- +49 (0) 52 52-93 60 372
- +49 (0) 151-15 58 29 11
- info@sudamerikatours.de
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We specialize in mountain expeditions, summit hikes, and trekking tours.
Discover with us the most beautiful places in South America, the continent’s major highlights. But also the unknown, rarely visited spots, the seldom-traveled side valleys, nameless 5,000-meter peaks, and lakes that can’t be found on any map.
The Fascination of South America – The Magic of the Andes
We guide you through South America. Through deserts, salt flats, rainforests, along trekking routes far from civilization, and above all, to the summits! Remote 6,000-meter peaks, virtually unvisited 5,000-meter peaks, smoking volcanoes, and ice-covered dream mountains. We know the routes to almost all of them. Whether it’s the Cordillera Real in Bolivia, the Chilean Lake District, the Ausangate Group in Peru, the volcanoes of Ecuador, or the picturesque Sierra Nevada de Cocuy. Unparalleled experiences await you in the most beautiful mountain ranges of the Andes.
SuedamerikaTours.de was founded in 2005 by Thomas Wilken, a passionate mountaineer with a deep love for the Andes, the Alps, and the Pyrenees.
SuedamerikaTours.de is not a mass-market tour operator. Rather, we firmly believe that intensive and personalized consultation during the planning phase, along with flexible tour execution, guarantees that your vacation will truly be the best time of the year.
We rely primarily on our expertise, acquired over many years. Our comprehensive knowledge of the unique landscapes of the Andean countries and the cultural characteristics of the South American people forms the basis for offering you a truly exceptional travel experience.
During our tours and trips, our expert tour guides are available to you at all times: from pick-up to your return transfer to the airport!
A key focus of our trips is, of course, climbing major mountain peaks; almost always, at least one mountain over 6,000 meters above sea level is included. Our program is designed for experienced and, above all, enthusiastic mountaineers.
But trekking enthusiasts will also find plenty to enjoy. SuedamerikaTours.de offers magnificent trekking routes in lesser-known Andean regions, with scenic mountain passes between majestic peaks.
Our acclimatization program and other excursions include numerous easily climbable mountains, many of which will take you past the 5,000-meter mark.
Of course, we also explore the jungle, both by boat and on foot.
Sand deserts, coastlines, pre-Columbian sites, and, naturally, the continent’s colonial old towns round out the diverse program offered by SuedamerikaTours.de.
Our tour offerings provide gentle, sustainable tourism. Based on this principle, we have developed a diverse selection of carefully chosen trips.
In addition, Thomas Wilken of SuedamerikaTours.de organizes and leads a small but select portfolio of interesting mountain tours in the Pyrenees: www.pyrenaeen-berge.de.
Another highlight of Thomas Wilken’s work is the mountain and hiking tours he organizes in the Graubünden Alps: www.buendnerwanderberge.de. It’s definitely worth visiting the website!
Our trips typically last around three weeks. This is essential for proper acclimatization before climbing a 6,000-meter peak. The extra time allows us to fully immerse ourselves in the culture and way of life of our host countries. It also ensures that the cost and effort of flights are proportionate to the trip duration.
Our accommodations will be simple, locally typical mid-range hotels. In remote regions, we will stay in hospedajes (guesthouses). The hotels are clean, offer double rooms, and have hot showers. However, there are areas in our destinations where only very rustic accommodations are available, such as south of Uyuni, in Sajama, or in the few mountain huts. The lack of luxury is often compensated for by the warmest hospitality.
Our trip prices include all listed services – with no hidden costs. The cost of meals during guided mountain tours is included in the tour price. At other times, participants are free to decide when, how, where, and how much they want to eat. Breakfast is, of course, included in the hotel accommodations. Very good and substantial meals are available in most South American countries starting at around five euros. Authentic local restaurants are generally even more affordable. Our tour guides are happy to provide recommendations.
Our mountain tours consistently lead to very high and challenging summits. Our team offers careful and expert guidance on the mountain. Our mountain guides are highly trained and comprehensive, ensuring the highest European safety standards. The same applies to the equipment you can rent on-site.
