Acanela Expeditions

Negative experience: Please for the love of God DO NOT use this company! Trust me, I was in your shoes, I read all the bad reviews and all the good reviews before signing up and I thought after so many issues they must have gotten there act together. They have not! My sister and I paid for a trip to Turkey over the Christmas holiday 2021. Our mom died of Covid19 around Christmas last year and we needed to get away from it all, we had always dreamed of going to Turkey and our mom was an avid traveler so we thought it would be a good way to pay tribute. After going through all the steps, paying in full, and receiving a confirmation email from the company the week before that our trip was on track, we packed up our bags and left. We landed in Istanbul after 26 hours of travel to discover no one waiting for us. This was a Saturday morning LA time, which is key to this story as there was no way to get in touch with anyone. We called, emailed, not a word from anyone or peep this company even existed. It was clear they were closed over the weekend. Luckily, I had the in-country travel contact and we whatsapped him. Almost immediately he responded to us and let us know Acanela never confirmed our trip and never paid him so he had cancelled it. He pulled through massively, he had us in taxi to a lovely hotel where we promptly slept for 12 hours. When we woke up Sunday morning he had created and sent us a brand-new travel itinerary and let us know he had taken care of and paid for everything (from flight tickets to tour tickets to upgraded hotels) and that we needn’t worry about a thing. We were thrilled that we were still able to do the same trip given the problems with Acanela. Monday rolls around and we finally hear back from Acanela, who said “Thank you for notifying us about the situation, and please accept my deepest apologies you were the receipt of this confusion with our partner! I notified my Team Lead as soon as I received your email and they contacted Cemal immediately to resolve the situation. They were able to solve the issue directly with Cemal, and your tour will be moving forward as you previously planned for on the itineraries you received, and Cemal also upgraded the hotels for the headache and issue”. Seriously?! I literally laughed out loud reading this response. All our problems were solved by Camel before they were even open, the fact they dare take credit made me livid. Acanela is a giant sham. They just took our money, and way more of it then we should have ever paid if we are being honest (even with their 50% discount). It was Gorgeous Tours Cappadocia who saved the day hands down, we highly recommend them and Camel (the owner I believe) who was a giant life saver. Trust us, if you want to do the Turkey trip just look up and reach out the Gorgeous tours, you will be so thankful that you did!

Fantastic experience: We have used Acanela twice for big trips. One to Europe for 3 weeks and the other to Costa Rica for 11 days. The accommodations were amazing. They did a great job planning our itinerary. We are using them again in the fall for Portugal.

Fantastic experience: Fantastic trip to Costa Rica! We booked our trip through Acanela Expeditions over a year ago and have been extremely excited to go on this adventure. We did a trip to Morrocco in 2019 with Acanela and wanted to go through them again as we had an amazing experience then and wanted to continue to support them. I would like to note that there were some communication issues right before our trip, however everything was 100% worked out prior to our leaving. We adored our trip, the resort we stayed at and can't recommend it enough. Everything was coordinated perfectly; travel in country was a breeze, and we had the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure! We are looking forward to our next adventure! Thanks Acanela!

Fantastic experience: Great experience with Acanela in Cuba! They arranged for a driver and guide, who accompanied us the whole time. They were professional, very knowledgeable, warm and friendly. The itinerary was ambitious so we did not visit every place, but it was OK since we did not want to be rushed and had full days. The accommodations and meals were good to excellent. The itinerary had a good combination of Old Havana, Viñales, and Trinidad.

Negative experience: Worst experience ever. I would give a negative rating if I could. The itinerary that was given to me before I made the payment 2 months before the trip, and even before I started my travel to Greece was completed changed a couple of hours before the trip began. Even though I was disappointed, I couldn't do anything about it, so decided to go with the reduced itinerary and make most of it. They gave me the wrong time for the pick up, so I missed it even though I arrived 15 mins before my pick up time. They would not answer my calls, text msgs or emails to make alternate arrangements. Much later they sent an email admitting it was their fault and would compensate for it by offering free airport transfer and dinner, and then cancelled on that too. So I'm left on my own in a strange country, making arrangements and paying for my breakfast, lunch and dinner, idling my time away, waiting for their response, without any sightseeing as promised in the itinerary. A complete waste of 2.5 days in Crete. When I asked for a refund, after a lot of to and forth, they finally agreed to pay me only 20% back. I do not know what they are charging me for, when the trip did not take place as promised. When I try reaching them now, there is no response from them. I have texted and left voicemails for them. I intend to take legal action against them now. Having read similar several reviews about their unprofessionalism, I would NOT recommend them to my worst enemy.

