 How many years has Andes Adventures been in business?
Andes Adventures was founded in 1995. We specialize exclusively in South America. Our all-inclusive itineraries provide high quality trips at prices that are unmatched by any other adventure travel company. A claim that we can proudly guarantee!
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Why are Andes Adventures trips are a lot less expensive than other companies?
Compare us with other companies offering adventure travel, you
will find that we charge a lot
less for similar programs. We are
able to provide these low prices and keep costs down because we
plan, organize and operate all our trips directly. We do not use
an operator in any of our destinations; that alone saves you
at least 30% to 40% of the cost. For the same reason we can also guarantee
the quality of our adventures. We do not work with travel agents;
therefore no additional cost for commission is added to our prices saving you an additional 15% to 20%. We keep our overhead low, and
we carefully control our office and printing expenses. Nevertheless,
Andes Adventures never compromises the quality of the trips in any
way. We include excellent accommodations, all meals, tours & many
other extras. Compare our adventures
and prices with other well known
companies and you will find that our itineraries include much more
than comparable trips.
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What's included in all Andes Adventures trips?
Our packages are all-inclusive and save you in every category. See details below and compare to any other company.
- All airport transfers and ground transportation as scheduled on itinerary.
- All accommodations are based on double occupancy.
- All off-trail accommodations in Perú are in fine hotels. When camping, we use roomy, high quality tents.
- All accommodations in Ecuador are in fine hotels and beautiful historic haciendas. The Ecuador adventures do not include any camping nights.
- All off-trail accommodations in Patagonia are in fine hotels.
In Torres del Paine National
Park we stay in very comfortable
mountain lodgings (refugios). Bathrooms for men and for women are
separate and they are shared among the group. Hot showers are available
all day long. The Patagonia adventures do not include any camping
nights – we spend all nights indoors.
Options for private rooms in
Torres del Paine National Park are subject to availability. Inquire
and reserve early!
- Andean Triangle accommodations in Chile, Bolivia & Peru
are in fine hotels. Based on
double occupancy, rooms are shared by two people. 2 nights are
in rustic accommodations that we reserve entirely for us. We
may share more than 2 per room among the group.
- All meals are included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. (B, L, D) Vegetarian meals will be provided upon request in advance.
- All sightseeing tours, including all Park entrance fees on the itinerary.
- Services of professional tour guides/trip leaders.
- All tips to porters and cooks on the trail.
Items that are not included in our trips: International airfare, internal flights, airport departure taxes, travel insurance (highly recommended), excess baggage fees, passport fees, Chilean reciprocity tax, optional tips to trip leader, guides and local staff, additional hotel nights that may be needed to accommodate your airline schedule, items of personal nature such as: sleeping bag, personal gear, laundry, telephone calls, beverages, etc..
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What is the difference between a tour and a trekking Adventure?
On our tours you fly, drive, take a train or sail. You stay at fine accommodations. The walking is limited and rated "easy to moderate". Some optional outdoor activities are offered. Tours are generally physically non-demanding.
On our trekking adventures, you will be staying at the same fine accommodations in the cities and on other days you will hike from camp to camp with a light daypack. You will be pleasantly surprised by the level of comfort that is provided in our camps! Porters and pack animals carry all the equipment and our staff takes care of everything while our cook prepares delicious meals. We provide spacious tents, dining tents, toilet tents, hot basin washing water and all camping equipment.
There is no camping on the Patagonia Trekking
Adventure and the Andean
Triangle Hiking Adventure --
we sleep indoors every night.
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Your running adventures look challenging. How strong a runner do I need to be?
Runners from 18 to 78 have participated in our running adventures. Many have not run a marathon. Some have never run on a trail before, or spent the night in a tent. If you run regularly, can comfortably run 10-15 miles in rolling terrain, and are fit and healthy, you should find our running adventures to be an exhilarating and rewarding experience. Our running adventures are for runners of all abilities. Plenty of support is provided on the trail so you can enjoy it at your own pace. Have questions? Give us a call Toll Free at (800) 289-9470.
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What is the maximum group size?
Our trekking and tour groups in all Peru Adventures, including
Inca Trail are always small - 7
to 16 participants maximum. Our
Patagonia and Ecuador Trekking
Adventures and Tours are 12 to 24 participants maximum.
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Do you arrange Private trips?
Yes, we can arrange Private trips to Peru for individuals, families, clubs, institutions and corporations. Choose any date that fits your group's plans. If you are planning to hike the Inca Trail Trekking Adventure, permits have to be purchased at least 4 to 5 months in advance (depending on time of year) to guarantee the spaces. If you are planning to do the Wonders of Peru Tour without the hike, no permits are required; but if you want to hike to Machu Picchu instead of taking the train, the same advanced registration is required to obtain the permits. Please contact us for more information.