Our tour participants must have relevant mountaineering experience and the necessary physical fitness. Tours in the major Alpine peaks are ideal preparation for the Andes.
In addition to the very high, challenging mountains, our tours also offer fantastic landscapes and cities. You can easily participate in the various tours and skip the major mountain climbs. In this case, we’ll gladly organize a suitable alternative program for you. The SuedamerikaTours.de team is happy to help you assess the difficulty level of a tour and evaluate whether your abilities match the demands of the tour. Just give us a call.
Our group size is usually between two and ten participants per tour. This allows us to provide intensive and personalized support for our travelers. The tour guides at SuedamerikaTours.de do everything possible to minimize organizational hurdles when traveling within the South American countries.
Our tour itineraries regularly include rest days and reserve days. This is for good reason: it allows us to react flexibly and mitigate unforeseen events. Our travelers use these reserve days for rest and relaxation or for additional exploration, depending on their needs. This also provides options for rescheduling the major mountain climbs, which are a highlight of the tours. In this way, we take advantage of the most favorable weather conditions for summit ascents. This also allows us to deal with potential road closures and other obstacles much more calmly, as the disruption usually subsides after a few days. Even forced breaks due to illness (diarrhea is a classic example) can often be compensated for this way.
SuedamerikaTours.de is dedicated to bringing you closer to what is perhaps the most diverse and fascinating continent on our planet. Beyond its unique landscapes, South America is exceptionally rich in cultural treasures.
It’s important to us that you experience life much like the locals during your South American adventure and see as much of the country and its people as possible. We place the utmost importance on respecting the needs of the local population and cultivate close relationships with them throughout the tour. In addition to mountaineering and trekking, our travelers experience a wealth of other scenic and cultural impressions. During the necessary acclimatization period, you’ll visit fascinating sights in the Andean countries and explore cities steeped in colonial history. Our tours often take you off the beaten track, away from the well-trodden tourist paths, and to places that haven’t yet been mentioned in any guidebook.
On our trips, we prefer to use public transportation whenever practical and feasible. For many mountainous regions, however, private transport is essential. Our trusted pool of local and reliable drivers is there to help. This allows us to travel not only in an environmentally friendly way, but also to be much closer to the action, see more of the country, and interact with the local population.
For sustainability reasons, SuedamerikaTours.de avoids domestic flights as much as possible. However, some very long routes, such as from Santiago to Punta Arenas, are only practical to cover by air. On some routes, such as La Paz to Uyuni, we offer flights as an option.
Flying to South America itself is unfortunately unavoidable. Therefore, SuedamerikaTours.de donates €10 per guest to the organization Atmosfair, which uses these funds to offset CO2 emissions.
SuedamerikaTours.de uses local agencies, guides, and other partners whenever possible. This keeps resources in the country and generates income directly for the local people.
On our travels in South America, we find ourselves in a completely different world, not only in terms of landscape but also, and perhaps even more importantly, culturally. The hectic pace of Western Europe hasn’t yet taken hold in this part of the world, so patience is often required. For example, South American punctuality differs somewhat from European punctuality. This applies generally to the entire way of life. Sometimes it’s simply not possible to guarantee perfectly organized processes. So, if things don’t always run smoothly, it’s important to remain calm and appreciate what a great gift it is to be able to travel in such a distant region.
Meanwhile, South American countries are also increasingly adapting to the needs of tourists. Delays and other obstacles are becoming less and less frequent.
Founder of SuedamerikaTours.de
A passionate mountaineer with a deep love for the Andes, the Alps, and the Pyrenees. Like many of my colleagues in the travel industry, I hold a degree in Geography. My passion for distant lands and extraordinary landscapes intensified significantly during my studies.
So, especially during my university years, I spent a lot of time exploring the Alps.
But I also traveled to Turkey, Sweden, Spain, Crete, and especially Ecuador—my bridge to South America. My second visit to the continent was to Peru and Bolivia, my dream destinations since my youth. Of course, I couldn’t have imagined at that time that I would later live in Bolivia for over 11 years, but after founding SuedamerikaTours.de, I quickly relocated to the Andean metropolis of La Paz. The ideal starting point to get to know the Andes—especially the Cordillera Real—better and better.