Negative experience: I used this company twice, the first trip to Africa was great. The first two parts of the second trip to South America were also excellent. I had been nervous about the absolute inability to never speak with anyone on the phone and the lag of several days for them to respond to emails. On my way to the third leg of my South America trip I had repeatedly requested an itinerary including where I would be staying never received one. When I walked out of the airport in the middle of the Amazon jungle no one was there to pick me up. This airport was a big shed no phone service and no public WiFi. With the help of a local taxi driver and government officials I eventually found a resort and rebooked my stay. When I finally heard from my contact at Acanela they wanted me to take a boat 45 minutes back to their location. I declined I didn’t think I could get a refund from resort. This is not a bad company but they have staffing problems and if you run into trouble beware you are on your own

Negative experience: Please save yourself and do not travel with this company. I bought a trip to Africa with this company pre-covid for a little over $2,000 not including the flight. They cancelled the trip and told us that it would be rescheduled, but we couldn’t receive a refund. I only booked this trip because an influencer that I follow was going and she was going to be doing a workshop on the trip. Throughout the 2 1/2 years, I never heard from the company and had to reached out multiple times through phone calls (which they NEVER answered), emails, and even tried their support chat on the website with no response, trying to figure out when the trip would be rescheduled. All the girls that were supposed to go on the trip were having the same problem. Once we finally got an type of response they were saying the trip was getting rescheduled for April of 2022. With only a couple months away from the trip, I still couldn’t get a hold of them to get an itinerary or any information about the trip. I didn’t even know the exact dates. I was panicking and then they sent out an itinerary that was COMPLETELY different than the original trip and not in a good way at all. The hotels were not as pretty, they took these amazing nature experiences out for museums, the influencer was no longer going and the workshop was no longer provided, and most of the girls were no longer going because they did not feel safe traveling with the company and I don’t either. Despite, my best efforts with talking to the bank and sending multiple emails, I was denied any type of refund. I can only go on the trip, but I don’t feel safe traveling to the other side of the world with a company that doesn’t respond and has continuously changed the trip. Save yourself the stress and the loss of money.

Negative experience: I was trying to book a trip and they totally ignored me . I guess they weren’t really offering a special $1900 spain trip, be careful

Fantastic experience: My Acanela experience in China was truly Amazing! A trip of a lifetime. Everything turned out to exceed my expectations. The accommodations were fabulous, 5 star. The food was to die for. Our guide was very knowledgeable with an excellent command of English. All the tours were fantastic with plenty of time at each venue. Overall, Acanela Expeditions exceed my expectations in every way!

Fantastic experience: I went on my first trip with Acanela to Peru in 2018. Because of the amazing experience I had, I will only travel with Acanela going forward. Booking was super easy, and any questions I had were answered by their team. The expedition was seamless, and it was amazing not to have to worry about a single thing. The in-country tour guides and drivers were so friendly and knowledgeable. What I really appreciate -- and what makes Acanela stand apart from many other travel companies -- is that they care about the environment and local communities. This translates to having rich, intimate expeditions that you won't get anywhere else. You're not just another tourist, you're part of the family.

Negative experience: Don’t use this company. They provide tours to Cuba where they give money to the communists. The people there do not benefit not profit from your travel. Keep money out of communist hands.

Fantastic experience: Trip to Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Amazon. The trip was perfection, from airport pick-up to drop-off, everything was carefully and thoughtfully planned. We had two guides and each were local, knowledgeable and extremely helpful. They even catered some of the excursions to our timing and interests. What truly set the trip apart though was the focus on the culture and the people of Peru. We got to experience and share in a llama blessing, which few travelers get to witness and it allowed us the chance to interact with the people of Peru in a way that very few have the privilege of. A lot of the scheduled stops and restaurants support the local families and businesses which further showed the commitment that Acanela has to the places they provide travel to as well as providing us with a unique global perspective. It was a fantastic experience! One that I plan to experience again, in a different location :)

Fantastic experience: We enjoyed an amazing week in Cuba with Acanela. The trip was very well planned and organized. Very enjoyable & knowledgeable guide and professional yet friendly drivers. A trip I highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: I had the amazing opportunity to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with Acanela Expeditions in February 2020. I was very nervous when I left for Tanzania about the climb, but we were in amazing hands with the most incredible team of porters and guides to help us up there. The care that they showed us and the outpour of positively was definitely one of the reasons our group was so successful. Before I left I wasn't sure if I could make it, but on summit day I never had questions if I could do it or not. Oh, and the food was amazing!

Fantastic experience: I never thought someone could plan a vacation for me better than I could for myself. Acanela has blown my expectations out of the water. The value for their trips, their itinerary accommodations and knowledgeable in-country hosts are top notch.

