Explorandes
adventure

Explorandes

"This adventure outfitter delivers an "unforgettable" "once-in-a-lifetime experience" with "impeccabl..."

5(20 reviews)
cusco

About Explorandes

This adventure outfitter delivers an "unforgettable" "once-in-a-lifetime experience" with "impeccable organization" and "outstanding" guides.

Traveler Reviews

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Gema De Vargas Romero

Verified Review

"Increíble experiencia junto a Explorandes, en especial con María Paula. Nos organizaron un viaje de novios espectacular, durante el cual no tuvimos que preocuparnos por nada. Destacaría todos los detalles que tuvieron con nosotros, la atención que recibimos en todos los destinos y la calidad de la organización y traslados."

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Almudena Gurpegui Sedano

Verified Review

"Mi experiencia con Explorandes en mi viaje ha Cusco, Valle Sagrado y Machupichu ha sido inolvidable. Todo el equipo se mostró siempre profesional, amable y disponible las 24 horas, anticipándose a mis necesidades y cuidando cada detalle del viaje. Quiero destacar especialmente a sus guías, personas con gran conocimiento de la historia, la cultura y las tradiciones locales, que lograron transmitir su pasión por el Perú de una manera cercana y auténtica. Las rutas elegidas, los hoteles recomendados y las sugerencias gastronómicas superaron mis expectativas. Más que una agencia de viajes, Explorandes ha sido un verdadero compañero de viaje, combinando organización impecable con un trato muy cercano y humano."

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Taylor Berberich

Verified Review

"I am so grateful for Explorandes and our guide, Pamela. This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and the company couldn't have made it any more perfect. Yes, the views were absolutely breathtaking, but my favorite part of this trip was Pamela. She is one of the most thoughtful, caring, and knowledgable people I have ever met. It's clear how much she loves her job, and it shines through everything she does. Even after the trip ended, my group and I couldn't stop talking about how wonderful Pamela was. Make sure to book Explorandes (and Pamela) if you're planning a Machu Picchu trip!!"

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Gilda fernandez-concha

Verified Review

"I had an unforgettable experience with Explorandes on the Inca Trail in December. From start to finish, their team demonstrated impeccable organization, warmth, and expertise. Every detail was thoughtfully handled, making the journey both manageable and memorable. 1. Pre-Trip Support The Explorandes team reached out well before the trip to coordinate pick-up and answer questions. Our guide, Wilber, even came to our hotel the night before to share insights on the trail and give tips, which put us at ease and got us excited for the adventure ahead. They provided us with backpacks for the items carried by their team, which made the hike much more comfortable since we only needed a small day pack with essentials like water. 2. The Journey Itself The trail begins in a scenic valley and winds through diverse landscapes, taking us through forests, high altitudes, and valleys with stunning Inca sites and mountain views. Wilber was outstanding, sharing historical context and fascinating facts along the way, which enriched our appreciation of each site. One of the most breathtaking sections was the climb to Warmiwanusca (4215m) and the descent through areas filled with colorful orchids, adding a magical touch to the landscape. 3. Cultural Enrichment We interacted with local communities along the way and were introduced to traditional rituals to honor the "Apus" (sacred mountains). The team explained the ritual with coca leaves, and we even learned a few Quechua words. These touches created a deep sense of connection to the land and culture. 4. Wildlife & Scenic Beauty We encountered a rich variety of wildlife, from hummingbirds and butterflies to llamas and even a condor. The flora was equally impressive, with orchids and diverse plant species adding to the beauty of the trail. Each campsite was chosen for its stunning views, allowing us to camp near Inca sites and enjoy the sunrise over breathtaking landscapes. 5. Comfort & Facilities Given the challenging nature of the hike, I was grateful to only carry a small day pack, with Explorandes handling the rest. Each evening, our tents were set up for us, complete with sleeping bags provided by Explorandes. Meals were a delight – breakfasts were varied, and lunches were packed to enjoy along the trail with scenic views. For lunch and dinner, their chef would set up a kitchen in nature, serving multi-course meals (always an entrance, main course and dessert). A favorite snack was the tequeños with guacamole, which we asked for repeatedly! Additionally, they provided a portable toilet for convenience, and we even had showers on the first night and a chance to swim in the river mid-hike. 6. Machu Picchu Arrival Our arrival at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate was the perfect finale, just as the Incas would have seen it centuries ago. The views of Machu Picchu from above were surreal, and the sense of accomplishment and awe was beyond words. While we had a few cloudy moments (it was December, so the rainy season), the views, cultural experiences, and care from the Explorandes team made it an incredible journey. I highly recommend this adventure with Explorandes – it was challenging but filled with beauty, and the team made it a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Thank you Wilber and Explorandes Team for such an experience, definitely see you soon!"

