If you had to make just one more trip, it would be one of these!
What is “extraordinary”? How to make a trip extraordinary? What do we remember once we return home and return to our daily lives? How can we bring our travels to life in time? These are the questions that our teams tried to answer to arrive at this collection of unique trips. A collection of long-distance journeys, absolutely out of the ordinary. A collection where the experience takes precedence over the destination, a collection which leaves traces and leaves its mark on those who experience them whatever their place in history.
travel days
years of experience
exceptional trips
Today, no one can ignore the effects of global warming and the questions it raises about our way of life, our way of traveling, our way of consuming, our way of eating...
We believe that travel is an opportunity for meaningful encounters, and that we are profoundly nomadic. The desire to travel will always be there, as will our freedom to discover new horizons. The question is how, and we've come up with an answer.
In this eco-adventure, we'll take you on a tour of Argentina's natural treasures, while highlighting local and global efforts to protect these precious ecosystems.
Get ready for total immersion in Patagonian nature, where every step echoes our responsibility to the planet. Let's embark together on this environmentally-friendly adventure, where wonder rhymes with ecological commitment.
🌿 No domestic flights for a Low Carbon trip
🌿 4500 kilometers to explore
🌿 Exchange with locals and experts on today's ecological challenges
🌿 Nights in ecolodges, estancias, glamping and bivouacs
From the 19th century to the present day, Argentina has been a land of welcome. Who were these foreigners who dared the Argentine adventure? What became of them? In this journey, we meet the ordinary men and women who make up today's extraordinary Argentina.
As soon as you set foot in Buenos Aires, you'll meet Yann, a French immigrant for over a decade, who will warmly open the doors of his Hotel La Querencia. Nora, of Italian origin, will take you on a tour of the Port of Buenos Aires, once a departure point for immigrants from all over the world. Last but not least, the Boca district and its tango areas will convey the history and emotion of those 19th-century men and women who left their homeland full of hope.
One scheduled bus ride and 20 hours later, you'll set foot in one of the regions that welcomed and still welcomes many immigrants: Salta la Linda! You'll meet Lorenzo, Myriame, Claudio... all of whom have rich personal histories. Immigrants past and present.
Depart Salta for Amblayo and discover the grandiose valleys that embrace the capital. And it's on horseback that you'll experience the sensations of a gaucho. Walter, your guide, will welcome you into his home with his family for an evening chat by an open fire.
Cachi and its vineyards will take you in the footsteps of the descendants of the pieds noirs, who embarked on the Argentine adventure and today bear witness to their strength of will and courage.
Head for Route 40, its rocky deserts and craftsmen. It's also on this road that you'll meet the descendants of Andalusian immigrants who care for their culture and keep it alive.
Cafayate, where life is good, has many surprises in store for you. An oasis of freshness in the middle of the desert. During your stay, you'll visit the cheese factory run by Alejandro, the grandson of Spanish immigrants.
Route to the province of Tucuman, proud of its vestiges of the past.
You'll travel back in time, discovering the Quilmes Indians who succumbed to the Inca invasion. The journey continues to the arid lands of the Puna Catamarqueña. These inhospitable lands attract few, if any, immigrants due to their drought and climate. Native Andean culture is strongly present. You'll venture along salars, through pumice fields and up the slopes of high-altitude volcanoes. A marvellous spectacle, nature in its raw state as it is still hard to find today. Along the miles of trails, you'll arrive at Argentina's largest salar, the Salinas Grandes, for a unique starlit experience.
This trip takes you to the gateway to the Quebrada de Humahuaca in the province of Jujuy, where you'll discover its inhabitants, its flavors, its high-altitude vineyards and its multicolored landscapes at 4,000 m altitude.
A stay in the middle of the lush Jujeña jungle, at Finca la Fe, will enable you to meet two adventurers, immigrants of the new generation, who didn't hesitate to leave everything behind to start building lodges in the heart of the jungle. An unforgettable experience to share by the light of an open fire.
The return journey to Salta is marked by the red and black flags and ponchos worn with pride during the June 17th parade in honour of General Guemes. Hundreds of gauchos come from all the surrounding provinces to pay tribute to their national hero.
A unique show!
We look forward to welcoming you to one of Salta's traditional peñas to share an Argentine asado and a local torontes with our team, on a note of folklore!
Then it's time to talk about the ordinary men and women who made your journey an extraordinary adventure!
Bolivia and its grandiose landscapes, its “must-sees”, its Salar d'Uyuni... for decades, these images have been attracting travellers from all over the world to its sites and cities. The country is far from being a major tourist destination. However, most travellers will be satisfied with magnificent landscapes, fleeting images of “traditional” clothing worn in the streets of La Paz, a quick boat ride on Lake Titicaca, and the “folklore” of its inhabitants who make sandals from tires and run their antediluvian cars on natural gas.