Fantastic experience: My trip to Ronda Spain was incredible, a food lovers dream trip. Guides were so friendly, and I had such a good time. The hotel was beautiful, clean and comfortable. The cooking experiences were hands on and centered around local, fresh food. Tours to vineyard, olive groves and around city were well done and just the right length and tone. You can tell the team is passionate about their home and food. Bring your stretch pants though, you will love the food and local wines.

Fantastic experience: Traveling with Acanela is new favorite way to travel. I appreciate that they curate a unique cultural experience where I felt safe the entire time. I often travel alone, so safety is a huge concern for me. Our group had a main tour guide, and an additional in each city. I really appreciated their local insider knowledge, and how great their english was. I learned a lot about the Moroccan culture, as well as customs and words to help me communicate with the locals better. Traveling abroad was such a rich experience that helped me understand a part of the world that has left a lasting impression. I fell in love with the Moroccan people, I learned a lot, and I ate some of the most delicious food! It was really nice to do minimal research, and know that Acanela was taking care of all my plans. I enjoyed each day, and how many cities our group covered. I feel like we were efficient with our time and that I thoroughly got to experience Morocco.

Fantastic experience: Once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the culture of Japan, with local guides and unique experiences unknown to the regular traveler. I have already booked my next trip with Acanela Expeditions. I could never re-create the magic they were able to provide and I look forward to a lifetime of exploring the world with them.

Fantastic experience: My husband and I enjoyed an amazing trip to the Galapagos Islands via Acanela Expeditions. From start to finish, the team at Acanela was very helpful, even extending a promotion code so we could get all our ducks in a row before booking. The accommodations and excursions were incredible and I would recommend booking with Acanela again in a heartbeat!

Fantastic experience: Just returned from Peru with Acanala Expeditions. Our guide Henry was exceptional and the trip was better than expected. Everything was included, from transfers and to personalization of certain excursions. If you have never thought about going to Peru, think again. Machu Picchu was incredible and well worth the trip.

Fantastic experience: I've been admiring Acanela's Instagram for some time and when I got an email for Free Friend Friday for Japan, I had to jump on the opportunity. From searching the website to booking the trip, to adding an extra night and during the trip, the team was super helpful and responsive. The itinerary they built was just enough activities and our own free time to explore. The hotel choice was a perfect, central location and our transportation was really nice to have arriving into a foreign country. We did a good excursion, so most activities were cooking classes, which were super fun. Our guide, Maya, was wonderful. She was extremely knowledgeable, kind and personalized our two days with her so perfectly. I don't get to travel internationally very often, so this trip was a huge deal. I can't wait for the next opportunity to work with Acanela on my next adventure. Thank you!

Fantastic experience: Thank you Kylie and her team at Acanela Expeditions for our recent trip to Vietnam. Vietnam is actually my family's motherland and just when I thought I had already seen it all, Acanela showed me parts of Vietnam I would have never thought of venturing to on my own. We started our journey in the capital city of Hanoi which I'm quite familiar with, then for the next 7 days we road tripped to Ninh Binh and Pu Luong with Kylie as well as our wonderful local guide Linda. Ninh Binh is the lesser-known gem of Northern Vietnam and it was absolutely picturesque. Acanela took us on a boat ride through the beautiful mountains, we saw mountain caves and religious sites. It was incredible. Pu Luong was such a charming area and our accommodation had panoramic views of the most beautiful rice fields. We also learnt a lot about how the rice was harvested and had a deeper appreciation for the charming community of Pu Luong. On top of this I was able to share this experience with lovely likeminded people from all parts of the world and I left with new friends!

Fantastic experience: My time in Cuba with the Acanela team was so amazing! I got to really experience an authentic time in Havana and Vinales and I feel like I got to see so much of the Cuban life and culture in such a short span of time in 6 days. The Acanela team were so accommodating, considerate, and kind! They were very flexible with the itinerary, switching the schedule around depending on the weather, how tired our group was, and what photos we wanted to take. I also really enjoyed the activities they lined up on the itinerary. I got to experience the Cuban beaches, Downtown Havana, the countryside of Vinales, and an array of local restaurants.

Fantastic experience: I traveled to Cuba with Acanela Expeditions and had a spectacular time! We had warm, friendly local guides, stayed in local accommodations with a fantastic host and saw some of the most beautiful sites in the country. Every meal was delectable and memorable, and the trip was well-organized from start to finish! I can't wait to travel with Acanela again!

