International Expeditions Reviews 90

My wife and I have traveled with IE seven times (the Amazon (twice), Costa Rica, Chile (twice), Newfoundland, Galapagos) and think they are wonderful - the best tours, the best guides. For anyone interested in the natural world.

Great service from beginning to end! Excellent in country partners.

Great follow up and vacations marvelous !!

As a first time expedition, local land excursions were not always planned
out too well, i.e. rest stops were not always preplanned. Meals on land as well as on Panorama were excellent. The day on Snaefellsnes peninsula
was largely a bust - long ride without much to see. The guide spent a lot of
time talking about Islandic horses and we went by several horse corrals, but did not get a chance to see them or demonstrate their special gaits, etc
Day to observe puffins was excellent with excellent guide. Day to Gullfoss
was most productive with exceptional guide. Regret that we did not have
Reykjavik city tour or opportunity to tour on our own.
Panorama crew was excellent. Meal servers and cabin attendants seemed
to be new and learning along the way. They got better along the way.
Boli was excellent and worked hard to make the expedition function. Things that were not so good were matters out of his control and he tried to make the best of the situation. Disappointed that no whales were in
evidence. In the future best not to promote whale watching.

Wales. All I can say is that the price was right (free). Lots of bus riding with not much to see or do at the end of the ride. They have a long way
to go to become a major tourist destination. Most of the four days was
spent riding the bus. What leader Becca lacked in experience and leadership, she made up for in enthusiasm and effort to make the tour run smoothly.

Company treats return customers well. Could work on communication (difficulty reaching people via phone during the day, things not explained clearly, mistakes in documentation). While they do offer some trips with no single supplement (limited to only cruises and just a few cabins), overall their single supplements are overpriced. I have been traveling with them for >10 years and they are pricing themselves out of the market. They need to add more unique trips for the 40-60 age group (active but not athletic). They are nature focused and have a good presence in S. Amer, but missing some key destinations like Brazil (Pantanal) and Panama (these are only offered for a custom trip which is not affordable). Their guides are some of the best I've had, always knowledgeable and friendly.

India Karazanga Nat Park- not for anyone over 30- wonderful places to visit..marvelous wildlife..much better than Taj Mahal ..local/boat Guide ok (not great and inexperienced, had his own agenda for taking pictures/ seeing wildlife// he was not looking for what we wanted to see in our group but for himself and his bird collection) .. AND IE Expert on trip had to take a backseat to local guide when on river boat/ in park on tours ( 6 + days) .. expect to pay ~$25 extra for photos made by local/ boat guide. IE guide did send group photos taken with telephoto lens no charge. Trip home was AWFUL. We were kept up traveling for 24 hours before we even set foot on the plane for return flights from Delhi to USA.. (28 hr flight ) VERY POORLY PLANNED return.. Not for anyone over 30. Will never use IE again ( this was my third trip) because of total exhaustion over one week due to return trip. If you do go, take lots of antidiarrheal agents and antibiotics.

We have taken 13 adventures with Internatinal Expeditions. We are often asked which trip was our favorite and have never even able to zero in on just one,or two,or even three. All trips were well planned and executed. Our expedition leaders and local guides were superb. We’re currently exploring choices for our 50th Anniversary trip.

We had a terrific guide, and the accommodations and activities were great. Our guide was very knowledgable, positive and extremely adept at shepherding our group through all of our experiences, despite the range of our ages and preferences. The lodge at Kenai Fjords National Park was absolutely wonderful, and the staff there was really great as well.

I've traveled with IE on four occasions: to Cuba, Belize and twice to Peru.
All these destinations are, of course, wonderful places to see, but I especially appreciate IE's dedication to sustainable travel and to ensuring that local residents of these destinations benefit from this ecotourism.

Crew and staff went out of their way to ensure an authentic and memorable experience.

Very informed guides and the wildlife and historical sites were superb as was the food. Logistics however need to be improved. First day should have come with a list of suggestions and a city map. Rooms should not have overlooked a religious site which was going to have all night long celebrations interfering with any sleep. Too early a start on last day which was much too long and really continud into the nighttime departures.

We traveled with IE on 2 separate trips, Machu Picchu and the Galapagos. Both trips were well organized and staffed and both were great fun. We learned a lot from IE's excellent guides. Great hotels especially during the Machu Picchu trip.

I have used International Expeditions for trips to the Amazon, Galapagos and most recently Cuba, and I find their trips well organized. The guideds I have had on each trip are so good, very informative and very professional. Have always had an enjoyable time with each of the trips I have had with them.

International Expeditions runs a first class operation with excellent trip advisors and informed and professional guides and staff. We have taken two trips with them - one to the Peruvian Amazon and the latest to the Galapagos Islands. Their accommodations are excellent with fine cuisine, often focused on produce, seafood etc., from the localities visited but with good variety with something to please everyone's palate. They work with you to ensure that you understand all details about your trip before departure and are available if there is a problem (we had none). I highly recommend them to anyone wanting a well-tailored and executed adventure.

Our guide was fantastic - and both naturalists extraordinary. Made it fun, helped us learn, created a life time experience. The boat and amenities were wonderful. The food outstanding, and the crew was so attentive-talented-and professional.

My only suggestions would be to create a photo data base to provide linked to the list of flora/fauna we summarized toward the end of the trip. Also maximize the on land portions as you can, depending on the season.

We went to the Galapagos with International Expeditions and had a wonderful time. The food was great and the staff were friendly and helpful. The guides helped us to see and appreciate the birds and other wildlife. Truly a trip of a lifetime.

We have taken two trips with IE and both were excellent. We were impressed with organization of the trip as a whole, knowledgeable and friendly guides, and unique, personal experiences.

Our International Expedition tour guide was from Ecuador. I had the feeling from our first meeting that he was not pleased to be leading a tour in Cuba. I am an elderly widow and was traveling the first time on a tour without a companion. I was nervous about the trip and misplaced things a couple of times, but caused no major inconvenience to the group. However, the guide, although coldly polite, was obviously irritated. We spent one whole day at sea in rough waters, and although I was well, one lady was very seasick. I thought that was time wasted. That being said, my family and I spent 2 weeks on an International Experdition to Peru and had lovely people with which to work and had one of the best vacations we ever had. I would not recommend the trip to Cuba.

The tour of the Galápagos Islands was wonderful. ...everything I hoped for. I am 80 years old, with asthma, so I managed what I could of the trip.
Riding around in a Panga as great, and I saw lots of scenery and sea birds.
The treks across lava fields was interesting, but too long for me.....I found a 3 hour + hike, up hill and down dale at the very limit of what I could physically handle.
I did not try the snorkeling or swimming, as I have asthma and the water was quite cold.
The shore walks were fine and interesting.
The treks through land areas were fun, seeing iguanas and various birds that Darwin studied. Turtle island was terrific, with all the Galápagos turtles walking around.
The boat was lovely, accommodations great, food excellent, guides excellent and informative,
evening lectures/movies were educational.
The fellow travelers were attentive, interested, on time, cooperative, genial.