Machu Picchu & the Galápagos (2012)

[The shops were] too touristy. Would have liked to walk around in Ollantaytambo and discover for myself.

Traveler: Josephine Gill from Darien, CT traveled on March 16, 2012

The Day in the Life was all about the school visit and home dinner. We were very concerned about being constantly bombarded by people selling trinkets and taking pictures for money everywhere we went throughout Peru.

Traveler: Anthony Beatty from Danville, CA traveled on April 02, 2012

This is a fantastic trip we strongly recommend to you, assuming you are interested in great experiences and some physical activities. I celebrated my 75th birthday on this trip and it was an exceptional experience - actually two of them. Be prepared for the extremely divergent weather and altitude of Cusco, Peru (Machu Picchu) and the Galapagos. This is a trip not to be missed.

Traveler: Philip Savage from San Bernardino, CA traveled on April 28, 2012

As I am now 67 and obviously not getting any younger, we have decided to start working on the bucket list! Last year was Ultimate Africa with OAT and without a doubt tha best trip we have ever taken and we have been lots of places. I have since added another Africa trip to the bucket list! Machu Pichu and the Galapagos was this year's bucket list trip.
We enjoyed this trip very much with an exception that I will address later. The Incan culture and ancient sites were extremely interesting and worthwhile to see. Had no altitude problems at all. My husband has a few issues with feet and knees and did find the hiking in Peru and on the Galapagos to be very difficult. I think the steepness and uneven terrain were his biggest problems. He was glad he had brought a collapsable walking staff. He opted out of the second day at Machu Pichu. The weather was good for the entire trip and I did not need the heavy packable jacket that I brought. Lighter layers worked just fine. Needed the raincoat for light showers.
We wished for one day less in Lima and one day more in Quito. The home hosted meals were nice. In Peru - the family had a special large dining room for the meal which I doubt was typical of families in Peru. In Quito, the mother and two daughters had been born in the US. Again probably not a typical Ecuador family.
The biggest disappointment was that we did not see the giant tortoises in the wild. This led me to mark the trip as good rather than excellent as it was one of the reasons I wanted to go there. Never imagined this would happen and did not even ask about it before paying for the trip. We would not have seen them at all if we had not insisted on going to the Darwin Research lab. If this is one of your priorities, be sure ask about it. We were told that they were on some of the islands we visited but on the "other side" and we were not cleared to go there.
The rest of the trip to the Galapagos was fabulous. Good snorkeling and hiking and lots of wildlife that were not afraid of us. Good food on the ship and a friendly and helpful crew.
Last but not least, great shopping experiences - some arranged but some just local markets. Found beautiful, colorful, large scarvesshawls for $2 12 to $3.00 in Ecuador. Brought back 15 of them for various friends.
All in all, the trip was great and enjoyed the group. Food was ok - the food is not a priority for me so I couldn't talk much about it. I do not go on a trip for the food and the accommodations are fine as long there is a clean bed and hopefully hot water! One other thing is that I did not need the hair dryer. Oh, and be sure to take a hat and lots of sun screen. Go on this trip sooner rather than later while you have stamina and endurance. My husband likes a little more down time and ao he opted out some of the day's activities. I would rather be kept busy.
One other thing - if you wash out any clothes, don't plan on them drying overnight even if they are quick dry.

Traveler: Nancy Edgar from Hindsville, AR traveled on April 14, 2012

This was truly enjoyable and informative trip. Our guides (Ruben in Peru, Luis in Ecuador) were exceptionally knowledgeable and helpful. Our fellow travelers were considerate and punctual.

We would have preferred less time in Lima and more in the Sacred Valley or the Galapagos. As other travelers have reported, the hotel in Aguascalientes (near Machu Picchu) is below the normal OAT standard.

As first-time OAT travelers, we were a bit uncomfortable with the home-hosted dinners. They seemed somewhat contrived; our hosts do this several times per month.

Our boat in the Galapagos was the Archipell II, a catamaran. This is the boat on the cover of the Small Ship Adventures 2012 brochure. The boat's layout is rather different from the one shown later in the same brochure. All 8 cabins are on the same deck. I think it was a great boat, spacious and comfortable, with a helpful and enthusiastic crew.

We brought a plug adapter, but didn't need it. The hotels in Peru use sockets that can accept either round-prong or flat-blade plugs (without a grounding prong). The hotels in Ecuador use U.S. style plugs.

Traveler: John Phillips from Sandpoint, ID traveled on April 16, 2012

Amazing trip - thoroughly enjoyed the adventures, my traveling companions and OAT's handling of all aspects of the trip.

Our guides were phenomenal. Basilio -Amazon, Percy-Peru, Luis-Galapagos!
They allowed us to glimpse the world through their eyes. It was a joy!

A little less city would have been okay with me.

Traveler: Susan Johnston from Estes Park, CO traveled on March 22, 2012

The pre-Incan and Incan ruins were a highlight--Machu Picchu, Pisac and others.
The current era of outdoor and indoor markets--where we shopped from a list given to us by Fredy, our guide, was fun. The school and home-hosted meal and meeting the family were interesting. The Villa El Salvador visit and history were fantastic. We visited some women who were camping and selling their wares as they lived far from a tourist area. I had been to Peru prior to this trip, but Fredy and OAT made this one memorable. Fredy was caring and flexible. Due to a parade and traffic, we were not able to do as planned, he switched schedules so we didn't miss anything.
Quito was interesting, especially the equator visit, Colonial homes and the Sinamune Concert and crafts. The visit to the Galapagos had the wildlife I was expecting. The Carina and crew were very helpful. Robert was knowledgeable about the abundant wildlife.
I can't say enough positive things about the trip. All was good. Go.

Traveler: Wahana Vellutini from Sonora, CA traveled on March 10, 2012

If you want to learn about Inca and pre-Inca culture and see those sites, this is definately the trip for you. If you are going primarily for the wildlife of the Galapagos, then the Ultimate Galapagos trip would probably be better. We didn't know that trip existed until after we were committed to this one. For us, it probably would have suited better and we wish the travel consultant had mentioned it.That being said, this trip was still fantastic and we had a wonderful time despite my husband breaking his arm on day 3 (not OAT's fault).

We did the pre-trip to the Amazon. There was less wildlife than we expected but that could be due to unrealistic expectations or the fact that it rained on the day we were in the treetops and so warm and humid the other days that the wildlife was as lethargic as we were. The primate rescue center was a highlight.

There is no way to praise the guildes adequately. Basilio in the Amazon, Percy in Peru and Luis and George in Equador were knowledgeable, fun and exceptionally competent. The Inca culture is alive and well in Peru. The traditional healing ceremonies were touching and we felt privledged to participate.

Seeing the Galapagos was a dream come true and we will be back. Sea lions, fur seals, dancing blue boobies, displaying frigate birds and magnificent tortoises. The weather was calm and the snorkeling was amazing. The food on board the Carina was excellent and we had a professional chef in our group who said the same thing. One suggestion to other travelers -- sometimes dry landings turn out to be wet despite the guildes best efforts so take the water shoes just in case.

Our only complaint was that we had to leave the Carina too soon.

If I were to change anything, it would be to have less time in Lima and other cities.

As I mentioned in the first paragraph, my husband broke his arm on day 3 of the trip in the Amazon. Explorama facilitated the medical issues and the OAT guides and staff made it possible for him to continue the trip (carfully!). He was able to climb Machu Picchu safely even wearing a sling as Percy had his back every step. Luis and the crew on the Carina helped him in and out of the boats and on shore so that he never missed an adventure. We will be forever grateful.

Traveler: Tanya Smart from Fort Bragg, CA traveled on March 22, 2012

The trip lived up to its billing, as one of OAT's most popular.The Inca civilization certainly put the lie to Europe rescuing the New World. The ruins were spectacular,both in their setting and the quality of construction and we were able to do some great hiking in the area. In the Galapagos, the boat was fun, very comfortable, and we had some great meals, snorkeling with the sea lions, and getting close to all the wildlife. Both guides were fine with Roberto Quintana, in the Galapagos, being extremely knowledgable and personable. OAT needs to get a better hotel in Aguas Calientes(Machu Picchu), but that's my only negative

Traveler: Paul Arnold from Hyannis, MA traveled on March 24, 2012

Changing guides in each country does not give guide or us time to get to know each other better.

Traveler: Sherry Wells Levine from New York, NY traveled on January 06, 2012

We have just returned from our third OAT trip, and they have all been great. We took the pre-trip to the Peruvian Amazon, and it was amazing. Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley and the Galapagos were enchanting. The entire experience was great, and we continue to be amazed at the high quality of the guides and the experiences. It was very wise for the tour to have us fly into Cusco and go to a lower altitude right away (and then return to Cusco after we adjusted). We did take the altitude medication, and we had no ill effects. Enjoy these wonderful adventures.

Traveler: Alice Jacobson from Portland, OR traveled on February 25, 2012

This review is from a little bit of a different perspective than most. I am a younger traveler who runs, hikes, bikes etc. I also prefer unique, local, and authentic food.

Guides and Group
I have found the guides are really hit or miss. We had Renee in Peru who was great. Some of the day guides were also great. Other guides were not so great. There must be lots of different guides because we could not find any reviews of the guides we had before taking this trip. Our group was by far the best group I have ever traveled with. That is very hit or miss also.