Fantastic experience: Absolutely amazing trip to Kyoto and Osaka. We all had a great time and truly felt we experienced a cultural immersion. We used taxis to spare my Spouse's back but the other three of us walked several miles each day exploring sites, markets and the streetscape. Everyone including my initially disinterested spouse became excited by the cooking classes. Cooking Sun made each class both entertaining and informative. He intends to teach his buddy the rolled omlette technique. Both hotel accommodations were really comfortable and the hotel staff extremely accommodating. Staying in the downtown Ryoken rounded out the experience. Note: the rooms showed a little wear and year, chipped paint, etc. Our in country guide, Maya, was a wonder! Not only was she supremely informative but also selective. Showing us tradition and modern sites. The flexibility of the organization was fantastic. When we needed taxis they were there. When we shifted the schedule, no problem! My only suggestion would be to double check the transport info. Upon arriving the intinerary stated someone with signage. Actually the taxi stand was 10 feet away but we didn't know until we called the coordinator. Similarly we were unsure about our airport return. Just a couple of sentences in the itinerary to clarify. Hard to say a highlight as every day was fascinating and fun thanks to good planning and Maya!

Negative experience: I cannot recommend this company. While some aspects of our trip were very good, a lot of it was very disorganized, with terrible communication. Much felt like a time-share sales pitch, where the guides were more interested in selling us stuff (made in China?) than teaching us about the nuanced history of the country. Like a big infomercial we paid to sit thru. Every hotel room they set up for us seemed to be the worst in the house, with no windows. We had to ask to be moved each time. My only other previous experience with a guiding company was And Beyond, with whom I had an excellent experience.

Fantastic experience: A little feedback about my wonderful trip to Spain. Ronda is such a quaint, interesting city. My stay at the Raina Victoria was amazing, great location, beautiful view and I could walk just about anywhere including to the Entrelengua escuela. I was so clean and modern. Staff was super friendly and breakfast was so delicious. I really enjoyed my stay there. Entrelenguas was so incredible. This is why I will travel with acanela in the future. The men I dealt with at this school (Alex and Javier) were so passionate about their city/country. The cooking classes were so intimate and i met so many wonderful people, including Alex's mother who taught one of the classes in her home!!! Small intimate and locally based, this tour was so different than ones I took in the past. My Morocco extension was also quite good. The hotel was very bare bones and loud compared to the one in Ronda. But I think thats probably the nature of the city. Breakfast was good. I was within walking distance to Blue Door Cuisine which was fantastic. The ladies there were very knowledgable and we cooked very authentic Moroccan cuisine. Trips to the communal ovens and local spice shops were also highlights, The driver was great (Saad) and I also got a private tour of the city with a man who's name escapes me (sorry). I was the only person which was food and bad. I got a very intimate and thorough tour which was wrapped up by the obligatory trip to "my families rug shop" (argh, the only now of the trip though). Since I was the only one there I felt obliged to buy one, but thats on me, LOL. It is a beautiful rug.....I just hope I get it. Overall this trip was a 5 on your trip scale. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and never felt unsafe traveling solo. It was a perfect mix of classes, small tours and alone time.

Fantastic experience: I haven’t been on an expedition yet, but I got to attend their Cooking class at Brick Canvas and loved learning so many tricks and about the various spices from around the world! I look forward to an expedition with Andrew and Kylee, they are a great team!

Fantastic experience: The tour was excellent. The partner organization in Ronda is simply fantastic. We worked with Javier and Alex throughout the week. We love how they have organized the daily events and we love their philosophy on cooking, travel, agriculture, and tourism. It was our first booked tour that we have ever done and we would definitely do another one of these tours if they are anything like this one. There was only one other couple in the tour and they had booked through a different tour company. We are also just impressed with the young people that are driving this type of tourism in Spain and hopefully in other areas. We also like that the day wasn't completely packed with the activity. We were busy for about 4 or 5 hours and then we could go do our own thing.

Fantastic experience: We truly enjoyed our trip to Europe. This was our first time with Acanela. They handled everything so professionally especially for such a large group as ours. From start to finish, it was a pleasure! Great food, great lodgings and great sights! Thanks again for everything!

