Overall, had an excellent time and highly recommend G Adventures Geluxe tour! I am a very experienced traveler, but you really need a tour operator to see Peru / Machu Picchu / Inca Trail, and G Adventures is the best! I saw many other tour groups along the way, and they seemed to be larger and/or having lower quality experiences / food / accommodations. G Adventures Geluxe is not cheap, but it's worth the cost - accommodations, food, and experiences were excellent. And I was absolutely blown away by the food, accommodation, and attention to detail on the Inca Trail....five star experience from the tents to warm sleeping bags to the absolutely amazing meals. Shout out to our CEO, our guide on the trek, our chef, and the porters who worked SO hard to make our trip comfortable!!! (Note: despite all the comforts, it is still camping/glamping and difficult hiking, so take that into consideration when deciding if this is for you.)
Our tour Leader was brilliant. He was engaging , knowledgeable, Apporachable and very patient. Made the Trip super fun.
Itinerary was full on and packed. Would like Explore to consider adding Rainbow Mountain to the Itinerary rather than an option. Did the Trip with my daughter who really enjoyed herself. So there could be a future Explore traveller!!
Embark on a mesmerising four-day adventure through the heart of the Andes, where high-altitude lagoons, serene mountain passes, and vibrant local communities await. From the azure Ausangate peaks to the psychedelic hues of Rainbow Mountain, each day promises unparalleled exploration and cultural immersion.
I could not have imagined anyone doing their jobs better than Stephany and Alexander. Well done both of you. You both made this trip very special for me.
I will use Gluxe again.
My main criticism was the food. For most meals at restaurants we were offered a special tourist menu - this usually was made up of ceviche or quinoa soup for starters; quinoa salad or lomos saltados for main. On a 16 night itinerary with lunch and dinner included this became very dull and spoilt the holiday. In the end we began to insist on ordering off the full menu. We were quite happy to pay the whole thing ourselves. We cancelled our last night meal as we could not face yet another no choice menu of the same things.
Most of the restaurants had a tourist feel to them, offering the same dishes to various groups of tourists. This was the major disappointment of an. otherwise very special trip.
Embark on an unforgettable adventure from Cuzco to Lima, traversing Peru’s breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cultures. This exciting journey features a visit to the mystical Machu Picchu, thrilling excursions in the Sacred Valley, and the chance to experience traditional Andean life. Enjoy the Paracas National Reserve's stunning marine life and the enigmatic Nazca Lines. This tour is perfect for travelers seeking a mix of history, nature, and cultural immersion in one of South America's most diverse nations.
Arturo was a fantastic leader and guide. Knowledgable, helpful, caring, experienced and amusing. This was my 11th Explore holiday and Arturo is up there with the best guides. The porters and cooks are heroes - we were very happy to tip them generously. The itinerary was perfect, though no one should underestimate the challenge of around ten hours walking on day three. Cusco hotel staff were fine but the layout around a central atrium means the rooms are very noisy. The hotel near Machu Picchu was lovely but the staff were rude, unhelpful and disinterested. Overall I’d fully recommend this trip - but be sure to get into shape beforehand and consider your kit carefully.
Your tour starts with a walking tour to visit the principal local market, San Pedro. Then, walk around Cusco’s city center, visiting the beautiful main square and the Cathedral of Cusco, which holds many archaeological artifacts and relics. Among them is a famous painting of the Last Supper by Marcos Zapata, showing Christ and the apostles eating a guinea pig.
Continue your tour to the huge Inca ceremonial center of Sacsayhuaman, which overlooks the city of Cusco. Then visit another important Inca site known as Qenqo, which houses subterranean passages and a mummification site. After that, you will make a short visit to the archaeological Inca site of Tambomachay, a temple dedicated to the god of water.
We will have a lovely home-style lunch, in the heart of the traditional neighborhood of San Blas, in a picturesque, rustic courtyard surrounded by cherry trees and tumbles. Perfect for an outdoor lunch next to the wood-fired oven accompanied by a melodious Andean harp.
After lunch, we will return to the city center, where you will visit one of the most sacred Inca buildings, the Temple of Qoricancha. Within its walls religious ceremonies were constant, and offerings to the Gods and the Inca’s mummies were made each day.
After the city tour you will be dropped off at your hotel.
The best experience I?m so glad I did it with gadventures, especially accessing the home stays as that?s truly an experience I could never have got without them
Amazing experience. Inca trail and homestay were standout highlights. Trip could have been better organised to minimise unnecessary travel. Rainbow mountain was too busy and felt unsustainable (something at odds with the g culture we love).
Embark on an exhilarating four-day journey through the heart of Peru, where breathtaking landscapes and thrilling activities await. Begin in Cusco and traverse through lush jungles and quaint villages, experiencing the local culture and stunning vistas of the Andes. Culminate your adventure with an unforgettable exploration of Machu Picchu, delving into the mysteries of this ancient Incan city.
Our leader in Peru, Nilton, was excellent , as was Roberto, our leader in Ecuador
My only regret, was an aspect of our visit to Machu Piccu, it was somewhat rigid, in that it was restricted to the lower levels of the monument. I, and several other members of the group would very much like to have climbed to the top level , in order to gain more of an overview of the site
If you’re looking for an adventure of a lifetime, this 24-day journey from the waters of the Galapagos to Peru might just be it! On this adventure, spend ten days drifting across the Pacific Ocean and uncover the natural beauty and unique wildlife of the Ecuadorian Isles. Retrace the voyage of Charles Darwin by sea, admiring the sandy beaches of Espumilla and the volcanic craters of Isla Santiago. Look out for blue-footed boobies, Galapagos sea turtles and sea lions in their natural habitat, then fly to Peru for lush valleys, rich rainforests and the Inca heartlands. Travel south from Lima to Arequipa, see condors in Colca Canyon and get to the wild heart of the Amazon Jungle. Consider trekking along the acclaimed Inca Trail or relax on a scenic train ride to Machu Picchu – one of the Seven Wonders of the World. With a local leader each step of the way, you’ll get all the best insights, too!
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Ship Cabin, Hotel, Lodge, Resort
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Quito, Lima, Arequipa, Colca Can
Quito, Lima, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Puno, Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes, San Cristobal Island, Amazon Jungle, Bartolome Island, Puerto Egas, Isla Santa Cruz, North Seymour Island, Cerro Dragón, Rábida Island
Take on an epic 3-week adventure from the deck of the Grand Daphne in the Galapagos to the sarced land of the Incas in Peru. See pink flamingos in the lagoons of Isla Floreana, sunbathe with sea lions along Gardner Beach, hike along the green shoreline of Punta Cormorant and snorkel with turtles, rays and sharks. Then, uncover the secrets of Peru and Bolivia as you walk beneath the Amazon Jungle's canopy, trek the llama-filled plains of the Sacred Valley and stroll the cobblestone streets of Cusco. Search for monkeys and medicinal plants in the jungle, experience a homestay in a traditional community on the shore of Lake Titicaca and tick off one of the Seven Wonders of the World in Machu Picchu! With the option to see the sacred site by trek or by train, this trip will suit any active, curious traveller!
