Packaged Tours – Our Introduction

A South America Tour

At the urging of friends we joined them on a package tour to South America. With the exception of a bus tour featuring Yellowstone this was our first packaged travel tour. It was a 17 day tour with Exoticca from our U.S. airport that include Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu in Peru, Quito, San Cristobal, Galapagos, Guayaquil in Ecuador and back home. The travel package included all hotels, some meals, 7 destinations, 7 sightseeing tours (that included a round trip train to Machu Picchu and admission and a round trip bus into the Amazon for a stay at an eco-lodge), and included 9 flights with all transfers to hotels and airports for a price under $3,000 per person.

While several years ago we planned our own trip from Buenos Aries to Iguazu Falls that beat the 1 to 3 day tour prices by over 50% this was way different. For comparisons I tried to duplicate this South American package tour by independently finding hotels and flights with allowances for local tours, transfers and known admission fees. After hitting over $7,200 for the two of us I gave up.


Reviews, Reviewers And A Grain Of Salt

First we have a perspective on travel that is based on decades of
international travel. We’ve come to understand that it’s complicated
and fraught with the unexpected and at times things just go wrong.
Cancelled trains and delayed flights, lost reservations at hotels,
drivers not showing up and worse. Our favorite expression is “I
guess we’re not in Kansas anymore”.

We booked our trip through Exoticca Travel and having not done
this before, we dove into checking reviews online. Some of our
initial research was a bit discouraging. It seemed at the time for
reviews of trips to Greece and North Africa the reviews were pretty
harsh. The biggest complaint was nobody picked them up at the airport
and some thinking the hotels had been downgraded. Looking at reviews
for Exoticca for Peru and Galapagos things were much more positive.
On TripAdvisor some moderators seemed to be holding a grudge that
goes back years so we questioned what was going on with that??
TrustPilot was mostly positive but there are people who don’t trust
the site.

Exoticca appears to be handling a large number of tours for our
destinations. We started in Lima and there were Exoticca people in
the hotel that had just come back from Machu Picchu and others
heading out to the Galapagos the next day, while our group was on its
way to Machu Picchu. We also had our share of encounters with people
that didn’t seem to be pleased with anything that happened. Even
though most of us were very pleased with the tour package I’m sure the grumps will be writing reviews*.

Taking into account price differences, I’ve now put together
several collections of reviews on Exoticca and have decided they lean
to the positive and considering the costs we will certainly use them again.

Our Experience

After booking with our friends we did have problems having
Exoticca keeping our itineraries linked. They made a mistake on my
name on official filings and couldn’t seem to correct it after weeks
of trying. Weeks before departing they made some flight changes that
were seriously unacceptable that we struggled to get fixed. I’ll
admit it was a challenge communicating with them and getting fixes
done.

Middle of the Earth Ecuador

With that said, from the time we arrived in Lima we were taken
excellent care of. We were met at every airport, even at 1:00 am and
taken right to our hotel. All the hotels were very good and and so were
the vans and buses. The local tour companies made sure we got
to airports and helped us with boarding passes and checked luggage.

The experience at Machu Picchu could not have been better
organized. They took care of railroad tickets, buses up the mountain
and admission. The guide on the site was excellent and maybe they had
something to do with great weather too. The Galapagos portion was
handled very efficiently, the hotel was in a good location, the rooms
clean and comfortable and the staff friendly and helpful.

For a secod opinion from a travel professional click HERE. In our opinion considering the tours cost we got way more than our money’s worth.
We are right now deciding on another tour with Exoticca for Egypt
later this year. We’ll let you know…

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First impression Machu Picchu, Peru

Entering the visitors gate into Machu Picchu leads you down a path with a wall made of rock on your left and views of distant mountains on your right. Climbing up a carved set of stairs you step out into a opening and the picture above is your first glimpse of the Inca stronghold. It simply leaves you speechless. The recently thatched building in the foreground is a store house, both peaks behind the site also have Inca terraces and structures at their tops and this is only the first impression.

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Lima Beach From El Malecón

Lima beach in Miraflores, Peru viewed from the amazing El Malecón. Imagine eleven miles of beautiful beaches laid out right next to metropolitan Lima. The beaches are below a rugged coastline capped by a fantastic trail along its cliff tops called El Malecón. The Miraflores section boasts a large, upscale shopping center, several beautiful parks and the Pacific Ocean.

Join us as we visit historic treasures, natural wonders and vibrant cities set against backdrops that are endlessly changing and visually magnificent. Celebrate a world of travel experiences with these decorating accessories that are perfect for framing.

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Wildlife Of The Galápagos Islands

The Galápagos are a magnet to travelers and nature lovers from all around the world. They’re drawn by stories of an unspoiled place where exotic animals are everywhere and people roam freely among them. At least that seems to be the image most people have. The truth may be a little different though.

The mystique of these islands dates back to 1835 when Charles Darwin claimed to have identified over 100 new species of birds on the islands. As part of the HMS Beagle expedition. Darwin stayed in Galápagos for two months collecting specimens that he later used to develop his theory The Origin Of Species.

The major feature of the Galápagos are the large number and range of birds found here. While there are some 56 species of birds that live or breed in the islands, only 27 are unique to the Galápagos. Most of these are small birds like Darwin’s finches and they’re mostly isolated to individual islands.

Of the Galápagos’ major species that are of interest to visitors there are only five and of those only two are unique here, the Galapagos tortoise and the marine iguana. The other three are the sea lions, frigate birds and booby birds

The Galápagos tortoise is the most iconic animal in the Galapagos chain inhabiting seven of the islands. It has an average lifespan of more than 150 years and not surprisingly is part of the collection of almost every one of the worlds zoos.