But will they touch the reality of this bubbling country?
The ambition of this trip is to get to the other side of the scenery and discover the richness of this country like no other.
Bolivians are a resilient people by nature, and have weathered so many crises in their history that they could teach the world a lesson in resilience in these times of adaptation to change. Champions of the coup d'état, the incredible wealth of its natural resources has attracted the covetousness of the world's powerful, and the plundering that has been going on for centuries has forced its inhabitants to regularly reinvent their lives. Bolivia's history is simply insane.
Bolivians are a resilient people by nature, and have weathered so many crises in their history that they could teach the world a lesson in resilience in these times of adaptation to change. Champions of the coup d'état, the incredible wealth of its natural resources has attracted the covetousness of the world's powerful, and the plundering that has been going on for centuries has forced its inhabitants to regularly reinvent their lives. Bolivia's history is simply insane.
We invite you to experience some of these crazy stories, to become an actor in your own adventure, to dive into Lake Titicaca, to lead your llama caravan to the Salar, to search for hidden treasures in gold-rich mountains, and last but not least, to learn the art of the Bolivian way of getting by.
“No nordeste, junho é como um segundo carnaval” - In northeastern Brazil, June is like a second carnival.
In June, the northeast celebrates the Festas Juninas, a once-religious festival that has become a major popular event. Now synonymous with Brazilian rural culture, it celebrates joie de vivre, diversity and gratitude for the harvest, in a festive atmosphere that unites communities.
We take you on an expedition from Salvador to Sao Luis, to celebrate the most mystical region, rich in folklore and traditions, to celebrate our Brazil, the real one. In the effervescence of the festas juninas, we celebrate this land that is both rich and arid, these wild lands where life is harsh and its inhabitants big-hearted, these peoples with their great joie de vivre and mixed cultures.
Our journey begins in Salvador de Bahia, the cradle of Afro-Brazilian culture and Brazil's first capital. We follow Moema along the cobbled streets, which are already buzzing with preparations for the big June festivities. Colonial houses with pink, blue and green facades are draped in garlands, the air is perfumed with the scent of local specialties seasoned with bright yellow dendê oil, and the sound of batucadas punctuates our steps.
The calendar of festivities takes us as far as Sao Luis, to enter the Bumba Meu Boi festival, with its colorful myths. It's lively, it's noisy, it's bright and glittery, it's the hustle and bustle of Brazilian city life.
And we change rhythm, colors. We slow our pulse and set sail for the great adventure. From the verdant lands of Bahia, where multicolored fruits abound, immersed in Jean-Marie's fazenda, to the wild lands of the Road of Emotions embarked by David, our expedition leader.
We're off to find, or rediscover, the essence of life in Brazil's northeast, simple and natural.
We take a break in the endless rows of sand dunes separated by lagoons of crystal-clear tropical rainwater, in the Lençóis-Maranhenses National Park. We experience the ultimate in freedom as we roam the miles of raw, white beaches, meeting the fishermen and landlubbers who populate the area. And once there, we can't help but follow Pedro into the Parnaíba delta, a heavenly sanctuary for thousands of birds.
Here, the pace is different, it's slowed down. Here, you move to the rhythm of the waves, the tides and the people you meet. Here, people still fish with clubs on those triangular-sailed rafts, the jangadas, on which slaves fled across the turquoise or emerald sea.
This journey is a celebration of Brazil's Nordeste, its people, its rhythms and colors, our curiosity and the ordinary of Brazilian life made extra-ordinary.
Because times have changed, and today it's our responsibility to be more respectful of the world we live in, some people have chosen to stop flying, preferring to explore destinations closer to home. But crossing the ocean by plane remains an option if it's to experience a unique, unforgettable and enriching journey. It's mass tourism that needs to be curbed.
With this in mind, we propose a trip that goes against the tide: a winter adventure in Patagonia, far from the crowds. The journey will be long and slow, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the culture and landscapes of this country of contrasting geographies. Rather than take multiple domestic flights and hop from place to place, we'll discover every nook and cranny of this fascinating territory by land and sea.
Our adventure begins in Santiago, the Chilean capital, where we discover the country's emblematic districts and rich history.
One night bus later (in comfort, of course :)) and we wake up in the Lakes and Volcanoes region. It's here, in Araucania, that the majority of the Mapuche live. This indigenous population now accounts for only 5% of the total population, but still maintains strong traditions. We spend a few days in a Mapuche community, sharing their daily life, living a unique human experience and helping to support their local economy. At this time of year, bathing in the thermal baths, snowshoeing and climbing the Villarrica volcano complete our adventure in the heart of this snow-covered landscape.