Food
I am not crazy about OAT food. I would rather pay less and choose my own restaurants but I realize that it is not always feasible. For my tastes there are always better choices on the menu than what we are allowed and that bothers me. I did order off the menu a few times and skip some of the group meals. In Peru we had more choice and there was usually something local which was good. Ecuador was a lot more limited and sometimes there was no choice. I always dread eating at the "Hotel" restaurant and none of those meals were memorable. Breakfast wasn't as good as other countries but acceptable. On the Galapagos we went to an OAT only restaurant and had chicken breast with BBQ sauce which was good but not what I want to eat while on an exotic island. Some of the restaurants were very good and we did get to eat Guinea Pig, Alpaca, Goat, and a lot of exotic fruits and vegetables. The boat food was much better than expected and the crew and chef were great. In Lima take a $3 taxi and eat at Pecados Capitales for ceviche and then walk to the beach. In Aguas Calientes eat at Indio Feliz.

Hotels
There were some hotel issues: water, air conditioning, windows, construction, etc. but nothing too bad.

Packing
Packing is tough because it can be cold and rainy one minute and hot and sunny the next. You go from sea level in Lima to over 10,000 feet and back again at the Galapagos with many iterations in between. I like to travel light and laundry can be done mid trip for cheap which I recommend. You have to be ready with both an umbrella and sun block at all times.

Machu Pichu
I found Machu Pichu to be one of the high points. I hiked up through the jungle rather than take the bus on the second day. At a hard running pace it took about 40 minutes which is not that much longer than the bus ride. There are optional hikes at Machu Picchu and then there are better hikes which you need to have a different entry ticket to access. We got good massages for about $20 an hour in Aguas Calientes and skipped the hotel food and had some good meals. I thought the river side of the hotel was fine but ear plugs may help quiet the raging river.

Lima
I headed west and ran along the Avenue of Exercise and then along the beach. There are two flights of about 300 stairs that descend from the cliffs to the ocean. There is also a big shopping mall that I wanted to get to but missed. A major avenue is closed every Sunday and I rented a bike and rode a little.

Galapagos
This was a let down for most of the people on our tour. The Archipeligo II was great, the crew was great, and the food was great. The islands - not so exciting. It was hot and humid, bugs biting, and very slow moving animals. We saw the giant land tortoises over and over and over. Same thing with some of the other animals. The kayaking was limited to a tiny bay when I would have liked to have headed out into the ocean. Snorkeling was limited also and not comparable to other trips I have taken. The water was comfortably warm in February and the gear on the boat was good enough to not need to bring your own. The hikes were very slow paced to the point that I skipped a few of them. Three days was more than enough.

Quito
We broke from the group on the last night and went to a big shopping mall for dinner and a movie. We also got to people watch and go into a big supermarket to buy some interesting things to bring home. A foreign shopping mall, food court, movies, supermarket etc. is always an interesting thing to do.

Equator Visit
Fascinating and entertaining but mostly a tourist scam. 5 feet north or south of the equator does not make water swirl in different directions!!! You can research this on the web.

School Visit and Home Hosted Meals
I could always do without the school visit (not my thing) but I think most of the others enjoyed it. The home hosted meals are very hit or miss but worth going on.

Overall I think this is a very good trip and something that would be very hard to coordinate on your own. Traveling with a group is always compromise. I would encourage future travelers to be adventurous. If you do not like an activity, meal, or event you can go off on you own and do what you like. I did some great runs and hikes, I got a bike ride in, got a massage, went to the movies and a shopping mall, got to ride in the three wheeled taxi, and ate at a few high end restaurants that were not part of the tour. By mixing in my choices with the set tour I customized the trip to my preferences and had a great time.

Traveler: Andrew Kalter from South Fallsburg, NY traveled on February 03, 2012

This was a wonderful trip! Their were three particular highlights for me:
1. Machu Picchu and the Inca civilization.
2. Standing on the equator and seeing how water drains differently between hemispheres and on the precise equator.
3. Snorkeling among sea lions, penguins, turtles and marine iguanas in the Galapagos.

It's a very demanding trip because of the many site changes and strenuous schedule but the effort is worth it!

Traveler: Emile Rainold from Littleton, CO traveled on February 20, 2012

This is a test. Please ignore

Traveler: Jeffrey Urbach from Highland Park, NJ traveled on January 07, 2011

OAT continues to amaze with their knowledgeable guides, unexpected surprises, ease of getting from point "A" to point "B" and overall fun adventures. This trip is like getting two unique vacations in one and I loved every minute.

Our Foundation visits were some of the highlights of this trip. The Sinamune Orchestra concert was one of the best experiences I've had with the Foundation Organizations. OAT give you the option to make additional contributions if you want, but I never felt any pressure to do so.

The food was excellent, the fresh papaya, pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe, and grapes were available each morning both in Peru and the Galapagos. And the fresh vegetables and juices were what you'd expect south of the US. Really good!

Our guides, Patricia in Peru and Paulina in the Galapagos made our trip so easy. Both were prepared and friendly and helped each of us in a special way. Patricia arranged for me and my friend to climb Huayna Picchu with a guide from OAT on day two another highlight of our trip.

The snorkeling on the Galapagos was amazing and relaxing and I loved seeing the wild life and flowers.

Thank you, OAT for another great adventure!

Traveler: Maria from Buena Vista, CO traveled on March 02, 2012

Hotel in Lima was fair to poor and the hotel at Machu Picchu was horrible. Food in Peru was fair. Guides are outstanding especially Ruben Aragon and the
touring and care was great. Be prepared for the big push in donating to OAT charities. A little overkill.

In the Ecuador hotel rooms were large and nice.
Food in Ecuador was very good. The
Catamaran in the Galapagos was fantastic with a great crew and outstanding food. Guide Veronica was the best.. We went to Peru February 20 and 7 days later to Ecuador. Did not need a wet suit in the Galapagos.. Water fantastic. Only needed suntan lotion and t-shirt and shorts and bathing suit. Something casual like another pair of shorts for dinner. This trip was very special.

Traveler: Tamara Schneider from Beachwood, OH traveled on February 20, 2012

This was my first time using OAT. I have used other tour groups before. OAT really shines compare to the others I have been on.
Their website was useful and contained everything I needed to know to prepare for the trip. My booklet containing my information was very helpful. I pretty much knew what to expect. But I was wrong. I got more than I expected.
Our trip leaders Walter Torres (Peru) and Luis Becerra (Galapagos) were fantastic. I was pleased to receive an email from them prior to my trip. All thru the trip I was amazed with each of the trip leader's knowledge and passion for their country. They were always there for us.
Each day was filled with adventure. Always on the go. I loved it. We were well taken care of. This was the best trip I've taken.
Highly recommend using OAT, their trip leaders and local guides.
Thank you OAT, Walter and Luis!

Traveler: Wanda Fong from Hayward, CA traveled on February 25, 2012

The tour was excellant. Both tour guides (Walter & Fabrizio) were great. The Hotel in Cusco was not up to our expectations. Also, why on domestic flights were we only given middle and window seats? I would have preferred an aisle seat.

Traveler: Harry Lekien from Palm Coast, FL traveled on January 20, 2012

I won’t rehash the itinerary, but will just make some comments that may be of use to future travelers, but to sum it up, the trip was exceptionally good.


MISC:

Our guides were Freddy Avalos in Peru and Luis Becerra in Ecuador and were great. Very knowledgeable and very determined to make the trip memorable for us. Julio, the transport facilitator in Lima, was a wealth of information during the short time we were with him.

Bottled water was available everywhere. A short walk outside all of the hotels would get you to small shops selling it.

All the electrical outlets in Peru and Ecuador accepted US plugs directly, so unless your item is 110v only, you can just plug it in without needing adapters or converters.

Be prepared for a lot of time in the air and at airports. We spent over 17 hours flying, not counting getting to and waiting at the airports. There are 9 flights between leaving and returning to Miami.

There were several mornings when we had to get up around 5.


PERU:

The train to Aguas Calientes has very little storage and the seats are quite close together, so you need to take only what you need for the 2 days at Machu Picchu. Your main suitcase is taken by bus to the hotel in Cusco. Unfortunately, when we arrived in Aguas Calientes, we went directly up to Machu Picchu without checking into the hotel, so we had to lug all our stuff with us. The bus to the top is a public bus, so we could not leave our stuff on it like we could do with other day buses.

The Hanaqpacha Hotel in Aguas Calientes was less than acceptable. While the room itself was OK, the intermittent water supply negated it. And I don’t mean just no hot water, I mean no water at all. We had a room on the river side which I assumed would be peaceful, but the roar of the water was actually very loud (even with the window closed) and was not the restful sound I anticipated. The train tracks are literally about 10 feet from the front door of the hotel, and people on that side reported even worse sleeping conditions. I would prefer paying a little more for a better hotel.

The pizza at Toto’s House in Aguas Calientes was very good and the jovial manager makes you feel very welcome.

We found the Peruvians to be just about the friendliest we have ever encountered. Kids riding around the city would get excited and wave to us on the bus.