The Galápagos’ marine iguana is the only iguana adapted to life in the sea. Here they are very common and can be found sunning themselves on rocks, sidewalks and piers. Among the other reptiles are land iguanas, lava lizards, geckos and a few harmless snakes.

A favorite bird in the Galápagos is the blue footed booby. They are only one of five species of boobies and are most remarkable because they have blue feet! While these birds live along various portions of the western coast of Central and South America, it is the Galápagos Islands where people come to get a glimpse of them. There are a number of breeding locations but most of these are away from the larger islands and require a boat trip to visit.

In order to really experience the wide range of wildlife in the Galápagos visitors would need to visit five to seven islands. Unfortunately for most visitors a trip to the Galápagos usually involves flying into the island of San Cristabol and spending two or three nights there. While this does provide an opportunity for seeing local birds and animals to get to visit breeding seabird colonies requires taking boat tours or all day trips.

Additional animals in the Galápagos include a penguin that spends time in the Galápagos, but they live on remote coasts and are difficult to visit. Other birds include Darwin’s finches, frigate birds, albatross, gulls, boobies, pelicans and a Galápagos hawks. There is also a flightless cormorant and the Galapagos crake, a nearly flightless bird.

Of the mammal species, mostly are sea mammals such as whales, dolphins and the ever present sea lions. There are also a few species of Galapagos mice, including the Santiago Galapagos mouse and the Fernandina Galapagos mouse.

Generally not exactly the experience most people expect. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t some interesting things to do in the Galapagos. Visit the Galápagos tortoise breeding facility and spend time at a few museums. There are some nice beaches and swimming with sea lions is almost unavoidable. There’re plenty of great locations to snorkel and dive trips are plentiful. Five hour to all day excursions to a number of uninhabited islands can also be easily arranged.

In Search Of The Blue Footed Booby

If most people were to guess which is the most iconic animal in the Galapagos it would probably be the Galapagos tortoise or maybe the marine iguana. If the gift shops in San Cristobal are any indication it would appear the overwhelming winner is actually the blue footed booby. Maybe it’s the name – the opportunity to have some fun with the name is just too easy, but in fairness the blue footed booby does seem have some real appeal. It’s often popular in documentaries about the Galapagos, where pairs of them bow and shuffle and show off their blue feet in mating rituals.

Upon arriving in San Cristobal, Galapagos we picked up some souvenirs that included a blue footed booby t-shirt and a pendent featuring the bird. It seemed a given that we would soon see the famous sea bird. While it was mating season the only way to guarantee seeing one was to get to one of the smaller uninhabited islands where the colonies are common. Asking around we were told that it wasn’t uncommon to sight a blue footed booby on the rocks near shore around the island. In talking to a naturalist she indicated there were a few places near to town where we should look. One was Playa Mann about a mile down the coast and the other good places to look were the cargo pier in town and the rocks just outside the Naval Base.

Early the next morning we headed out to see the area on foot and look for the blue footed booby. We started at the Naval Base – no boobies. On our way out of town we stopped at the cargo pier – no boobies. One of our goals that day was the Interpretation Center above Playa Mann so we spent some time at the beach – no boobies. After the Interpretation Center we headed back into San Cristobal again visiting Playa Mann – still no boobies. Cargo pier again and still no boobies. After some seven miles walking with the heat climbing we stopped in town for Cokes and a snack and on the way back to our hotel to cool off we made one last visit to the Naval Base – a booby!

One solitary booby just standing on the rocks in the water at the Naval Base. Later that day he was joined by friend…

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The Heart Of Cusco, Peru

Nestled in the Andes of Peru above 11,000 feet is the old capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco. Boasting a population of around a half million the city’s biggest draw is that it is the gateway to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. If your plan has you passing through Cusco on your way to Machu Picchu do yourself a favor and plan a few days in this interesting city.

In the middle of Cusco the old historic district acts as a magnet drawing crowds into the city’s beautiful main square, the Plaza de Armas. This square marks both the Spanish colonial center of the city and the site of the capital of the vast Inca Empire. The Plaza features a large public space with gardens and wide pathways anchored by two iconic buildings, the magnificent Cusco Cathedral and the Church La Compania de Jesus. Ringing this large space are a number of good restaurants, cafes and shops with narrow streets radiating off in several directions. Within a half mile radius of the Plaza de Armas you’ll find over fifteen hundred years of historic sites and museums to explore.

Qorikancha – Located among examples of of several colonial Spanish buildings are these Inca ruins that actually form the foundations of a church and the convent of Santo Domingo. These large carved stones were once part of the richest temple in the whole of the Inca Empire.

Iglesia de La Compañía de Jesús – Built upon the foundation of the palace of Inca Emperor Huayna Cápac, the last Inca to rule the unconquered empire, this church was built by the Jesuits in 1571.

Cusco Cathedral – An ornate building housing a number of significant artworks, chapels featuring an interesting blend of Catholicism and local Indian culture.

Museo Inka – The amazing collections of the Museo Inka, a block northeast of the Plaza de Armas, is the largest display of Inca and pre-Inca artifacts anywhere.

Museo de la Coca – The Andean coca leaf culture permeates the region and this little museum traces the uses of the coca leaf, from sacred ritual to helping to overcome altitude sickness.*

In 1983, Cusco and the historic district were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO with the title “City of Cuzco”.

While strolling through the area don’t shy away from the opportunity to shop with the many sellers dressed in traditional Indian garb offering scarves, hats and stuffed animals. Negotiating a price is part of the fun. Also the wide range of Peruvian restaurants in the historic district offer opportunities to try Peruvian foods like grilled guinea pig or llama prepared in a variety of traditional ways. For those less adventurous the plaza also offers a McDonalds and a KFC.