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What are the accommodations like?
Our trips include accommodations in first class fine hotels. Many of our itineraries include links to the hotel web sites .
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What if I'm traveling alone?
If you are traveling alone and prefer single accommodations
you must pay the single supplement.
If you are willing to share accommodations,
we will try our best to find a
roommate and if that is not possible
you will pay only 75% of the single
supplement cost.
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What kind of arrangements will we have on the Inca Trail?
On the Inca Trail in Peru you can expect the most complete support. We provide first-class camping and trekking services by experienced Andean guides, camp and cook staff, assisted by Huayruro porters. All meals: Wake up tea, breakfast, lunch, tea meal and dinner. All quality group camping equipment: excellent personal tents, thermarest pads, dining and kitchen tents, tables, camp stools, toilet tents.
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What is the food like?
All meals are included on our trips. You will be treated to an extensive variety of fabulous Peruvian cuisine. We choose the finest restaurants in the cities to give you the opportunity to taste a great variety of local delicacies and flavors. In camps our cooks are experts in preparing nourishing wholesome and delicious meals. We will accommodate any special diet requests you may have including vegetarian, please request prior to the trip.
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About our trip leaders/guides.
Our experienced local bilingual trip leaders/guides are the key to making each trip a unique adventure and we provide the very best. They have in-depth knowledge of the language, customs, culture and history. They take great pleasure in sharing their insights and expertise and will make your adventure an unforgettable experience. Leaders are detail oriented, making sure everything runs safely and smoothly.
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Pre-trip planning .
As soon as you sign up, you will receive detailed pre-departure material, including information on the country, check list of items to bring, insurance application and other information to help you prepare for your trip. Airline tickets and final trip details will be send about a month before departure.
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Does Andes Adventures offer any group discounts?
Yes, we offer discounts for a party of 16 participants reserving
at the same time and traveling together. Consult with us on the
specific trip that you are considering.
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How do I sign up for an Andes Adventures trip?
For Perú, Andean Triangle and Ecuador Adventures:
Send us a completed application and a $400 deposit. A second payment of $400 is due 90 days prior to departure. Full payment must be received 60 days prior to departure.
For Patagonia Adventures:
Send us a completed application and a $500 deposit. A second payment of $500 is due 90 days prior to departure. Full payment must be received 60 days prior to departure.
We recommend you sign up as early as possible. Our group sizes are small and they fill up quickly.
New regulations limit the number of people on the
Inca Trail. Permits are available only on a first-come, first serve basis.
To guarantee your spot on the Inca Trail we recommend that you reserve at
least 6 months in advance!
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Should I buy travel insurance?
We highly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation/interruption insurance to protect your travel investment. Included with your pre-departure package, you will receive an application for travel insurance to cover trip cancellation, interruption, baggage loss and delay, emergency medical evacuation insurance and emergency medical expense insurance.
Andes Adventures offers travel insurance through Travel
Insured International. You have the option of purchasing travel insurance
coverage with Travel Insured International or an insurance company
or your choice.
Travel Insured offers several types of coverage. We strongly recommend
one of the Comprehensive Plans
because of the Trip Cancellation
benefit. The policy we suggest
is the "Worldwide Trip Protector". Plans include a provision
to waive the exclusion for Pre-Existing Conditions if you purchase
the coverage within 14 days of your initial trip deposit.
You may view plan
details and purchase online. Contact us if you have any questions.
Travel Insured International is for USA and Canada residents only.
If you are coming from other countries, please check with a Travel
Agent.
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Will I need a visa?
U.S. citizens do not need a visa to go to Peru, Ecuador, Chile
or Argentina. U.S. citizens need a visa to go to Bolivia. Other
nationalities do not require a visa. Please consult with us!
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What are the penalties for canceling my trip?
Cancellation fees are computed, as of the date we receive your written cancellation notice, as follows:
Cancellation Fees For Perú, Ecuador, and Andean Triangle Adventures:
- More than 90 days before departure - $200
- 89 to 61 days before departure - $300
- 60 to 31 days before departure - 50% of selling price
- 30 days or less to departure 100% of selling price
Cancellation Fees For Patagonia Adventures:
- More than 90 days before departure - $200
- 89 to 76 days before departure - $300
- 75 to 31 days before departure - 50% of selling price
- 30 days or less to departure 100% of selling price
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