Andean DiscoveryReviews of andeandiscovery.com

We chose Andean team to help plan and lead out adventure to celebrate my Sons school graduation. Over 12 days we visited Ecuador, Peru and the Galapagos. We had world class diving experience at the Galapagos surrounded by a multitude of sharks, and rays, endless variety of ocean species. the Hammerhead school was a highlight. We explored the islands and enjoyed the hikes and diversity of the islands. Marine iguanas,Giant Tortoise, pink flamingos, blue footed Boobies, and more. incredible experience with our world class guide Julio! Then it was onto Ecuador, explore the city, rainforests and equator museum, all really interesting, and thrilling with a morning Zip Lining above and through the rainforest. The last leg of the trip was through Peru, exploring the city and Inca history and cities. The incredible vision and craftsmanship of the Inca on full display throughout the city of Cusco, exposed the heavenly skies of the Sacred Valley and stories of the stars before the rise of the new full moon. A few nights of luxury at inkaterra resorts before exploring Machu Picchu with our guide Cesar! incredible experiences, truly fantastic guides and overall trip designed for a lifetime memories. I wouldn't change a think if I could do it again given the opportunity. Thank you Andean team!

This was my first time having a tour agency while I traveled, and I thought it was spectacular. It was so lovely to have the details such as private bus rides, boat rides, and scheduling taken care of so my family and I could just enjoy the trip! I am so grateful to Andean Discovery for the amazing service my family and I received. I miss our guide in the Galápagos, Priscila Sotomayor! She was so knowledgeable and experienced right from the beginning, so I knew we were in good hands. She was also very good at reading the group; she adjusted her walking pace if we needed to slow down, she would bring specific people to the front of the group to see an animal she knew they loved, and she would crack the funniest jokes! I can't say enough good things about her. She was a part of the family by the end! Our guide and bus driver, Antonio Jaramillo and Wilson respectively, were equally as amazing and I'm sorry we didn't get to spend as much time with them. To have Antonio as the first person we met when we arrived in Quito was just incredible. He was such a friendly face. And to see him back in Quito when our trip to the Galápagos was finished was so lovely. My family and I particularly loved having both Antonio and Wilson with us as we hiked through the Mindo Cloud Forest. They pointed out different bird calls and would tell us whenever they spotted a bird. It was the trip of a lifetime, and I'll never forget the experiences I had! One last thing I'll mention - The 2-hour speed boat ride between Santa Cruz and Isabela Island has a lot of negative reviews. It's understandable. However, I'd argue that it's really not Andean Discovery's fault. The company is limited to the resources available to them in the Galápagos, which are either the speed boat ride or the small airplane rides between islands. Andean Discovery cannot control the rough seas in the summer months, and they can't control who is driving the boat! I will say that I never felt like it was unsafe - ie. that the boat would tip over. And, the boat ride coming back from Isabela Island to Santa Cruz in the wee hours of the morning was infinitely better. Whether the seas were calmer or the boat driver was more careful about navigating the waves, I'm not sure. Just take all the possible precautions with you on the boat - Dramamine, sea bands for both wrists, herbal ear patches, gum, plastic bags, earplugs (to muffle the engine if that bothers you, and so you don't hear those who get sick..!), and ponchos (for anyone who sits in the back of the boat. Depending on the seas you may really need that poncho! The high waves can get you soaked). We also asked our guide to get us to the boat early so we could have a better choice of seats.

