Our mission is to help people become global citizens through authentic, socially and environmentally responsible travel experiences which aid self-discovery and personal development.

As a small team, we are committed to providing a highly personalised service from your initial contact right through to your chosen adventure. We achieve this through our dedicated team of program leaders and support staff, all of whom are passionate travellers united by a common purpose to help young people explore the world.

Current Jobs

View the latest job postings by Gapforce.

Program Reviews

4.82 Rating
based on 60 reviews
  • 5 rating 83.33%
  • 4 rating 15%
  • 3 rating 1.67%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Housing 4.55
  • Support 4.65
  • Fun 4.7
  • Value 4.75
  • Safety 4.7
Showing 33 - 40 of 60 reviews
Sam
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing!

I had an amazing time on this trip. I was super nervous about meeting 7 strangers who I had to spend the next 4 weeks with but everyone was lovely and we all got on so well. The places we went were truly amazing and the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu was a big highlight for me. Even when we were all tired and cold it was still an unforgettable experience and made getting to see Machu Picchu all the more memorable and special. Stefan our guide was great and helped with any problems we had while talking and taking no shit from anyone which was refreshing and meant we all trusted him to take charge when he needed to. We were quite a young group but for me that made it even more fun. I would really push anyone who’s remotely interested to go on this trip.

What would you improve about this program?
I would have loved to spend more time at the animal rescue centre at the end of the trip. The three days we spend there were great but you don’t get to experience everything or really manage to be helpful around the site because you are still learning the ropes. A week there would be amazing. Also potentially spending some time volunteering somewhere else for a week or so would be great to
250 people found this review helpful.
Jai
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Experience

I had fun and saw some amazing things such as Machu Picchu. The views on the trek were equsiseite and the journey extremely hard but rewarding with the scenery it offered. One thing I struggled with was the food but this was due to my dietary requirements of being a vegetarian. All the hostels we stayed in were great and all the staff were lovely. Stefan made sure we were always safe and let us know when certain areas were more dangerous than others. Other activities such as white water rafting were reallly fun and memorable, but what I found the nicest was the friends I made along the way. I wish there was more we did in terms of activites as we had many free days, but at the same time it was up to us and go do something. Overall would recommend.

238 people found this review helpful.
Paula
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Wow!

I had a great time on South America Explore 2019! I felt safe and supported everywhere we went thanks to the tireless efforts of our guide, Sara. This is the perfect program for someone who wants to travel but doesn’t want to go alone, or have the stress of planning it. I had no friends to come with and didn’t even know where to begin; 2 months later I can say that I’ve made friends that will last a lifetime and I loved not having to worry about where I was going, how I was getting there, or what I was doing since it was all pre-planned. From the coblestoned streets of Cusco to the blue waters of the Galapagos it’s been an amazing journey. The spanish school and nightlife of Cusco made it one of my favorite cities, Mancora was the perfect relaxation stop after the tiring but incredible Machu Picchu trek, Baños is a thrillseeker’s paradise with parasailing, white water rafting, bungee jumping and more, the jungle, animals, and people in Yanacocha/Tamadua made it a dream to volunteer there, visiting the Equator and markets in Quito was incredible, and the Galapagos is the perfect stop to the trip.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Leave enough room in you bag for souvenirs - with all the markets you go to you WILL end up with a lot. Make sure that you journal, it’s so nice to read back on what you’ve done.
146 people found this review helpful.
Maeve
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

What a time

Absolutely loved travelling in a group and this program definitely let me do that. Sara our guide was always there supporting us no matter what time of the day/night. There were some tricky situations in the group that were handled very quickly and professionally. What an amazing trip. Highlights: Cusco, spanish classes were great, Machu Picchu was very hard but rewarding, Mancora beach town absolute blast, Baños (white water rafting was amazing but try not to drink the river water or you will get sick), Yanacocha is amazing especially for all animal lovers, Tamandua shuar community was a great way to wind down and in the middle of the jungle, incredible, Quito, slightly more dangerous as it’s a big city but a great night life and cultural experiences all around. Galapagos. Wow, definitely if you have the chance get your ass there right now, what a time to be alive. If you want to see turtles as big as you this is where to go. 10/10 trip, gert lush mind. Out 🎤

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Put on suncream, I know you want a tan but the burn lines are not worth it.
Bring warm clothes for Machu Picchu.
Try and use your new spanish as much as you can even though it’s difficult.
Bring lots of socks.
Drink lots of water and bring purification tablets.
You don’t need that many clothes, put it back in your wardrobe.
Keep a journal every day at the end of the trip it’s the funniest thing to look back on.


