Choquequirao to Machu Picchu – 12 Day Tour
Choquequirao to Machu Picchu – 12 Day Tour
Overview
*Lima *Cusco *Sacred Valley *Choquequirao Trek *Machu Picchu
Visit the most beautiful attractions of Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and experience the unforgettable Machu Picchu, exploring all its places, roads, and altars,etc.
Group Price
- The price per person for group expeditions are fixed based on a group size. However, we have optional arrangements for individual private and tailor-made preferences best suited for you, your family and friends.
- All prices are based on shared accommodation. Please inquire for a 1 guest private room accommodation quote
- Prices listed are not final. Please inquire for your final price quote.
2 pax | 3 /4 pax | 5/7 pax | 8/10 pax | 11/14 pax | 15/16 pax | 17/20 pax |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$ 4,363.20 | $ 4,059.60 | $ 3,952.80 | $ 3,822 | $ 3,720 | $ 3,618 | $ 3,534 |
Included/Excluded
- All transfers indicated in the itinerary
- All tours indicated in the itinerary
- Guided tours as mentioned in the itinerary (Local official guide in english or spanish)
- All meals specified in the itinerary
- All entrance fees to the above mentioned excursions
- Train ticket Expedition Ollanta /Machu Picchu Pueblo /Ollanta or Poroy
- Bus ticket Aguas Calientes- Machu Picchu- Aguas Calientes
- All applicable taxes
- English-guided tours as described in the itinerary
- International and domestic flights
- Flights Lima/ Cusco / Lima
- Airport & aerodrome taxes
- Excess baggage
- Alcoholic drinks, soda, or bottled mineral water
- Personal expenses
- Tips
- International or national personal telephone calls
- Meals not mentioned
- Optional post-tour (Cost given separately)
DAY 1: Arrive in Cusco
Arrive at Lima International Airport and connect to Cusco.
Upon your arrival, you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Our representative will give you a documentation kit with a detailed program explanation. The rest of the day is yours to relax.
- Overnight in Cusco
- Meals included: — / — / —
DAY 2: SACRED VALLEY
Maras Moray Mountain Biking
You will be picked up from your hostal at 8:50am and head by transport out of Urubamba for about an hour and a half until reaching the village of Cruz Pata at 3,550 m.a.s.l. From here you’ll get your biking equipment and after going over a few safety procedures the ride begins. During the first part of the ride we’ll pass a lake, there are a few up- hill segments and some nice downhill parts with optional single-tracks for those who like it a bit more technical. The scenery is unforgettable with excellent views of the Veronica mountain range.
The first main stop will be at the Incan agricultural testing site of Moray (3,575 m.a.s.l.) and we’ll take a break here to catch our breath and explore the area. Continuing the ride we’ll arrive at Maras where we’ll have our lunch break. After lunch, we’ll carry on riding to the crystal-white terraces of the pre-Incan salt mines and then continue on the best downhill of the day – a 30-minute downhill on a llama path ending on the bank of the Urubamba river (2,875 m.a.s.l.). Here we finish the tour and return to Cusco, arriving at approx. 5 pm.
- Overnight in Cusco
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / —
DAY 3: CUSCO — CAPULIYOC — MARAMPATA.
Choquequirao Trek to Machupicchu 8d/7n
We will pick you up from your hotel between 3:30 to 4:00 AM to start our trip in a private van for four hours to northeast of Cusco, driving through small towns until we reach Capuliyoc (2,800masl), where we will have a delicious breakfast and meet with our trip staff (muleteers and horses).
After breakfast, we will begin with our hike for about 20 minutes and will arrive at our first panoramic view overlooking the Vilcabamba mountain range called Padreyoc and the famous Apurimac Canon. After this amazing view we will start our descent for three hours through beautiful landscapes where you will be able to see different medicinal plants, which were used by our ancestors ( muña, chilca, and different varieties of plants). If we are lucky, we will be able to see the majestic Condor, we descend until Chiquisca Hamlet (1,800masl) where we have a delicious typical Cusco lunch buffet.
