What are overland tours?
Overland tours offer a unique way to explore more of the world during your cruise. Rather than returning to the ship at the end of the day, you’ll disembark at one port and embark on a multi-day journey, rejoining the ship further along its route.
These tours are designed to take you deeper into a region, unlocking destinations that are too far inland or require more time to truly appreciate. Think must-see sights, iconic landmarks and natural wonders, paired with the comfort of exceptional hotels and seamless organisation throughout.
What’s coming for 2026?
While full details are still to come for Bolette’s 2026 Grand Voyage through South America and the Antarctic, the cruise will feature a selection of carefully curated overland tours. These tours will provide the chance to experience some of the most remarkable highlights of the region, beyond your ports of call and into the heart of each destination. Keep an eye out for more details coming soon.
Where have overland tours taken guests before?
Overland tours have taken guests to some of the most unforgettable places on Earth. From witnessing the Galapagos Islands’ unique wildlife to spotting the Big Five on African safaris, exploring India’s Golden Triangle and soaking up the cinematic landscapes of New Zealand, these tours are crafted to go above and beyond the ordinary cruise experience.
Read what some of our guests had to say about their recent overland adventures during Bolette’s 2025 World Cruise.
Iguazu Falls
“In 2023, on a South America and Antarctica cruise, I was scheduled to visit Iguazu Falls, travelling from Rio de Janeiro. Unfortunately, our flights were cancelled and it proved impossible to rearrange. When I saw that Iguazu was being offered as a five-day/four-night overland on the 2025 Around the World cruise with Fred. Olsen, I jumped at the chance to book the trip.
I’ve always been fascinated by waterfalls and never really appreciated the scale of Iguazu, thinking that Victoria Falls or Niagara Falls were ‘must see for yourself’ destinations.
The overland was well planned. The first day spent in Rio all the major highlights of the city were visited, including Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Mountain, culminating in an overnight stay at the Hilton on Copacabana Beach. Brilliant, what a start.
Days two, three and four were travelling to and staying at the Belmond Hotel in the Iguazu National Park. The hotel was wonderful. Stylish, classy, luxurious. The food was outstanding. I don’t say these things lightly. I’ve travelled on business for more than 25 years, visiting many countries around the world and staying at the top hotels, but nothing really comes to mind that could compete with the Belmond.
The highlight of the overland has to be the falls themselves. I never expected to be able to get so close. I was able to view many waterfalls from the Brazilian side, from below and from above. Simply spectacular… and the noise of the water… indescribable!!
We travelled to the Argentinian side to view the falls from many different viewpoints. It’s unfathomable how so much water continues to flow to create this spectacle, it has to be seen to be believed.
I’ve stated that the falls was my highlight, but there was one experience within that “highlight“ that made the overland absolutely incredible… a boat trip into the falls. Think of having your morning shower, now multiply that by 100 or 1,000, that’s what it felt like when the boat went into the cascade. You don’t realise how heavy and cold the water really is – breathtaking, literally breathtaking.
Late day four, travelled to Buenos Aires. An evening dinner and a tango show, with sightseeing in the city, including Eva Peron’s mausoleum on day five before returning to the ship.
Would I recommend this overland? You bet I would! Forget Niagara, forget Victoria. The falls you have to see to really appreciate the scale and the noise of something that cannot be repeated anywhere else in the world, is Iguazu. Absolutely brilliant and worth every penny.”
– Mr Williams
The Atacama Desert
If there is only one overland tour you do, we can highly recommend the trip to the Atacama Desert. You need to be prepared for early starts, dry heat and being at altitude but, with the expert organisation from Fred. Olsen and their agents, you will not be disappointed.
The Atacama Desert had been on our bucket list for years, so when we saw the opportunity to visit on our cruise we signed up immediately.
We left the ship in southern Chile and arrived in the Atacama after an overnight stop in Santiago, a vibrant city, and we were fortunate to visit again on our way back before rejoining the ship in Valparaiso. What an action-packed three days we had up in the desert. We were part of a small group and were very well looked after. Expert local guides along with an excellent escort from the ship.
Such a treat to have everything arranged for us – all transport, accommodation, meals all expertly taken care of, so all we had to do was to enjoy this unbelievable landscape.
Words cannot really do it justice but the colours of the rocks in Rainbow Valley were incredible; the dunes and formations in Moon Valley breathtaking; and the flamingos on the Chaxa Lagoon were a real oasis of tranquillity. The legendary Chilean ‘sky at night’ is a true wonder to behold.
We cannot thank all the team enough for making it such an enjoyable and stress-free trip. The Atacama Desert is truly a surreal place, and we are so blessed to have been there. The memories will remain with us forever.
– Gordon & Ali Phillpotts
Ready to explore more?
Overland tours give you the freedom to go further, experience more and return to the ship with stories to last a lifetime. Whether you dream of standing beside roaring waterfalls, crossing desert landscapes under star-filled skies, or walking through cities steeped in history, an overland tour can take you there.
Stay tuned for upcoming announcements about overland opportunities on our 2026 Grand Voyage. Your next once-in-a-lifetime adventure may just begin where the ship steps aside.