We live in Colorado at 5,600 feet, so we were not too worried about being in Cusco at 11,200, but just to be safe, I drank the coca tea which was available everywhere. I think the effects of the tea were worse for me than altitude sickness would have been. I stopped drinking it after the first day and had no problems. Others drank it with no side effects, but some did think it made things worse.

The bugs (mostly non-biting gnats) at night at the San Agustin Hotel in Urubamba were a minor nuisance. Leaving a window open at night for fresh air was not an option. One woman reported her bed was full of ants.

Our guide arranged to have our laundry done in Cusco after arriving back from Machu Picchu. It was much cheaper than the hotel would have been.

The potatoes and coffee in Peru were the best I’ve ever had. Anywhere. Enjoy eating causas whenever you can.

The staff at the Don Carlos hotel in Cusco provided exceptionally friendly service.


ECUADOR:

You can leave 1 suitcase in the Quito hotel and just take one per couple to the boat in the G. I. You don’t have to, but it is much more convenient. The other one was in our room when we returned to Quito.


TIP TOP IV BOAT:

The boat is great; just hope you get one of the 4 cabins on the upper deck. The upper cabins have 2 very large windows, the lower cabins have one very, very small window. None of the windows open, but the AC is very powerful and was capable of making the cabin too cold. There is a digital thermostat in the cabin.

Food onboard was very good and the service was outstanding.

Hot water for showers was more reliable than in any of the hotels.

The boat has a dispenser for cold drinking water. You were able to fill your bottles at any hour.

The 7-man crew was excellent, always ready to help and very friendly.

The pace on the boat was unrelenting. We had 2 activities in the morning, lunch, then 2 more in the afternoon. Activities included island walks, snorkeling, panga (zodiac) rides, and kayaking.

Most of the water was very calm, but on 2 of the longer cruisings in open water, it got a little choppy and I felt better up on the sun deck.

Wetsuits are not available on TT IV. Our guide took us to a dive shop in Puerto Ayora where we were able to rent them for 3 days for $21. For me, it was a worthwhile investment, as I thought the water was cold. Our guide then had them returned back to the shop at the end of the trip. Very convenient, and no deposit required.

Traveler: David and Judith Shomper from Boulder, CO traveled on November 25, 2011

We recently returned from OAT’s Machu Picchu & the Galapagos, which included the pre-trip to the Amazon and the post-trip on Ecuador’s Avenue of the Volcanoes. We’re eight-time OAT/GCT travelers (and we have traveled previously with other companies) and this trip was one of our all-time favorites. Each trip leader in the four segments (Amazon, Peru/Machu Picchu, the Galapagos, and Ecuador) was among the best we have ever encountered. High praise goes especially to Ari (Amazon), Pavel Pumacayo (Peru/Machu Picchu), and Roberto Quintana (Galapagos). Their performance was exemplary – knowledgeable, entertaining, considerate, and unflappable. It is trip leaders like them that make OAT/GCT such great adventures.
AMAZON: The itinerary was a good mix of activities – plenty to do and see, yet the pace was relaxed. Our trip leader on this segment, Ari, was resourceful and flexible in scheduling our days’ activities. We were scheduled to stay three nights at Explorama Lodge and one night at Ceiba Tops Lodge, but due to remodeling at Explorama we stayed the whole time at Ceiba Tops. That was just fine with us, as the rooms were all air-conditioned. Yes, we are aware that the “A” in OAT stands for Adventure, but after being out in the hot and humid Amazon jungle during the day, it was a relief to sleep in cool comfort at night. We did have lunch one day at Explorama, and had the opportunity to view a room we otherwise might have stayed in. The open lattice window in the room’s outside wall was big enough to let in not only the “natural air conditioning” but also uninvited critters at night! We strongly recommend that OAT have all their Amazon travelers stay at Ceiba Tops exclusively. My wife and I were glad that we had brought our swimsuits and were able to take daily advantage of the inviting outdoor pool, slide, and jacuzzi at Ceiba Tops after sightseeing all day.
PERU & MACHU PICCHU: Although Machu Picchu is justifiably the main draw for any visit to Peru, we were pleasantly surprised to learn that the country has so much more to offer travelers. We quickly learned why Peruvian cuisine in so well-regarded – the delicious meals we had were testimony to the country’s rich cultural melting pot. The opportunity to spend so much time in local village markets was great – an honest lesson in how other people go about their daily lives. Our trip leader, Pavel, was loads of fun, and obviously enjoys what he does!
THE GALAPAGOS: Our Galapagos trip leader, Roberto Quintana, was an outstanding naturalist, displaying an encyclopedic knowledge of all things Galapagos. His sense of humor and ebullient personality made every aspect of this part of the trip a joy. Learning how the islands differ from each other was fascinating, and seeing such abundant natural beauty was spellbinding. Roberto provided a good choice of stimulating daily activities – island hikes, dinghy rides, and snorkeling – as we traveled around the islands on our catamaran.
ECUADOR: Our leader for the Avenue of the Volcanoes extension was Jorge, and he, too, was very, very good. He was extremely knowledgeable and a fun traveling companion. The post-trip itinerary was a good blend of spectacular mountain scenery, regional history, and local culture.

Traveler: James Herd from Iowa City, IA traveled on October 01, 2011

Absolutely great trip at a very reasonable price.
Both sites were all i expected and more.
Both leaders were terrific, very knowledgeable
The Day in the life activities were a big plus, exceeded my expectations.

Traveler: Jaime Villanueva from Greer, SC traveled on August 13, 2011

Overall a very interesting trip with some high points of interests in places you do not expect. Guess it's about the discovery part while doing an OAT trip.

I was very upset about the mis-information sent in the handbook & explained by the sales team about our pre- trip to the Amazon Rainforest. It clearly states we will stay at the Explorama Lodge, instead we spent the entire time at Ceiba Tops. this not only changed the experience, it added to packing a lot of unneccesary items in our luggage.

Also OAT prior to the trip, should make the traveller aware that there is laundry service available throughout your journey. Again less items to pack.

If you are an usual size or shape, pack your own wetsuit to the Galapagos. The sizes on the boat are limited & not in the best of condition. However they are available for rent from the boat.

Finally OAT should inform travellers that this trip is not for everyone. They should stress the physical condition & shape of the traveller. You will experience HOT HOT HOT weather in the Amazon along humidty in the high 90%. This can prove to be very difficult for the long walks in the jungle & one must have the proper clothing,
along with being able to consume enormous amounts of water.

Later in the trip climbing & hiking in very high altitude can be stressful. Especially in Cuzco & Machu Picchu. One should know their limits before taking this trip.

Okay enough...

OAT did the best job of handling your luggage every place we went. There were no security concerns & it was handled very effeciently.

All boarding passes for planes & trains on this trip were handled ahead of time by the trip leaders. Sure made it easy for the traveller.

Overall accommadations run from good to excellent. Food was average but interesting. However our guides went out of their way for us to try & experience some local items. I was never hungry for lack of volume.

All 3 of our guides were excellent. They all were very personable, looked after the group, & shared a great deal of knowledge about the places we were visiting. I felt the the trip leaders were for superior to our local guides, except for the one we used in Machu Picchu. He also was very good like Boris.

This is really like 3 different trips rolled into 1. You do spend a lot time at airports, you move around a lot ( unpackingpacking ) You are constantly on the go doing something. Personally could have used a little more time at some locations for more picture taking,shopping, & learning about the area we were visiting. ( free time is always nice )

Bottomline: Take this trip if you meet the criteria & it meets your interests. Sooner is better than later because of the physical requirements.
This trip rates up at the top of many of our travels. We enjoyed a great deal the variety of sites,the local people & customs, different cultures & music, & scenery that I cannot put into words. Yes I would go back & especially to the Galapagos Islands.

Our guide in the Galapagos, informed us that the percentage of Americans visiting Ecuador is down in compared to other world visitors. He stated that Ecuador has no short term plans to slowdown visitors from going to Galapagos Islands, as we had heard rumors. Mostly concerns to what impact humans may on the eco-system & animals. For me I would have never believed you could get so close to the wildlife, which offered a photo oppertunity of a lifetime.

Rules in the Islands are simple & easy to follow. You will have just a great experience. OAT's choice of the Cairna vessel is outstanding with excellent food, customer service, & very helpful & happy crew.

Everything was a positive on this trip.
The pre planning is more of an issue with Boston. I would give this trip 4 stars,if it had not been about the issues we encountered prior to this trip. Better comminication would have made it easier for us in the planning of this trip.

Best wishes to all, John

Traveler: John Honegger from Gilbert, AZ traveled on October 09, 2011

My trip to Machu Picchu and the Galapagos with OAT far exceeded my expectations. Not only was my travel-mate (I am a single woman and asked to share double accommodations) great fun (I'm going to visit her next week in her home town) but the unexpected added experiences - e.g. a village festival complete with amazing costumes and market day in a rural village - were fabulous. Our guide was knowledgeable and spontaneous - ready to take advantage of any opportunity. I loved his enthusiasm and willingness to please. SINAMUNE, the Grand Circle project in Quito was like nothing I've ever seen - it had me in tears (the good kind). My first experience with OAT made me hope that there is more to come! My only suggestion for next time is an optional horseback ride on one of the free afternoons.

