How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Our tour leader, Alex was superb.  He was attentive to our every need, making sure we didn't miss anything and gladly sharing his local knowledge with us. He had a good sense of humour and was an excellent travelling companion.  We would not have got so much out of the trip without him.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Take a variety of clothes to cater for warm and cold weather.

Do you have anything else to add?

This was a fantastic holiday - I would recommend it to anyone.

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Very knowledgable and professional. He did not over-familiarise and was adaptable. However gave wrong info concerning the Amazon extension in that we did not need any additional luggage as were able to take all our bags 1/2 downstream to Corto Maltes resort.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

If you want to buy stuff and do most tours then take about $800 - $1000 to spend. Take Deet Spray and bite cream. Be prepared for altitude sickness - ibobrufen tablets.Spare camera battery and at least 8gb for photos. Do your clothes washing when you can.

Do you have anything else to add?

The last day in Lima was a waste really - it would have been possible, had I known, to fly straight out of Lima from the Jungle. Bus driver - Edison of Condor Travel - should NOT be driving - he was heavy footed and drove dangerously. Guide 'Percy' at Maccu Picchu very boring, spoilt it really. Accommodation was disappointing - in 'Style' indicated better than received. Hot water and silence are prerequisites. Overall was hectic, challenging and a lot of fun. Thanks.

This is an action packed tour with some very early starts in order to be at the most advantageous position at the best time of day.  The highlights of the trip for me was seeing the Andean Condor at very close range, visiting the Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca and, of course, Machu Picchu. 

The quality of the guides was also important in making the experience so special, Chrystel our main guide was a real bundle of energy always making sure that the days were packed with as much adventure as possible.  At one point in order to see a carnival parade in Arequipa we joined the procession, entering the main square to load cheers from several thousand people.  Our guide in the Amazon was very knowledgeable and we saw so much wildlife both on land and on the river, much more than I expected and again at close range. 

At Machu Picchu if the Sun Gate is not in cloud on your first visit then I would go for it rather than wait for the next morning when it could well be in cloud and you see little of the view.  Practical advice, take US dollars in new $10 and $20 bills and back that up with ATM's, which work most of the time especially if you have both a MasterCard and Visa to choose from.  Most of the hotels we stayed at on our trip were very good with decent wi-fi and the food in Peru was of a good standard. 

In terms of disappointment the Nazca Lines are difficult to see from the top of a tower, you do need to view them from the air.  I do understand the reason that Explore have for not allowing that option but disappointing.  Finally I don't recommend guinea pig, too many bones! (DPRA -11th August 2011)

My husband & I really enjoyed this tour, our TL Manuel was amazing and took such good care of us. Peru is a beautiful country, Machu Picchu was amazing to see -  we went back a second day and climbed to the Sun Gate the view of Machu Picchu was incredible. The Sacred Valley was a highlight too & I recommend the Jungle extention we stayed at the Pasada Amazonas Lodge for 4 nights & loved it. The lodge rooms had 3 walls and the 4th was open to the jungle watching the sun come through the jungle in the mornings was magical. I have to say some people felt there was a lack of privacy as you could hear your neighbours in the rooms next to you that didn't bother us. Our guides at the lodge were great and we enjoyed the treks into the jungle. I feel this tour gave us a good feel of this country and its people - we look forward to traveling with Explore again. (DPRA - 27th May 2011)

This trip will leave you breathless, not only because of the Andean altitude, but because it takes you to some of the most amazing sights on earth. Flying over the Nazca lines in a light aircraft beats any white knuckle ride, and dining under the stars on the wild and windswept black beach at Puerto Inca is magical. Colca Canyon is huge (bigger than the Grand Canyon) and here we saw the Condors glide, swoop and land only a few metres from where we stood.  You’ll love the sleepy old colonial city of Arequipa and downtown Cusco with its hybrid mixture of Inca and Spanish architecture which smoulders with an energy both ancient and modern.  The islands of Uros and Taquile on Lake Titicaca couldn’t be more different. The first a collection of floating reed platforms, each with its own small community, and the second a dramatic rocky outcrop where we chanced upon the whole village celebrating their riotously colourful annual fiesta.  Nothing prepares you for your first glimpse of Machu Picchu, lost high in the mountain mists for centuries. Take the early morning option to visit at dawn and walk up to the Sun Gate for an unforgettable view as the sun rises over the Inca city.  We finished our tour with a stay in the Amazon rainforest. Our lodge rooms had only three walls as the fourth side was open to the sights and sounds of the jungle! You will never experience such a breathtakingly beautiful place, the last great wilderness. (DPRA - 29th July 2010)