Mario, our driver, and guide excelled in every way. He really knew all the areas we went to and knew people at every stop. I have been operating tours in South America and living in Brazil for 43 years, and have had a lot of drivers. I will now insist in having him drive all our tours from Arica!
Preplanning – For our travels through the Chilean Altiplano I was looking for a company to get us from Arica in the very far north of Chile to the popular desert gateway of San Pedro de Atacama. Not many companies service this area and it was difficult to find a company that would answer my emails. Even the folks at Mayuru Tours would take more than a week to respond. With a little persistence, however, we were able to arrange a tour that met our needs. I should also mention that the tour was one of their set itineraries with very little deviation. On the plus side, they do have numerous options to choose from.
Guide – Francisco was extremely professional and courteous. He spoke only Spanish, but spoke slowly and clearly such that even Don who speaks very little Spanish, was able to understand most things he said without my translating them by the end of the trip.
Itinerary – This was a driving tour, so there were a lot of hours in the car. The landscape is beautiful, but it’s a lot of short stops. Many of the sights are not must-sees, but if you are interested in this area of Chile it is a good way to see it. They sent us a detailed itinerary, in English, with what we would see each day. Any minor deviations in this itinerary were discussed with us beforehand. Also beware that several days are at high altitude, so it is wise to acclimate before beginning this trip.
Food and Accommodations – This is not a high-end tour. Hotels and restaurants in this region are basic. I think they arranged the best that they could, but there just isn’t much to choose from. That said, rooms were generally clean and comfortable and the food fine.
Transportation – The vehicle was a 4x4 Toyota Hilux, comfortable, in good condition and able to handle the rough roads. We had no transportation difficulties. Francisco was an excellent driver. In fact he had driven trucks for the mining companies for many years before becoming a tour driver and had an intimate knowledge of the roads, hotels and restaurants along the route.
Cost and Payment – We paid 733USD/person. This covered most everything except for a few small entry fees and dinner in Pica. The same tour with an English speaking guide would have cost 956USD/person. No deposit was required. We paid in cash when we met our guide and driver on the first morning.
Final Thought – I would definitely use Mayuru Tours again and think that overall the trip was a good value for the money.
Desde el aeropuerto en todo momento conectados y preocupados de informar y confirmar que sigue a que hora etc. Atención amistosa pero muy profesional, 100% recomendable
Relación precio Calidad óptima
Hostal Elim muy cómodo, todo si funciona agua Caliente sabanas y toallas limpias para ser hostal muy bien, si toca salir de madrugada a un Tour (antes de las 7:00 am) avisa en recepción y la noche anterior te dejan un sándwich y un termo con agua caliente para un té y un yogur, lo encontré buen detalle
He involved us in the experience
Can’t rate Helmut more highly, he at all times made... read more certain we had what we needed and always went out of his way for us
We will be recommending this tour to our friends
Nous sommes partis d’Arica jusqu’à San Pedro de Atacama pendant 8 jours et l’organisation était vraiment parfaite. De la réservation des hôtels,... read more des repas et en passant par Alfonso notre guide chauffeur en 4X4, tout était vraiment top !
Gabriel le fils du patron de cette petite agence parle couramment le français et vous organisera un tour sur mesure simplement par e-mail.
Les prix sont tout à fait corrects par rapport aux prestations fournies et aussi par rapport à la concurrence.
En conclusion, je recommande à 200% Mayuru Tours.
They also be so kind to arrange back from Chile to Switzerland a skarf with no money value but a great-priceless emotional one. You can contact them with no fear.
Fazit: Wir, Christiane,52 Jahre, Juristin und ich ,72 Jahre,Diplomsportlehrerin,können Mayuru-Tours, Enrique, Dyonisios und Sandra , sehr empfehlen!!
The selected restaurant were good, and the hotel in Putre was very nice as well.
We saw many beautiful landscape and wild animals. We ended the tour with a dip in the thermal springs, that was an amazing experience.
I am also very impressed with the tours where all three chicas were very kind and professional.
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So I thank you for excellent service, professionalism and organisation.
I am very impressed. I also like Hotel Dunas, clean and comfortable with a kind young girl in reception.
Oh and finally Cecilia (who met me on arrival) was very good too and answered any and all questions I had for her at all hours.
It’s fantastic to see many excellent women working for this company.