Traveler: Kami Lee from Bainbridge Island, WA traveled on August 13, 2011

1. Amazon Explorarama lodge terrific and as represented. Guide Roldan was suppurb.
2. OAT had no representitive in Iquitos when our flight was cancelled and we were left to fend for ourselves.
3. Manuel, the Lima OAT guide could not be reached and did not contact us in Iquitos to determine or assist with the delay.
4. Missed a day in Lima due to extra day in Iquitos. We should have seen more.
5. Cuzco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu were very interesting and as represented.
6. Quito iterneray could have been better. See New York Times article 91511 "36 hours in Quito".
7. Gallapagos: we did not need to see a lava tube. Bring your own scuba gear due to the mold on therirs. We did not see the Darwin center as promised.

Traveler: Peter Saverien from Gold River, CA traveled on August 04, 2011

Our trip to Machu Picchu was an extraordinary experience, one that exceeded our expectations. This was a result of superb weather, the beauty of the site and Peru, excellent organization, the quality of the other members of our group, and the excellence of our tour guide.

Let me add that the pace of the trip was also right on the mark.

Our tour guide made a superb visit even better thanks to his willingness to engage, his openness and his deep knowledge of the history, geology, ethnology and politics of the area. We all departed with a real education, not just many lovely photographs and a few souvenirs thanks to our guide's knowledge and enthusiasm. He was a superb representative of Peru and OAT.

Traveler: Shaun Byrnes from Falls Church, VA traveled on April 17, 2011

We took this trip on July 27, 2011 including the Avenue of the Volcanos. This was our first OAT trip.

This was Excellent was a few qualifiers.

The guides were all wonderful, knowledgeable, personable. However, if you are snorkeling in deep water in the Galapagos even if you are a good swimmer take the flotation device as the current is strong. The dingy Boats are there but on one occasion the boat was not near me and I had to swim a while to shore and in the deep water the guide was in front and not in back and I lost him.

All the dinners and lunches were really good. Breakfast was average in some hotels and I would suggest bringing high fiber cereal with you because there is none.

We go to the gym every day so we did not feel we got enough exercise. The most difficult was the 3 mile hike at Machu Pichu's Inca Trail and that was a piece of cake.

The hotels are just ok and vary. The hotel in Sacred Valley looked nice until we found a ton of mosquitos in our bathroom as someone left a window open and when they sprayed at our request they did not mop. Also not all hotels have heat so request they bring in a portable heater.
The hotel in Machu Pichu is lousy. The "on our own"restaurant we were taken to nevertheless served lamb and one of us got real sick on it. Also I would not sample the Guinea Pig at the home you visit in Peru. The food on the ship is great. I mean really great. However, they did not vacuum our cabin the first day.

The extension tour to the Avenue of the Volcanos is being discontinued in 2012. There were too many shopping shopping stops and not enough Volcano visits. I was not happy when we stayed only 15 minutes at Chimborazo Volcano and had no time to hike. It was cold and at 16,000 feet we were never told to bring warm clothing for that morning part of the extension.

The worst part of the trip was Miami Airport. Our flight had to turn back because of mechanical difficulty. We made an emergency landing at 1 a.m. with firetrucks on the runway because we could not dump fuel from the old 757. The plane was taken out of service and then the flight was canceled by American. We were sent downstairs to re-book at 2 a.m. OAT call center in Bangkok Thailand was clueless and said they would charge us if we had them re-book for us. I was asking for direction in terms of whether we should all travel together or get to Lima as we each saw fit. OAT never showed up in Miami until the next evening to try and help! American put us on a flight to Los Angeles and then we connected on LAN to Lima arriving almost a day late. Others got a Miami to Lima flight the next night. One guy was booked by American through Mexico City and was a day late and another couple got bumped on LAN and showed up 3 days late and no luggage. OAT knows all this stuff and has apologized although they say the problem was really on American Airlines. Still they are reviewing their policies in case this happens again so kudos to them.
Also when people clapped for service at Miami it was because American had nobody at the counter for like an hour. American's response was to call the police and threaten some people in the group with arrest! What a lousy Airline. LAN Airline however, is really good.

Traveler: Martin Leventon from Wynnewood, PA traveled on July 27, 2011

In order to get maximum benefit from this incredible trip, it is important to be in the best physical condition possible before leaving home. Our previous OAT trips had acquainted us with the demands of adventure travel. This trip I made the effort to train intensively beforehand, and I was able to complete without difficulty every activity offered. This was not possible for everyone on the trip.

In the mountains of Peru, the combination of high altitude, rocky steps, and uneven ground requires good cardiovascular fitness and strong legs. The preliminary training I undertook at home included long walks up and down hills, bumpy surfaces, and stair climbing. Even so, there were times on hikes at Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail when I needed my walking stick.

The several opportunities we had to snorkel in the Galapagos Islands were my peak experiences in Ecuador. They required swimming in deep and sometimes choppy water, particularly at the Devil's Crown and Kicker Rock. To really enjoy that underwater world, prior swimming and snorkeling practice helps a lot.

It is my belief that pre-trip physical conditioning also strengthened my defenses against various ailments such as digestive upset, altitude sickness, and colds, all of which were experienced by some folks on our trip.

I cannot praise this particular trip enough, so I have left that to the other reviewers. It is truly the trip of a lifetime. All I can say is be ready to get the most out of it.

Traveler: Sandra Newman from West End, NC traveled on March 11, 2011

I expected to love Machu Picchu and was not disappointed. It truly was a peak life experience. I decided to break out on my own so I would get to see both the Gate Keeper's House, as well as a further hike up the hill. I would not have wanted to miss either but the way this is structured if you stay with the group you must chose. Food is very important to me when I visit a new country and the experience in Peru was simply not what it could have been. Why? Our leader severely limited our choices of local food because "he thought he knew better what would keep us from experiencing stomach upset." Other tourists around us, even from other OAT groups, feasted on local specialties but we were allowed very few, to my dismay.

The Galapagos clearly exceeded my expectations and I loved all of the time spent in the water. The naturalist leader was terrific and snorkeled along side of me to show me sights I would have missed. The small ship experience was especially nice and the food was quite simply amazing! The chef even made me a special birthday cake!

I love the jungle so I wanted to visit the Amazon and am so happy that I did this pre-trip. Once again, having a true naturalist as a leader makes all of the difference and I felt that we got a more authentic experience and did more than the other groups who stayed at the same lodge. I caught my first piranha!

This is a trip I dreamed of for 20 years and remains one of my favorite travel experiences.

Traveler: Christine Gaunt from Seattle, WA traveled on February 13, 2011

I have some pictures of our group's recent trip to Machu Picchu and the Gallapogos Islands I owuld like to shae with OAT. Should I send them hard copy with our Trip Evaluation or digitally via this medium??

Traveler: Thomas Mcatee from Loogootee, IN traveled on June 20, 2011

Both Machu Picchu and the Galapagos are very worthy destinations.

But do not try to do both in 16 days. There a total of 7 different flights beginning at Miami. 7 flights in 16 days means that on average one flight every other day. It means that you are always going to or coming from an airport. Allowing 2 hours before a flight, this means a lot of your 16 days is not very "productive." Take 10 days (or longer) and go one destination, but not both. Or take 3 weeks or longer to go to both destinations.

Traveler: William Hatt from Etowah, NC traveled on December 15, 2010

We were thrilled with the OAT experience. Our guides, Juan de Dios and Christian Saa were exceptionally well informed, helpful, patient, flexible and personable. Machu Picchu has been on my wife's list since she was a child (and knew the Bingham family), so her first view was a dream come true.
When some fellow travelers were late due to airline problems, Juan made a new plan to explore so no one would miss what was on that day's itinerary.
All the OAT folks were unflappable when traffic or other unavoidable problems cropped up. We never felt that our day was compromised.
The accommodations were better than described...several spots were quite luxurious. The food was plentiful, fresh, interesting, and delicious. Going to small hotels gave us the opportunity to meet our hosts in a relaxed environment. We were treated like royalty!
I would recommend OAT (and have) to all our traveling friends. This trip was an absolutely incredible adventure.

Traveler: Frank Aleman from Dayville, CT traveled on April 04, 2011

We went on our first tour lead vacation in early June 2011 to Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands with OAT Travel on a friend’s high recommendation. We were NOT disappointed. My wife and I usually travel on our own and make up our own itinerary and transportation. This time we wanted to try a "small group" tour which OAT offered. We had 15 people in our group who were great and fun to travel with. The tour itself was well organized and not too hectic of a pace. The food and accommodations were fine and the price was a real bargain for all that we got. We spoke to others who said that National Geographic does pretty much the same itinerary but charges twice the price. Although the hotels might be a step up. Our trip leader in Peru, Juan, was wonderful and informative for our trips to all the ancient sites as well as Lima and Cusco to name a few. They are well trained by OAT before being allowed to lead a group on their own. The sites were remarkable! Its hard to believe that the Inca built all these places over about 500 years. The side trips to a local family to share a meal in Peru and also Quito and also seeing and enjoying an extraordinary orchestra made up of handicapped young adults was a nice touch. Made you see what the locals see not just the tourist places. Ecuador was also a great country with lots to see. The Galapagos Islands were really something to see especially with all the animals that are not afraid of humans. Our trip leader Ruly was terrific too! He knew every aspect of the islands as well as Quito and Ecuadorian history too. The most remarkable animal I thought were the sea lions which you see on most every beach or rocky area that you land on. Of course there are the tortoises too! Galapagos penguins, frigate birds and the list goes on. OAT did a great job with all the flights too. We had about 8 flights which include all the internal ones within Peru and Ecuador. This was the trip of a lifetime which also happened to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the discovery of Machu Picchu by Hiram Bingham. If you are considering a trip to Machu Picchu it’s really worth seeing the Galapagos Islands too. I would highly recommend OAT Travel for this adventure.