A few days' drive along the Lakes Route takes us to the island of Chiloé, one of the most authentic places in Chile. Here, we discover stilt dwellings, Unesco World Heritage-listed wooden churches, natural parks and a gastronomy rich in seafood.
The second part of our journey begins here, and we continue with a great adventure on the mythical Route Australe. An overnight ferry takes us from Quellón, on the island of Chiloé, to Puerto Cisnes, one of the most remote fjords on the Route Austral. Ruta 5, which runs parallel to Argentina's Route 40, is much less crowded and offers an authentic, wilderness experience.
The northern part of the road is asphalted, but the southern part we're taking remains a challenge for adventurers. Of course, we travel with an expert guide-driver, a native of the region, and a sturdy 4x4 vehicle, ready to brave unpredictable weather conditions to get us to the end of the road. Indeed, on the Chilean side, this is where the road ends: we must then take a ferry to reach the extreme south of the country.
During this week of adventure, we have to constantly adapt to Patagonia's capricious weather. Snowfall can block the road at any time, turning our journey into a veritable expedition. Our goal is to reach Caleta Tortel, a picturesque village that marks the end of the Route Austral. From here, we'll take a ferry to the extreme south of the country and experience 40 hours of total disconnection (finally a place without the Internet, what a luxury!), sailing through the Patagonian fjords in the heart of unspoilt wilderness.
The third leg of our journey begins here in Puerto Natales, at the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park. After two nights on the boat, we appreciate the comfort of good bedding, and if we're going to have an extraordinary trip, we might as well sleep at the Singular (said to be one of the most beautiful hotels in the world)! The next day, we make our way to Torres del Paine: world-famous for trekking and Chile's most popular tourist destination. The only difference is that the thousands of tourists who visit it every year do so between October and March. Completely deserted by tourists in winter, we have the park to ourselves, with the extraordinary possibility of observing pumas in their natural habitat. We continue our adventure on foot and on horseback, just like a real gaucho!
Beyond the absolutely exceptional experience we're about to live, it's undoubtedly the feeling of being alone in the world that will accompany us throughout this trip.
Whoa.
My name is Sacha, I'm an Ecuadorian cosmographer and hydrogeologist.
I'm 42 and live in Quito, the world's highest capital. My mother is from the Andes and my father from the Amazon.
I live at the heart of the biodiversity of a small country coiled on the equatorial line, straddling the two hemispheres, bordered by the deep Amazon, the majestic avenue of volcanoes on the ridges of the Andes.
I've always dreamed of going on a long journey to meet the last guardians of Nature, and to meet ourselves.
This is the odyssey I propose you undertake with me today.
I invite you to experience together a progressive transformation to understand Sumak Kawsay, this angular concept here of “living well together in harmony with Nature”, as well as to understand the socio-economic-ecological stakes involved.
Here, as everywhere in the world, because we're all linked.
Join my itinerant quest, from Quito, through the Andes, the Choco Andino and on into the Amazon rainforest. Let's set off together to meet my family and friends in the four corners of Ecuador.
I'll introduce you to a collection of emblematic, fascinating and committed characters, around engaging windows on crucial realities of our world.
It's a great journey, far off the beaten track and out of time, a true Ode to Nature to understand why and how it is threatened today... even here. Water, forests, ancestral traditions, indigenous medicines and natural pharmacopoeia, decarbonation, fossil and renewable energies,
Knowledge and culture, sharing and transmission, defense and territories,
The challenges are colossal, but solutions exist and are emerging.
Our world is changing, my country is evolving, everything is accelerating, irrevocably.
Yet let's dare to breathe and slow down for a while, together in Ecuador on an extraordinary expedition.
Biodiversity treasures are in danger, but others are still intact and some are regenerating.
Conservation, preservation, reforestation, regeneration, cosmovision, sustainable tourism .... Discover unique places and emblematic initiatives.
Between natural paradises, sources of life and cosmovisions to reconnect ... together ...
Nos fuimos a prender el alma y el cuerpo, asómate! Let's reconnect to the essence of Life with a unique and fabulous travel experience.
I invite you to my journey and my country: you're always welcome.
Are you ready for an extraordinary adventure here in Ecuador?
Zia stands in front of her office window, gazing out at the rain that draws arabesques on the glass. Her 100-hour life no longer satisfies her completely. The city, the noise, the stress, the meetings... a life cut off from the earth, its rhythm and the cycle of the seasons.