After having lunch, we will have a 30-minute break to continue hiking. Then we will descend for 45 minutes more until Playa Rosalinas (1,700 masl), located in Apurimac River separated by two important Peruvian regions CUSCO and APURIMAC
After passing the famous Apurimac River, we will continue descending for four hours until Marampata (3,500masl). On the way, we will see birds dance, and at sunset we will see how Andean people live in the mountains. They have a lifestyle that you won’t believe compared to the city. After a small break, it’s time for dinner. During the night you will be able to see constellations according to Andean or Inca religions.
- Hiking distance: 15 Km. / 9.3 mile.
- Hiking time: 6½ to 7 hours approximately.
- Climate: hot in the day and warm in the night.
- Accommodation: Camping.
- Maximum Altitude: 2,850 masl. / 9,350 ft. (Marampata)
- Minimum Altitude: 1,475 masl. / 4,839 ft. (Playa Rosalinas)
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
DAY 4: MARANPATA — CHOQUEQUIRAO
In the early morning you will be woken up with a coca tea and have enough time to organize our stuff. Approximately at 7:30am we will have a delicious typical Breakfast. Then we will continue with our hiking to Marampata, on this day the hiking is going to have a high level physically, where we will be able to see an amazing view of the Archeological Choquequirao Complex (3900masl) through our hiking we will have amazing canon views where our tour guide will explain about the flora and fauna, we´ll have 3 hours to explore all the Choquequirao Complex (cradle of gold) also knew as the lost city where you will visit plazas sector, llamas sector, astronomic sector and other important places.
After to visit all of this places we will start our descend until Choquequirao Camping where our picnic Lunch is waiting for us, after having lunch we will take a 30min break and continue to an amazing place that only us know about it, this place is called cataratas de Pachayoc (water falls) a place where you will be in touch with the nature. Finally we will return to Choquequirao Camp where dinner is ready and it is time to stop over.
- Hiking distance: 8 Km. / 4.9 mile.
- Hiking time: 5½ to 6 hours approximately.
- Climate: hot in the day and warm in the night.
- Accommodation: Lodge: Camping
- Maximum Altitude: 3,106 masl / 10,190 ft. (Choquequirao)
- Minimum Altitude: 2,850 masl / 9,350 ft. (Marampata)
- Overnight in Sacred Valley
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
DAY 5: CHOQUEQUIRAO — RIO BLANCO — MAIZAL.
Before breakfast, we recommend going to appreciate the magnificent sunrise from this picturesque spot! We will have breakfast at 6 am.
We start today’s trek passing through and exploring the Choquequirao ruins. We will hike uphill through cloud forest, mountains, and valleys to reach the Choquequirao pass.
After 5 hours trekking, the trail continues through agricultural terraces called Pinchinoyoc which means “water jumping forward” (2,750 MASL – 9,022 FASL).
There we will see different species of birds, varieties of orchids, and local coca plantations.
We will have our lunch near Rio Blanco. We use the break here to take a refreshing dip in the cold, clear river water if you would like.
We will cross the river by walking, because there are no bridges.
On the other side, we will start the long, steep climb to our campsite in Maizal, high over the river and closer to the sacred Apus of the Incas. This climb takes about three hours. This is the most challenging day. We will camp at 3,000 MASL – 9,842 FASL.
- Overnight in Sacred Valley
- Hiking distance: 19 Km. / 12.3 mile
- Hiking time: 6 hours approximately.
- Climate: hot in the day and warm in the night.
- Accommodation: Camping: Soraypampa.
- Maximum Altitude: 4,200 masl / 13,779 ft. (Laguna Humantay)
- Minimum Altitude: 1,475 masl. / 4,839 ft. (Playa Rosalinas)
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
DAY 6: MAIZAL — MINAS VICTORIA — YANAMA.
Waking up on the hillside with the sounds of the forest and birds is a truly great experience! Recharging our energy with a good breakfast and following the trail upward, the landscape is lush green vegetation.
If we keep up our motivation and the gods give us a clear sky, we will be able to just sit and appreciate the snow-capped mountains around us. The uphill climb today is around 7 hours to the summit, and this trail is historically important due to some archaeological remains and Inca channels along the way.
We will pass by the impressive Incan mines called Minas Victoria, from which silver used to be extracted. and head toward the Victoria Pass (4,200 MASL – 13,773 FASL).
This is a long climb, but we will walk through an absolutely breath-taking area, first with cloud forest and then over the Andean Puna with its well-known Ichu grass.
As we approach the top, we can appreciate original paved Inca trails. We will have lunch on the pass with views of the mountains Choquetakarpo and Pedrayoc.
While we have lunch, we will hopefully be able to appreciate the flight of the condors, depending on the climate.
Finally, we will descend to our campsite at Yamana, a small village settlement at the bottom of a long valley surrounded by mountains (3,800 MASL – 12,467 FASL).
- Hiking distance: 22 Km. / 13.7 mile
- Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours approximately.
- Climate: we start with cold weather and we end up in a tropical climate.
- Accommodation: Camping: Soraypampa.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- Maximum Altitude: 4,630 masl / 15,190 ft. (Paso Salkantay)
- Minimum Altitude: 2,900 masl. / 9,514 ft. (Chaullay)
DAY 7: YANAMA — TOTORA — COLPAPAMA.
The native community of Yamana surrounds the base camp. We begin another long day with the big smiles of local children, the sun shining on the campground, the noise of a grand waterfall, and breakfast on a table outside to appreciate everything around us.
We then start hiking uphill to the highest pass in this trek (five hours). This is Yamana pass (4,700 MASL – 15,419 FASL).
During the day, it is common to observe the Andean farmers growing potatoes in their fields and possibly even some frozen potatoes. Again, the view will be amazing from here as we will be surrounded by the mountain ranges of Saqsarayoc and Pedreyoc.
Once again, we have the chance to see condors flying about, and this morning’s smooth climb brings us through new landscapes – especially the wet grass fields under the snowline and water stream.
In the past, we may be walking through snow in a new entrance to the Santa Teresa Valley. Here, we can observe one of the Incan gods – Salkantay Mountain.
Afterward, we will descend on a long, foggy path through grassy fields and bushy areas, crossing bridges on the way to the community of Totora. where we will have lunch
After a short break we continue back down to warmer climes again and our path will eventually converge within Colpapampa (2,900m / 9,514 ft.) where we will camp for the night.
- Hiking distance: 26 Km. / 16.1 mile
- Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours approximately.
- Climate: we start with cold weather and we end up in a tropical climate.
- Accommodation: Camping.
- Maximum Altitude: 2,900 masl. / 9,514 ft. (Chaullay)
- Minimum Altitude: 2,040 masl. / 6,692 ft. (Aguas Calientes)
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
DAY 8: COLPAPAMPA— PLAYA—SANTA TERESA.
After breakfast at 6:00 am, we will begin our day hiking until we reach our lunch site at La Playa. After lunch we will have a fairly easy descent where you will be able to experience Ceja de Sela, the jungle highland. Here, you will see coca, coffee, fruit plantations, birds, orchids, and begonias.
We will then have a bus drive us for two hours down to the village of Santa Teresa where we have dinner and spend the night in tents.
- Hiking distance: 26 Km. / 16.1 mile
- Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours approximately.
- Climate: we start with cold weather and we end up in a tropical climate.
- Accommodation: Camping.
- Maximum Altitude: 2,900 masl. / 9,514 ft. (Chaullay)
- Minimum Altitude: 2,040 masl. / 6,692 ft. (Aguas Calientes)
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
DAY 9: SANTA TERESA— HIDRIOELECTRICA—AGUAS CALIENTES.
After breakfast, we will board our transport to the hydroelectric plant, where the government control is located and the entrance to Machu Picchu National Park (Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary).
At this point we will start our trekking to the town of Aguas Calientes, passing through the area called Intihuatana, a small archaeological site where the guide will share an explanation to better understand the site.
Then we will continue to Inka Rakay, where we will enjoy our lunch. During the journey, we will enjoy and contemplate the majesty of the Machu Picchu mountains, Huayna Picchu as well as other geological sites in the heights of the mountain.
We will finish the hike in the town of Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the third night of the tour.
- Hiking distance: 26 Km. / 16.1 mile
- Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours approximately.
- Climate: we start with cold weather and we end up in a tropical climate.
