Alexandra and Daniel, Tailor-made Ecuador, Galapagos and Colombia, July 2024

Kat provided us with the most amazing holiday to Ecuador, the Galapagos and Colombia. She planned it to meet every single need and want we expressed as well as more! The time and effort she went to make the trip as smooth and easy was incredible! We felt totally looked after both by her before the trip as well as during the trip with all the guides and timings of everything that she had arranged.

We chose Andean trails as they were the most accommodating, organized and efficient in their communication and coming up with an itinerary with matched 100 % with what we wanted.

The tour guides/ drivers both in Ecuador and Colombia were exceptional and every tour arranged in all three destinations was perfect. The whole planning of the trip ran without a single flaw.

The dream holiday! Thanks so much Kat!

M. Boerman, Galapagos Land-based tour, May 2024

We loved the wildlife – learning about Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands during the planning of this trip did not prepare me for really being able to see so much diversity in the ecosystems.

All the locals we interacted with were very welcoming and friendly.  The food was fabulous and hotels were beautifully located and well maintained.

We chose Andean Trails because I Googled “eco travel to Galapagos Islands” and Andean Trails came up as one with the best reviews.

Kat, I know I have said thank you but really THANK YOU, your attention to details and fine tuning of our trip were wonderful! You were a pleasure to work with for so many years and you gave us the best vacation we could have asked for. Like most of our tour guides they can’t guarantee what we will see or experience but I think we checked off all our boxes with this vacation.

>> Galapagos Land Based Tour 2024

Sue Ormiston, Peru Highlights, Inca Trail, and Amazon, May 2024

The holiday was fantastic overall. Thanks for all your help. We’ve had a great time!

There were two highlights: the first was finishing the Inca Trail and seeing Machu Picchu. And the second was the trip to Tambopata Research Centre in the Amazon Rainforest.

Food everywhere was very good. Guides everywhere were excellent, especially the guide at Colca Canyon. (Elar), Elvis at Lake Titicaca, the Inca Trail (Felipe) and at Tambopata (Boris).

Overall organisation was excellent. Everything worked smoothly, like clockwork!

Andean Trails was recommended to us by a friend.  The places we chose to visit because they all sounded amazing and they were!

Jaki Andrews, Self-drive Jujuy and Cafayate, May 2024

We had a wonderful time and everything went pretty smoothly with your brilliant planning and also with your partners. Overall the hotels were good and staff helpful.

The boys managed a game of golf at the Estancia and it was excellent. No one else on the course and a beautiful sunny 🌞 day.

I would certainly would not hesitate in recommending Andean Trails and am extremely grateful to you for all your help and support throughout. Maybe somewhere else next year?

Thanks, Jaki.

Michelle and Dan, Peru and Ecuador, April 2024.

We just wanted to let you know that we had a fantastic holiday. Everything went smoothly and exceeded our expectations. Flights, transfers, trips etc all on time, all guides were very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. We liked all the hotels we stayed in. Even the weather was great for us.

We were the first to the Sun gate and enjoyed a virtually empty first hour at Machu Picchu.

The animals and snorkelling in the Galapagos was successful with sharks, sea lions,  penguins, seahorses, turtles, marine iguanas, rays and even a dolphin!

So we want to say a huge thank you to you for all your help in  the planning, answering our questions and guiding us which meant it was such a success.

We will definitely be recommending you to our friends.

>> Inca Trail and the Galapagos Islands 2024

Naomi Paterson, Peru Highlights, Salkantay Trek, Amazon trip, April 2024.

Tom at Andean Trails made sense of my complicated logistics and it worked out really well – I had a truly fantastic holiday. Other companies I had contacted didn’t offer the same flexibility, but for me I was able to travel when I wanted and visit all the places I wanted, joining groups for a few days at a time and also have my own time. The local guides were great. I’d recommend Andean Trails for travelling around Peru!

I’d say the Salkantay trek was the high point – especially the point where we stopped for breakfast on Day 4, and then seeing Machu Picchu on Day 5.

The food and accommodation was excellent. The array of food prepared on the trek is particularly impressive! Guides were very knowledgeable. Cusco is fabulous.

Although the key reason for going to Peru was Machu Picchu I basically pieced together a version of the highlights tour, then the Salkantay trek and then a brief stay at the eco lodge in the Amazon, having spent many hours browsing web pages and looking at travel brochures etc!

I chose Andean Trails as they were able to offer much more flexibility that others that only did trips on set dates. You were incredible at making it all work around my other plans, at relatively short notice, and offered a ton of helpful advice for my first time in South America.

