Andean DiscoveryReviews of andeandiscovery.com

After a long journey getting to the Galapagos, including a few travel and customs hurdles, everything changed once we stepped onto the boat. From that point on, the experience was truly incredible. The crew and guides were kind, attentive, and extremely knowledgeable. We saw an astonishing range of wildlife, swam alongside penguins, sea turtles, sea lions, and even sharks. The vibrant fish and lava landscapes were unforgettable. A special shoutout to Sam and Lenin from the Coral I, they made every moment on the boat feel special. We especially appreciated that the crew took photos and videos, including underwater footage, and shared them with us afterward at no extra cost. They were also incredibly thoughtful about dietary needs and always had snacks and occasional drinks ready after excursions. The journey from the Galapagos to Cusco was a long one, with limited time for sleep, but none of that mattered once we arrived in Cusco. There, we met the best tour guide we’ve ever had in our lives—Jose Deza. His depth of knowledge about local history, politics, nature, and even photo-spots was unmatched. He led us through Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Rainbow Mountain with ease, humor, and incredible attention to detail. Jose took countless photos and videos throughout the trip (many candid!), and they’ve become some of our favorite souvenirs. The meals throughout the trip were good, and water was always available. While most meals were included, which was very convenient, we occasionally wished for more opportunities to explore the towns and try more casual, local cuisine (ex. polloria's) rather than frequent "fine dining". Highlights included the breathtaking beauty of Machu Picchu, all the stairs to Wayna Picchu, and the unforgettable journey to Rainbow Mountain. The long drive was well worth it for the stunning views, the alpacas, and warm interactions with locals. One of the most memorable meals of the trip was our lunch at Lupita Lodge after Rainbow Mountain, amazing food and such a kind owner. Overall, this was a fantastic trip organized by Andean Discovery. We're so grateful for the ease of planning and the once-in-a-lifetime memories we made.

This trip was a bucket list & overall a great experience. Here are the things we thought could be improved. 1. The tipping situation. The explanation in the documents could have been clearer. One of our guides met us at the airport & escorted us to the hotel (& vice versa). Other guides were with us all day every day & we felt immersed in their experience. The cruise had it's own tipping schedule which was confusing. A bit more detail would have been welcome. 2. On the cruise, there was a photo contest & we were told to review their portion of the trip, after which we would receive a copy of the contest submissions. To date we have not received this. 3. We went on a cooking tour in Cusco, which was great. We were promised a copy of the recipes. To date we have not received this. 4. One excursion, to Wayna Picchu was canceled due to a landslide. Will this fee be refunded? Our Cusco guide, Elias, was excellent - better than all the rest. I feel fortunate to have been assigned to him & will send more business to you because of him.

The guides and trips arrangement was good. It was however packed into to short of a time, but we sitll enjoyed it. The gratiuties was not declared prior to the trip, as this was quite high in the Amazon and the Legend cruise. We paid it but found it extremely high for 2 adults and 2 children to pay for 4 people, when it was a shared experience. However it should have been disclosed.

The tour guides were top rate, both in the Galapagos and in Cusco/Machu Picchu. They all had extensive inside knowledge of our locations. They were also flexible when things didn't happen according to schedule. My only minor complaints are that we were a bit overscheduled on the Galapagos Legend, and there was more rocking of the boat than expected for such a large ship. Would bring sea sickness patches next time.

We had an amazing time. Everything was nicely organized for us. We did Quito and the Galápagos Islands. Lots of fun.

The transportation and hotel portion of Quayaquil portion was very nice. The time there was on our own, and was a delight. The transportation to/from the Galapagos went smoothly. The boat was lovely. The tours were a bit much for me, and the guide had no response other than "keep up". The snorkel portion was a bust for me due to equipment mis-sized and malfunctioning. One guide did help me quite a bit on Espanola Island. I forget the name, but he was the leader. The best part was Peru. The travel was perfect. The hotels were high class. The food was marvelous. and the guide Ezekiel (sp?) was delightful.

The trip to Peru was the highlight for my family. Our guides were terrific and the hotels fabulous.

Excellent care with the booking agent. Micaela kept good communication. Tours for Galapagos and Machu Picchu were top notch. I would have appreciated a little bit more information about the places we were visiting. Example: maybe suggest us to take something along to offer the villagers we visited. We were hand held the entire trip. Great for older, inexperienced travelers as us! I would cut back on the large dinners that were pre-booked. We did not realize we were going first class.... or so it seemed.