Comments on: Fawlty Tours: 7 Games Tour Companies Play

By: Daniel Noll

Daniel Noll — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:32:16 +0000

@Michael: If I understand your question, you are meaning to ask whether we are taking advantage of tour companies that are in turn taking advantage of their employees. While we travel within a budget, and this places certain constraints, we will always choose to travel with companies whose values we share. And this includes properly and respectfully treating people — customers and employees alike.

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 17:13:40 +0000

Great article!
One thing, how much did he pay ton their staff?

DO NOT contributed to the exploitation of the staff who have helped you achieve your goal.

We have done with Infocuso and they made a great job.

By: Donncha Mac Raghnaill

Donncha Mac Raghnaill — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:31:51 +0000

Hi Audrey,
The company was Tierras Vivas Tel-Fax 0051-84-235211. Cel. 0051-84-984948212. E’mail info@tierrasvivas.com sales@tierrasvivas.com
However, we booked from a guy called Edwin who helps run a group of three hostals called Samanapata 1, 2 and 3. It was November and so off season and I got $10 off as I was staying at his hostal.
BTW, can-t really recommend the hostal but the tour was faultless. Finally, note that in November you can expect it to rain more days than it doesn’t.

By: Donncha Mac Raghnaill

Donncha Mac Raghnaill — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:52 +0000

HI guys,
Read this article and listened to the radio interview the day before doing the Salkantay trek so was a little worried to say the least. However, the US$170 I paid in Cusco was well spent, everything went without hitch, very professional etc.
Just one sour note. On the last day, our group gave the “lead” guide a tip to divide equally between himself and the other guide. However, later we met the “second” guide who claimed that he would not see a cent of it – he said there was little solidarity between the guides and in fact this was the first time they had worked together. By the way both of these men were very professional, helpful, and patient ie good people – but the lesson is that you have to hand any tip directly to those involved, including the horsemen, cooks etc.

By: Audrey Scott

Audrey Scott — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:06:53 +0000

@Donncha: Glad to hear you had such a good experience with your inexpensive Salkantay Trek tour. Sorry to hear that the “lead” guide wasn’t a team player. We handed our tips directly to the horsemen and cooks since we really didn’t trust our guide at that point 🙂

Would you mind sharing which company you booked with and which company ran the tour (if different)? Might be useful for other readers planning a similar trip.

By: Audrey Scott

Audrey Scott — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:40:55 +0000

@Dave: Thanks for stopping by! From what we were told, it should be quite green in January around Cusco and for your trek. The upside is that it should be really beautiful (when we were there it was dry and brown)…the downside of this is that it means there is a lot of rain so pack your plastic parka.

Food is Cuzco is not high value compared with Lima. For fusion and better quality food, we liked Two Nations (good alpaca carpaccio) or Los Perros (good pisco sours & pumpkin soup) – both are run by Australian expats. Victor Victoria was good for breakfast and Jack’s (run by an American) had great coffee. However, if you’re interested in exploring Peruvian cuisine, it’s better in Lima. We’ll be writing a series on Peruvian food soon, so stay tuned.

Good luck planning your trip and enjoy!

By: Dave E

Dave E — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:05:42 +0000

Your friend Lori Gibson Banducci recommended this site to me tonight; we have been friends since high school. This is really helpfuyl stuff. Two friends and I are planning a January Inca Trail trek. Any comments or advice about that month in particular (weather, crowds, etc)…slow season tips for Cuzco hotels…travel from Lima to Cuzco…your favorite restaurant in Cuzco, or nearby!

By: Daniel Noll

Daniel Noll — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:06:57 +0000

@Mark H: We offer this list in the hopes that readers don’t have to experience all these features at once, but be prepared when they happen to see one or two of them. Glad you had a great trip…and were able to cut the lobbying short.

By: Mark H

Mark H — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:04:40 +0000

I must have been fortunate with the Inca Trail as apart from lobbying, the trip was outstanding. Everyhting well planned and everyhting delivered as committed. Telling the guide that his tip would go everytime he asked the group about it stopped the lobbying at around the third attempt. The guide, cook and porters were well looked after as the expereince was A-1. Mind you, several of the things you’ve described have happened on other trips I’ve done.

By: Holgs

Holgs — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:18:09 +0000

Great article! I did the same tour at the end of August and can agree with your experience – slightly different set of problems, but your summary is fantastic!