I prefer hiking through largely untouched landscapes that haven’t yet been mentioned in any guidebook.
Before the South American Andes, the mountains of Graubünden were my favorite destination. Here, I wrote a mountain guidebook called “Secluded Summit Destinations in Graubünden,” which describes tours to summits that have hardly been mentioned before, but are all the more interesting for it. Later, I authored the Rother hiking guide to Bolivia and another one, together with Ralf Gantzhorn, about Patagonia.
In 2017, I returned to Germany with my family. This gave me the opportunity to add the Pyrenees to my portfolio, a wild and pristine mountain range in southern Europe. You can find my small but carefully selected portfolio of interesting mountain tours in the Pyrenees under “Peaks, Mountaineering, and Hiking in the French and Spanish Pyrenees.”
I also offer tours in the Swiss Alps, specifically in the Grisons region. For all hikers and mountaineers in Europe, SuedamerikaTours.de offers the most beautiful tours in the Swiss canton of Grisons. Click here for mountain and hiking tours in Grisons.
In the “Rother Hiking Guide: Bolivia,” I have selected and described 52 hikes and trekking tours to the most interesting sights and natural wonders of Bolivia. Here is the link to the book: www.bergfreunde.de/bergverlag-rother-bolivien-wanderfuehrer
Together with Ralf Gantzhorn (deceased 2020), I am the author of the Rother Hiking Guide to Patagonia, where I present 50 of the most interesting and rewarding hiking and trekking routes in southern Chile. Here is the link to the book: www.bergfreunde.de/bergverlag-rother-patagonien-wanderfuehrer.
I have attended various modules with the Association of Alpine Clubs of Austria (VAVÖ), which, among other things, trains alpine guides. In autumn 2021, I successfully completed the VAVÖ mountain hiking guide training and am now a certified VAVÖ hiking guide.
In addition to my native German, I speak fluent Spanish and English. I am currently working intensively on improving my French.
Melania was born in 1977 in the beautiful town of Tupiza in southern Bolivia. After completing her schooling and studies in computer science in La Paz, Melania lived in France for three years. There, she trained as a translator, supporting herself by working as a childcare provider. Afterward, Melania worked for a while at a Swiss hotel in La Paz, where she gained her first experience in the tourism industry. At SuedamerikaTours.de, Melania is the heart and soul of our La Paz office. She is also responsible for organizing and supporting our trekking and mountaineering groups in Bolivia. Currently, Melania is working hard to improve her German. Melania speaks Spanish, French, and German.
Alexander completed his biology studies in Switzerland. He first discovered Latin America and the Andean peaks in 2007 during a cycling trip. Drawn by the incredible diversity of the landscape in his immediate surroundings, Alexander now lives in La Paz, the capital of Bolivia. With his job as a tour guide at SuedamerikaTours.de, Alexander has the opportunity to share his extensive knowledge of Bolivia's unique natural environment and cultural heritage. Alexander loves living his passion every day. Alexander speaks French, Spanish, German, and English.
Mario is a tour guide at SuedamerikaTours.de. Mario was born in 1977 in the small village of Pinaya, right at the foot of the imposing ice faces of Illimani. What else could he become but a mountain guide? At SuedamerikaTours.de, Mario is responsible for organizing and managing all trekking tours and mountaineering expeditions in Bolivia. He has completed numerous courses as a mountain guide and trekking guide and is proud to hold the title of "UIAGM Certified International Mountain Guide." Mario is currently working on improving his English. Mario speaks Spanish, Aymara, and some English.
Pedro is a passionate mountain guide. At SuedamerikaTours.de, he works as a full-service tour leader for trekking and mountaineering groups – primarily in Bolivia. He is based in La Paz. Pedro has a degree in mechanical engineering, but discovered his passion for mountaineering early on. He completed his first mountain guide courses in the French Rhône-Alpes region – specifically in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. Pedro has been working as a mountain guide in the La Paz region of Bolivia since 2008. He also completed mountain guide courses in La Paz, making him perfectly prepared for the tours offered by SuedamerikaTours.de. Pedro is always happy to provide SuedamerikaTours.de tour participants with his expertise and dedication, offering competent advice and support. Pedro speaks German, English, and Spanish! In his free time, Pedro also enjoys tinkering with cars. His technical expertise is highly valued in our team: his support has been a great help on many occasions, even during breakdowns. Pedro speaks Spanish, German, and English.
