INCAS Excursions
#248218
05/15/17 11:43 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,350
Marc
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INCAS excursions (official pdf list) are now available. We are overwhelmed by all the choices both free and expensive. We would really appreciate input from those that have travelled between Lima and BA with respect to excursions that they did that were fantastic or excursions we should definitely stay away from.
thanks
Marc
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Re: INCAS Excursions
[Re: Marc]
#248219
05/16/17 12:03 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,216
RachelG
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I haven't been on this cruise, but I have been to Punta Arenas and Torres del Paine as we did a week long hiking tour here.
Definitely recommend the penguin tour for people who haven't been to Antarctica, but if you have been to Antarctica, would pick something else. The tour is NOT strenuous at all. I probably would not do the Torres del Paine tour as it is just too short of a time for you to see much. A lot of driving.
Also I would not do the kayak tour as I think there is a very high risk of cancellation due to weather. When we were there (in January), the wind was blowing SO hard, over 70 mph.
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Re: INCAS Excursions
[Re: Marc]
#248225
05/16/17 12:15 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,658
cruisinfanatic
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Really, they are open now? Wasn't ready for that! Guess I will have to start checking them out. Our issue is we don't like ones over about 5 hours and I'm not fond of leaving the ship at 7am. Don't know much about South America, so don't have any pre conceived idea of what we might want to see or do. We too would appreciate any suggestions.
JoAnn
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Re: INCAS Excursions
[Re: Marc]
#248230
05/16/17 04:43 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,033
lonestarlady
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Did a land trip to Bolivia and Peru several years ago, and circle South America trip on Mariner in 2011, so we have been to a lot of these places. I know there are others on this board who done South American several times – hopefully they will chime in! I am like you – I like to hear others experiences. Shore excursions are indeed subjective – we may like ones that others don’t, but here is my 2 cents worth.
Pisco • Ballestas Island – we did this one, it was an El Nino year – very hot and the water was so warm that many of the animals were not surviving (no food for them). Needless to say, not a very good experience that year, but it was a nice boat ride to get there, and I guess the potential for wildlife sightings might be okay in a good year – mostly birds and see lions is what we saw. But this is a free one… • Dune buggy adventure – this one was a blast if you like that sort of thing. My hubby was a bit apprehensive, but I loved it! • Nasca lines – if you are interested in this topic, I would say this is a must do. I did the fly over back in 1998 when I was on a land tour, and I was mesmerized. It is a bit pricey, so would only suggest it if the stories of the Nazca lines is something that really interests you.
Coquimbo • We did the journey to Elqui Valley. We thought it was a pretty well done excursion at the time, and we enjoyed the Pisco tasting!
Valparaíso • We didn’t do a tour here – it was a Sunday so we made our way to one to the local cathedrals. It is a lovely town and easy to navigate on your own, although a bit hilly. There were quite a few people who did the trip to Santiago and the majority of the comments we heard was not very positive (although I can’t really remember the specifics).
Puerto Montt • Petrohue Falls & Puerto Varas - this one was okay – very scenic. We chose this one because we don’t really like the “all day” tours. If you can do the all day tours, I might suggest the tour that also goes to the Osorno Volcano
Puerto Chacabuco • Full Day Patagonia Nature in Depth - we enjoyed this one – not really a “full day” only 5-6 hours, but beautiful scenery and the nature walk was nice. Can’t remember the lunch though! Had to pay extra for this one…
Punta Arenas • Sorry – no input to offer on tours here! We walked around on our own and found us a church to go to again. Very easy to navigate on your own. (Most of the tours included lots of museum time, which is not really our thing, or they cost a lot extra.)
Ushuaia • Tierra del Fuego Southern Railway, Train to the End of the World and Catamaran Ride in Beagle Channel – this one cost extra, but we enjoyed it a lot. The catamaran ride thru the channel was REALLY COLD! We didn’t have enough layers on! (Of course you could go inside if you wanted, but we had to stay on the outside deck to see the scenery!)
Port Stanley • Unfortunately we missed the Falkland’s as the seas were too rough. But you have probably already been there on an Antarctica cruise.
Montevideo • Traditional Estancia La Rabida and Montevideo – We rate this one as one of the most enjoyable tours we have done. We really had a blast. Drank too much beer and ate too much delicious BBQ! The family that runs the place was so gracious. Costs extra, but worth it in our opinion! • We had 2 stops in Montevideo, so we did just walked around on our own on the second stop. Very easy to navigate on your own.
Buenos Aires • We did the Best of Buenos Aires tour here. Pretty good tour and you got to see most of the highlights. When we did it it only cost an extra $99 – I see it now costs $179!!
Hope this helps! Looking this info up made we want to go back!!
Cindy TravelingTexasDuo.com"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln
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Re: INCAS Excursions
[Re: Marc]
#248283
05/21/17 02:02 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,658
cruisinfanatic
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,658 |
Thanks Cindy, very good info and help.
JoAnn
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Re: INCAS Excursions
[Re: Marc]
#248317
05/28/17 12:41 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,658
cruisinfanatic
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Excursions all reserved, one less thing to think about. Got all the ones we wanted.
JoAnn
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Re: INCAS Excursions
[Re: cruisinfanatic]
#248318
05/28/17 02:24 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,350
Marc
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Posts: 6,350 |
DRATS! We are out of town so will at least be tomorrow night before we can decide and book; hopefully tours still available. edited to add: We are booked!!! Only one sold out; two additional fee; overall a great experience. Can't wait to meet up with everyone in Lima!!
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