Traveler: Margaret Onesios from Allendale, NJ traveled on June 04, 2011

This trip was one continuing adventure. From Peru to Equador. From citries to mountain tops and to the seas of Galapagos everything was well paced and exciting. Our tour directors were exceptional and we trully enloyed the trip.

Traveler: Lorraine Thomas from Bonita Springs, FL traveled on September 21, 2010

Being at Machu Picchu has been a dream of a lifetime. It did not disappoint but was enhanced by all the other experiences in Peru. Foremost was our extraordinary guide, Pepe, who had a photographic memory and was a resource or incredible information. I enjoyed everything from the visit to a shanty town (which should not have been extra, but included in the total cost of the trip), to sitting quietly for 45 minutes atop Machu Picchu. It was there we saw llamas mating, a newborn and its placenta and the majesty and spirit of the setting. Timing was great and the variety of visits in cities and countryside was well balanced.

The Galapagos was an unforgetable treat. We swam with turtles and sea lions, talked with a frigate bird who landed on a lamp of the ship and enjoyed the excellent food on the ship. Our guide was very good and being a native of the islands knew everyone everywhere.

I enjoyed meeting the people, the 13 others on the trip (I would never travel with a much larger group) and the Peruvians and Ecuadorians.

My only frustration was in planning the trip. I had planned the year before, but due to the mudslides at Machu Picchu, had to postpone it for almost a year. OAT held onto my money the whole year (a deposit would have been enough). I also had some frustration arranging the air flights to try to get a direct flight to Lima from the New York area. They were finally accommodating, but it was a hassle until it was settled. Until 2 weeks before I left, I thought I would not have a roommate and was assigned one at the last minute. Everyone on the trip was friendly and helpful and got along well.

I would definitely consider another trip with OAT and highly recommend this one.

Traveler: Rhoda Ferat from Teaneck, NJ traveled on January 09, 2011

It's been almost a year since I traveled with OAT to Peru and Ecuador, and the experience is still fresh in my mind and heart. My husband and I had never traveled with a tour company before, preferring to go on our own. But this time we wanted to include so much in a short vacation time that we decided to take the recommendations of several friends and try OAT - it was the right decision!

OAT took care of everyone, all the time, in every circumstance. Our health and welfare, as well as our positive tour experiences, were of the utmost importance to every trip leader we had.

Trip leaders and co-leaders were knowledgeable about the wildlife, plant-life, history, and local people and their customs in each of the distinctive places we visited: Peruvian Amazon, Andes, and Lima; Ecuadorian Quito and The Galapagos Islands. Meals were simple, delicious, healthful, and plentiful. Accommodations ranged from good to great. The island-hopping boat was perfect, as were the crew.

We especially liked the opportunities provided by OAT for us to meet local people, enjoy local foods, have close encounters with wildlife, and visit the schools, clinics and soup kitchens that are supported by OAT and their travellers.

The information sent by OAT well before the trip began made it easy for us to pack for the three climates we would be in. Our main guide, Fredy Delgado, was an amazing Trip Leader!

If you've ever dreamed of holding hands with a Woolly Monkey, or walking through the vestiges of Inca life, or swimming with sea lions, you cannot go wrong with OAT as your source for travel adventure. We are planning our 2012 trip now!

Traveler: Tui Conner from Scottsdale, AZ traveled on September 01, 2010

My trip to Machu Picchu and the Galapagos exceeded my expectations. The descriptions in the travel brochures were quite accurate. Each day was appropriately full of sights and activity. We were kept quite busy (as I prefer it) and yet I never felt rushed. To me tying the sights to history is a very important factor and I must say that our guides were very professional, well informed and fountains of knowledge. And yet they had a way of making each one of us feel that we were important too.
I enthusiastically enjoyed the trip.

Traveler: James Moore from Walnut Creek, CA traveled on April 04, 2011

A trip I have always wanted to go on and was not disappointed . At 80 it was a bit too much but We made it . The guides were very different ,one from the other, but great. We also had a guide in Lima ,that I understood was in training,who was wonderful. The trip through the ruins was spectacular. The travel through the islands was interesting, I also learned to snorkkel,what fun while there.

Traveler: Ann De Vogt from Lexington, VA traveled on February 23, 2011

The Trip Leaders were outstanding. Their knowledge, endless patience and obvious love of their country were graciously shared with yet another group of tourists. Starwatching was a personal highlight and seeing the constellation of the Southern Cross was a first for me. Helping support a local school is far more rewarding than visiting yet another gift shop. Obviously the main attractions of the trip M.P and Galapagos, were indeed wonders of the world and I felt privileged to be there. The only downside: The sickening diesel stench in my cabin at Galapagos.

Traveler: Barbara Moore from Wichita, KS traveled on June 17, 2011

Machu Picchu & the Galapagos Islands was a trip of a life time. To be able to walk with the Llama's around Machu Picchu and to be part of the history of this lost city is an experience I will never forget. The Galapagos Islands are quite different to see thegiant turtles, the blue footed Boobies, just to be able to walk among the animals is a great experience.If you have the time see it before its gone.

Traveler: Deanna Varricchio from St. James, NY traveled on September 24, 2010

I traveled with OAT, for the first time, in July 2010. I traveled solo. This was my first experience in traveling to a destination alone. I was assigned a great room-mate and would not hesitate traveling this way again.
This trip far exceed my expectations. Our guides were attentive and very well versed in the geography, architectural history along with knowledge of plant and animal life in each segment of travel.
The itinerary was well designed allowing time to acclimate to the altitude prior to traveling to Cuzco. Our accommodations were well maintained; the rooms clean and comfortable. 'Day in the Life' is a memorable experience that no one should miss. You are invited into the homes of local residents and share a meal with the family. You will visit local schools and be invited to interact with the students. The Galapagos is another enriching and educational experience. To stand next to iguanas, seals, blue-footed boobies and not have them be frightened by your nearness is astonishing. The yacht was modern and very comfortable; the crew, friendly.
I shall definitely book another trip with OAT.

Traveler: Kathleen Costello from Long Beach, CA traveled on July 14, 2010

I had a wonderful time on this trip. It was very well organized, which is commendable given the number of planes, buses, boats, ferries and hotels we used. OAT made transfers seamless, which is no small feat. Kudos for that!

This trip required a considerable amount of walking on uneven terrain and steep slopes and steps. OAT was excellent in providing ample warning of this in all the information that was sent to us prior to the trip. I thought long and hard about that before determining to go. I was happy that my daily hikes prepared me for the rigours of craggy paths.

However, many people in my group either never read the material or chose to come in spite of being out of shape or disabled in some way. Many fell or needed personal attention to ensure that they did not fall or break any limbs.

To accommodate those who found it difficult, we had to alter the pace, slowing things down considerably.

Age should not determine who is appropriate for a trip like this, but perhaps OAT should ask travellers to provide a letter from a doctor determining fitness andor a rating system for trips to further explain that trips like this require a level of fitness and agility that many in our group did not possess.

Alvaro, our trip guide in Peru was excellent, caring, professional, and knowledgeable. The city guides were also wonderful, demonstrating passion and interest for their native lands.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about our trip guide in Ecuador. He lacked maturity and customer service skills, which got in the way of him imparting his considerable knowledge about plant and animal life.

The cuisine and staff on the Galaxy were outstanding. Given the small, hot quarters where the chef prepared our meals, it is remarkable that he was able to turn out such consistently tasty meals.

Food in Peru was good but very salty, so for those with high blood pressure, beware!

The stops at the gold store and the alpaca 'factory' felt like tourist traps. We spent far too much time shopping there, leaving little time to explore other local sites or shops. Moreover, the stores they took us to do not represent the quality or prices we found in other local stores. In fact, the items sold there were more expensive and not as interesting or unique as what we found exploring on our own.

Machu Picchu is magical and a must-see for anyone who loves magnificent vistas that come at the end of a good hike.

Travellers had varied reactions to the high altitude. Our trip advisor advised against taking medication for it; I followed his advice and drank the coca tea that he prepared daily. That seemed to work for me. But many others felt the effects of the high altitude, with or without the medications and coca tea.

It is difficult to determine who will be affected, but people with asthma or other respiratory problems should take this into consideration when planning a trip to this area.

The Galapagos Islands are lovely, a peaceful respite from city life that provide an opportunity to commune closely with nature. They are best suited to those who have a true passion for birds and animals, and appreciate Darwin's discoveries on the islands since getting there requires several planes, ferries and buses to get there.

Overall, I would highly recommend this trip to people who are in good physical shape to handle 6-hour daily hikes and high altitudes.

