Kontiki Tours
Oct 11th, 2006, 12:07 PM
#2
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I pushed a key that I shouldn't have and the previous message went online before it was supposed to. The full message would have included expression of a tentative intent to complete a trip covering Lima, Cuzco and Machu Picchu with the company Kontiki Tours and Travel, with uncertainty about the company itself. Accordingly, I would be grateful for relevant information from those with appropriate experiences.
Oct 11th, 2006, 02:26 PM
#3
There's a trip reports and few other inquiries here... up in the 'search' box type:
Kon Tiki or Kon-Tiki
i'm not sure the correct spelling for the company, but this is how it was spelled in the posts.
Kon Tiki or Kon-Tiki
i'm not sure the correct spelling for the company, but this is how it was spelled in the posts.
Oct 12th, 2006, 07:46 AM
#5
Wish I could be of more help, but I think most of the people who read and post on Fodor's are big on self-planning, not too many that use organized tours.
You might also check on The Thorn Tree, that is a similar forum over on the Lonely Planet's website. Maybe someone there can assist?
You might also check on The Thorn Tree, that is a similar forum over on the Lonely Planet's website. Maybe someone there can assist?
Oct 12th, 2006, 04:17 PM
#6
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Suze:
Interestingly, I've initiated consideration of the alternative "self-planning." Peru seems less intimidating as I read the various reports to which you referred. My wife and I have traveled extensively and have only once before decided, again on the basis of feelings of intimidation, to use a travel tour company. (That was Abercrombie and Kent for a tour of Russia.) But I will indeed check The Thorn Tree; thank you again.
Interestingly, I've initiated consideration of the alternative "self-planning." Peru seems less intimidating as I read the various reports to which you referred. My wife and I have traveled extensively and have only once before decided, again on the basis of feelings of intimidation, to use a travel tour company. (That was Abercrombie and Kent for a tour of Russia.) But I will indeed check The Thorn Tree; thank you again.
Oct 13th, 2006, 03:50 AM
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Hi - never travelled with them - never been to Peru - but I hear what you are saying about some countries where you feel you would be more comfortable visiting in a group.
Just wanted to say that there are lots of soft adventure companies out there - much cheaper than A&K and not as (this is hearasay) manic, party, and for the under 30s, as Kontiki.
You might care to do a google for Peregrine, Explore Worldwide, Imaginative Traveller, Exodus, Intrepid. There's also Toucan, Kamuka, Geckos.
I can recommend Exodus (for me a trip thru the Middle East and Pakistan) and Peregrine who are associated with Guerba (the Africa experts - who are top notch in what they do).
Hope this helps.
Just wanted to say that there are lots of soft adventure companies out there - much cheaper than A&K and not as (this is hearasay) manic, party, and for the under 30s, as Kontiki.
You might care to do a google for Peregrine, Explore Worldwide, Imaginative Traveller, Exodus, Intrepid. There's also Toucan, Kamuka, Geckos.
I can recommend Exodus (for me a trip thru the Middle East and Pakistan) and Peregrine who are associated with Guerba (the Africa experts - who are top notch in what they do).
Hope this helps.
Oct 13th, 2006, 09:42 AM
#8
When I was planning our trip to MP last year at this time I rather assumed we would take a tour, although we have never taken a tour and didn't really want to.
Searching this site I read of many people who did it independently, usually using a local guide - which is what we ended up doing and it was great - we had utter flexibility and control over our time and the cost was about the same as a mid-range tour and a lot less than some of the tours I was considering.
Here's a link to our blog:
http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/l...aca/index.html
If you would like the name of our guide I would be happy to provide it.
Searching this site I read of many people who did it independently, usually using a local guide - which is what we ended up doing and it was great - we had utter flexibility and control over our time and the cost was about the same as a mid-range tour and a lot less than some of the tours I was considering.
Here's a link to our blog:
http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/l...aca/index.html
If you would like the name of our guide I would be happy to provide it.
Oct 13th, 2006, 01:24 PM
#9
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Fuzzylogic: I will indeed look into those alternative tour companies. But be aware that Kon Tiki has three levels of travel to the Cuzco- Machu Picchu area ranging from backpacker choices to those of the Orient Express (including travel on the Hiram Bingham train). The latter is a more likely choice for old duffers, such as my wife and I, than for the under 30s.
Oct 13th, 2006, 04:26 PM
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Elizabeth S: While my wife and I are precisely like you people in political attitudes, unfortunately we differ markedly in courage. I found your blog both interesting and educational, but it has limited relevance for our travel planning because of the difference in what we are willing to risk in international travel. To illustrate, we are considering a stay at the Marriott in Lima, not as a fallback, but as the primary choice.
Oct 13th, 2006, 04:37 PM
#11
Just how old of "duffers" are you AB833? You don't have to say here, but my thought was Elderhostel tours. My friend (you have to be 55+) really enjoyed several trips with them. One included the Amazon, Machu Pichu (sp?), etc.
My direction to Lonely Planet's website sounds probably not appropriate for you in style (it is more for backpackers) but possible contains good Peru information.
My direction to Lonely Planet's website sounds probably not appropriate for you in style (it is more for backpackers) but possible contains good Peru information.
Oct 13th, 2006, 05:39 PM
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I have not actually gone with them but had lots of contacts with them in planning a Brazil safari-type trip. I ended up going with a company more suited to my odd requests. But Kontiki was mentioned in some of the standard travel books like Fodors, Frommers, etc.
Oct 14th, 2006, 07:53 AM
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Suze: My wife and I did go on one trip through Elderhostel - to the Grand Canyon, and it went quite well. But subsequently I had a most negative experience with that organization for a ski trip to British Columbia (not Whistler) when it was cancelled by Elderhostel without notifying me. (I learned of the cancellation via an incidental call to the ski arranger in B.C. just hours before I was planning to make non-cancelable air reservations.)
