Andean Discovery Avaliações 227

We just returned from a trip to Quito and the Galapagos Islands. Having never traveled to South America before I felt it wise to organize this trip through a travel agent. After reading the reviews, I chose Andean Discovery and I was very glad I did. Their planning was meticulous, coordinating airport transfers, hotels, Covid testing, excursions and of course the 5 day cruise through the Galapagos. Everything went perfectly. I highly recommend Andean Discovery! Damon and Melissa were absolutely fantastic in the planning of the trip. Our in country guide Carolina was a delight, knowledgeable, and did everything to make sure we had a great time. Once aboard the Alya Luxury Catamaran, Carlos our guide was superb. I cannot imagine a better trip than the one we just experienced.

More than what we had hoped for !!!! Andean Discovery thought of everything. All we did was have a dream trip finally come true. Had to reschedule 3 times due to Covid but they were there to accommodate us every step of the way.
Got up from a wonderful hotel every morning and was met by one of our guides and the rest of the day went so smoothly and we got to see everything we had hoped to and more.
If there was a score higher than a 10……….that is what we would have given all the hard work and preparation that was put into our trip.
Highly recommend Andean Discovery if you just want to go and enjoy your trip to the fullest without any worries
Diane and Al. 10/18/2021

In August 2021 we took a trip to the Galapagos Islands, which was absolutely stunning. To organise here from Europe we decided to "hire" Andean Discoveries" to the booking for us, specially during the times of Covid-19 this was a big help. Everything was very well organised, all our tickets and booking of hotels and the cruise happened according our wishes and how we were told - no problem at all.
Unfortunately there were some little "issues" during the trip, as well as some things we did not quite agree. For example, on our last 3 days, we booked a trip to a separate Island (Isabella). Andean discoveries booked us a guide to go along with us, but truly there was no need for that, as all the trips we did in Isabella were done and guided by other companies that Andean Discoveries had booked, so those companies provided all the explanations etc..., and our "booked guide" just enjoyed a nice holiday, payed by us -which of course increased the costs of our trip a lot. One of the trips costs locally 95 US dollars, we payed 500.- for the 2 of us....
Before our trip "Andean Discoveries" answered every question per an email within 2 days, they were very keen on booking more trips and cashing in, but also very helpful. The explanations were always good and they always answered to our satisfaction. After the trip, when we filled in our form to rate the trip and where we explained what we did not like so much, well , so far (it's been now almost 2 months), no more answer. It looks like the positive feedback is very welcome, but when you criticise something or make a suggestion of how to improve it, they don't like it and don't bother anymore answering you - this is very disappointing. This is also the main reason why I decided to rate the company here, so others get to know about it. On there homepage there are only excellent reviews and all is perfect...It looks like not all reviews are published, and our opinion does not interest them.
Galapagos was a great trip, the islands are great by itself. Andreas Discoveries booked it all in advance, it was well organised, but suggestions to improve or negative criticism is not welcome.

Maria and Daniel were the best. When they took my little guy to a anchor Donald’s they won my heart.

The trip exceeded my expectations all the way around. I was impressed with how much care is taken to try and preserve this unique environment. Our guide was Alejandra Camacho. I can say that she was by far the best tour guide I have ever had in all of my travels. She was well informed on our trip plans, kept us up to date on what was happening, her knowledge was exceptional on both animals, plants and the natural environment. It was obvious that she was passionate about her job and the islands. As photographers, she knew our equipment was important and she took extra care during transports. I can't recommend her enough.
The food was amazing. You all did a great job with the breakfast and lunches. I loved some of the stuff so much I'm going to try and make it back home. The restaurants that Ali recommended for dinners were also way above what we expected in quality. Yummy.
The hotels were all very comfortable, clean and the staff very friendly. I would advise people of the stairs in the first two with luggage.
The transports were seamless, so no issues at all. I wish that on the final day when we were leaving that we would have elected to do a flight between the island instead of a boat ride.

Loved my Ecuador/Peru trip with Andean Discovery! We had 3 different locations and 3 different guides, they were all amazing and knowledgeable. The corporate offices were great with communication and ensuring everything was set up and organized. They handled my special diet extremely well. All accommodations were great! Couldn't have asked for a better trip!

Top notch travel company that covers every detail thoroughly from inquiry to booking to ensuring everything goes smoothly throughout the trip. Particularly impressed with all the guides and the itinerary. A once in a lifetime trip to Ecuador (including the Galapagos) and Peru.

7 friends & 14 amazing days on a once in a lifetime adventure, thanks to Andean Discovery (AD)!! From the moment we started planning, AD was there for us. They had incredible options and ideas for our private tour friend vacation. AD didn't miss a step with all the details and needs throughout the journey. We visited the Amazon, Galapagos & Machu Picchu. Took 7 flights & stayed in 9 different accommodations...and not one SNAFU.
From specific food requests, attentive, fun & witty guides, luxury accommodations, airport greeters (even to just walk us from one gate to the next gate), travel phone, private covid testing at hotels between countries and so much more!! The execution was beyond detailed & organized allowing the group to be stress free and only worry about having a great time. Hands down 10/10. Highly recommend!! Thank you, AD!!!

Our trip to Peru with Andean Discovery surpassed all my expectations. They thought of everything and took excellent care of us ensuring that we had the experience of a lifetime.

My son and I did a week in the Galapagos and a week in Ecuador. We had a fabulous time. Our guides were amazing. I would highly recommend Andean Discoveries to anyone who can do it!

Damon and his team at Andean discovery were great throughout our entire travel process. We had to change our plans and trip dates multiple times due to Covid. Damon and his team were accommodating and thorough. We ended up having the literal trip of a lifetime. Everything went smooth during our travels and every detail was accounted for. I’ve already recommended them to multiple friends. Highly recommended!

Our trip was the experience of a lifetime! Every excursion is designed with you in mind. The guides were so welcoming and knowledgeable and it didn't hurt that they always knew the best spots to take group photos! Our guides did a great job at pacing our experience as well, always knowing when our group needed a break and when we can push a little further to see something amazing! 10 out of 10 recommend

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.