139 people found this review helpful.
Hannah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

South America Explore Trip

I had a really amazing time on my trip. Everyone was really supportive & great at pushing me out of my comfort zone & discovering what I can really accomplish. Our leaders were extremely caring & attentive. I went into the experience really nervous & not sure what I had gotten myself into, but it’s probably the best decision I have ever made. It’s set me up to feel confident to continue traveling on my own. I’ve gotten over my fear of heights by zip-lining, rock climbing & paragliding, I’ve made a couple new friends who I plan to travel with in the future, & it has opened up a “whole new world” full of opportunities that I now know are possible to attain, as in seeing the world. It’s bittersweet that my trip is over but I have come out of it knowing I didn’t waste one moment.

What would you improve about this program?
Isn’t much I would improve on the trip was well organized
152 people found this review helpful.
Gillian
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

South America October 2018

I had the most amazing time on my trip to South America in October! At first I was worried as there were only 3 other people in the group however as soon as we met the worries disappeared. Our guide Alfie was very enthusiastic and ensured we had an itinerary filled with fun activities and experiences. There was enough flexibility in the program that we were able to decide where to eat and what we wanted to see. The Spanish lessons in Cusco along with the homestay for the first week were a great way to start the trip. My favourite part of the trip was the hike to Machu Picchu. We were in an awesome group of people and saw breathtaking views. The Galápagos Islands were absolutely incredible and the activities were great especially the day trip on a boat out to snorkel! The best thing about this tour is the variety it entails. It involves adventure activities, volunteering and cultural experiences which combinded to make an unforgettable trip. Would highly recommend this program!

What would you improve about this program?
The communication prior to departure was very poor. I had little information regarding the trip and the itinerary I was sent after asking was quite different to the one our expedition leader had.
Whilst the galapogas extension was incredible, the organisation from the partners was terrible especially in regards to the itinerary.
132 people found this review helpful.
Gillian
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

October 2018 South America Explore

I had the most amazing time on my trip to South America in October! At first I was worried as there were only 3 other people in the group however as soon as we met the worries disappeared. Our guide Alfie was very enthusiastic and ensured we had an itinerary filled with fun activities and experiences. There was enough flexibility in the program that we were able to decide where to eat and what we wanted to see. The Spanish lessons in Cusco along with the homestay for the first week were a great way to start the trip. My favourite part of the trip was the hike to Machu Picchu. We were in an awesome group of people and saw breathtaking views. The Galápagos Islands were absolutely incredible and the activities were great especially the day trip on a boat out to snorkel! The best thing about this tour is the variety it entails. It involves adventure activities, volunteering and cultural experiences which combinded to make an unforgettable trip. Would highly recommend this program!

What would you improve about this program?
The communication prior to departure was very poor. I had little information regarding the trip and the itinerary I was sent after asking was quite different to the one our expedition leader had.
Whilst the galapogas extension was incredible, the organisation from the partners was terrible especially in regards to the itinerary.
140 people found this review helpful.
Minaëlle
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing 8 weeks!

Just spent the last 8 weeks on the Gapforce South America expedition. Before arriving, I wasn’t so sure what to expect as the details on the website were quite vague.
Upon arrival, I was picked up at the Cusco airport by one of our leaders and brought back to our hostel. Once all 14 of us in the group had arrived, we went for a stroll around Cusco and clicked instantly. We spent the next 8 weeks learning Spanish, trekking, salsaing, beaching, exploring cities, working with animals, chilling by the Amazon, volunteering at a daycare and finally living it up in the Galápagos.
Going on this trip was one of the best decisions I’ve made, and although I was a little nervous beforehand, the website not having provided many details, I would recommend it to anyone. I would also suggest that if you’re going to do the expedition, definitely do the 7 week program and the Galápagos extension. I had originally only planned to do 7 weeks but going to the Galápagos Islands was an incredible experience and was totally worth the extra money.
The people I’ve met on this trip are some of the coolest and most fun people I know. We’ve all become close friends and I will miss you all so much.

What would you improve about this program?
The only thing I can think of that I would potentially change on the itinerary is the extra week at the animal sanctuary, as I found that 2 weeks was a little too much and it got quite repetitive.
We had a few problems with money, Gapforce not having sent our budget to our leaders in time. We had to spend some of our own money on food, but we got paid back in the end and it all worked out.
150 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers