Morning in the Sacred ValleyWe got up very early this morning and spent some peaceful reflection time drinking coca tea on the benches overlooking the lake. I really had pretty low expectations for the amount of wildlife that I would see in just a 2-night trip in the middle of the rainy season, but I was amazed! I had gotten to see so many different species in such a short amount of time. After breakfast, we loaded up the canoes for our journey back to Puerto Maldonado. Our flights back to Cusco were delayed by several hours, but we eventually made it back to our home - El Balcon. This afternoon and evening was spent with star guide Marco Palomino. Everyone who has taken a trip with Marco raves about the experience, and I can understand why. He has a very magnetic and vivacious personality, and we were swept up with his infectious love for Peru. We went to a vegetable market and had fresh squeezed juice (I had Marco's favorite of pineapple and apple), went to the witch's market with herbal remedies for every affliction. He took us on a whirlwind scenic tour of Cusco, and wrapped up the evening watching the sun set over the Plaza de Armas of Cusco with a military flag procession.
We've used Adventure Life for several trips in the past and have always been very pleased with them. The staff is personable and professional at the same time. Erin put this trip together for us in just a few days, and it has everything we were looking for! I recommend them without hesitation.
benn
3 weeks ago
I served as the person responsible for planning a trip to Galapagos and Machu Picchu for a group of 14 people. Jane with Adventure Life was very helpful throughout the process. Making suggestions, offering insight, and in the end helped me overhaul an initial plan into something even better. Also, Jane makes all the plans including the flights within and between Peru and Ecuador. Thanks to her this is going to be a stress-free adventure. After making the final decision about the trip, Jane gathered the contact information for all the travelers and sent out the details to each traveler individually with links to pay deposits, upload passport info, and personal preferences. She also ensured a group email was sent out to the entire group welcoming us to the trip preparation process. Our trip is a year from now and we are excited to make this once in a life time trek. I am happy to have organized things through Adventure Life. However, two small issues came up that were a little off putting. First, Adventure Life adds $50 per person to the cost for each traveler as a donation to a Galapagos conservation fund. I think this should he offered as something that can be added at each traveler’s discretion. Instead, it is automatically added, and each person must ask to have it removed if they do not want it included. Second, although the trip deposit may be paid with a credit card without incurring an additional fee, the balance must be paid in another way to avoid a 3% credit card fee. Maybe this is standard with all travel agencies. In the end I would definitely go through Adventure Life for the next big trip.
Brenda Nielsen
1 month ago
I think it was very helpful that Franny and I spoke on the phone. I think she had a better idea of what we were looking for, and she planned a great itinerary for us!
Elizabeth
2 months ago
My representative Kevin was very responsive generally and in crafting our itinerary to our specific priorities.
Rocco Labella
3 months ago
Easy.
Great work on the follow up and details by Waru.