Check out what a few of our past passengers have to say about their journey with Viva Expeditions

You can find further independant reviews online on Trip Adviser www.tripadviser.com

This was the best organised tour we ever have done (and we've been on a few!). Rachel is a fantastic organiser, cook and tour leader, and Brendan is a superb driver and all-round Mr Fixit.  The truck is beautifully designed to ensure the maximum of comfort and visibility; so much so that it attracted hordes of fans and admirers.  The tour is aimed at people who are a little beyond the age where camping every night and spending long days on a crowded overland bus are  an attraction; but who, nonetheless, still  possess a sense of adventure and enjoy trekking and other such activities.  The size of the bus enabled the tour to reach areas that other overlanders cannot reach and the smaller group size meant that it was possible to cater for individual tastes.   The hotels, camp grounds and cabanas were all chosen with care and there was not a dud amongst them.

Roger & Gabi Tayler
UK
(Wild Patagonia January 2010)

The tour I did with Gaetano (Viva Expeditions Tour Leader) was fantastic. Well organized, and very well timed. . . The first two days at the Glaciers where unforgettable and the hotels where great, as where the restaurants where we ate. The truck was very comfortable and every one was commenting on the comfort and insulation on the truck. The trip through Chile was a great way to cross to the north as you see a whole different reality of forests and incredible plants with leaves the size of a man. Gaetano took us to walk in the Enchanted Forest as he called it and as remote as it was it was an unforgettable experience. None of us could stop taking pictures, it seemed as if you had dropped into the forests of the movie Avatar, incredible. . .  The places that were chosen in Futalefu and before that where magical. We were all impressed.  It is so remote that just to find anything is increadible, and to find good accomodation was great.
Now everyone asks me what I will remember of the trip and I have to say quite a few things. The walk on the Viedma Glacier comes top of the list. The noise of the ice breaking off and falling into the water at Perito Moreno. The forests in Chile. And the view from Cerro Campanario in Bariloche. There is acctually a lot more, but too long to list here.
I can only highly commend Gaetano for his knowledge of the places and his handeling of all the situations, difficult and easy. I am a tourist guide here and I have experience, and he really knew his stuff. . .
Well done on the organizing and a great ittinerary. It is unusual and very interesting. It takes in a great number of different areas and interesting places to visit. The vehicle used was comfortable and well organized and the guide was an expert in his knowledge of where to go. He always gave us good advice (we did tease him however about his idea of FLAT hikes). If I go back I will contact you again. Many thanks for everything and keep up the ittinerary, it was really good.
Many thanks for an unforgettable holiday,

Lina Lizzi
South Africa
(Wild Patagonia - El Calafate to Bariloche - January 2011)

My wife & I were lucky enough to experience the Ushuaia to Santiago, "Wild Patagonia" trip March 2010.
"Viva Expeditions" offer small group tours, owned & operated by a nice young couple Rachel ( from NZ) & Brendan (from Australia). They are really professional & well organised. They both speak English/ Spanish & have a real passion for South America. They made it really easy for us to enjoy exploring remote wild places (that many travellers would struggle to find) as well as taking in the more well known sites.
We were transported in a very comfortable purpose built truck. Heaps of space & legroom. Seats recline. Large personal foot lockers under your feet were a great idea to stash your gear etc. Large tinted windows give unobstructed views out the front & sides. Also a toilet on board was appreciated by all.
We were all in awe of Brendan's driving. He could put that truck anywhere, great lunch & picnic spots off the beaten track. We always felt safe.
Our accommodation was comfortable & well located. It varied depending on the location. Even in the really remote areas, we stayed in some really nice places.
The food was always amazing. Very tasty, lots of variety & plenty of it.. One of the great things about this trip is that most of the meals were included in the trip price.
The day we visited the Puerto Moreno Glacier was one of the many highlights. We were lucky to be taken by a back roads though vast open country, stopping to take pics of wildlife, the mighty condor birds etc. We then approach the distant south face of the glacier on foot, walking along the lake edge gives us plenty of time to appreciate the grandeur & beauty of this area. Then we get up close to experience this vast river of ice, & it is awesome ! The colours constantly change in the light, neon blues to every shade of white. Huge chunks of ice occasionally peal away from the front of the glacier with a loud crack & thunderous boom & it is quite mesmerising. Our cameras go into overdrive. We stay for many hours taking it all in, then out in a boat to explore the northern face. It towers over us. Ice burgs from the glacier float past to slowly melt into Lago Argentina.
So many memories… the granite peaks in the Torres Del Paine National Park, the vineyard visits in the north, the snow capped volcanoes at Pucon, and what about……
“Wild Patagonia” is a great trip.
If anyone is considering exploring the wonders of South America we can recommend “Viva Expeditions” as one of the best.

