Founding group · Up to 12 travellers · Help shape the route
Explore Latin America: Land, Life & New Beginnings
A 60-day all-inclusive journey with Petrus Van Der Merwe
Travel through Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay, Peru, Ecuador and Panama with the founder of ECAHLI. See land, meet the people building new lives, and discover what your next chapter could look like. Tell me where you want to go and we will build the route around the group.
How the Founding Group Works
We build the journey around you.
This is my first hosted group. I have travelled this route on my own, and now I want to share it with up to 12 people. Before dates and prices are fixed, I want to hear which areas you most want to explore, then shape the tour around the group.
Register your interest
It is free and does not commit you. No payment is taken at this stage.
Tell me what you want to see
Countries, regions, rural areas, small towns, projects and communities that call to you.
Route, dates and price confirmed
Once there is enough interest, I share the final route, dates and price with everyone who registered.
Secure your place
A 50% deposit secures your place. The remaining balance is due 2 weeks before arrival.
This Is Not an Ordinary Holiday
Step away from routine. See the world with fresh eyes.
Explore rural and undeveloped regions, small towns, land opportunities, local projects, schools and communities, and see the realities of living in Latin America first-hand.
You will meet locals, expats, project leaders and people building new lives abroad, and gain real insight into land, climate, cost of living, culture, education, infrastructure and opportunity across six remarkable countries. Most importantly, you will spend time with me and discover the thinking and vision behind ECAHLI.
Latin America is full of opportunity. The real value comes from seeing it clearly and meeting the people already living differently.
What You Will Discover
Eight ways this journey opens your eyes.
Rural land & regions
Undeveloped areas with future potential, seen on the ground.
Small towns
Emerging communities and how daily life really works there.
Culture & daily life
Local food, people and traditions in six different countries.
Education & family life
Schools, family routines and what raising children looks like.
Land, water & climate
Availability, climate, water and practical living conditions.
Local projects
Eco-initiatives and community opportunities worth knowing.
Expat communities
Conversations with people who have already made the move.
The ECAHLI vision
The values and practical model behind sustainable off-grid communities.
Countries & Journey Flow
Six countries. One connected story.
Join for the full 60 days, or for 30 or 15 days depending on your time, budget and level of involvement.
Paraguay
1 weekLand, rural opportunity, low-cost living and the ECAHLI vision.
Brazil
1.5 weeksScale, diversity, agriculture, regional opportunity and culture.
Uruguay
1 weekStability, lifestyle, coastal and rural living, and community.
Peru
1 weekCulture, landscapes, local enterprise and regional opportunity.
Ecuador
1.5 weeksClimate diversity, expat communities, land and sustainable living.
Panama
RemainderInternational connectivity, residency pathways and regional opportunity.
Exceptional Value
Almost everything on the ground is taken care of.
Shared stays, every meal, transfers, tours and bus travel between destinations are all in one price. You bring your flights and your curiosity.
What is included
- Shared accommodation throughout the journey
- All meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Airport collection and drop-off at designated points
- All scheduled group activities
- All local tours and curated experiences
- Bus tours and ground transport between planned destinations
- Guided exploration with Petrus Van Der Merwe
- Access to local contacts, projects, communities and expat insights
- Ongoing discussion on land, relocation, sustainable living and ECAHLI
What is not included
- International and domestic flights
- Airport taxes
- Visas and travel documentation
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses, shopping and optional activities outside the scheduled programme
Airport transfers: collection and drop-off are included at the official tour start point in Paraguay and the official end point in Panama. If you join for 15 or 30 days, you are collected and dropped off at the designated entry and exit points for your chosen section.
Choose Your Journey
Three ways to explore. One fully hosted experience.
Founding-group rates for up to 12 travellers. Prices are indicative and will be confirmed once the route and dates are set. Each includes shared accommodation, all meals, transfers, tours and ground transport.
15-Day Explorer
A focused introduction to one section of the journey. Ideal if you want to experience Latin America, meet Petrus and explore the ECAHLI vision without committing to the full tour.
Register Interest30-Day Pathfinder
A deeper immersion across multiple countries. Ideal for people seriously considering relocation, land, investment or a new direction in life.
Register Interest60-Day Founding Explorer
Travel through all six countries, gain the fullest understanding of the region, and spend the most time with Petrus exploring opportunities, communities and the future of ECAHLI.
Register Interest*Prices exclude flights, airport taxes, visas, travel insurance and personal expenses. Final prices depend on the route the group chooses.
Who This Journey Is For
For people ready to see beyond the life they know.
- Considering a move to Latin America
- Searching for land, opportunity or a safer environment for your family
- Interested in sustainable and off-grid living
- Curious about ECAHLI and regenerative communities
- An entrepreneur, investor, remote worker or freedom-seeker
- Ready to see possibilities beyond your current life
Questions & Answers
Everything you want to know before you go.
What is included
What does the price cover?