When everything becomes "too much", Zia takes refuge in her books on archaeology, a passion she's had since she was a teenager. One autumn evening, as twilight envelops the city in light, she finds a map in an old book bought at a flea market the week before: an enigmatic map, stained with ink and time. The map seems to indicate a path through the Andes, winding between mythical places with familiar names and unexplored territories, a path that would lead to other golden cities, much older than those of the Inca civilization.
Zia knew this was the sign she'd been waiting for, and on a whim, booked a plane ticket to Peru. In less than 48 hours, her bags were packed: she decided to leave behind the security of her orderly life and flew to Peru, her heart pounding at the thought of the adventure that awaited her.
Map in hand, she arrives in Lima, mingles with the locals, listens to the stories of the elders and discovers objects that predate the Inca civilization. Each clue, each story, brings her closer to the path indicated on the map. She crosses deserts where the sun burns without mercy, forests where the mist hides age-old secrets, mountains where the cold bites to the bone.
As she meets new people, she learns more and more about the country she's visiting and the quest indicated on the old map.
A guide with an enigmatic smile, a historian with extravagant theories, a shaman who talks to mountain spirits, shepherds and their caravan of llamas... Together, they decipher ancient glyphs, carve gourds, build and cross bridges suspended over bottomless chasms, purify themselves in warm waters nestled in the heart of the mountains...
But the real adventure lies within. Zia must face up to her own fears and doubts. Legend has it that the Cities of Gold are not only a material treasure, but also a test of the soul. Only those connected to the world can find them and understand their true meaning.
After weeks of searching, at the summit of a sacred mountain, Zia finally finds what she's looking for. Not palaces of gold,but a city of light, knowledge and wisdom, guarded by the descendants of the Wari civilization. They reveal to her that true gold is not that which glitters, but knowledge passed down from generation to generation, encounters and respect for the earth and the stars.
Back in Paris, Zia is transformed. Her quest in the Andes has given her a new way of thinking, and this extraordinary adventure is spreading wisdom and respect for the world around her on a daily basis.
Like Zia, let's dare! Let's pack our bags and head off to Peru in search of our golden cities! Let's embark on an extraordinary 30-day journey, a great epic of encounters, experiences, unusual moments, surpassing ourselves... a journey that will leave its mark deep inside us.
Discover Southern Africa on an exceptional 28-day journey through five southern African countries: South Africa, Lesotho, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Botswana.
Explore the vastness of South Africa, the mountains of the Kingdom of Lesotho, the wild coastline of Mozambique, the great plains of Zimbabwe and the banks of the Chobe River in Botswana.
This tour has been designed by our team to immerse you in the most unusual and breathtaking aspects of southern Africa. Our guiding principle: to create emotions, to surprise you, to let you experience suspended moments that you couldn't experience anywhere else in the world. Whether it's meeting people in a Lesotho inn or crossing Zimbabwe by luxury train, every moment is an adventure in itself.
Get ready for an extraordinary journey!
Let's embark together on an extraordinary journey on the wings of the Eagle, from Paris to Split, an epic journey that will take us across the majestic Alps to the splendid Adriatic Sea.
This is not just a trip or a vacation, but an immersive adventure where every moment is an invitation to surpass ourselves, to explore otherness, and to contemplate the environment that surrounds us. On trains, bikes, paddles and even on foot, we'll cross borders, push our limits and discover breathtaking landscapes.
Three families, hand-picked for this unique experience, will cross paths, separate and reunite as we progress, combining personal and collective adventure. Imagine us rafting down rivers, meeting wild horses, observing brown bears, gliding by zodiac to the many islands of the Kornati, each means of locomotion bringing its own share of thrills and shared emotions.
The Eagle embodies our desire for freedom, our quest for discovery and our openness to others. For us, this journey is a lesson in life, a tribute to European cultural diversity, and an ode to the preservation of our environment, so that every border crossed is also a bridge to a more respectful and connected future.
In the explorer's soul, there's a thirst to discover the blank pages of the world's books, the chapters no one has yet read. The desire to embrace the unknown and decipher its mysteries becomes an adventure in itself, a journey through virgin lands where history and legend meet.
It's in this spirit, and in the footsteps of these Australian explorers, that this trip takes place.
We follow in the footsteps of John Edward Eyre (1815-1901), who boldly set out to cross Australia from East to West.
Faced with extreme conditions, he demonstrated unshakeable courage, leaving a lasting imprint on the history of Australian exploration through his resilience, bravery and, above all, by following his dreams.
"Those who lose their ability to dream are lost." (Aboriginal proverb)
So let's dream...
A journey that will leave an indelible mark on all of us.
All we have to do is get started, set off and dream of an extraordinary journey.