Helen & Graeme Laird
New Zealand
(Wild Patagonia, March 2010)

We are just back from our Patagonia trip, and I wanted to express how much I appreciated all your patience answers that got us started on that journey.  We had the adventure of our life!  Deona and Tony were so attentive to make sure everyone was having a good time.  She is a great cook, and we had some fantastic meals while camping.  The camping was well done and very comfortable.  Our only disappointments were there were only 3 penguins at the penguin colony and not getting to hike the "V" both of which you have no control over.  That was more than offset by be many other wonderful experiences, especially our best two:  hiking to the towers in Paine and hiking to Mt. Fitz Roy.  Oh, and the food was wonderful . . . too wonderful, I gained 5 pounds!  We appreciated that you employed your superhero skills and controlled the weather which was excellent.  
I also want to mention about our pretour of Buenos Aires and Iguazu Falls.  Every single transfer was there waiting or on time for the pick up.  We were 3.5 hours late because of thunder storms and the guy was there to pick us up.   Having all the transfers was a huge worry off my mind.  Everything exceeded my expectations and the tour leaders were all very nice and the tours very enjoyable.  The hotel at Iguazu was beautiful.  I had some security concerns before we went but felt safe.  It looked like they had security people who walked around the grounds.  Of course, we always used the safe and never left our bags which is just good advise anywhere.  There was an employee that took the bags and put them on a cart and stayed with them also.  There were only two places where the hotel advised against drinking the water: Iguazu Falls and Cerro Sombrero.  
I will be writing a nice review for Tripadvisor.  Thank you again for making this wonderful adventure possible.  

Pam and Dave Ashford
USA
(Southern Explorer, March 2012)

Ursula and I truly enjoyed our trip – thank you very much for making it a real memorable experience. Everything worked like clockwork! Your partners did an excellent job – you are working with very good people. 
The weather fully cooperated – most of our days were sunny and pleasant. For example, we experienced the Los Torres Hike in warm weather with excellent views – almost too good to be true. We only had one day with some rain with no major consequences, otherwise it seemed to rain during the night when were asleep or when we were inside.
The accommodations were clean and pleasant and always well located – we even kind of liked the hostel environment in El Calafate. The stand-by hotel in El Chalten (Hotel Poicenot) turned out to be a jewel and can be highly recommended.
The guides were either very good or excellent – their thorough knowledge of their respective areas made the trip even more interesting.
We simply experienced too many highlights – big and small – to start mentioning them. It will take us a while to digest this trip.
We will not hesitate to recommend your company to anyone interested in traveling in Chile and Argentina – as a matter of fact I sent a message to my travel agent encouraging him to look at your company should they have other customers looking at Patagonia and the other regions we visited.
Thank you again for all your efforts – they truly paid off. You are a great organizer and you have an excellent team behind you.

Tony & Ursula Lampart
Canada
(Patagonia tailor made itinerary)

John and I had a wonderful time on the tour and  hope to join you  on the Peru Bolivia  tour sometime in the near future. I think you offer a unique and fabulous itinerary . . . We were very lucky to have Gaetano. He is a very personable man and handles people well. He was very flexible and accommodating and very knowledgeable about the areas. Sometimes when we were unsure if we wanted to do something, he suggested alternatives that were appropriate and well worth the effort. His advice for our free time was also very useful. Our little group were around the same age and got along very well.
Regarding meals, the dinners were excellent - the choice of restaurants well above the standard for group tours. Breakfasts of course were dependent on what the accommodation offered and lunches were generally good and more than ample, so much so that we had to ask him to cut down on the quantity as we eating everything he provided and were all gaining too much weight. We really appreciated that the restaurants he took us to for dinner served food that was representative of the area. We also liked that we could order what we wanted instead of a predetermined package. No point going to Argentina and eating at a Chinese or Mexican restaurant.
Besides the itinerary, what impressed us the most was that so many activities were included in the tour package. - the activities and excursions, boat trips, guides etc were all of very good quality. Overall the tour price was very good value.
Regarding the hotels, some were good and some ok but they were all clean and acceptable. . . The coach was very comfortable and the view from the windows excellent. We were all spoiled by having so much room to ourselves. . . I wish you continued success in developing our company.
Kind regards
 