- Accommodation: Hotel: Aguas Calientes.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- Maximum Altitude: 2,900 masl. / 9,514 ft. (Chaullay)
- Minimum Altitude: 2,040 masl. / 6,692 ft. (Aguas Calientes)
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
DAY 10: MACHUPICCHU / CUSCO
This morning, you will visit this unique Incan citadel and its surrounding complexes on a private visit. Machu Picchu stands 2,430 meters above sea-level, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful setting. It was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height; its giant walls, terraces, and ramps seem as if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. The natural setting, on the eastern slopes of the Andes, encompasses the upper Amazon basin with its rich diversity of flora and fauna.
Optional hike to Huayna Picchu, the mountain behind Machu Picchu. Entrances for this hike are limited per day and have to be purchased in advance. Huayna Picchu opens in two shifts, 07:00 and 10:00 (subject to availability). This hike is strenuous and recommended only for travelers comfortable with heights and who have a good fitness level. A fair amount of climbing is required. Get fabulous views of Machu Picchu from the top.
At 4:30 pm, you will board the bus to Aguas Calientes where you will take the Vistadome train to Cusco.
Train departs at 5:23 pm. Snacks and hot and cold beverages are served during the journey.
- Arrival in Cusco at 8:50 pm, transfer from Poroy Station to the hotel.
- Overnight in Cusco
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch /–
DAY 11: CUSCO
Mountain Biking Four Ruins Cusco Half Day
Morning at leisure in Cusco.
At 2:30 pm, you will embark on a fascinating tour of the city of Cusco. We will take the opportunity to enjoy the amazing view from Cristo Blanco (the white Christ statue high above the city) and take a guided tour through the former Inca fortress of Saqsayhuaman. The tour finishes at Cusco’s Historical Center with a delicious Peruvian dessert.
- Overnight in Cusco
- Meals included: Breakfast / — /–
DAY 12: DEPARTURE CUSCO/LIMA/…
At the agreed-upon time, please meet your Nature Horizons representative at the lobby for your private transfer to the airport for your scheduled flight home.
- Meals included: Breakfast / — / —
ACCOMMODATION
With Tourist Class Hotels:
Cities | Hotels / Hab. Standard | NT |
Cusco | Samay *** www.samayhotel.com | 4 |
Camping | Camping | 6 |
Machu Picchu | Hatun Samay *** www.hatunsamay.com | 1 |
Total Nº of nights | 11 |
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- Comfortable sneakers or hiking boots
- Short and long-sleeved t-shirts
- Rain gear
- A fleece jacket
- Jeans or casual trousers
- Camera
- Backpack
- Insect repellent, lip balm and sun block
- Binoculars
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WHAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE WITH YOU FOR THE CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK
- Original passport (it has to be the same you have used for booking your trek)
- Valid university card (if you booked as a student)
- Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
- Water storage: 2-3L reusable bottles (please do not bring disposable)
- Comfortable hiking boots with ankle support
- Sleeping bag (can be rented from SAM Travel)
- Headlamp: essential
- Toilet Paper, hand sanitizer, and small plastic bags
WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR DUFFEL BAG FOR THE CHOQUEQUIRAO 7 DAY TREK TO MACHU PICCHU
As a Direct Local Tour operator, we provide you with a duffel bag at your briefing and INCLUDE an extra pack horse who will carry up to 7 kgs or 14lbs, including your 2.5kg sleeping bag, mattress, and extra clothing. By Peruvian law, a duffel bag must not weigh more than 7 kilograms (15lbs). This limit is set to protect the health of the porters or horses. All bags will be weighed before being accepted. If you require more than 7 kilograms, it will be your responsibility to carry the extra weight with your day pack. In these 7 kilos, please count 2 kilos for your sleeping bag and 1 kilo for your sleeping pad. This leaves you about 4 kilos for your personal gear.
- 2 t-shirts
- 2 hiking pants at least
- 4 sets of undergarments
- 3 sets of hiking socks
- Bathing suit for the thermal waters
- Fleece/ thermals
- Warm clothes, down jacket — 2nd campsite temp around 3º C
- Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
- Comfortable shoes for camp
- Quick-dry towel. We provide small ones; you might prefer something larger
- A small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to wash.
- Battery Charger: No electricity along the trek
- Large plastic bags will be provided at the office to line your duffel bag
- Sleeping bag: It has to be at least -15ºC – This can be rented from us.
TOILETRIES
- Face moisturizer
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Personal medications
- First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.
WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR BACKPACK FOR CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK?
We highly recommend a small backpack 30 to 40L for hiking during the day. A big backpack will not be allowed into Machu Picchu. The remainder of your belongings will be in your duffel bag at camp.
Water: Please supply your own water until the first lunch spot, then we will provide you with cold boiled water at every meal time. Please bring reusable bottles.
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Headlamp: essential
- Wool hat
- Rain gear
- Fleece
- Snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars, or any dry fruits
- Rain poncho (provided by Nature Horizons)
- Gloves
- Camera
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper and a small plastic bag for waste
- Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips
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Our TripAdvisor Reviews
Jill D2024-04-20Not enough stars to rate this company- THE BEST time ever!!! If there were a million stars to rate this company and my recent trip, it wouldn't be enough. Nature Horizons is amazing. I first met the owner, Dominick at a convention for travel advisors in 2023. I knew immediately that he was a very special person and he had a very obvious love for the tours he had created in the destinations he adored. The story of developing his company is inspiring and his work ethic has continued to impress me during all stages of my Safari planning, from its conception to preparation to hosting us during the Great Migration in Tanzania. His communication is efficient, sincere and organized. He is thorough and thoughtful. He is fun and personable. He is extremely knowledgeable and has vetted resources to execute adventures across many countries. Our Safari was 12 days of awesome-ness. We truly couldn't have asked for a better experience. Each day was well-planned and our guides helped us see so many animals, sites and natural wonders. They knew where to be and when for us to see the most miraculous things. Dominick was such a friendly host, helping us gain perspective and a true taste of Tanzania. He listened to our wishlist, considered our requests and delivered days that we will never forget. Dominick truly cares about each and every guest and also has such respect for some of the most treasured creatures and places on our planet. I can't imagine a better Safari ever happening. But, knowing Dominick, he will make sure the next one and the next and the next are better than the one before it. That's how much he cares. I have to share a couple of our favorite moments were totally unplanned, though. Our Safari vehicle got stuck in the mud as rains started in the Central Serengeti. Dominick stayed calm, assured us that all was well and we sipped champagne as we watched the men try to get us unstuck...comical. Everything happens for a reason and we saw a perfectly complete rainbow soon after our vehicle was moving down the road. It couldn't have been scripted any better! As we continued on the way back to our lodge, we came across a Lioness and her brand-new cub. This is something rarely seen and we were sure Dominick paid the Lioness to appear for us. LOL. These examples are merely a glimpse of memories we made. And, part of the reason these moments were so special was because we were in the moment, which was as Nature Horizons intended. We had not a care in the world and could simply "be" in nature. I can't thank the entire team enough for such a wonderful two weeks.
416marlysl2024-04-04Amazing Experience! This trip was, by far, the most amazing trip I have ever taken! Dominick and his driver/guides were fabulous! They definitely found all the animals we wanted to see and many unexpected sites as well. They were so accommodating, stopping whenever we asked even if it was just for a bird or turtle crossing the road. Our guide, Praygod, was able to identify every bird we saw! Their knowledge of the wildlife was phenomenal. We learned so much about the culture, food, and local life from our casual conversations. The accommodations, while not luxury, were very comfortable and the food was very good, especially the soups. When I go back, it will definitely be with Dominick and Nature Horizons Tours!
Morgan M2024-03-27Wildlife Psychics I was totally blown away by the magic of Tanzania, and Dominick and his crew were incredible. They seemed to psychically know where all of the wildlife would be. They were very laid back and were open to pit stops along the way. We had a great time and I can't wait to go back.
Tamara H2024-03-25Safari in Tanzania was AWESOME! I joined Nature Horizons on a safari in Tanzania in February, 2024, and I was incredibly pleased with my experience. Our tour operator Dominick and his staff were knowledgeable, professional, and very friendly. They worked very hard to make sure we saw as much wildlife as possible, and as they got to know us, they adjusted our itinerary to fit in extra special experiences. The accommodations were middle of the road and appropriate for the price point, and I actually think I had a more authentic experience than if I would have stayed in luxury accommodations. The pace of the trip was great. As a solo traveler, I left Tanzania with friends I am sure I will have for a lifetime. There's something magical about a safari, and Nature Horizons made sure we had amazing and awesome experience that I will never forget.
