At McPhail Travel & Discovery Tours, we offer small group tours in Central & South America, with a few “one-off” destinations. When you book an escorted tour with us, you'll be joined by like-minded travel companions to share the journey with, as well as a Manitoba led host and local tour leader with in-depth knowledge of your destination. Our expertly-designed itineraries include once-in-a-lifetime experiences, taking you to the must-see highlights as well as hidden gems not known to the typical tourist and leaving you feeling that you've really explored.
Our groups range in size from between 10 to 20 people, depending on the type of trip, the transport and accommodation used and activities included. Our average group size is just 14; not so big that you're lost in a coach-load of people, but big enough that you'll find and make new friends. Our trips are perfect for solo travellers looking for the fun and reassurance of travelling with a small group. Equally, our trips suit couples, friends and families looking for stories to tell for a lifetime.
See below for a summary of what’s planned for the upcoming year.
Nicaragua: A Jewel Revealed
January 26th to February 9th, 2024
Nicaragua is known as the “land of lakes and volcanoes”. Fresh and welcoming, we’ve developed a tour like no other that keeps with our tried and true concept of learning about the country and its people at a leisurely pace; always balancing history, nature and culture.
Costa Rica in Depth
February 28th – March 12, 2024
This tour not only explores rain forests, volcanoes, jungle, and the flora and fauna that flourish in Costa Rica – but also puts you in touch with ordinary people during visits to a farm, a primary school, and a research station. Thermal baths, hanging bridges, and everything you would expect to experience during a visit to this amazing country are included!
New Zealand Encompassed
February 26th to March 13th, 2024
Discover vibrant cities, secluded beaches and rugged wilderness on this 17-day journey from Auckland to Christchurch. This tour takes you from New Zealand's largest city through beautiful beach towns, volcanic landscapes and the cool little capital to the South Island. Here you'll discover delicious wine, lush rainforests and ancient glaciers as you travel down the West Coast and through stunning alpine resorts, before ending your journey in the innovative city of Christchurch.
Ecuador & Galapagos Highlights
Dates and Pricing Coming Soon
Discover the magic of Ecuador’s biodiversity and culture on an exploration of the rural and urban charms of one of South America’s most rewarding destinations. Along the Andean Mountain range, we admire the contrast between the equatorial lushness in the valley and glacial volcanoes. Find treasures at the largest market in South America where numerous Indigenous groups come to barter, and later slip into a world of “ahhh” in a mountain hot spring. Our tour takes us to the Amazon to see jungle wildlife, its impressive landscapes with exotic flora, fauna and a rich culture of all, all these flavours are packed together, so you can be in the jungle in the morning and at the foot of a glacier by the evening.
Ecuador also has one gem found nowhere else: the pristine and fragile Galápagos Islands made famous through the writings of Charles Darwin. The ultimate experience for animal lovers awaits in the Galápagos Islands, where an incredibly diverse and unique array of wildlife prosper among fertile lands and volcanic formations. The most attractive aspect of this trip is that it is not a cruise, but rather a land-based adventure that allows for more time and greater immersion in not only the natural splendor of this special place, but also in its unique and little-known island culture.
Inca Explorer
Dates and Pricing Coming Soon
Be dazzled by Peru’s myriad treasures on a 15-day tour of its highlights. Encounter the vibrant local culture of Lake Titicaca, walk the halls of a historical convent in colonial Arequipa, and delight in views of the Sacred Valley from the comfort of the train to Machu Picchu. Marvel at the strange, mysterious beauty of the Nazca Lines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Whether watching for wildlife or exploring Incan culture, strike travel gold in this incredible country.