Shared accommodation, all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), airport collection and drop-off at designated points, all scheduled group activities, local tours, bus and ground transport between planned destinations, and guided exploration with Petrus. It also covers access to local contacts, projects, communities and expat insights.
What is not included?
International and domestic flights, airport taxes, visas and travel documents, travel insurance, and personal expenses such as shopping and optional activities outside the scheduled programme.
Where do airport pickups happen?
Collection is at the official tour start point in Paraguay and drop-off at the official end point in Panama. If you join for 15 or 30 days, you receive collection and drop-off at the entry and exit points for your chosen section. We confirm exact points with you when you book.
Can I join for part of the journey?
Yes. You can join for the full 60 days, for 30 days or for 15 days. Tell us your preferred dates and budget in the contact form and we will advise which section suits you best.
What to expect
Is this your first group tour?
Yes. I have made this journey alone, and this is the first time I am hosting a group of up to 12 people. That is why I am asking people what they want to see before fixing the route. The images on this page are illustrations of the kind of places and moments to expect, and real group photos will be added after the first journey.
How big is the group?
Up to 12 travellers, to keep the experience personal and manageable.
What kind of trip is this?
It is a hosted discovery journey, not a resort holiday. You will explore rural regions, small towns, land opportunities, local projects, schools and communities, and meet locals, expats and project leaders. Expect real conversations and practical learning alongside local food and culture.
What will accommodation be like?
Accommodation is shared throughout the journey. If you have particular needs or a travelling companion, mention it in the contact form and we will discuss options.
Do I need to speak Spanish or Portuguese?
No. Basic phrases help and are appreciated. Spanish is spoken in most of the countries on the route and Portuguese in Brazil. Petrus and the local contacts help bridge the gap.
Is the journey suitable for families or solo travellers?
It suits solo travellers, couples and people thinking about relocating with a family. If you plan to bring children, please contact us first so we can talk through the pace and what is practical.
Will I be buying land on the trip?
No. The journey is about seeing, learning and asking questions. You will see land opportunities and meet people with local knowledge, but nothing is sold to you on the trip. Any decision about land or investment is yours, and we recommend independent legal advice before buying anywhere.
Booking terms
Do I pay anything now?
No. Registering your interest is free and does not commit you. No payment is taken until the route, dates and final price have been confirmed with you.
How much is the deposit?
A 50% deposit secures your place once the route, dates and price are confirmed.
When is the balance due?
The remaining 50% is due 2 weeks before your arrival.
What happens if the journey does not go ahead?
The journey goes ahead only once the group, route and dates are confirmed. Because no payment is taken before that, you will not have paid anything if it does not proceed.
What is the cancellation and refund policy?
Written cancellation and refund terms will be sent to you before any deposit is taken, so you can read them first. We recommend travel insurance that includes cancellation cover.
Visas, health and travel
How do we travel between countries?
We travel overland by bus and ground transport wherever it is practical. Some legs, such as reaching Panama from South America, cannot be done by road, so a flight is needed. Flights are not included in the price, and we will plan them with the group when the route is set.
Do I need a visa?
It depends on your passport. Many nationalities can enter these countries as tourists without a visa for a limited period, but rules differ by country and change over time. Visas and travel documents are not included, so please check each country’s official entry requirements, or ask your nearest embassy or consulate, well before you travel. Tell us your nationality in the form and we will share what we know.
What should my passport look like?
Many countries require your passport to be valid for several months beyond your entry date and to have blank pages. Check the exact requirement for each country on your route. If you join for part of the journey, check only the countries in your section.
Do I need vaccinations or health precautions?
Health requirements depend on where you travel from and the regions you visit. Some areas of South America recommend or require certain vaccinations, such as yellow fever, and altitude can affect travellers in parts of Peru and Ecuador. Please speak to a travel clinic or doctor before you go.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes, we strongly recommend it. It is not included, and it should cover medical care, repatriation, cancellations and your belongings across all the countries on your route.
What about money and costs on the trip?
Accommodation, meals, tours and transport between destinations are covered. You will need money for flights, visas, insurance, souvenirs, optional activities and any personal extras. Cards are widely used in cities, and some smaller places prefer cash, so carry a little local currency.
Is it safe?
Like anywhere, sensible precautions matter. You travel with a hosted group and local contacts, which helps, and we share practical guidance on each country. Check your government’s travel advice for each destination before you book.
How do I register interest?
Fill in the form below or message me on WhatsApp. Tell me which countries and areas you want to explore, and I will keep you updated as the route, dates and final price take shape.
Get More Details
Register your interest and help shape the route.
Registering is free and does not commit you. Tell me where you would love to go and what you want to see, and I will reply personally.
WhatsApp +595 981 093 123 petrus@petrusvdmerwe.comFounding group · Up to 12 places
Discover what your next chapter could look like.
Help me shape the first group journey. Join for 15, 30 or 60 days across six countries, and see Latin America clearly, with people who are already living differently.
Images on this page are illustrations of the places and experiences ahead. Real photos will be added after the first journey.
