Colombia expert: Maria José

14/07/2025

My friend and I booked a tailored trip to Peru—our first time doing something like this—and it exceeded all expectations. Maria, who handles trips in Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia, was outstanding from start to finish. She clearly communicated every detail before booking, adjusted the itinerary to our wishes, and handled everything professionally and with care. Payment was smooth, and she remained available whenever issues came up—even when our flights caused delays, she stepped in to help immediately. The guides were knowledgeable, patient, and passionate, adding depth to our experience. The drivers were reliable, and the whole trip felt both well-planned and pleasantly spontaneous. Even when minor problems came up, Maria resolved them quickly and efficiently. Her dedication made all the difference.

01/05/2025

Maria Jose put together a great plan for us. She responded to our initial ideas with wonderful specifics, added some of her own suggestions (which we also liked) and came up with terrific new proposals as our thinking evolved. We are planning far ahead, so won't make the trip until next year, but we have a really, really good plan to work from.

10/04/2025

Maria Jose provided great service and attention to detail. She took the time to understand my expectations and her communication was excellent. I highly recommend!!!

31/01/2025

It's the second time I use Rough Guides for a trip. The first one was fantastic, the past one extraordinary. What a trip we had, would go as far as saying life-changing. The places I visited and the humans as guides changed the way I viewed the place. Nothing but good, nah, great things to say. Do not hesitate to go with rough guides, then you will not have to think, just enjoy the voyage

20/12/2024

Our trip to Ecuador spanned a variety of regions from Galapagos to Yasuni, ending at the Volcanic region of Ecuador. This complex 2 week trip with young kids was made possible thanks to Rough Guides and their Ecuador partner. Instead of pushing back on our requests, they accommodated all our needs, staying in touch throughout the planning process. We have booked previous trips with Rough Guides as well, and they even appreciated us as repeat travelers. A shoutout to Tamer and Maria Jose for their attention and support during the planning process as well as during the trip. As with any trip, there were minor hurdles and issues here and there, Maria was regularly seeking feedback and helping either resolve the issues, or provide complementary dinner as a token. All the guides were very friendly and accommodating. But we were especially impressed with Daniel for Quito and surrounding areas and Jose for the Yasuni experience. Daniel was passionate about sharing his love for Ecuador with us. He helped us through long, tiring journeys ensuring that kids felt cared for. Jose from Yasuni Cultural Center went out of the way to ensure that my little kids are able to enjoy the wilderness of the Amazon basin. Overall, Rough Guides will definitely be on my radar for next travel.

22/11/2024

Another amazing custom made trip to Peru from rough guides. The hotels and tours that was booked for us was great. All the tour guides were knowledgeable and helpful and even took beautiful pictures for us. If I have one suggestion to make is that our tour for the rainbow mountain, the communication could have been better. Because everyone has different levels of fitness we didn’t all make the hike at the same pace. It would have been better t tell the group before hand what time to meet up back down the van. And although we were dropped off near our hotel after the tour I expected to be dropped off at our hotel as we were picked up from there. The reason given was that the van was too big to come through the alley of our hotel which I found a bit strange as it was the same van that picked us up in the morning. Otherwise everything else was great. Communication with the booking of the whole trip was great and they were even checking up on us to make sure that everything was going smoothly. Thank you again cx

09/08/2024

We just returned from a 2 week trip to Ecuador and visited the capital city, Amazon basin and the Galapagos. Tamer is world class and assembled a perfect itinerary. He checked in with us constantly ensuring we knew all the details about our upcoming adventures. Tamer also connected us with the most wonderful guides and experts- Alejandro, Sebastian and Remi (Namo Wildlife Reserve). They were incredible, accommodating and made the experience one we will remember forever. Thank you from the Barbato’s!

20/06/2024

My husband and I (80 and 79) just returned from a 47-day trip to Peru. What a great experience: Lima, Ballesta Islands, Ica, Huacachina, Arequipa, Colca Canyon (and condors!), Puno, train to Cusco, Machu Pichu and the Sacred Valley, and finally an Amazon cruise. Rough Guides planned the entire trip. Tamer and Maria Jose, who is their local travel expert for Peru, listened carefully to what we wanted, created a plan for us, modified it as we re-thought things, and then booked all the lodging, internal transfers, and a few tours. The boutique hotels were wonderful. For the most part, the transfers from place to place went smoothly. Everyone was attentive to our needs. However, connecting up with our guides in Aguas Calientes (we found the hotel on our own) and at Machu Pichu was difficult, largely a result of holiday crowds. If we were doing it again, we would have arranged to spend more time in Machu Pichu perhaps even staying at the Park for 1 or 2 nights. The 7-night Amazon cruise on La Perla was spectacular. The lodging, food, naturalist guides, crew, wildlife viewing were amazing. A nice way to end the trip. Highly recommend. Thank you, Tamer!

03/04/2024

Our trip to Peru was organised brilliantly by Raquel and Tamer. The itinerary was perfect and the transportation and accommodation arrangements were great too. Raquel was always available for any help we needed at whatever time. She was checking in on us at regular intervals and making sure our journey was seamless. I would highly recommend Tamer and Raquel as your contacts if you are looking to visit Peru any time soon. Thanks so much both!

19/01/2024

Tamer and Maria Jose from Rough Guides was more than helpful through the whole process from planning to execution. Tamar kept in touch with us constantly and even when another company, a cruise line, we were working with let us down while in Ecuador, Tamar and his local guide took up the slack and helped us amazingly. In addition to Tamar, the local guide, Sebastian Carrera, was amazing. In short, he was great!! Please see our review of him on Trip Advisor. Overall, an amazing trip that happened thanks to Rough Guides.