White Desert is adding a second Latin American expedition to its Dr Jones collection, taking travellers from Colombia to Guatemala aboard a restored 1940s aircraft with access to remote destinations.

White Desert has announced a second itinerary in its Dr Jones Latin American expedition series, expanding its portfolio beyond Antarctica with a new journey through Colombia and Guatemala. Launching in 2027, the Dr Jones Colombia to Guatemala expedition has been designed for travellers seeking access to remote landscapes and cultural experiences that are difficult to reach using conventional transport.

The new itinerary follows the launch of Dr Jones: Peru to Patagonia and continues the company's approach of combining small-group expeditions with high-end accommodation and logistics. The journey is centred on a restored 1940s DC-3 aircraft, which has undergone a US$10 million conversion and has been adapted to land on remote and uneven airfields. Carrying a maximum of 12 guests, the aircraft allows the expedition to bypass major airports and fly directly between destinations that are rarely linked by commercial routes.

Patrick Woodhead, co-founder and CEO of White Desert, says: "Dr Jones immerses guests in landscapes and communities that remain deeply connected to local traditions, culture and history – places still shaped by the people who live there. From the vast openness of Colombia to the dense living cultures of Guatemala; from jungle to savanna; river to reef; from ancient worlds to those still unfolding today. This is not about ticking destinations off a list. It’s about entering them deeply – and leaving changed by what you were allowed to see and experience."

The Colombian section of the expedition begins in Medellín, where guests explore the city's cultural revival through neighbourhood visits and coffee experiences. The itinerary then continues to San Agustín, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its collection of ancient stone statues. Here, travellers are welcomed with a traditional ceremony led by a local shaman before exploring one of the largest archaeological sites in the Americas.

From there, the expedition travels to La Macarena to visit Caño Cristales, often known as the "River of Five Colors", where guests hike through the surrounding landscape, swim in natural pools and learn about the region's history from local guides. Another stop is Los Llanos, where travellers spend time with Colombia's traditional llanero cowboys, taking part in horseback riding and low-altitude microlight flights across the savanna.

The Colombia itinerary concludes on the Caribbean island of Providencia. Difficult to access by commercial aircraft, the island is home to the world's third-largest barrier reef and offers snorkelling, diving, traditional spearfishing trips, shark diving and beach dinners featuring locally caught seafood.

Crossing into Guatemala, the Dr Jones Colombia to Guatemala expedition heads into the Petén rainforest to visit the UNESCO-listed archaeological site of Tikal, which appeared as the Rebel Base in Star Wars (1977), as well as the lesser-visited ruins of Uaxactún. Guests are accompanied by a Mayan spiritual guide and an archaeologist throughout their exploration.

The journey finishes in Antigua, where activities include exploring the city's historic streets, hiking across the volcanic landscape of Pacaya and sampling Ron Zacapa rum before returning home.

White Desert says the expedition builds on its experience operating small-group luxury journeys in Antarctica while applying the same model to Latin America. Each departure is limited to 12 guests to provide access to locations that cannot accommodate larger tour groups. The company says the focus remains on carefully planned logistics and experiences that connect travellers with local culture and natural environments.

The Dr Jones Colombia to Guatemala expedition starts from £37,477 per person with limited departures available from August to September for the 2027 season.