Traveler: Shirley Zussman from Toronto, Canada traveled on June 18, 2011

It was a fantastic trip. I wished I could have stayed longer in Peru. The people were warm, caring, giving, and most of all agreeable. The crew on the small ship sailing around the Galapagos were just as pleasant, warm, giving, and caring as the Peruvians. I highly recommend this trip. Pack lightly the weather is beautiful.

Traveler: Marina Hunt from Astoria, NY traveled on November 27, 2010

I very much enjoyed this trip. It was varied and very well organized. I was travelling alone and I was fortunate to have wonderful travelling companions. Our tour leaders were excellent - Juan de Dios and Jose in Peru were wonderful - both were informative and friendly and made the trip a great experience by sharing their personal stories with us. Oscar in Quito was equally friendly and informative and Daniel made our Galapagos Islands a fantastic experience with his friendliness and knowledge of the island and the wildlife. The only negatives were the stay in one hotel in Peru which was beautiful but remote and the home hosted dinner in Quito which was a little forced despite the fact that the family was very pleasant.

Traveler: Hilde Brautigam from Pleasant Hill, CA traveled on May 04, 2011

Getting to see Machu Picchu and the Galapagos in one trip is like getting two birds with one stone on your bucket list. Note: No birds were harmed on our trip!
This was our first trip with OAT and we enjoyed it immensely. We were particularly impressed with our Trip Leaders, Percy in Peru and Roberto in EcuadorGalapagos. They were with us 247. Even when they were in their home town, they were just down the hall in our hotel ready to solve any problem.
Having a group of 14 was relaxing. We all got along with each other and enjoyed ourselves. On two trips last year with another company, we had 40+ people, and it seemed that the trip leader always needed to herd the group. It also seemed that there was always someone unhappy or late, which put a damper on the whole group.
Having two days in Machu Picchu was great. It gave us time to explore without feeling rushed or crowded. We also enjoyed visiting and learning about some of the other Inca sites. However, what was most memorable were some of the impromptu stops like visiting the vegetable, fruit and livestock market in Urubamba. Not only did we see how they cleverly repurposed a bull fighting stadium into an open air market, but we also got to see 10 (live) pigs arrive at the market in a taxi! Another time, we passed a compact pickup truck with 3 people in the cab and 13 more, plus 2 dogs in the pickup bed! They were probably too jammed together to worry about falling out.
The visit to the equator and the demonstrations of how gravity is affected when you stand on the equator were fascinating. We also learned that northern hemisphere GPS systems are purposely about 20 to 30 meters off when used in the southern hemisphere. This makes geocaching challenging when south of the equator.
Next, it was on to the Galapagos. We were fortunate in having the SEAMAN, a catamaran yacht and its crew of seven. The crew was very professional and seemed to be one step ahead of you when responding to your desires. The cruise was great, the rooms comfortable (and air conditioned), the water temperature just right for fascinating snorkeling, and the food outstanding.
The wildlife, sea lions, iguanas, birds and tortoises, were as good as advertised. Often you had to back away in order to take their picture. At times, it seemed that the sea lions, both in and out of the water, were more curious about us than we were of them. The uniqueness of the wildlife is something we will always remember.
We really enjoyed most of the accomodations. Their local character seemed to fit well with the tour itinerary, and they were clean and comfortable. Of course, the hotel in Aguas Calientes (near Machu Picchu) suffered from its location. It seemed that every time you drifted off to sleep, another locomotive would come up the track just outside your window. People on the river side didn't hear the trains at all, but off course they had the noise of the rushing river. I guess it is just the luck of the draw.
The food was consistently excellent. Oftentimes, someone in our group would express our general feeling; "how did they ever find this place", since many places we ate were off the beaten track, and semi-exclusive to OAT.
We also took the post-trip "Avenue of the Volcanoes", and enjoyed it very much. We have already signed up for our next OAT trip this November (2011), "Real Affordable Costa Rica".

Traveler: Sandy & Dick Foster from Fayetteville, PA traveled on May 20, 2011

I will do my best to recall our trip with OAT even though it was a year ago. My wife and I have traveled extensively, although this was our first trip with OAT. Unequivocally, this was one of the best experiences we have ever had. The pre-trip preparation, transitions to flights and hotels, in country transport, and exit were seamless and, as much as could be expected, painless.
Our Peru portion of the trip was led by our local guide, Juan de Dios. I cannot say how much we enjoyed getting to know him, sharing in his knowledge, and really getting a feel for a country through the eyes of one who knew what he was talking about. He was exceptional in all aspects.
In Lima, in addition to the scheduled excursions, we would really recommend on the free time off to go to Huaca Pucllana, an adobe pyramid built by the Lima people and have lunch or dinner at the Restaurant Huaca Pucllana. Our meal there was to say the least memorable and one of the best we had on the entire trip. Speaking of food, we were especially pleased with the quality and variety of meals that we enjoyed throughout the trip. They were exceptional.
Our journey through Cusco, Urubamba, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu were all that could be expected. One note, there was a strike by local farmers while we were there which resulted in roadblocks and restricted travel, but Juan de Dios was able to juggle the schedule in a manner that allowed us to see all the scheduled places, although not in the order we expected. I can only describe the experience as breathtaking and one that we will fondly remember forever.
Our only disappointment on this portion was in the meal with the local family. We had been looking forward to tasting a cuy (guinea pig) and they only prepared one for the 16 people in our party.
Our local guide in Quito was named Jorge,(I think, but can't remember exactly). He was also excellent and we really enjoyed sightseeing around Quito and the Equator. Our local meal there was fine, they were a very nice, informative family, but I for one would really have enjoyed going to the night market that set up across from their house. I saw a program on the Travel Channel on the night food markets in Quito, and really regretted not being able to experience one.
Our trip through the Galapagos was unbelievable, although we were less than impressed by our local guide, Christian Saa. I would rate his effort with an OK, but he seemed more interested in being home than he was with developing a relationship with us travelers. We all found him fairly aloof and would interact only if we specifically got his attention about a subject of interest. He did know his islands and was very informative when he warmed to the subject.
I would highly recommend bringing sea sickness pills along. The trips out and back on the boat were very rough, although the inter-island trips were serene. The boat we stayed on was comfortable, the crew was friendly, competent, and excellent in every way.
The food was the best we had on the entire trip. We took the option for a 3 day boat trip and one night in the hotel and were glad we did. The day on land allowed us to recover from the aforementioned rough trip home.
Diving with the sea lions and the penguins was by far the highlight of the trip for my wife and I. The diversity of life and environments were amazing from island to island.
As I said before, this was the trip of a lifetime and I cannot recommend it more. You need to go on this adventure, you won't regret it.

Traveler: Ira Mccauley from Chesterfield, MO traveled on June 15, 2010

I loved this trip . My first OAT trip. I was'nt disappointed with anything. Our trip leader in Peru was Freddie. Wonderful man, knowledgable, and interesting himself. The food was sooo good. Have a few Pisco sours, the national drink. They all really out did themselves. Inca ruins gallore. Truly no where else in the world can you see this. How lucky I feel. Accomodations were everything from very nice to adequate. Believe me you're not in your room much. Bed and bathroom are all you need but you get alot more than that. The food in all the hotels I ate in was very good. Try the alpaca, yum. The Galapagos Islands, wow!! Everyone should go there for a visit. An unbelievable place. Again one of a kind, how lucky can I be. The ship stay was outstanding, what a crew. Miguel was our trip leader there. Quite the expert. All flora and fauna you want to know. And his lovely family live there. What a life. The food and accomodations on ship were great. I got seasick, but still had a good time. If You don't enjoy this trip, see a doctor. Then the Ecuador main land post trip. George was our leader. Knowledgable as well. Food again outstanding. Different from the Peruvian style, of course. But I did'nt know what to expect and was very pleased. Oh I forgot, if you like sweet wine,you won't find any. It's all dry. But I got used to it. Plus lots of other things to have, usually full bar. The drive we took south east on the Pan-American highway, was breath taking. Wow, the views. Make sure you take extra batteries and film card you'll want all the pictures. Oh, also it gets cold at the high elevations. Take something warm.Lots of sweaters to buy if you forget one though. All and all the trip was totally fabulous. Would like to take my husband next time! Fellow travelers were a treat as well. Thank you for all. My next trip is scheduled already for 2012. Can't wait!!!!!

Traveler: Vicki Shreckengost from Stoystown, PA traveled on January 01, 2010

Awesome trip! I've traveleled extensively, but this was my first (and certainly not last) trip with OAT.

All of the guides were great, very helpful and fun! AND the fellow passengers were terrific as well. Small groups and small ships are the only way to go from now on.

My favorite part ... wherever I was at the time! Seriously, I loved everything, but I fixate on the Galapagos ... the pristine beauty, the peace and the wonderful, unafraid birds and animals.

Only one negative ... As a New York resident with easy access to LGA, JFK and Newark, it would have been so much more convenient to fly directly to Lima ... shorter travel time and less aggravation!

Would I do it again?

In a heartbeat!

Traveler: Joan Frank from Valhalla, NY traveled on May 26, 2010

We feel the small ship in Galapagos is very rough and most people in our group had sea sickness even we took the pill and wear the sea-band.

