Aug 31, 2019
Beauty in all it's splendor - Excellent customer facing experience from Travel & Healing. Heads up highlight, this is meant to be an experience, not a regular "pick up, drop off" scenario. We had our fantastic guide Luz stop off our hotel the night before to facilitate a local Shaman blessing & set expectations for the next day. We were always taken well care of & were always safe. Beautiful experience.
The only area for improvement would be in the horseback section. The community which provide those services are generous & lovely, but they kind of offer only a "one-size-fits-all" when it comes to saddles & horses. Most importantly, there needs to be a greater communication between the tour company & the native people providing the horses, since we were asked to pay for our ride even though we had previously paid upfront with Travel & Healing. Even though it worked out, we were waiting around afterwards making sure everyone was taken care of financially. Not a huge issue, just one that can be overcome with better coordination & communication on site.
I definitely can say that choosing Travel & Healing added value to our experience to our trip & made the trek to Vinicunca all the more memorable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dec 21, 2018
Great Experience! - We booked this tour without really knowing much about where we were going or anything. But the Apos were really looking after us because we had a great experience! The Andean Blessing was AMAZING! We truly believe that this is what helped us get not only to Rainbow Mountain but to Machu Picchu as well.
The pick up in the morning was a little weird because our hotel was not downtown but we got where we needed to go.
Breakfast was okay but I was afraid to eat because I was nervous of all of the bad experiences that I had read from other people.
The ride up to the mountain upset my stomach so I was very nervous continuing, but the guides were very nice and assured me that I would be okay and that they had oxygen with them in case needed.
Our guides did not know that we had paid for our horses already so that was a little upsetting but I had my receipts with us and we were able to sort it out.
A guide stayed with us the whole ride and walk up. I felt very sick so I did not continue to the second and highest point of the mountain but the guides convinced to just go up a little to get part of the best view. They even helped me with my bag. They were just so friendly!
I truly enjoyed this experience! It wasn't easy but it was definitely worth it!
Travel & Healing tour group rocks!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oct 11, 2018
Great day at rainbow mountain - Was a great experience and made my husbands and I vacation in Peru one of the most memorable. Gabi was a great guide - she shared alot of info on the country, city, history, culture, etc. Also helped in making sure we were ok with the attitude as it was very challenging since we had only arrived the night before. Also, we had some luggage issues that we had to deal with the night before but Tito was great instill being able to do the Shaman blessing which was something we were afraid we were going to miss. We got very lucky and would highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oct 3, 2018
Above and Beyond! - We had a really great experience with the Travel and Healing tour company and would highly recommend them to anyone!
First of all, our organizer Tito was great! He was excellent at communicating with us via email and WhatsApp to make sure we could meet with him briefly before the trip for the orientation and Andean blessing. We had issues with our flights but he was more than accommodating to help us meet at a time that would work for everyone, even though it was in the evening. Tito gave us the rundown of what was going to happen during our tour and then handed it over to the Andean priest for the blessing. The Shaman Raul gave us a very unique experience and we were lucky to be able to spend some time with him. He talked to each of us (Tito had to translate) and we were presented with some items that we had to take with us to Rainbow Mountain to complete the blessing there. After the orientation Tito even helped us find a good place to eat, and then continued to communicate with us during and even after the tour to make sure things were going well on our trip. This was really nice as most of the tours I've booked with through Viator do not confirm details or follow up with you after booking.
Our actual guide for the day was Gaby and she was fantastic! We had a comfortable van as our transportation and the route to the Rainbow Mountain was very scenic as well. There were some local protests going on but Gaby really kept us posted on everything and kept us informed on what was going on. The only impacts it had to our tour was that we didn't have the option to see the Red Valley as it was blocked, and there weren't as many horses available. Throughout the day Gaby was great with providing us commentary about almost everything from the villages we passed through, foods we were eating and how the mountains were going to be like. She took her time with us (since we were not used to the altitude and moved slowly) and even helped us take a whole bunch of pictures. After seeing the main areas of the Rainbow Mountain, she took us away from the crowds to complete our Andean blessing and that was a great experience too. We had a really great day with her and she gave us lots of suggestions for things she personally likes to do and foods she like to eat for the rest of our trip. Gaby was a lot of fun!
On top of all of this, Tito really went above and beyond with his services, and even helped us out with the rest of our trip. We were doing a self guided hike on the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, and he helped us organize some rental equipment and transportation to the trail head, which was several hours away. This was really unexpected but saved us a bunch of time and we really appreciated it because this was unrelated to our Rainbow Mountain tour. Tito is a great guy and continued to check in with us throughout our trip to make sure we were having a good time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sep 28, 2018
Amazing experience in Cusco - We had an amazing time in Cusco and booking with Tito was the best choice we could have made.
Our experience began with a personal meet and greet session with Tito where maestro Raul, the local shaman, was introduced to us. Raul performed the local ritual which is meant to give us blessing on our stay in Cusco. It was truly an authentic eye opening experience that one should keep an open mind for. After all, this is why we travel far to experience other cultures, right?
Gaby was our guide to The Rainbow Mountain. She is very knowledgeable and kind hearted. Along the ride to the mountain, she would give us details about the local life in the villages we passed by. We witnessed young children in school uniforms running down the rocky mountain with their short tiny legs as we drove up the winding road. Gaby would ask the driver to slow down as we passed by the children so she can give out snacks to the children. This experience made me realize how fortunate we have been growing up. I urge other visitors to bring a few packaged snacks to share with the local children in case there is a chance to do so as well.