Irene D2024-02-28An Adventure of a lifetime It's been one week since I got back from the amazing adventure. I went on the Tanzanian safari with a friend and made 7 more friends. Dominick Santariga was an awesome host. The evening we arrived, Dominick met us at the airport and the adventure commenced. The next day we actually went to a preschool owned by Nicas Marandu. There we met some beautiful children who were so welcoming and sweet. After visiting the school, we went to a Coffee Farm. Personally, I don't care for coffee but after listening to Godfrey explain the process and having the group actually grind coffee beans and cook the beans, the taste of the coffee was out of this world. The next day we traveled to Lake Manyara. Going through the many small towns, we were able to view the daily lives of the Tanzanian people. We saw elephants on the side of the road, one having tusks almost to the ground! There were so many baboons in the Lake Manyara National Park. On the trip, we got to know the other people on safari, and it was like these are my people. They are all world travelers, some travel agents, business owners to include coffee and photos, but all were amazing. From Lake Manyara we went to Central Serengeti. You could see wildebeest for miles and miles. Roaming with the wildebeest were zebras Grant Gazelle and Thomson Gazelle and Impalas. We came to know our driver, Victor. He said we would see the big five during our adventure, and we sure did. The Big Five: Lion, African Elephant, Leopard, Rhinoceros and the African Buffalo. I almost forgot about the air balloon ride. Oh, my! Traveling over the hippo pool was the highlight of the flight. So many hippos! We spent 3 days in Central Serengeti and saw so many animals. It never got old. From Central Serengeti we went to Ngorongoro Conservation area. The crater has over 30,000 animals. The pink and white flamingos were amazing. During one picnic lunch, a Marabou stock bird was pretty pushy, wanting us to feed him. After Ngorongor Crater, we went to Tarangire National Park. The days went by so quickly. We finished the safari at Simba Farm Lodge. The food, especially the soups, were to die for. After a relaxing two days, we went back to Moshi town but we weren't finished. We went to the MkoMazi National Park and saw wild dogs in a breeding program, zebras that came up to the safari vehicle and the black Rhino, munching on grass 20 feet from the vehicle! Sadly, the adventure was over and we flew back on Monday. But before we left we met Victor, a friend of Dominick's and ate a banana stew. Words can't explain how delicious that dish was. Thanks, Victor and Mama Irene. Overall, this was a trip of a lifetime. I'm still processing the sites and sounds of Tanzania. Thanks, Dominick.!
b S2024-01-22Jam-packed South American Nature Experience On our trip we visited Quito (and surrounding region), the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon jungle, and Cusco (and surrounding region). In Quito, we toured the Quilotoa volcano, and hiked near the Cotopaxi volcano. We were almost able to see the summit of Cotopaxi, but the very top was obscured by clouds. Stupendous views otherwise. This section of the trip probably would have been more enjoyable if we had started with a day to rest from the long flights we arrived on. In the Galapagos Islands we saw sooo many Galapagos tortoises. We also passed through a magma cave, which, as a caver, was pretty cool. The wildlife was quite relaxed in the presence of humans, which allowed us to get close (not too close) and take many great pictures. We chose to go on a couple water/cruising tours. On those, we got to see dolphins playing in the wake of the boat, blue-footed boobies, so many iguanas, frigates, galapagos gulls, small penguins... on those trips we also went snorkeling and saw many types of fish and starfish. I believe the specific islands we toured were North Seymour, and Bartolome. We got to tour the local (only?) chocolate shop and brewery. I suggest a wide-brimmed hat, and light, long clothing. It is easier to wear long sleeves than to remember to reapply sunscreen multiple times. At Guayaquil (layover otw from the Galapagos to Lima) one of our members became sick and had to miss the Amazon portion of the trip. In the Amazon we stayed at the Nature Horizons lodge. It was a bit rustic, but we had no issues with insects / plants / animals at the lodge. In the jungle, outside of the lodge, the primary nuisance was mosquitos. We took various boat rides onto the Amazon river / its tributaries and saw pink and gray dolphins. On one excursion a guide beckoned a monkey to come down a tree, where he fed it parts of a citrus fruit while we watched. I suggest always having raingear with you. We went for a evening boat trip and ended up soaked from a intense rain. In Cusco we took a daytrip to Machu Pichu via bus/train. Would have been all train, but part of the tracks had been damaged by a recent mudslide (iirc). Machu Pichu was really cool, but also swarming with tourists. The next day we drove to Rainbow Mountain (la montaña colorada). We parked at an elevation of ~4500 m (iirc), and walked/hiked up to the peak at ~5200 m. Hiking at an elevation where it is difficult to breath fully was an exciting experience. The views were amazing. We were supposed to do a walking tour of Cusco for our final day, but another member of our group became quite sick, so that was out. The guides that worked with us were super knowledgeable and nice. Tour/support staff were phenomenal. Especially when things deviated from the plan (sickness, issues with flights..). It was a great trip. I think it would have been better if we had spent more time at fewer locations (less time spent moving from place to place), and if we had been more careful about the food (so tasty though) and water.
