Galapagos Islands and Ecuador Travel Guide

Our trip was beyond awesome. We made memories for a lifetime in Peru and the Galápagos Islands. Standing on the equator in Quito and the different experiments on the equator were a hit with kids and adults alike. There was excellent planning and execution by our Zicasso travel specialists. All the guides and excursions were great and we made good friends with them. They went above and beyond to recover our (lost/forgotten) items in a hotel and plane. Two thumbs up.

We discovered our travel company through Zicasso and had an incredible experience planning and executing our trip to Peru. This was our first journey to South America and, since we don’t speak Spanish, we decided to work with a travel agent for this trip. Having planned all our travels around the world on our own, we were initially hesitant to entrust someone else with such an important task. However, our agent exceeded our expectations and made the entire process seamless and enjoyable.

From the very beginning – five months before our trip – our agent was a pleasure to work with. She was prompt, responsive, and attentive to our aspirations for the trip. After discussing the types of activities we wanted to include, she crafted a comprehensive itinerary filled with diverse and exciting options. Together, we refined the plans through a few iterations until we arrived at the perfect itinerary for our dream vacation.

Our two-week adventure in Peru was nothing short of amazing, taking us through the Amazon rainforest, the cultural heart of the Inca civilization in Cusco, the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu, the breathtaking Rainbow Mountain, the tranquil beauty of Lake Titicaca and the floating islands in Puno, and the vibrant coastlines of Lima and Huacachina, where we experienced sandboarding and a flight over the Nazca Lines.

Throughout the trip, our agent stayed in constant communication, providing detailed updates and guidance for each day’s activities. Every guide she arranged for us was a local expert with deep knowledge of the region’s history, architecture, and culture, which added immense value to our experience.

Even when we encountered a minor hiccup with one of the tours, our agent handled it promptly and professionally, resolving the issue without hesitation or resistance. Her dedication and attention to detail ensured our trip was smooth and stress-free.

Thanks to our agent and her incredible network of guides, we had a phenomenal experience in Peru. We highly recommend visiting this beautiful country and entrusting our tour company with your travel plans. Without a doubt, we would work with our agent for future adventures!

We had excellent guides and hotels throughout our trip. Zicasso’s trip planner helped develop an itinerary that fit our interests perfectly. We enjoyed our time in the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, and Lima.

Overall, the trip was amazing, and we had a great time.

The Positives: 

The Galapagos cruise selection was the highlight—truly spectacular.

Every single hotel and lodge was outstanding.

The local guides and service were consistently great.

We loved the treehouse lodge experience experience (a conservation must-see for nature lovers) and the hotel in Cusco was perfect.

The premium domestic flights and Quito lounge access were nice touches.

What could be improved :

These are minor issues, but fixing them would make a massive difference to client experience.

Post-Booking Communication: After final payment, email responses for details like tipping and permits got really slow. It felt like the expectation was to use the provided app, but that wasn't clear. Also, we expected a quick check-in from the travel company a few days into the trip.

Quito Hotel and Sleep: The hotel in Quito was super far from the airport. Given our late arrival and early departure, prioritizing sleep with an airport hotel would've been much better than seeing the historic area.

Cusco Acclimatization: Arriving late afternoon in Cusco and starting the hike the next day is not enough time for altitude acclimatization. We think the original plan for three nights in Cusco got lost when the itinerary changed.

Lares Hike Mix-Up: There was a misunderstanding about the two extra hikes for the Lares Trail—only one was booked. We couldn't get the second permit last-minute, even though it was in the trip description.

Mountain Lodge Experience: This part was different than expected. Since our group was small, we only had one guide and felt that not all available activities were properly shown to us. Also, there was a lot more driving between locations than we expected.

My adult daughter and I had the most wonderful trip planned by Zicasso's travel company. Their team was exceptional; educational, on time, and just a pleasure to be with. Our itinerary was just what we were looking for. From Lima to the Amazon Rainforest, Cusco, and ending with Machu Picchu, it was well planned and well executed. We have memories that will last us forever.

Our travel specialist was a pleasure to work with. She listened to our thoughts and improved our experience with her great knowledge of the country, cities, and historical sites we wanted to visit. The travel company exceeded our expectations on every level. Thank you to our specialist and the team she assembled. We now have fantastic memories that will last us forever!