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.
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!
Active travelers looking to combine the stunning wildlife of the Galápagos Islands with the deep history of Peru’s Inca Trail should explore this incredible 17-day adventure. Stay onshore while visiting lesser-visited islands and spending your days with playful sea lions, majestic manta rays, and the famous Galápagos tortoise. Then, head to Peru and take on the iconic 4-day Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu, surrounded by mountainscapes, cloud forests, and jungle views. This is a journey that will inspire and impress at every turn.
Beginning and ending in Cusco, the former capital of the Incan Empire, discover spectacular scenery on the Salkantay Trek. This remarkable 4-day trek winds through lush jungles, across high mountain passes and beside serene azure lagoons. Trekking along the slopes of majestic Salkantay Mountain reveals some of the most mesmerizing vistas Peru has to offer, and with far fewer trekkers than the Inca Trail, you can immerse yourself in nature in this remote paradise. This trek, named one of the "25 Best Treks in the World" by National Geographic, culminates at the magnificent, Incan Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
Combine two of South America’s must-see countries on a 25-day adventure through Bolivia and Peru. From inspiring geography, to cities rich in colonial history, and Indigenous culture, immerse yourself in these destinations and come home completely changed. Explore the highest capital city in the world, travel to the crest of the Andes, spend three days exploring the Uyuni Salt Flats, and conquer the mighty Inca Trail, soaking up the stunning views of majestic Machu Picchu. If you are looking for an authentic experience away from the tourist track, while still hitting the highlights, well, you've found it.
This unique adventure focuses on South America’s heaviest hitters – the Galapagos Islands, the Inca Trail and the Amazon Jungle. Take 25 days to explore these wildly different parts of the region. Snorkel the turtle-filled waters of Leon Dormido, then walk the cobblestone streets of Cusco. Sit on black-sand beaches watching sea lions lounge and later conquer the 4200-metre-high Dead Woman’s Pass. Witness breathtaking natural beauty among the surreal landscapes of the Ecuador Highlands and Galapagos, then wonder at the man-made elegance of Machu Picchu. This tour offers immersive and active adventure led by locals in two bucket-list favourite destinations.
