Explorandes Anmeldelser 36

Explorandes' team did an outstanding job during our weeklong trip to Cusco-the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Logistics, tickets, hotels, all of it was smooth, and their guides are passionate and knowledgeable about the sites we were visiting. As tourism has increased globally, travel has gotten more complex in a sense, with limited space and availability at many highly visited places. The Sacred Valley is one of these. I would highly recommend a competent firm, such as Explorandes, to make your trip enjoyable and a success.

I had an unforgettable experience with Explorandes on the Inca Trail in December. From start to finish, their team demonstrated impeccable organization, warmth, and expertise. Every detail was thoughtfully handled, making the journey both manageable and memorable.

1. Pre-Trip Support
The Explorandes team reached out well before the trip to coordinate pick-up and answer questions. Our guide, Wilber, even came to our hotel the night before to share insights on the trail and give tips, which put us at ease and got us excited for the adventure ahead. They provided us with backpacks for the items carried by their team, which made the hike much more comfortable since we only needed a small day pack with essentials like water.

2. The Journey Itself
The trail begins in a scenic valley and winds through diverse landscapes, taking us through forests, high altitudes, and valleys with stunning Inca sites and mountain views. Wilber was outstanding, sharing historical context and fascinating facts along the way, which enriched our appreciation of each site. One of the most breathtaking sections was the climb to Warmiwanusca (4215m) and the descent through areas filled with colorful orchids, adding a magical touch to the landscape.

3. Cultural Enrichment
We interacted with local communities along the way and were introduced to traditional rituals to honor the "Apus" (sacred mountains). The team explained the ritual with coca leaves, and we even learned a few Quechua words. These touches created a deep sense of connection to the land and culture.

4. Wildlife & Scenic Beauty
We encountered a rich variety of wildlife, from hummingbirds and butterflies to llamas and even a condor. The flora was equally impressive, with orchids and diverse plant species adding to the beauty of the trail. Each campsite was chosen for its stunning views, allowing us to camp near Inca sites and enjoy the sunrise over breathtaking landscapes.

5. Comfort & Facilities
Given the challenging nature of the hike, I was grateful to only carry a small day pack, with Explorandes handling the rest. Each evening, our tents were set up for us, complete with sleeping bags provided by Explorandes. Meals were a delight – breakfasts were varied, and lunches were packed to enjoy along the trail with scenic views. For lunch and dinner, their chef would set up a kitchen in nature, serving multi-course meals (always an entrance, main course and dessert). A favorite snack was the tequeños with guacamole, which we asked for repeatedly! Additionally, they provided a portable toilet for convenience, and we even had showers on the first night and a chance to swim in the river mid-hike.

6. Machu Picchu Arrival
Our arrival at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate was the perfect finale, just as the Incas would have seen it centuries ago. The views of Machu Picchu from above were surreal, and the sense of accomplishment and awe was beyond words.

While we had a few cloudy moments (it was December, so the rainy season), the views, cultural experiences, and care from the Explorandes team made it an incredible journey. I highly recommend this adventure with Explorandes – it was challenging but filled with beauty, and the team made it a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Thank you Wilber and Explorandes Team, definitely see you soon!

I had one of the best trips of my life with Explorandes at the Inka Trail. The staff was top notch, very knowledgeable and friendly. I met amazing people along the way who I have the pleasure to call friends. Definitely want to repeat the trip and would recommend it to anyone who wants to explore the Andes while making memorable moments for life.

Did Choquequirao with explorandes and the service was over top! Fabulous food, tidy tents, comfy sleeping bags and eco friendly toilet just for the group to name a few..!
They even time the walks with sun positions so we almost entirely walk in shadowy area!

On the positive side our Short Machu Picchu Trek (2-day) was excellent and our guide Herman was superb. But it was a struggle to communicate with the office to understand what we were purchasing, the schedule and train reservations, and it was overpriced.

The best way to experience the incredible Andes and reach Machu Picchu! We had an absolutely amazing time with our guides and their knowledge made learning the history unforgettable. Everything from service to accommodations was beyond expectations.

Experience of a Lifetime

Our trip was absolutely incredible! I was fortunate to connect with Luisa, who organized everything perfectly. She really understood what my family and I were looking for and crafted a trip that exceeded our expectations. We spent several days in the Sacred Valley, immersing ourselves in outdoor activities and making the most of every moment.

The Short Inca Trail is something I highly recommend to everyone. A special shoutout to our guide, Neptali, whose empathy and deep knowledge of the Incas truly made this experience unforgettable. It was the trip of a lifetime!

I couldn’t recommend this company more. I only wish they organized trips to other destinations as well—if they could replicate these experiences elsewhere, I would definitely book more adventures with Explorandes.

We did the 5D/4N Inca Trail to Machu Picchu plus 3 days in the Sacred Valley for acclimation before the big hike and another full day and 2 nights in Cusco before flying out.

Originally we had planned to go in 2020 with another couple but the pandemic forced us to postpone the trip until this year. By then we had convinced other family and friends to go and we ended up being a group of 9 in a private tour with Explorandes.

