Andean DiscoveryReviews of andeandiscovery.com

Overall I had a mixed experience, they were very punctual which is much appreciated. But they weren't good at listening to us, making us feel that they knew best even if we didn't want to do something. For example, we wanted to go for a hike we didn't want any hired llamas on the hike we made this clear when booking the trip. We show up to the hike and there are the llamas. They weren't able to hike fast enough and the llama owner kept making them run to keep up with us, it was a very frustrating experience when we have a bit of hiking experience and didn't need the animals for anything. Our guide wouldn't listen to us and besides the llamas took us on a hike overlooking cities, hiking on roads and through farms even though we had asked for a nature hike. The hike was also much shorter than we had been told when booking which was a bummer. At least the last two miles of the hike were pretty (it leaves the farmland) and that was fun! We had also wanted to explore the Cusco on our own and explained that at the time of booking. Did we get to do it on our own? No, once again they didn't listen to us, didn't respect our wishes and made us feel like we had to have the guide everywhere. We didn't want to hurt the guides feelings but we spent a bit of money and it was frustrating that the company put us in such an awkward position. Also, they should really consider the hotels they place guest in. In the sacred valley our hotel was 40min away from any dinner restaurants (besides the one at the hotel). Getting a taxi all the way out there was complicated and frustrating. I think if you are 70+ and looking for a laid back trip to see the highlights this company would be great. The guides are very knowledgeable, just know what you're getting in for!

The destination was incredible but the Andean Discovery service was not. The transfers were managed fairly well but often pick-up times were too early and resulted in lots of waiting time. Sometimes breakfast was included but it wasn't available until 7am which was the pick-up time. We were not advised there would be no food service on a 3.5 hour internal flight in Chile that was 6:30pm or that there would be no food or barfood available at hotel when we arrived at 10. We wasted a day trying to fly from Buenos Aires to El Calafate and the flight delay resulted in our missing our half-day excursion to See Perito Morena and we were not refunded the admission tickets or the guide and driver time. We tried to delay out departure to Las Torres by a few hours 2 days later to avoid missing the UNESCO site but Andean was not flexible on changing any arrangements and suggested we ask the hotel who suggested it was Andean's role. We offered to cancel our Sunday excursion to go to the UNESCO site instead but this was not facilitated either. The drive/boat/hike Sunday excursion turned out to be almost identical to the Grey Glacier drive/boat/hike excursion in Chile and we tried to change our itinerary at Las Torres to avoid this full-day (over 10 hours) repeat excursion but they were not able to accommodate any change despite the materials indicating excursions could be selected each day. Also, we were not given the option for a non-all-inclusive meal/beverage plan at Las Torres and a la carte would have been much better for us. Response to Andean response: Thanks for the feedback - you did provide a possible upcharge on the drive to Chile but it was $1100 USD above what we had already paid for a drive that we researched as $180-200. Not sure if you contacted Ryan Travel or Las Torres but we were the only passengers on both drives so I believe there could have been flexibility on that date. Also, we weren’t refunded for the missed excursion.

While we had a great trip and amazing guides the trip could have been better. We were not listed to as we were planning our trip. I feel the owner has his own ideas and did not take the time to listen to us and learn what we really wanted from this trip. He was unwilling to give is an itimized agenda with costs. I feel the trip could have been even better if they worked with us.

In August 2021 we took a trip to the Galapagos Islands, which was absolutely stunning. To organise here from Europe we decided to "hire" Andean Discoveries" to the booking for us, specially during the times of Covid-19 this was a big help. Everything was very well organised, all our tickets and booking of hotels and the cruise happened according our wishes and how we were told - no problem at all. Unfortunately there were some little "issues" during the trip, as well as some things we did not quite agree. For example, on our last 3 days, we booked a trip to a separate Island (Isabella). Andean discoveries booked us a guide to go along with us, but truly there was no need for that, as all the trips we did in Isabella were done and guided by other companies that Andean Discoveries had booked, so those companies provided all the explanations etc..., and our "booked guide" just enjoyed a nice holiday, payed by us -which of course increased the costs of our trip a lot. One of the trips costs locally 95 US dollars, we payed 500.- for the 2 of us.... Before our trip "Andean Discoveries" answered every question per an email within 2 days, they were very keen on booking more trips and cashing in, but also very helpful. The explanations were always good and they always answered to our satisfaction. After the trip, when we filled in our form to rate the trip and where we explained what we did not like so much, well , so far (it's been now almost 2 months), no more answer. It looks like the positive feedback is very welcome, but when you criticise something or make a suggestion of how to improve it, they don't like it and don't bother anymore answering you - this is very disappointing. This is also the main reason why I decided to rate the company here, so others get to know about it. On there homepage there are only excellent reviews and all is perfect...It looks like not all reviews are published, and our opinion does not interest them. Galapagos was a great trip, the islands are great by itself. Andreas Discoveries booked it all in advance, it was well organised, but suggestions to improve or negative criticism is not welcome.

we enjoyed most of the excursions, however there were several that were not a match for us. I had advised our agent of the physical limitations of our group and she said this was taken into account. Unfortunately there were a number of times my mother in law could not physically participate on some excursions which was frustrating as the trip was her idea.

Our Amazon adventure was somewhat disappointing in terms of what we did not see and our guide did not show up the last morning, and the van driver back to the airport was careless and reckless causing everyone in the van to feel as if we were in danger.