I cannot thank Andean Discovery enough for helping us on the most incredible vacation I have ever been on. Every single activity we did was filled with fun, adventure, and beautiful sights. Priscilla Sotomayor was our guide in the Galapagos and I honestly could not have higher praise for her. She was so knowledgeable and kind to us on our journey. She knew when to change paces based on what our group needed and she truly cared for each one of us. She knew I loved Iguanas so when she saw a large group of baby Iguanas, she immediately called me to the front to ensure I could see them before they ran away. Although she was there to guide us, it truly felt like she was going through these experiences with us as part of our family. I could not picture our trip without her and if I am lucky enough to go back, I will request her to be my guide again! Antonio Jaramillo was our guide in Quito and his mere presence was a gift to all of us. We arrived at 2 in the morning after two delayed flights and some luggage not making it to our destination and had Antonio not been the amazing guide he is, we would have had a miserable time. He was so calming and ensured that we were all ok and would be ok even though we were only going to get 3 hours of sleep that night. He truly cared so much about Ecuador and was so happy we were there visiting a place he loved so much. He told us he was writing a field guide and I honestly can't wait to purchase it! And we cannot forget about our driver in Quito, Wilson! There were some really tight turns and bumpy roads that Wilson got us through with no issues. He is an amazing driver and on top of that, he was also interested in going through this experience with us. He went on a hike with us and was amazing at spotting birds for us to see. We also had a great time learning Spanish from him! Ecuador is such a special place that I would recommend everyone to go visit. I honestly had such an amazing trip and I would not have had such a great experience without my guides, drivers, and Andean Discovery!

For nearly three months, I worked with Andean to plan a special private trip to the Galapagos for my extended family (including a whole bunch of nieces and nephews). I had loads and loads of questions and Andean patiently answered every one of them, no matter how many times I called or emailed. In addition, very close to the date of the trip, I had an unfortunate situation where one person had to drop out and Andean helped me replace that person with another person. They also helped secure luggage completely misplaced by the airlines and helped get it to the final destination when the airline fell down on the job. Additionally, our guide helped us find a suitable place to buy hiking boots for the unfortunate person whose luggage was mishandled. The guides also made us feel welcome and taken care of from the moment we were in Ecuador to the moment we were leaving again. But those are just some of the logistical benefits of selecting Andean. The trip itself was extraordinary and their guidance in selecting the right activities for our group and their outstanding guides (on on the mainland and one in the Galapagos) is where the magic of the trip appeared before our very eyes. We hiked, we swam, we snorkeled, in extraordinary places. We saw species of animals that we'd never seen before in a pristine environment, up close! We ate delicious food. We stayed at lovely places on the islands and on the mainland. The trip itself was so well-put-together. I haven't read about any sites or special things on the islands that we didn't get to do! Priscilla Sotomayor, our guide in the Galapagos, is one of the most wonderful people we've ever met. Patient, intelligent, knowledgeable and fun. We truly felt she was part of the family by the time we left and we really missed her. She had to contend with 10 unruly people and she did it expertly. She showed us the wonders of the Galapagos through her eyes and helped us to have an extraordinary time. Back on the mainland, we only had 1.5 days with Antonio Jaramillo, our guide in the Mindo Cloud Forest and back at Quito, but he truly made such a powerful impression on us that we recommend requesting both Antonio and Priscilla in the strongest possible way. I am so very happy we were lucky enough to find Andean Discovery and I truly truly recommend them without hesitation.

Andean Discovery exceeded my expectations. Every detail was taken care of and the guides and accommodations were truly amazing. I have recommended them to anyone who is thinking of a trip to Peru!

Vannia, our guide, was the best part about our trip. She was personable, accommodating and professional. She was also incredibly knowledgeable both on the hiking trail and at the sites around the Sacred Valley. We loved our hotels and the food was fantastic every single day. Couldn't have asked for a better trip!

Andean Discovery was 1st class all the way. The guides could work as university professors for their knowledge. The hotels they picked for us were fantastic, the food was excellent! The guides were very friendly and kind. When we needed extra help when I was ill, they went out of their way to help, went to a pharmacy with my wife after hours to get the help I needed. I felt there was nothing that they would not do for us. The sites we saw were so good, I loved every single minute of this trip. Steve and Yvette Fisher

I visited Peru with three girlfriends for my 50th birthday. Andean Discovery did an outstanding job taking care of us and guiding us through their beautiful country. I cannot recommend them enough.