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Ceferino Alvarez

Verified Review

"Excelente lugar de almacenamiento de equipos de,aventura"

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Juan Martin Lopez

Verified Review

"Experience of a Lifetime Our trip was absolutely incredible! I was fortunate to connect with Luisa, who organized everything perfectly. She really understood what my family and I were looking for and crafted a trip that exceeded our expectations. We spent several days in the Sacred Valley, immersing ourselves in outdoor activities and making the most of every moment. The Short Inca Trail is something I highly recommend to everyone. A special shoutout to our guide, Neptali, whose empathy and deep knowledge of the Incas truly made this experience unforgettable. It was the trip of a lifetime! I couldn’t recommend this company more. I only wish they organized trips to other destinations as well—if they could replicate these experiences elsewhere, I would definitely book more adventures with Explorandes."

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Luis Valente

Verified Review

"We did the 5D/4N Inca Trail to Machu Picchu plus 3 days in the Sacred Valley for acclimation before the big hike and another full day and 2 nights in Cusco before flying out. Originally we had planned to go in 2020 with another couple but the pandemic forced us to postpone the trip until this year. By then we had convinced other family and friends to go and we ended up being a group of 9 in a private tour with Explorandes. The itinerary was very well set up with time to acclimate in the Sacred Valley, the 5-day Inca Trail adventure with plenty of time to visit Machu Picchu and the final day touring Cusco. Explorandes office staff were very helpful and informative throughout the planning and booking process. Staff on the ground - drivers, folks helping us with airport transfers, checking into flights, etc. - were also most helpful. The staff on the Inca Trail from the porters to the cooks to our guides were absolutely amazing! Miguel, our main guide, was unbelievably great. He was a wealth of information about the trail and the pre-columbian history and culture. He was warm, funny, very patient and always made us feel like we were his top priority. His command of English (and Italian!) was excellent! Elena was also a great assistant guide, always making sure we were taken care of an no one was being left behind. We were amazed by the quality of the food on the trail, the quality of the camping equipment and the staff. How can they cook some really good pasta at 9,000 feet? The hotels chosen by Explorandes and that were all part of the package were amazing. A very luxurious hotel in the Sacred Valley, a good hotel in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) and a fantastic hotel in Cusco. I could not recommend Explorandes more. They will make sure you have a wonderful experience. The Inca Trail is very challenging, specially for a group like ours where many of the participants were over 60. But the Explorandes staff made sure that we could make it through and have a lot of fun in the process. Thank you for an amazing experience, Explorandes!"

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K F

Verified Review

"If you are looking to travel to Peru. Please consider the company that lead the first travellers down the Inca trail back in the 1970’s. They are first in experience and will take good care of you whether your on the hiking group or the personal guided tour of Machu Picchu as well as all the major sites. We are being guided as I write this halfway through a two week trip and feel thankful that we chose ExplorAndes. All our guides are so knowledgeable, hotels well chosen and the drivers have been very safe (given the traffic in Lima or the rural routes). We had some meals included but not all dinners were in case we were not wanting a big meal at night. Top tip: Learn what to tip the bellboy, guides, drivers and at restaurants in Sols. #ExplorAndes,"

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Mike Panzitta

Verified Review

"We used Explorandes for a 4-day Inca Trail hike with a tour of Machu Picchu and a follow-up tour of Palcoyo (rainbow mountains). We were fortunate to have Carlos as our guide for the total of six days, together with fabulous cook Gabriel and an amazing team of porters on the four-day trek. Information provided prior to our departure was complete and helpful to set expectations and help pack effectively. Carlos was incredibly informative and friendly throughout the journey, giving us the history and background of the region, the trail itself, and the many historic sites we visited. He and the team emphasized safety and hygiene and were able to secure a private campsite the first night and excellent locations in group campsites for the other two nights. The camaraderie of the team made it clear that Explorandes treats its people well. We can't recommend Explorandes (and Carlos) highly enough, we will use them again in our next adventures into the Andes."

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