May 22, 2024
Machu Picchu Tour - Perfect attention to our comfort throughout the trip; punctually attending to the travel schedule, according to our needs.
Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nov 11, 2024
RE: Last-Minute Cancellation Left Us Stranded – Avoid at All Costs!!! - Since I cannot directly respond to the company’s comment on my original review, I’m writing this in response to their blatant misrepresentation of the facts:
Dear Romulo,
We planned our trip for months, meaning booking flights, trips to other cities in Peru, etc. You emphasize that my booking to Machu Picchu was made 13 days in advance, but your company accepted the reservation despite knowing that tickets to Machu Picchu were already sold out. If availability was an issue, why was this not disclosed upfront before we committed to booking? Your willingness to accept the reservation while fully aware of the ticket situation suggests a lack of transparency. Additionally, two weeks was plenty of time for you to get in touch with me and alert me that the booking could not be fulfilled, yet there was radio silence from your end until the very last night before the tour. That’s negligent at best, and a blatant scam at worst.
The so-called “solution” of waiting a full day in Cusco to attempt purchasing tickets through government offices was not a guaranteed option—it was a gamble. As you are undoubtedly aware, ticket availability is not assured even with this alternative, and presenting it as a viable “solution” also feels disingenuous.
Your accusation that we “shouted and made threats” is a blatant misrepresentation of what happened. Expressing frustration at a ruined trip—particularly one involving international travel, plane tickets, and hotel stays—is not only natural but expected. We spoke on the phone and the only threat I made was that if the tour we had fully paid for was not fulfilled on your end, we would go to the Tourism Board in Cusco and accuse your company of false advertising – which we absolutely did!
While I acknowledge that Viator processed the refund, this does not negate the inconvenience, financial burden, and stress caused by your company’s failure to deliver on its promises. A refund does not erase the costs of last-minute changes to our itinerary, nor does it address the associated costs of travel and hotels that were utterly wasted because of you.
Shifting the blame to the customer for “unrealistic planning” is not the hallmark of a professional travel agency. If you cannot accommodate bookings, you should make this clear during the booking process instead of accepting reservations and later offering subpar alternatives.
Your response reads more like an attempt to discredit my review than to take accountability or genuinely address the issues at hand. A professional response would focus on reflecting on how your company could improve, not on deflecting blame onto your customers. But from reading other customers’ reviews, it seems that this is standard practice from you.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nov 9, 2024
SCAM! Do not book! It’s misleading at best. - While I got to see Machu Picchu, I did not get what I paid for. Tickets were not included with purchase like they say. I was never contacted and had to reach out to the tour one day before. They informed me the trip isn’t possible because tickets are sold out months ago. I told them I had already paid and the tour mentions inclusion of tickets. I was given the option of a two day, one night trip instead. Having gone all the way to Peru, I didn’t want to miss my trip and said yes. They also informed me I would have to pay for the hotel for my stay at Aguas Calientes. Keep in mind I already booked my hotel at Cusco since I signed up for the one day trip. They messed up my name on the bus ticket and we had to take a taxi to Ollantaytambo train station. Because of their mistake, by the time I ended up in line for ticket reservation, I was one of the last people and didn’t get the circuit I wanted. On the way back to Cusco, I called many times to confirm my bus ride from Ollantaytambo to Cusco. I was told someone would wait waving a sign with my name. When I got there, I found no one waiting and spent 30 mins in the dark, calling my tour operator. He finally answered and informed me that the driver misunderstood and thought it was a day later. He informed me to organize my own ride and that I would be refunded for the ride. The whole reason you pay for these tours is convenience. My transport wasn’t properly facilitated and I had to wait in line for tickets multiple times. This is a complete scam and misleading tour at best.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nov 5, 2024
Last-Minute Cancellation Left Us Stranded – Avoid at All Costs!!! - I can’t emphasize enough how deeply disappointed we were with 'Travel and Living Peru'. We had planned for months to visit Machu Picchu, booking plane tickets, hotel stays, and taking time off work—all of which was left in ruins when our tour guide abruptly canceled our tour the night before we were scheduled to go! Quite literally the night before, at 9:59pm when the pick-up was supposedly scheduled at 8:00am.
This last-minute cancellation was not only incredibly unprofessional but showed a complete disregard for the time, effort, and money we invested in this trip. Their lack of communication and failure to offer any kind of genuine solution left us scrambling, and with Machu Picchu tickets sold out, we were left with no way to visit the very highlight of our trip.
What’s worse, they were quick to take our money but utterly unhelpful in assisting us to navigate alternative options. For anyone considering using 'Travel and Living Peru', I’d strongly urge you to reconsider. Find a company that actually values their customers and respects the commitment that comes with international travel.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aug 17, 2023
Very Disappointed - I was unable to go due to the failure of viator to ensure both of their tour operators attended pick up. despite viator confirming both bookings.
Review provided by Viator