Diane & John Ramaldho
Canada
(Wild Patagonia - January 2011)

“We had the pleasure of touring extensively with Viva Expeditions.
Both Rachel and Brendan made it a very comfortable, trouble free trip and their local knowledge and language skills were of immeasurable value. Highlights such as the breathless atmosphere of La Paz, the awesome scenery and history of the Inca trail , the overnight stay with a local family on an isolated island on Lake Titicaca, straddling the equator near Quito and the unforgettable experience in a genuine eco lodge situated on the Napo river in thick tropical rain forest, will stay with us.
We feel that Viva Expeditions presents excellent value for money and we highly recommend them.”

Jenny and Erich Oettli
Auckland
New Zealand
(Tailor made Bolivia, Peru & Ecuador tour 2006)

“In 2006 we had the opportunity to experience an amazing adventure, and at the same time have a lot of fun with Viva Expeditions. We took one of their tours to South America and travelled from Bolivia through Peru to Ecuador, which included the 5 day trek to Machu Picchu.
As a young couple, taking 'older'  50 + clients, didn’t faze them at all.  In fact they helped us to venture outside our comfort zones. 
They were extremely professional in everything they did, they have a passion for the country and have a real affinity with the South American people.
What a plus that they also speak Spanish!!!! 
We had a problem when crossing the border between Bolivia and Peru, when the local bus driver who spoke no English, would not wait for one of us who was delayed at the toilet. Long story!!  Luckily Brendan and Rachel were able to explain and negotiate with the driver to wait. 
We would not hesitate to recommend Viva Expeditions to anyone who is looking for a fun experience, with a truly professional tour company.
We are planning another journey with them in 2009”

Ray and Anja Mansell
New Zealand
(Tailor made Bolivia, Peru & Ecuador tour 2006)

“Hi Rachel, my name is Ian Sharp and you organised a  trip for us (ie me, my wife Chris & daughter Katherine), taking us from Cusco in Peru thru Puno and Lake Titicaca to La Paz then overland including the salt flats and deserts of Bolivia  to San Pedro de Atacama in Chile.  Thank you, it was an exceptional experience and the standard of tour operator/guide was superb. The natural beauty of the place was enhanced by the great organisation and warm welcome(s) we  received. So again thank you for making what was a great time even more  special,   all the best.................Ian  Sharp”

Ian Sharp
New Zealand
(Tailor made Bolivia tour 2008)

"Hi Rachel,
Well, we're back and in much need of a holiday! Thats right. I intended daily for the perfect person to arrange our trip to South America and we got you. I intended for the best holiday ever and that is exactly what we got but then we got so much more. The itinerary you put together for us was exceptional. The people who came into our lives daily have become friends. From the wonderful folk who awaited our arrival at the airports in Santiago & Buenos Aires, at the bus stop in Iguazu and the gentleman who took us to the airport in Rio. We became friends with the Reservation staff, the bellboy, the waiter & the guides on each of our guided tours. Our trip on horseback in the Andes is one we will never ever forget, especially the arrival of not one but five giant Condors. BA blew me away. It exceeded my wildest expectations as did the Falls. And then Brazil. Thank you so much for sending us to Paraty & Buzios. If Buzios was Heaven, we'd arrived at our destination. The hotels you'd arranged for us were all perfect in every way as were the guided tours. I would definitely recommend the City tours. It certainly gave us an insight to the Cities we were visiting. Brazil is a country we would like to return and discover more of. But then there's Chile, Peru, Bolivia and the Galapagos we'd like to see too...
I kept up an online travel blog for friends to keep up with us and they enjoyed reading about South America as much if not more.
Long may your company prosper, Rachel and it is our hope we may have the opportunity to travel with you again in the near future."

Michelle, Neill and Joshua Clarke
New Zealand
(Tailor made Argentina, Chile & Brazil tour 2009)


Hello Rachel! 
Yes, we have returned from our adventure in South America.  We are beginning to get settled back into our daily routines and the jet lag is passing. 
We had a marvelous time and cannot thank you enough for the arrangements you made for us.  In our past travels I have made all the arrangements my self, what a task that becomes.  You made this so much easier!!  Everything you arranged went very smoothly, the tour companies you work with are great!
Thank you for all your help, I will be sure to recommend you and VIVA to all we know and look forward to working with you again in the future!

