Holiday Reviews
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same trip can have different views!
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Peru & Galapagos adventure holiday, independent reviews
 Reviewed 20 May 2005 by Turid B. Ekeberg |  |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Standing at the Sun's Gate looking down on Machu Picchu for the first time was awesome! Sitting on a beach having a young sea lion coming up to me and rub his whiskers against my leg was touching. Being accompanied by local guides who were professional in, and dedicated to, their to culture and history was very interesting.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Two things I would have done differently in retrospect: Spend one more day at Machu Picchu itself to have more time just wandering around feeling the atmosphere (because we spent some of our day there climbing the Wayna Picchu - a must, but time consuming). Spend at least one day on the Galapagos mainland after coming off the boat to "wind down". I was so full of impressions and emotions, that coming so abruptly back to Quito felt a little awkward. Having a day just to stroll around the little town or sitting by the sea would have done the trick. This trip isn't the cheapest you can buy, but it sure was value for my money!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Definitely so. We know from our guide in Peru that they even have established a small health program for the village of our crew. There are strict rules for minimizing the impact on the environment both on the Inca Trail and in the Galapagos, and we were carefully supervised. From what we saw both those rules, and the weight rules of the porters union (Inca Trail), were strictly observed. That can't be said for all the companies we met along the trip. I think it's important to preserve the environment both for the locals, and to make the trip a better one even for those who come after us (it's a long term investment in the local ability to maintain their tourism industry and generate jobs - I don't know of any better ways of aid than to contribute through trading directly with local people).
4. Any other comments?
In Galapagos they said "Take only photographs, leave only footprints". That should be the way to go.
| Reviewed 8 Aug 2006 by Carol Smith | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Difficult to choose between the first sight of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate (incredible) and swimming with sea-lions in the Galapagos (amazing) as the most memorable part of the holiday.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
(a) The Inca Trail is quite physically demanding. It's worth spending some time getting in shape before you go.
(b) Pack your clothes in waterproof bags. Despite the porters efforts to keep everything dry, when it rained on the last day many of our clothes got wet in the duffle bags. Would have been a bit miserable if we had still been camping - as it was we were able to dry things out at the hotel.
(c) It can get quite rough at sea in the Galapagos. Several people, including myself, were sick one evening. Might have been able to get better medication on prescription if I had known, as the over-the-counter tablets made me drowsy. If you do feel sick, go to your cabin & lie down - it was much worse on deck. Don't let this put you off - was still a superb trip & the yacht & crew were first class.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Hope so - we were impressed at the way tourism is being controlled in the Galapagos to minimise impact on the wild life.
4. Any other comments?
Definitely ***** - the best holiday we've ever had!
| Reviewed 14 May 2009 by Glenys France | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The view of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate after a gruelling 4-day trek and the tameness of the animals in the Galapagos.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Make sure you are fit for the trek - it is hard going; good shoes are essential. Antibiotics for food poisoning!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Hopefully, the guides were very aware of the impact on the environment and using local people as guides and porters helped the community.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A wonderful holiday, slightly marred by camera bag being stolen, food poisoning on the trek and damaged knee ligaments. However, organisation was great and guides superb.
Read the operator's response here:
Probably worth commenting on a couple of points raised here. Firstly, we are trying to help the client establish what happened to her bag but at the moment it appears that it was left in the hotel in Quito. I'm concerned that the client's comment rather paints a picture of a bag being snatched which was definitively not the case.Secondly, with regards food poisoning. I should say that we take this very seriously and have our guides watching the situation on the ground very carefully. However, whilst Mrs France travelled as part of a larger group, as far as we are aware, the other clients were unaffected. This rather indicates a cause of stomach upset other than food. We are proud of our food hygiene record on the Inca Trail, our chefs (Hernando and Virgilio) are scrupulous in their hygiene. It is very rare that our clients experience problems as a result of food given to them on the Inca Trail.
Leading on from this point, it is my understanding that the most common forms of poisoning are caused by viruses. This being the case, antibiotics are likely to do more harm than good. Please, please do not follow that particular (perfectly well intentioned) tip!
| Reviewed 17 Dec 2008 by Andy McDaid | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Galapagos Islands really are as good as expected - amazing wildlife - almost too easy to get great photos as the wildlife is so obliging but I am not complaining!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
1. Try not to fly with Iberia - I am not normally someone who cares who I fly with, but this airline seems in its own league when it comes to poor customer service / no information on late flights / outdated aircraft on long haul flights etc. I will go out of my way not to use this airline again. 2. Try to avoid Madrid airport - it is an architectural triumph but hopeless in most other respects.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Galapagos = 5 stars beyond doubt. Inca Trail = 4 stars, am being harsh as was a little cloudy (went in November) and a little more arduous than I expected. 4 stars overall, because the getting to and from London Heathrow to South America was not as passenger friendly as it could have been.
| Reviewed 22 Jan 2008 by Dorothe Haverhals | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Coming through the sungate after a tough hike and seeing Macchu Picchu below.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Check everything that is organised for you and make sure you know exactly what to expect.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
No.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Memorable.
Read the operator's response here:
In the Galapagos we use boats that are owned by families local to the islands meaning that more of the benefit from your visit stays in the Islands - from staffing to provisioning to income. All of our clients visiting the islands are made benefactor members of the Galapagos Conservation Trust for a year. In Peru we work directly with our team of guides and porters ensuring fair treatment and consistency of work for our staff. Your visit also benefits the Dental Project Peru which works with high Andean communities around Cusco.| Reviewed 16 Aug 2007 by Vanessa Stevens | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The whole Galapagos Island trip
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take very warm clothes for the night-time during the Inca trail. Make sure you have plenty of space on a camera memory card.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
I felt that both guides/operators were extremely aware of the environment, and actually noticed that they were far more aware and active than other guides. In terms of benefiting local people, not specifically although I was very impressed that all guides were local.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
10 out of 10!
| Reviewed 18 Nov 2006 by Tricia Blundell | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Most memorable - getting to the sun gate at Machu Picchu after the one day hike.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Tips - You will live and travel in walking footwear so make sure you get some boots or walking trainers that will go anywhere (day and evening). Take a rain poncho rather than a waterproof jacket, the poncho is easier to get on and off and will keep your rucksack dry. Pack as light as you can - It makes moving from one place to the next easier.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes I think local people benifited from our visit - tourism is growing and is obviously helping the economy, I just hope it will not spoil the real Peru/Ecuador. On the negative side, the Inca sites are becoming very busy and this must be having an impact on the environment.
4. Any other comments?
**** - We had a fantastic time something we will never forget. This operator was superb - very helpful with the booking, the guides were excellent and the whole experience went without a hitch.