It was AWESOME!!! Thanks so much for all your help and tirelessly and cheerfully answering all my questions as we prepared.  I think we did quite a good job packing the right things and understanding what to expect.  This trek is NOT for the out of shape by the way!  We really tested ourselves and the elevation is VERY challenging! 

We loved our guide Paul- he made it really fun and interesting and took very good care of us.

I want to let you know that everything- from the airport pick up, mountain bike trek, Salkantay Trek briefing at our hotel (and trek itself) to our hotel pick up and return to the airport- went EXACTLY as promised.  This is not easy in developing countries where things don’t always go as planned, but everybody was exactly where they were supposed to be at the arranged time and this was very much appreciated.

It was an amazing trip. We all thoroughly enjoyed it and were so impressed with Peru, the people we met and the variety of experiences. Not only did it live up to my expectations, it surpassed them. I was afraid I might be disappointed with the Inca Trail and Macchu Picchu because I’ve wanted to go there for as long as I can remember but that was a dream come true. Even the crowds didn’t take from   my enjoyment. The second day there when we climbed Huana Picchu and then had time to wander the site at our leisure was really magical. Finding the Inca Bridge was a bonus and there was hardly anyone else there too! 

The Peruvians seem  to be really working on building their tourism industry with extremely efficient and friendly and well trained and educated staff, clean cities, good buses and well maintained sites. We were very impressed by the number of schools even in remote areas. This was our first experience of South America but hopefully not the last. 

Thanks again. We’re busy recommending you to other friends!! 

The volunteer work was lovely. Of course we wish we had known more Spanish as it was challenging to adequately communicate with Marlene, the kids and other staff, BUT, it went OK anyway. Marlene was so kind to us and we only hope that we weren’t an imposition to the teachers. We wanted to “help” and not create a burden for them, and we hope that was the case. We bought art supplies and used them with young kids in the morning for 4 days. Then the girls taught dance/movement in the afternoon. Even Steven and I did some dance and the kids thought this was pretty funny. We LOVED the kids and the staff was open and helpful. Their program is very good and seems like a true contribution to the community. We want to send them some money in the future as we think their program provides a much needed service in the community. 
 
Thank you SO MUCH for arranging this opportunity for us! The bus ride and walk to the program twice a day was good exposure for our kids and training for our high trek in the Andes. 

The food was very good, the staff was good-natured and upbeat, people were there to pick us up when needed, etc. We were very happy with how it went. Ending the trek and camping at LARES hot springs was very, very cool!

Thank you! We had an absolutely wonderful trip, thank you so much for organizing it!
We really felt like it couldn’t have been much better — and you really did an amazing job of making that happen.

The language school was great. We got to do loads of conversation and really learned a lot in the time.

The Inca Trail was incredible! We felt good the whole trip, and were lucky not to struggle with the altitude. We really enjoyed the hiking, the incredible scenery and the sites. The guides were friendly, and seemed very knowledgable about the inca sites, and we chatted to them in Spanish when possible.

Guide Zack: most excellent, we could not have wished for a more able communicator, organiser, and also knowledgeable guide. It was not easy for him with a group with three kids. He always explained things well, whether is was about was historical or cultural or organisational things. Zack also showed a great personal effort that went well beyond his duties as a tour guide, for instance spending his private time with us in the evening. THANK YOU, ZACK! 

Cycling was a lot of fun, it started off slow as there had been quite a lot of rain during the night. Zack showed us a very interesting historical sight. After this, there was much more cycling in fantastic scenery. We enjoyed this very much. I was a bit worried as there were very steep drops and I decided to cycle mostly in between my youngest son and the drop. The day’s walk to Machu Picchu was one of the best walks I have done in my life (and I am a mountain guide and have walking a lot in Scotland and elsewhere). 

We had a fantastic trip: I think the variety of activities – Buenos Aires, the Iguassu Falls, the walking, and then the Antarctic expedition – made the 5 weeks all the more enjoyable.

Thank you to you and the Andean Trails team for putting our holiday together for us. We had a great time.

I would really like to thank you & Andean Trails for just superb arrangements. It went like clockwork and your agents in Peru & Ecuador was just superb. 

The Galaxy was just superb. The yacht was very comfortable.Our en suite cabins just great. And food superb. Please make special mention of the crew. They were so courteous, helpful and friendly. The cabin attendant….I don’t know how he managed to do up our cabins …literally before you could blink. With imaginative and cute little figures made with our towels..one day an elephant wearing our sunnies, the next day a swan with chocs for eyes and a sweet for the bill, like little kids we used to say ” let’s see what’s he’s done today.And the snacks after each outing….And the dinners…I couldn’t even muster up that on land in a full fledged kitchen.

The crew of the Galaxy were very very special. I did thank the Capt for a week of safe sailing.

If I had to do it again, I wouldn’t even consider an alternative.