Bob S2024-01-21First Class South American Adventure! I finally got my family together for a long awaited South American trip to include some common destinations such as the Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu but also lesser traveled areas including the Amazon rain forest and the Rainbow Mountain Valley in Peru. Within Ecuador and Peru, these sites are well separated making the logistics of a trip such as this quite an endeavor. Fortunately, Dominick and his staff were more than ready to take on the planning of our trip from the first phone call. Although we went through several itineraries before solidifying the final version, Dominick and staff were always flexible and accommodating in hammering out the changing plans. Upon arriving in country, we found the guides and drivers/vehicles to be excellent. Transfers, hotel accommodations and daily excursions went off like clockwork. When our group was occasionally late, the guides and drivers always worked with us without frustration. The guides were all very friendly and extremely knowledgeable. They freely shared their local expertise during our daily excursions but also their insights on regional and national topics such as education, the economy and politics. In short, they gave us a complete picture of the people, the regions and the countries we were visiting. We did have some unexpected illness in our group during the trip but again Dominick and his team were there to support us in getting the appropriate medications as well as in making adjustments to flight and hotel reservations. Lest I forget, meals, restaurants and hotels were well chosen and top notch. In short, Dominick and his team provided an excellent and unforgettable trip for us all. I would highly recommend Nature Horizons tours without reservation for your next journey. Thanks again, Dominick!
Mary S2024-01-21Outstanding Custom Group Tour Nature Horizons arranged an excellent trip that was custom designed for us (a group of 6) to Ecuador, including the Galapagos, and Peru, including the Amazon River region, and Machu Pichu. Every aspect of the trip was fabulous. The guides were high quality, local, knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating. Dominick at Nature Horizons listened to what we wanted to see and accomplish and he made it happen. We ran into several unexpected challenges along the way with flights but Dominick’s team was there at every turn to help us through including helping us at the airlines and with security. Our accommodations were great and hikes were very scenic. The Galapagos and the Amazon area were beautiful beyond words. If you are looking for a high quality, accommodating, and flexible tour, Nature Horizons is outstanding.
Simon2023-11-21An Amazing Trip on Top of Mount Kilimandjaro This trip from Nature Horizons has been one of a lifetime. From the first contact with Dominic all the way to the summit of Mount Kilimandjaro, the experience has been easy, hassle free and most of all very friendly. Dominic has been a great help at reassuring me about this trip and was always available to answer my many questions. We even set up videconferences so we could talk live about the trip, the planning and every little details. Nature Horizons was very flexible regarding the dates for this trip and the pricing was right. Many things were included in the package where it wasn’t the case with other companies. The process was so easy that even at the airport, Nature Horizons` team was on site ready to pick me up and bring me to the hotel. The hotel staff was aware of my arrival and the check-in process (already taken care of by Nature Horizons) allowed me to start this vacation stress free. As for the trip itself, Nature Horizons’ team has been extremely professional from start to finish. Everyone was ready on time to pick me up at the hotel. My guide, Kelvin, has been very generous with his explanations about how things would work for those 7 days to the summit. During the climb, Kelvin was very knowledgeable about everything on the way. He was providing me information about the different plants, flowers and herbs, about the rock formations as well as the history of Mount Kilimandjaro. Whenever I had a question, he had an answer. For someone who wants to be immersed in Kili lore such as I was, my guide was more than able to please. The food was delicious and varied. Fresh vegetables and fruits every day. I was amazed at the amount of food I was presented with. You won’t starve on this trip, Nature Horizons` team has your success at heart and you will be fed what you need to climb all the way to the summit. They provided treated water daily in more than sufficient amount. Every evening, Kelvin would take the time to brief me on the next day`s route, what to expect and how to dress according to the climate. During the day, I never felt any pressure because of my pace. Either I was able to go a bit faster or had to go a bit slower, that would be it and my guide would adjust accordingly. I reached the summit, thanks to Nature Horizons` wonderful team. It has been amazing from start to finish and I recommend this experience to everyone!