The lunch in Quito, at historic section. We were told that we will have a light lunch. We thought we will have a sandwich but we had a soup and 2 pieces of hors d'œuvre, which is not enough for people need to have a walking tour after lunch and late dinner.

Traveler: Jennifer Lo from San Leandro, CA traveled on May 27, 2011

I had always wanted to go to all 3 places & was thrilled to have them all on one trip. Every aspect of my dealings with OAT was first class and they exceeded all my expectations from beginning to end. The Traveler's Handbook was the best I've ever gotten - it had everything I needed to know.

The Amazon pre-trip was fabulous. Monkeys are a passion of mine and we saw them at our lodge and in a monkey village.

Machu Picchu was just as you see on posters - unbelievable!

The Galapagos Islands were fabulous as was travel on the small ship. Seeing Blue Footed Boobies, Sally Lightfoot Crabs, Sea Lions, ancient Tortoises that were big enough to ride on and the gorgeous flowers and plants on the islands was surreal. Snorkeling and seeing sea turtles, stingrays and even a reef shark right underneath me was a highlight. The guides everywhere were superb.

The Amazon was unbelievably HUMID so dressing as lightly as possible is the key. We went during a time when mosquitos weren't an issue so didn't need all the repellant products I took but better to be prepared.

I can't say enough good things about OAT, the accommodations, guides, etc. and I will definitely travel with them again in the near future. They made my dream trip a very memorable experience.

Thank you OAT and all your representatives.

Traveler: Beverly Brown traveled on September 01, 2010

We returned have just returned from a wonderful whirlwind tour of Peru and Ecaudor with OAT's Machu Picchu and the Galapagos trip. Now that we have had time to do laundry and catch our breath, I have been thinking about our magical time there and would like to share some of my reflections and impressions.

I won't try to do a day-by-day list of activities--mainly because I suspect that every trip is a little bit different and you want to have your own surprises along the way. The trip leaders seem especially good at adapting the schedule to whatever is going on, and giving each trip a unique perspective.

You should know that my husband and I are in our early 70's. We are both retired school teachers--elementary for me and high school science for my husbnd. He had wanted to take this trip for a long time, and decided we weren't getting any younger (or richer). We are fairly fit--we walk and bike and do gardening, etc. But this trip was very strenuous. I'm glad we didn't wait any longer.

The trip really was like two very different adventures. First was the week enjoying sights and sounds and the culture of Peru with our wonderful guide Pavel. Then we flew off to meet Juan Carlos who whished us off to the Monserrat, our boat for the Galapagos cruise. Everyone in our group remarked on how we felt like we were "starting over" in Ecuador with a new burst of energy.

And we did need that burst of energy, because every single day of both weeks was filled with interesting things to see and do.

So first: Perus. Of course the centerpiece of that part of the trip is Machu Piccu. But there was so much more to see and learn about. We saw many other Inca ruins along the way, and Pavel was very good at giving us a feel for the history of the whoe Inca empire. At the same time we learned aboaut the present-day culture of Peru, of course.

The trip starts in Lima on the Pacific coast--a big, congested city evidently famous for its foggy, grey days. Our hotel was very close to the shore, and I thought the lovely park and mall area along the beach was the best part of the city. Nearly everyone in our group accepted Pavel's recommendation to have one of our "meals on our own" in a buffet restaurant there on the shore, with a folk-dancing show following the meal. A very nice evening and a good way to kick off our visit.

We also all decided to go on the optional excursion to a "shanty town" on the outskirts of town where we were moved by the struggles of young families to make a living in the big city. That optional tour also featured a visit to the ruins of an Inca sun temple on the shore. While we were there we were fortunate to watch a procession of colorfully dressed Peruvians making their way to the top of the sun pyramid where they conducted ceremonies to celebrate the Winter Solstice.

After two days in Lima we flew to Cuzco. I had prepared for the high altitude by taking medication, but I still felt a little headachey at first. And I quickly found that I couldn't walk fast without gasping for breath. My husband didn't have much of an appetite as long as he was in the mountains. I don't think anyone in our group had any real big problems. Others who have been there suggested drinking the coca tea, and I did. But Pavel advised against taking it in the evening because he said it would interfere with sleep.

I thought the bus ride into the Sacred Valley was a highlight. Coming down the mountain overlooking the valley below was really breathtaking. And I loved the rustic little Ecoandina Hotel where we stayed--although other reviewers were not happy with the rather basic accommodations. It was kind of chilly, but we slept well under the comforters in the rooms. And the big open lodge had fires going. The courtyard was filled with flowers and a little flowing stream. I thought it was charming.

And I even liked the Hanaqpacha Inn on the river at the foot of the mountain where Machu Picchu is located, even though we had to climb stairs to get to our tiny room, and there was no hot water at all!

I should add that all the other hotels on the tour were actually very nice, although you can't drink the water in any of them. (You shouldn't even brush your teeth with tap water.) Both guides saw to it that we always had plenty of bottled water.

More disconcerting, to me, was the fact that you can't flush toilet paper at all, anywhere!

Anyway, back to the Peru segment of the trip. The visits to local markets, the school, the home-hosted lunch--all were wonderful and interesting experiences. The train ride was crowded, but very scenic.

The trip is planned so you can spend an afternoon exploring Machu Picchu with your guide, and then go back early the next morning to explore more on your own or walk a two-mile segment of the Inca Trail up the the mountain pass called The Sun Gate. Nearly everyone in our group decided to hike the trail, including us. The views along the way were spectacular, but still I'm not sure I should have done it. It was hard work and I had to stop to catch my breath every few feet. Our local guide provided walking sticks, and they were very helpful.

As I said, the second half of the trip in Ecuador was like starting all over again with a new guide in a new country. Of course the biggest part of our time in Ecuador was on a little boat going from island to island in the Galapagos.

I loved the easy-beachy atmosphere on the boat. We all were instructed to shuck our sandy shoes each time we came aboard, and everyone just went barefoot all the time on the boat. The Monsarrat crew was friendly and very accommodating. The food was ample and good. And the days were very, very busy. Each day we explored a new island (sometimes two) plus snorkeling in one or two locations.

We got up early and went to bed early. Most days the boat was anchored during the day and moved from island to island during the night. I went from altitude meds to Bonine for motion sickness, and was never bothered by the boat rocking around. But I will have to report that two or three of our group got very sich during one particularly rough night.

Juan Carlos seemed to know everything--from animals to birds to fish to stars, in addition to history, culture and politics. He was a very patient snorkeling instructor for those of us who were novices, and everyone in our group got to see the colorful fish around the islands in their natural habitat. Many got to swim with sea lions, penquins (and even sharks!).

Which brings me to a suggestion I made on the evaluation forms to OAT: Bring two swimsuits! Sometimes we snorkeled twice a day, and pulling a wet swimsuit off and on is not fun.

Also, while I'm talking about packing choices: I wished I had not bothered with several semi-dressy tops, but had put in a couple more lightweight cardigans.

After the Galapagos portion of our visit in Ecuador I was afraid that our tour of Quito would be anticlimactic. But we spent a very interesting day seeing the city and going to the actual Equator and standing with a foot in each Hemisphere.

It was a terrific trip on so many levels. We had looked forward to doing it for years, as I said--and it didn't disappoint!

Traveler: Carroll Van Horn from Salem, WV traveled on June 17, 2011

This was our first trip with OAT and surely it will not be our last. It was more than we expected because of our excellent guides in both countries. Reuben Aragon in Peru was much more than we expected. His knowledge of his country and williness to share it all with us was superb! We were pleased with all of the accomendations except for The Ecoandina Hotel in the Sacred Valley, OAT needs to find another accomendation in that area, The staff was friendly but It was so cold and had no heating . Just by accident we happened to be there during the Celebration of the Summer Solstice and also the Celebration of Corpus Christi. These were both very interesting and we enjoyed the events in Cuzco and the Sacred Valley. Reuben filled us in on what was going on regarding the parades, who participated and the local customs. Ruben was delighted that we were in the right place at the right time. So our bus driver, Eber, pulled over and we all got out and watched the festivities. Machu Picchu was everything and more than we expected. What an amazing Wonder of the World! We climbed a portion of the Inca Trail the second day and were glad we had walking sticks. Weather was good - a little cool, a little rain but no bugs. We enjoyed our meals at local restaurants and had some special treats. Our home hosted lunch family served Guinea Pig on Father's Day - a special treat on a special day. It also happened to be one of our fellow traveler's birthday. Ruben arranged to have a cake baked personalized with Doug's name. At a restaurant we had an opportunity to taste Alpaca. Because of Ruben's attention to every detail, knowledge of Peruvian history, especially his expertise regarding Machu Picchu, this was an unforgettable trip - for sure!!!!.
Our guide in Ecuador was Roberto Quintana - a gem in the OAT guide corps. He is a native of Ecuador and was very knowledgeable of his country. and kept us very well informed. The home hosted dinner allowed us to visit and dine with a family in Quito. The Sinamune School was incrediible to see!! What talent those students have. We enjoyed singing and dancing with them as well as watching them perform. The Galapagos were spectacular! To be standing but a few inches from all of the unique mammals, reptiles and birds on the islands was unreal. Roberto always kept us informed and was there for all our questions or needs. He handled an emergency of one of our fellow travelers in a very efficient manner. Weather again was terrific - mid 70s the entire time and a little blessing from the rain gods now and then. We snokeled three times with Roberto and you would have thought he was one of the sea lions - diving and playing with them and pointing out all of the rest of the sea life: sharks, turtles, iguanas, and many more. The Carina was very comfortable, a little rocky most of the time, but we think that is to be expected on a small ship. The crew were helpful and friendly. The food prepared by Raul and presented by Carlos was excellent!!! Yummy, yummy!!!
All in all this is a trip not to miss. Congrats to the OAT staff in Peru and Ecuador for selecting the guides: Reuben Aragon and Roberto Quintana! We're looking forward to our next OAT adventure.