The hike up to Rainbow Mountain was a challenging one. Yes, we were signed up to take horses up but there were not enough horses to go around that day due to a local meeting that involved neighbouring villages about the tourism that was happening that day. They did have a few horses operating for those that really need it. But being a health nut myself, I didn't mind taking on the challenge and hiking up on my own two feet. When it looked like I was out of breath, Gaby took care of me and help me slowed my breathing down. I felt completely safe with Gaby around. We eventually made it to the top and it was clear that the difficult hike up was worth it. The hike made the experience more rewarding. The view is breathtaking. Definitely bring a good camera.
Tito's services didn't end there. Not only did Tito explained to us about the local customs and the experience we were getting into, he gave us suggestions on where to dine and he asked about the rest of our plans. He knew that we were doing the Salkantay hike to Machu Pichu and he went out of his way to hook us up with tents and other supplies that we were lacking. I thought that was unbelievable. Tito really made the effort to make sure we got the best experience during our stay in Cusco.
I would highly recommend booking with this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sep 24, 2018
Amazing service and experience - Tito hooked us up big time on this trip! He set us up with a Shaman Blessing first and accommodated our timing from our delayed flights. Then we were off to ride horses to rainbow mountain. Unfortunately there were no horses available as there was a issue with local people that provided the horses.
Gaby our tour guide was great! She was knowledgeable and patient with our slow behinds walking up rainbow mountain. She was very helpful especially when some of us suffered from mild altitude sickness symptoms like heavy breathing. She was well mannered and we would highly recommend her as your guide. We hand a great time hiking even though there were no horses. It wasn’t her or Tito’s fault.
When we returned, Tito felt bad about our lack of horses and went out of his way to help us out finding us camping equipment for our unguided trek of Salkantay. He was very helpful and we would highly recommend connecting with him!
Amazing job Tito and Gaby!
Ivan from Canada
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jul 22, 2018
Unique Experience - The activity had started 1 day before the booking date; we had local shaman blessing for a safe trip. He also gave us special make-a-wish Coca Leaves for burying them on the top of mountain. It was very unique experience for us.
For the mountain tour, we had other groups climbing the mountain on foot, so we had to wait over 30 mins at the below of top, and it was a negative point of the tour for us. But our guide was very kind and always good for us on the hard mountain trail. Also, lunch after climb was very good with a lot of dishes.
Overall, the tour was very satisfying. Now we hope our wishes on Coca Leaves will come true!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jul 2, 2018
Amazing tour!<br/> The only problem... - <p>Amazing tour!<br/>
The only problem about this tour was that they confused something with our pick-up time. And we were picked up ONE HOUR later than it was appointed!<br/>
You know, we could have had 1 hour of extra sleep instead.</p>
<p>But nevertheless, everything else was great!<br/>
On the evening before our tour, we went for a shaman blessing. It was included in the price of the tour. It was an interesting ritual, we were excited to meet the shaman!</p>
<p>On the next day our tour started with a drive to the mountains. On our way we had a small breakfast included in the tour<br/>
Still, I would recommend to take some food with you, because the breakfast was quite light. <br/>
There are 2 options to get to the top of Vinicunca mountain: on foot or by horse. We took horses - our guide arranged everything for us, because the local horsemen did not speak English.</p>
<p>Our guide was super helpful and friendly. The horsemen were helpful as well. They were accompanying us the whole way up and down.</p>
<p>Note, that the hike up is quite difficult, so be prepared for a work out.<br/>
But on your way up you will enjoy great views! A true reunion with nature! <br/>
As per the weather, we had some bad luck and there was some snow on the mountain and it was very cold there. But nevertheless the view was good!</p>
<p>The way down was much easier than the way up. </p>
<p>On the way back we stopped for a lunch. It was also included in the tour. The lunch was great! Plenty of food and very delicious. <br/>
I will remember this day for the rest of my life! I conquered the summit of 5100 metres above the sea level! Unbelievable!</p>
Review provided by Viator
Jun 13, 2019
Gorgeous - It took a couple of hours to drive out to the location (& there was some confusion with getting in touch with the company to setup pick-up times)- but once we got there we got onto horses to begin our trek up the mountain. I was nervous about getting on a wild horse, but was assured everything would be fine. About 5 minutes in, I was bucked off of the horse (& laughed at by the local that was leading the horse) & came close to falling off the side of the mountain. Naturally, I was incredibly upset, but got another horse & proceeded. I also want to point out that the tour guide was WONDERFUL! She was very sympathetic to my situation & stayed by my side for the rest of the trip. The horses will only take you to a certain point & then you have to hike the rest yourself & let me tell you, it is HARD in that high elevation. I have never done anything so hard in my entire life, but it is so worth it once you reach the top! You can also have a local stamp your passport for 2 soles near the top. Even though the horse put a damper on the beginning of my trip (I walked back instead of taking another horse), it ended up being a day that I will remember for the rest of my life!
Review provided by Viator
Jun 13, 2019
Very disorganized. Better options out there. - Breakfast was a joke. 1 cold egg and a piece of bread. Took over an hour just to get started. 2 different companies used the same driver so we had to drive all over Cusco to different hotels to pick people up. We weren’t even picked up at our hotel and we had to walk to the bus. The bus driver didn’t even have a license for transporting tourists. We found out when we got to a checkpoint and the police told him he was wanted (had a warrant for his arrest) and the guides had to pay off the police to let him go. The bus was a Mercedes Sprinter. Comfortable enough on a paved road but when I was waiting to leave Rainbow Mountain I noticed that both right rear tires were completely bald!! We were hauling butt up a rocky dirt road on the edge of the mountain with shear drop offs just hours before. The ride back down was by far the most scared I’ve ever been. The only reason I’m giving 2 stars instead of 1 is our guide. His name was Willy and he was awesome. I’d reach out to him personally if I ever go back to take us on another tour.
Review provided by Viator