Emily2023-03-14A truly inspiring and unforgettable vacation! Let me just say that if you are considering going to some of the most beautiful places in the world, PLEASE use Nature Horizons Tours. This company truly takes care of you, and makes any trip you go on with them all about you and what you want to experience. First and foremost, I had reached out to Dominick 2 years ago when we started planning an Africa trip, and he’s been an amazing resource since day one. When we finally found the place we wanted to go (Tanzania) and the flights we needed, I immediately contacted Dominick and he was ready to start planning the trip itinerary. We also had a bit of a unique request, and we wanted to do a wedding ceremony while on safari. Dominick was so accommodating to every single one of our requests, and setup an absolutely incredible and beautiful trip. We visited the Lake Mahayana National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Are, and Tanagire National park. We 8 days to accomplish our safari, and Dominick organized a perfect schedule where we spent plenty of time in each park and really got experience each place to the fullest. While on safari in the Serengeti we also had a sunrise wedding ceremony that couldn’t have been more perfect, and was exactly what my husband and I dreamed of. We decided to keep the ceremony super simple, but Dominick was ready with photographers, helping hands, etc. for anything we needed for our day. Considering this wasn’t the average request, Dominick blew it out of the water! Additionally, the connections that Dominick has in each place are extraordinary, and truly add to the experience of visiting any place you go with Nature Horizons. The first day we were in Tanzania we visited a small school run by a local man (Nicas) who also runs a dog shelter AND artist gallery all to help support the people of his town. Nicas gave us a tour of the town, and we visited a local swimming hole, roasted coffee beans with some local coffee makers for some delicious coffee, and visited a huge waterfall tucked away about a mile down a hiking trail. This was all in the FIRST day there. We met some incredible people just wandering the town with Dominick’s guides. The guide and cook for our safari were also a highlight of our tour. Praygod (our guide) was not only a wonderful and clearly kind and caring person (he actually presided over our ceremony), but he was also incredibly knowledgeable about the wildlife we encountered which was a huge plus for someone like me who’s a wildlife biologist and wildlife nerd. He knew SO much about everything we encountered, that the outdoorswoman inside of me was screaming with joy. Our cook, Victor, made absolutely delicious meals that we scarfed down like we hadn’t eaten in days every breakfast, lunch and dinner. He did some local dishes that make the experience even more special, including a goat leg for dinner the day of our ceremony as a celebration. They also both coordinated and picked up champagne for our sunrise ceremony that we popped open after saying I do at 7:00AM! It was so thoughtful and much appreciated by me and Ben to celebrate with people who started as strangers and became our friends. Lastly, we finished up our vacation with 4 days in Zanzibar. Dominick helped us pick the perfect resort and coordinated a ride to and from the airport to our resort. Every detail was taken care of from start to finish with our trip to Tanzania because Dominick made sure we knew all the details and had everything we needed. So to end this, if you haven’t already been convinced to travel with Nature Horizons Tours, I don’t know what will change your mind! Dominick helped us have the most unforgettable experience of a lifetime, and the people he has made friends with and works with at each of his destinations are truly amazing people that you will become friends with yourself. The care put into the tours with Dominick and his staff on the ground is unrivaled, and is truly what makes Nature Horizons Tours so special.Tripadvisor rating score: 5.0 of 5,
based on 55 reviews