Traveler: Rick and Joyce Flower from Santa Ana, CA traveled on June 15, 2011

We just came back from the Machu PicchuGalapagos trip. And, we can’t say enough good about it. On a macro level, we were a little concerned about the level of activity – we are reasonably fit and quite active. Our group had two 40 year olds and several very vigorous couples so it was not a problem. On the Peru leg there was plenty of hiking and climbing and those who wanted to were encouraged to take the 2 mile hike up to the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu over the end of the Inca Trail. On the Galapagos leg, the guide smartly created two types of activities so each could find hisher level. Both guides (Juan in Peru and Luis in Ecuador) were tops - knowledgeable, organized, interested, sensitive and a pleasure to be around. And, they took care of the group.

The OAT description of the trip doesn’t do it justice. But, there is no way to describe standing on top of the world at 9000 feet at the end of the Sacred Valley and looking down on one of the wonders of the world, or the sheer joy of chasing (while snorkeling) sea turtles and sea lions off Santa Fe island in the Galapagos. To illustrate the interest the guides took in our having a good time, our boat passed near a school of Dolphins in the Galapagos, and Luis got us into the Pangas (zodiacs) and we mingled and played among the school for an hour.

There is always advice for those who are considering the trip. Bring more sun screen than you think you need. Prepare for the altitude – it can really affect you. Aside from medications, a little aerobic exercise in advance is a good idea. Hiking shoes (there are some that are really stiffer soled sneakers with greater traction and waterproof) are a good investment.

Those who had many OAT trips under their belt said the food was the best they had on any of their trips. Juan was clearly a foodie and took pains to make sure we had good choices, and if you get the Carina (boat) in the Galapagos you will want to take Raoul, the chef home.

There are always small problems. One was the Carina – it needed a little down time – the ac didn’t work in some cabins for a few days, and the hot water wasn’t always available. But the crew was great and really took care of us. And all (including Luis) do everything possible to fix whatever came up.

It was simply a great trip.

Traveler: Stephen Glazer from New York, NY traveled on March 19, 2011

We just returned from this trip (July 24-Aug 8) and it was as fantastic as it was billed to be. Previous negative reviews I think reflect unfortunate circumstances that could happen to anyone. No such problems on this trip. Our trip leaders (Freddy Avalos - Peru and Roberto Quintana King - Ecuador) could not have been better. Different but excellent, knowledgeable, organized and caring. They took care of everything perfectly and there were no problems. The trip is arduous, especially in Peru. (we were always walking UP! ) Many of us suffered somewhat from the high altitude but Freddy was very understanding and helpful. OAT doers a terrific job of communicating with you the details and what you need for the trips and there were no surprises. Machu Picchu is a magical place and Freddy struke the right balance between leading us and giving us individual time to just soak up the majesty of the place. For me the Galapagos was the best because of the unique environment, the beauty of the islands and the closeness of the wildlife. I could not say enough about the Carina. Fabulous ship, crew, facilities and the food was incredible. The sea was a bit rough when we sailed between islands but calm when we dropped anchor.. Everyone was prepared and nobody was ill from the motion. We spent 4 nights and visited about 9 islands. Except for albatross and flightless cormorants, we say about everything else common in the islands. They provide wet suits on the Carina as no cost and we all used them. Water was cold but after about 1-2 min of adjustment, we were all comfortable in the water. I swam with a large Pacific Green Sea turtle for about 5-10 min one day. What an experience.
Roberto could not have been a better guide. Knowledgeable with a great sense of humor he struck the right pace and showed us the full spectrum of diversity the islands offer. He went out of his way to help and was always attentive. This was our second trip with OAT and as appears to be typical our group was congenial and considerate of everyone else which made for great fun. OAT appears to package these trips so you get a flavor of not only the main event s(Machu Picchu; Galapagos is) but also you get to meet the people, expereience the culture, history, music, food, etc. For us it is the complete experience that we seem to want in adventure travel. In a short timer we have a feeling for Peru and Ecuador that we might not have acquired had we visited on our own. A good example is the home hosted meals. Both were excellent and we really got to interact with the people in a unique way. The food was home cooked, representative of the counrty and extremely good. Communication was not a problem.
In summary this was a fantastatic experience just as our previous trip to Africa had been. We will almost certainly travel with OAT again. Although I do not want to dismiss negative comments others have had, understand that part of the adventure is that not everything goes right all the time. Its an unrealistic expectation. Sometimes there is no hot water in the hotel, or you get sick, or planes are late or you get a less than optimal trip leader. Part of the experience is knowing that you can adapt. So note the negative remarks but don't let them dissuade from a great experience. I am sure there are many tour groups but I am also just as sure they all have the same occasional problems. So far OAT has been flawless for us.

Traveler: Paul Stromberg from Westerville, OH traveled on July 24, 2010

This is an outstanding trip. Two things to be certain to be aware of. It is a physically taxing trip (especially the Peru portion) and should not be thought of as a "relaxing vacation." On the other hand, if you are reasonably fit, you should not be deterred. Our group of 14 people ranged in age from mid-50's to early 70's plus 2 teenagers. Also, there is a substantial amount of flying and a fair amount of time waiting in airports. This is not a problem, but you should be aware of it in advance.
The trip was excellent in almost every way. There was one deficit in the Galapagos portion (to be addressed later) but the trip was so amazing that I could not give it less than 4 stars.
The time in Lima is fairly limited and this is appropriate. Not all that much of interest there. The hotel we used, the Jose Antonio, was quite nice and comfortable. Definitely take the optional trip to Villa El Salvadore. It is very interesting.
What made the Peru part of the trip so outstanding (in addition to the amazing Incan ruins) was the best group leader we have ever had on any tour with any company. Jose (Pepe) Campoy was outstanding. He clearly cared about the group, was attentive to everyone's needs and interests, was honest and forthcoming in providing information and opinions and was very knowledgeable. He dealt with all matters with good humor and professionalism. When it was learned that there was going to be a strike in the Cusco region that would interfere with travel and could have left us stranded in Machu Pichhu, he quickly worked with the office to alter our itinerary to make sure that we got to do and see everything we came to Peru for. He kept the group fully informed and, therefore, everyone took the changes in good spirit. When strikers blocked the road during our return from Machu Pichhu, Pepe ran in front of the bus, chasing the strikers and clearing the road so we would make it through.
Pepe had so much information and was so anxious to share it with us. Our stay in Cusco was wonderful. Lots of interesting things in the area. The hotel there, also Jose Antonio, was also quite nice. Some of the special things are so memorable. The home lunch and the healing ceremony were truly wonderful.
Of course, the highlight is Machu Pichhu. There are no words or pictures that can do it justice. You just have to go there and experience it. I definitely recommend taking the optional hike up the mountain above MP. The view is magnificent.
The time in Quito is also fairly limited but sufficient. The visit to the equator was very interesting and the visit to the Sinamune Orchestra school was truly memorable. The hotel there, Mercure Alameda, is very nice. The Galapagos Islands are amazing. Be ready to see more interesting flora and fauna than you ever imagined. The boat, The Carina, was quite comforatble (although a bit rocky). The crew was exceptional. Very polite and very accommodating. The food was excellent and fortunately, they had wet suits on board for those who wanted to snorkel, because the water is quite cool. I highly recommend the snorkeling. So what is the one deficit? Our group leader in Ecuador and the Galapagos, Roberto Peralvo, was really quite poor. As excellent as Pepe was in Peru, Roberto was just the opposite. Although he seemed to be a nice young man who knew a great deal about nature and the Galapagos, he clearly does not have the skills to be a group leader. He did not seem to enjoy being with people in the group. Whenever he had the choice to be by himself or with the group, he always chose to be alone. He did not share information easily and when he did share it, it had to be pried out of him. When we went out on a walking tour, he always walked 20-30 feet ahead of the group, never looked back, and didn't talk with members of the group unless we forced the issue. It was unnerving to know that if someone had gotten hurt or became ill, Roberto would not have even known about it unless someone called after him. I feel quite confident in saying that the opinions I expressed about both Jose (Pepe) and Roberto are shared but all of the members of the group. Because the Galapagos Islands are so interesting and the crew on the Carina is so good, even Roberto's deficiencies could not ruin the trip. However, it could have been so much better if Roberto had been more forthcoming and interactive.
In total, this was a "trip of a llifetime" and is very highly recommended

Traveler: David from East Brunswick, NJ traveled on June 12, 2010