Celeste Graalum
USA
(Tailor made Argentina & Chile tour 2009)

Hi Rachel,
We have just returned home after a very good holiday. I must say that your arrangements worked like clockwork, and everything was fine, my wife will no doubt be in touch with more detailed comments. It is very comforting so far from home to have faith in one's agent especially if spanish is not your first language. I would also say you wrere right to suggest 3 days 2 nights for the falls, quite draining to do it in 2 days 1 night.
If we plan anything else in south america I will certainly be in touch, and would unreservedly recommend you to anyone planning anything in that part of the world.

Regards Geoff Paddock
UK
(Tailor made Argentina tour 2010)

“South America is an awesome diversity of culture, lifestyles, landscapes, awe-inspiring scenery and adventures.  From the coastal deserts and deserted mountain ranges in the Andes to the wonderful colour and wildlife in the Jungles and wet lands in Ecuador, South America is a fantastic place to travel around.  There is no better people to allow you to enjoy your experience, make you feel comfortable and ensure you can relax throughout your entire trip than Brendan and Rachel.
They are both extremely competent and very experienced tour hosts and undoubtly would be the best ever tour guides I have had on any trip.  This recommendation is coming form someone who has travelled to over 45 foreign countries, and been on tours through Europe, Scandinavia & Russia, Egypt, Turkey, Scotland, Ireland, Africa, Usa & Mexico and South America. I have also worked as a tour guide on weekends out of London running 1 to 5 day coach trips in the UK and Northern Europe. This team will ensure you have an extremely memorable experience.  I wish them all the very best with their tours and would definitely travel with them again.”

Darryn Wilkie
New Zealand
(South America overland tour 2006)

"Bren and Rach are lovely people and I had an amazing time travelling round South America with them. They make it all easy for you, take you to the best places and make sure you have lots of fun along the way. You'll see many wonderful things and have fantastic experiences that will take your breath away. Go and have the time of your life!"

Lisa  Moralee
UK
(South America overland tour 2006)

“I would like to say that my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our Trip with Viva Expeditions.  I felt that the local knowledge and passion that your and Brendan have for the country enhanced our holiday immensely.  We were a more mature group, but this in no way deterred you from providing a fantastic experience catering to everyone’s level of fitness.   Our experience on the Inca Trail was great and being a small group had its advantages.  The Guides had a great depth of knowledge and where easy to understand, at no time did we feel pushed for times it was a very well organised tour with a lot of side tours that were outside the norm.
Accommodation was good and the local food and wine complemented the whole experience.  Our journey through Chile, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador was fantastic and we look forward to doing the Patagonia/Argentina tour in 2010.  Would highly recommend this company and felt that Brendan and Rachel run a very professional company.”

Pauline Verrall
New Zealand
(Tailor made Bolivia, Peru & Ecuador tour 2006)

"I travelled with Rach and Bren from Rio to Santiago. I had an unforgettable experience and recommend overlanding in South America to everyone. Our days were filled with fun, adventure, culture, nature, mind-blowing scenery and plenty of laughter. Fantastic."

Helen Bolten
UK
(South America overland tour 2005)

“Just a short E mail to say how much Pauline & I enjoyed our trip with Viva Expeditions. Really I dont know where to begin because there was so much cool stuff to take home as memories and a great bonding time with you & the other trip participants. This trip has changed the way that I view other cultures because of the way that you showed us how they operate as a unified body for the greater good of the whole community and not just for one individual. Our discussions about the salt flats, mining, and the Ecuadorian tribes and their fishing practises really was a opinion changing time for me. The walk through the rain forest in Ecuador was so amazing, although we it was a challenge to achieve the climb up & through the cavern it leaves some unforgettable memories. Even when shopping, which is not normally my thing, both Pauline & I did got some cool bargains. Perhaps one of the highlights for me is bike ride that you organised around the Peruvian highlands.
That brings back some memories from the 70s believe me, dirt bikes, dust and falling off!  Bolivia is such a vast place, and somewhere that I never thought to go, but I was fascinated to learn the history of Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid. Every one knows who they are & to be where they had been & robbed people was so cool, & to think that was where they died, amazing!
Anyway enough for now we will be in touch when we have another group to do another trip and we will see what you can teach this old B------ then!

Rob & Pauline van Kampen 
New Zealand
(Tailor made Bolivia, Peru & Ecuador tour 2006)