The itinerary was very well set up with time to acclimate in the Sacred Valley, the 5-day Inca Trail adventure with plenty of time to visit Machu Picchu and the final day touring Cusco. Explorandes office staff were very helpful and informative throughout the planning and booking process. Staff on the ground - drivers, folks helping us with airport transfers, checking into flights, etc. - were also most helpful.

The staff on the Inca Trail from the porters to the cooks to our guides were absolutely amazing! Miguel, our main guide, was unbelievably great. He was a wealth of information about the trail and the pre-columbian history and culture. He was warm, funny, very patient and always made us feel like we were his top priority. His command of English (and Italian!) was excellent! Elena was also a great assistant guide, always making sure we were taken care of an no one was being left behind.

We were amazed by the quality of the food on the trail, the quality of the camping equipment and the staff. How can they cook some really good pasta at 9,000 feet?

The hotels chosen by Explorandes and that were all part of the package were amazing. A very luxurious hotel in the Sacred Valley, a good hotel in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) and a fantastic hotel in Cusco.

I could not recommend Explorandes more. They will make sure you have a wonderful experience. The Inca Trail is very challenging, specially for a group like ours where many of the participants were over 60. But the Explorandes staff made sure that we could make it through and have a lot of fun in the process.

Thank you for an amazing experience, Explorandes!

We couldn't be happier with our choice to use Explorandes for our Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu. I've worked in travel for more than a decade with some of the top tour operators and lodges in the world and every detail about this trip was amazing. The itinerary, the guides (OMG the best guides), the accommodations (modest but great), the food (I'm vegetarian), and the service from booking to the final day were all incredible.

This feels like a once-in-a-lifetime trip because of just how smooth everything went, we were able to relax and focus on soaking up every minute without the stress of having to plan everything ourselves. Also, highly recommend making the trek to Machu Picchu! Truly a special place and experience.

We can't wait to get back to Peru and have another adventure with them.

What an unforgettable experience we had thanks to Banesa and her team’s meticulous planning for every aspect and phase of our adventure which took us from Lima to the Amazon rain forest, to the cloud forest, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Paracas and the amazing Nazca Lines overflight as the grand finale. All of our escorts and guides were so efficient and attentive to our needs and nothing was too much trouble for them as was the case with the staff in every lodge and hotel we stayed at. All of the guides undergo such rigorous training to gain their positions that they possess an encyclopedic knowledge of their assigned territory and have a ready and informed answer to every question you might put to them and their command of english put us to shame with our limited spanish! Peru is a country of so many contrasts so 2-3 weeks of travel will never be enough to cover each and every major site but we came away with the feeling that we had not missed out on anything. You may find other companies who can make similar itineraries for less money but in the end quality is remembered long after price is forgotten and the personal touch that Explorandes offers is priceless. We look forward to our return and Explorandes will definitely be our provider once again.

Even before we arived to Peru, our travel specialist, Banesa, was so helpful, informative, and patient as we discussed our many options. Once we arrived, our guide, our porters, our accommodations were all truly the best! From day one, our guide Miguel was so personal and engaging. We spoke about the history and culture thst was during the Inca period and even present day.
Waking up to coca tea each day, and continuing with a snack for the hike and excellently prepared meals, we were so spoiled throughout this amazing hike. My daughter were so pleased with each and every aspect of this hike and I would love to go again one day.

The team was great, gave us a lot of insights, took care of us and offered an outstanding experience.

The walk in the mountains 🏔️ was unique, super positive energy, very calm and not tourist.

So many good things to say…will try to keep it short.
- Original booking was in 2019 but did not travel until 2023 for obvious reasons
- They communicated for all those years on a regular basis even with multiple “agents” coming and going
- Kept a small deposit the whole time but honored the original price. Amazing integrity through the whole process
- Our guide Wilfredo was excellent. Incredibly knowledgeable and shared some unique experiences and places on the 5 day Inca Trail hike.
- Staff was amazing and accommodated allergies and vegetarians from some of our party but also served meat for the rest. They went out of the way to make something special for everyone. Camp and tents were always ready and clean…especially the Banos
- Route and camp locations were well chosen and some were private to Explorandes.
- Wish we had used them for the rest of our adventures in Peru

The entire team was incredibly supportive, the guide planned the hikes/campsites well, the guide was knowledgeable about history, and the food was incredible!

The trip was beautiful, We loved the more secluded camping sites, smaller group, and incredible food. Explorandes helped make our trip to Cusco, the Inca trail, and rainbow mountain a fantastic, elevated experience

Our trip was amazing! Our guide, German, was incredibly knowledgeable and attended to every detail and took wonderful care of us. Due to his strategic planning, we hiked most days on the Inca Trail without seeing any other hikers! The rest of the work crew were fabulous- so kind and hard working! The scenery was stunning and learning about the Inca history was fascinating. I would 100% recommend this trip and this company to anyone wanting to go to Peru!