Brian Sargent, Maquipucuna and Galapagos Cruise, Feb 2024.

Andean Trails Ltd. for Ecuador and the Galapagos is absolutely 100% first class and excellent value. I strongly recommend that travellers use them.

At over 80, l am not up to the impressive hiking of younger travellers in 2024.

So, I researched broadly the Galapagos holiday I wanted, in addition to a trip around South America. Enter Tom at Andean Trails.

I quickly realised his long personal experiences in Ecuador & Galapagos could improve on my broad plans. So handed them to him to provide the detailed 3week trip including hotel & transfers at Quito, 12 days on boat in Galapagos, 6days in island hotels, and some days in cloud forest with all transfers & documents. 

Oh yes, and when civil conflict broke out, he organised all the changes quickly & without fuss. 

Tom at Andean Trails listened, understood and sorted everything for me before, during and after my trip of a lifetime. 

Many thanks, Brian

>> Maquipucuna Cloud Forest Eco Lodge, Ecuador

>>Galapagos Cruise

Rob Lawley, Galapagos Cruise, April 2024

The Galapagos Island Cruise on the Aida Maria was one of the best holidays I’ve ever had. Right from the start Andean Trails answered every question quickly, efficiently and gave useful information.

The yacht itself was fabulous, perfect size, spotlessly clean and looked great. The staff were very friendly, helpful and prepared really good food. Alex, our guide for the week, was superb. Knew everything about the Islands and shared his knowledge in an interesting, engaging, friendly way. The itinerary was excellent, so many interesting places and the animals/fish we saw was just amazing.

There were so many highlights but mine was probably snorkeling with Hammerhead Sharks, also the 50/60 strong pod of dolphins we saw who were swimming with the yacht for ages and also the nightly visits from sharks, sea lions, pelicans and a variety of fish at the back of the yacht whilst i was watching, enjoying a glass of red. Just incredible to see.

The whole trip was brilliantly organised and its something I’ll never forget. I hope to return at some stage to these amazing islands and would definitely recommend Andean Trails and the Aida Maria.

> Aida Maria Galapagos Cruise

Kate S., Ecuador and Galapagos, April 2024

I had a fantastic adventure! So many things to thank you for!

The highlight was the trip to Galapagos.  The combination of the Bonita, the activities (snorkelling and kayaking in particular), the wildlife, the weather, the companions and the crew made it easily the highlight of the trip. I was sorry to leave and could have stayed another week.

The low point was when I suffered from vertigo on day 2 of the Highlands walk. We came across a narrow ledge with a steep drop. Pablo, our guide guided me across the ledge confidently. I also found the final ascent to the Ruminahui volcano too steep to attempt.

Accommodation was very good. All the staff at every accommodation were excellent, very welcoming, friendly and happy to help us with anything. The food at every accommodation on the trek, on the cruise and at the cloud forest was very good – I loved eating new fruits and fruit juices. The food was always freshly made and of good quality. The only ‘satisfactory ‘ food was at the hotel in Quito!

Guides were excellent, a particular shout out for Pablo on our trek. He was very knowledgeable, good company and good fun.

Excellent organization, we were looked after every step of the way.

It would be helpful to say in your information that some sections of the walk are very steep (the Ruminahui volcano) and there are some narrow ledges which may not be suitable for people with any kind of vertigo.

We had a somewhat frustrating day in Quito as two of the churches and a museum we had planned to visit were closed. Perhaps a note in your information to tell travellers to check websites of churches/museums/places of interest before they set out might be useful.

A fantastic adventure! The trip was so well organised and you have been incredibly helpful in sorting out our itinerary. So many experiences and memories, thank you!

>> Galapagos Cruise on Bonita

>> Multi-day Trekking Hut to Hut / Lodge to Lodge Trek, Ecuador

Lars and Susie Smith, Patagonia, Feb 2024

After an initial chat on the phone, Tom received our general brief for a month-long trip to Patagonia, to include a few specific places and activities with an emphasis on trekking. His first comprehensive draft arrived soon after. Subsequently, it was a joy to work with Tom as he swiftly and effectively amended the plan to reflect our evolving appreciation of where we were heading. Nothing seemed too much trouble, repeat questions included. The result was a relaxed and thoroughly enjoyable introduction to South America.

The itinerary was thorough and well briefed, the travel arrangements practical. All the necessary paperwork and ticketing clear and correct. There was never a hitch, doubt or wasted day. The in-country agents were also on the ball and supportive on the occasion we made a minor change at short notice. No drama, no problem.