Eric is a tour guide for SuedamerikaTours.de and a certified Peruvian mountain guide. Based in Huaraz, he looks after SuedamerikaTours.de's travelers in Peru and also leads tours in the surrounding areas. Eric was born in Huaraz, Peru, in 1984. From a very young age, he went on tours with his father and grandfather (both mountain guides). At the age of 18, he began working professionally as a trekking and mountain guide. Eric completed a state-recognized mountain guide training program at the High Mountain Study Center. Eric speaks Spanish, Quechua, English, and some French. He is currently also learning German. Eric still lives and works in Huaraz and provides expert support to SuedamerikaTours.de's travelers in Peru. Eric speaks Spanish, English, and German.
Porfi has been driving for us for a very long time. Porffi knows pretty much every road in Bolivia that's still passable. He also handles organizational matters and minor repairs on our vehicles. This skill is especially helpful when traveling in remote areas. He reliably and punctually picks up and transfers our travelers at all times of day and night. Porfi also enjoys hiking in the mountains himself. When needed, he leads hikes to easy peaks or beautiful mountain lakes for guests of SuedamerikaTours.de. Porfidio speaks Spanish and some German and English.
Our longest-serving employee is Jorge. He's been with us almost from the very beginning, when SuedamerikaTours.de started operating in Bolivia. Jorge works for us as a cook and trekking guide. Hardly anyone knows the Cordillera Real as well as Jorge! Hidden lakes, unnamed 5,000-meter peaks, or scenic mountain passes: Jorge knows them all. This makes him extremely well-versed and also very flexible. Jorge can implement program changes at any time if needed. As a bonus, Jorge knows every donkey driver in the region personally. This is especially helpful for SuedamerikaTours.de, as he's also responsible for booking and organizing the pack animals. Jorge speaks Spanish and Aymara.
Gladys works as a tour guide for SuedamerikaTours.de. She primarily works around Copacabana, Coroico, and Uyuni. She is in excellent physical condition and enjoys leading easier hikes around La Paz and accompanying trekking tours as a translator. However, her specialty is city tours in El Alto, where she also lives. This allows her to best utilize her extensive knowledge of Bolivian history, culture, and geography. But don't worry, she can incorporate this information into any tour. Gladys speaks Spanish, English, Aymara, and some German.
Saul handles payments and organizational matters (flight tickets, hotels, bus tickets, etc.) in Bolivia. Saul was born in sunny Tupiza, in southern Bolivia. He has lived in almost all of Bolivia's major cities. Currently, he commutes between La Paz and Oruro, which allows him to provide quick assistance should any problems arise during the tours in Bolivia. Saul is also working on establishing a branch of SuedamerikaTours.de in northern Chile. The branch is planned for the mining town of Calama, on the edge of the Atacama Desert. The San Pedro de Atacama oasis, with its salt lakes teeming with flamingos, steaming geysers, and the bizarre Moon Valley, is a popular destination in the area.
Clemens-August (born 1956) is a native of Northern Germany and has lived in East Westphalia – on the southern edge of the Egge Mountains – since 2007. At SuedamerikaTours.de, Clemens-August is responsible for the smooth operation of all online activities. He also handles organizational matters and is always available by phone to answer any questions or address any concerns our customers and prospective clients may have. Clemens-August has two grown children. Besides Bolivia, he is passionate about the Graubünden Alps. And whenever time allows, Clemens-August stays fit on one of his extensive bike tours. Clemens-August speaks German and English.
CONTACT US
Phone +59 (0) 52 52-93 60 372
Mobile +49 (0) 151-15 58 29 11
info@sudamerikatours.de
Gladiolenweg 23
33175 Bad Lippspringe