We recommend Andean Trails, and Tom, without reservation and aim to use their services again. We heard about Andean Trails from family & by reading travel books.

(On spotting a puma on the Paine W trek) The puma was around the Central hotel area on our way up to the Torres, initially seen as two green eyes in the dark at about 30m. We waited at the hotel until half light, tried again only to face it coming around the corner here. We finally continued 15 minutes later passing it lying in the grass about 20m off the path. Seen by others up to an hour later. One of a pair apparently. Kind of (not) cuddly!

>> Patagonia Holidays and Tours

The Brownsort Family, Ecuador and Galapagos, Nov 2023

We had a great time. All arrangements were  smooth and the guides all great – Jorge in Quito, Gabriel in Mindo and Sebastian for our hiking week.

We had walks on the Cotopaxi paramo, and great lunches! And we had another great walk around Quilotoa crater.

Our week cruising on Tip Top II in the Galapagos was everything we could have asked for, a fantastic time.

Thanks again for organising this trip.

> First Class Galapagos Cruise

>Walking holiday in mainland Ecuador

>> Ecuador cloud forest lodges

L. Kirley, Peru, Ecuador and Galapagos, Nov 2023

We had a fabulous time in Peru, we really loved the hotel in Cusco and Cusco itself, plus of course Machu Picchu. The guides and hotel staff were great too!

 We also had a lovely time in Ecuador! We enjoyed Quito more than we thought we would, thanks to our guide and we have absolutely loved the Cloud Forest – not least of all because we saw three bears. All the staff here at Maquipucuna have been amazing! 

 We had an amazing time in the Galápagos. We were so lucky to see so much wildlife all roaming freely. It’s such a special place & not one we will forget. Thank you so much for all the planning you did for us to ensure that all our time away has gone smoothly.

S. Oya, Patagonia, Feb, 2024

I came back home last weekend after wonderful trekking in Patagonia and sightseeing in other places in Argentina. 

 I really enjoyed the trekking tour thanks to Gaston and other trekking guides who encouraged and delighted all participants with kind communication and informative instructions.

The trekking participants came from various countries, and we were proud to be a wonderful international trekking team!

The weather also delighted us in both Fitz Roy and Torres del Paine. The views of the mountains reflected on the lake and pond were miraculous and awesome!  

“Patagonia Trekking Highlights” gave me an impressive trekking experience and memory. 

The Chatfields, Ecuador Lodge-to-Lodge, Aug 2023

We really enjoyed our time in Ecuador and our tour arranged with you. Pablo was a really excellent guide and we felt we were really able to get a good insight into the parts of Ecuador we saw with him.  

 One night we stayed at Chimborazo Lodge- the lodge itself had a real sense of history and spending time outside with the alpacas was great. Other hotels were also good – we especially enjoyed Cotopaxipungo Lodge.  

 On other tours where meals were included (e.g. Peru even on a private tour) these were often set meals of local type food with no choice, which to be honest we got a bit tired of after a while.  

 However, for your tour, even though lunch was included in the price we could usually make choices from the menu allowing us a much wider choice to have what we fancied. Pablo also sometimes paid for the odd drink or snacks e.g. at the mountain refuge which was nice.  

 Many of the lunches when we were walking were “make your own sandwich” first thing in the morning, with a really good choice of snacks. This was really great – exactly what we would have chosen. Overall, the itinerary seemed really good for us. I am so pleased to have got to the top of Rumiñahui and seen Cotopaxi smoking. 

 As a whole we were very happy with the trip and Pablo helped to make it so good. 

 Thank you for making the arrangements. 

A. Barry, Peru, March 2024

I have returned from my Peruvian adventures!

Thank you so very, very much for everything that you did in preparing and organising my itinerary. Everything was absolutely perfect and I had a really wonderful time. I loved every bit of it all! Everything ran perfectly smoothly and to plan, without any problems whatsoever.

I thoroughly enjoyed all the excursions. The places I saw were just amazing. And the guides and organisation of everything were just fantastic.

I absolutely loved the Colca Valley – what a beautiful place. I didn’t want to leave. And I adored lodge!

Lake Titicaca was just wonderful too, and the choice of hotel was total perfection for what I wanted to do.

I enjoyed the tour and stay in Arequipa also.

Kat – thank you for all your time, energy, help and patience in the early days when you were putting up with a lot of chopping and changing from me before we finally pinned things down into the finished plan. I had a really wonderful, happy experience and I would not hesitate in highly recommending the services of Andean Trails to anybody.