Fantastic experience: Acanela Expedition is 5-star all the way! The trips they plan are amazing - start to finish! From the moment they contact you they make sure your every question/concern/care is attended to with lots of travel info, advice, and recommendations. No detail is spared, and they are super accommodating when you need to modify your plans. Every aspect of my journey was planned from the time I touched down in Myanmar for a luxurious 3-day river cruise. Their travel partner Sanctuary Retreats spared no expense. My every need/comfort was considered.I couldn't be happier and know I've made great memories for years to come. Favorite highlights – 1. Local gifts as part of our nightly turn down service. Totally unexpected and really great gifts I would have purchased. 2. Every meal, every drink was exceptional. Their Executive Chef can cook for me anytime. Since returning to the States nothing compares in flavor and texture. 3. Our tour guide Vijay was awesome. For each excursion he presented the right mix of historical fact, whimsy and comic relief. He was fun to travel with. 4. Monastic Orphanage School – I really enjoyed meeting the boys and girls at the Orphanage. The one thing I would change would be to make the visit more philanthropic and give those visiting the chance to be of service for a few hours or ½ day. 5. Sunset at U-Bein Bridge -Although a cloudy day watching sunset on the water was memorable.

Fantastic experience: Traveling with the BYU Womens Basketball Team and with ACANELA Expeditions expertise, we enjoyed every minute of our tour of the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia and Italy. We will treasure the memories, tours, gifts and photos of our wonderful adventure.

Fantastic experience: Had a fantastic time on our trip to Europe! Kylie and Andrew did a great job with everything from the hotels, tours, and the restaurants. Having to not worry about anything on this trip made it so enjoyable. The hotels were all amazing as well as the great culinary experience we had at all of the wonderful restaurants. I would highly recommend them to plan your next adventure. Kylie and Andrew thank you very much for a fantastic once in a lifetime trip that will never be forgotten!!

Fantastic experience: We did more than I ever expected. In addition to the expected, I nervously rode an unguided donkey to the monastery at Petra, got knocked down by another unguided donkey, and rode a camel who decided to get up before I was fully on his back. I also took my my first ride in a hot air ballon at sun rise. Our driver in Jordan, Firas, was the best. He would stop along the side of the rode to buy apples and the local fresh bread for us to try. He made sure we had plenty of cold water on hand. He was flexible with the schedule and time. I would suggest that you request him when in Jordan and using Jordan Select Tours. All guides were excellent knowledge wise, Raina in Cairo and Remon on the cruise and the other Remon on the last day. The guide at Wadi Rum excellent too but I don't remember his name. I just remember that he was a cutie. Wish I could have brought him back!

Positive experience: Me and my sister had such a great time on this trip. Our tour guides were awesome and there were some amazing planned activities. They do give you a good amount of free time so you might want to have a list of extra things to do.

Fantastic experience: Our trip to santorini, greece was booked through acanela and they made sure to communicate every step of the way. They arranged transportation when possible as well as two excursions we went on. They made sure to reach out again right before we traveled to see if we had any further questions. They also checked back right after our return to see how things went. I can say they work hard with you to ensure you have a great time and would recommend.

Fantastic experience: Excellent! Acanela coordinated logistics of our trip including in-town accommodations and airport pick up/ drop off. They were very accessible for questions.

Fantastic experience: Just got back from our trip to the Galapagos Islands booked through Acanela. I had not heard of them before I was presented a 2-for-1 deal via a travel newsletter I subscribe to. We had discussed going to the Galapagos and the offer seemed the perfect way to try out a new travel service. I'm glad we did because it was amazing. Each day was different and interesting, with excellent guides, good food and a wonderful boutique hotel. The only downside for us is the boat we were on for the day excursions the first two days was not the best quality - we realized this when we were unexpectedly put on a different, much better boat our last day there. But otherwise, everything was so easy and smooth. And now we have amazing memories.

Fantastic experience: We recently booked a trip to Peru ACanela. Everything was excellent from the pre trip planning, the trip itself, and all the people we interacted with. They pulled together and interesting itinerary covering the must sees along with things I would not have considered. Highly recommended.

Fantastic experience: We recently took Acanela's 7-day safari in Botswana. It was a very enjoyable experience. The local team took care of all details, set up camp and prepared a nice variety of tasty meals for us. Our guide Anthony is extremely knowledgeable and always upbeat and fun to be around. He took us on some amazing game drives, where we saw more animals than expected. We had a great time and highly recommend this trip.

Fantastic experience: I first heard about my winning a trip to Bali through Acanela during the holidays, and because I was in and out of town, I didn't have time to pay attention to the email. I at first thought it was a joke. Then after the holidays, I emailed them back(and called and left a message), but no one responded(I think they were still on holiday). I tried again in February, thinking I'll try one last time, and finally got a reply! Glad, I persisted because it was for REAL! I took my new boyfriend with me and since I hadn't traveled much(and especially on an airplane for almost 20 years), it was a BIG DEAL! Me and my boyfriend planned everything for months and finally went May 11-May 16. We arrived one day early which was good to get settled. When we arrived at our resort, we were greeted with a welcome drink, and very friendly staff. Our room was gorgeous! We received a free breakfast included with the resort stay daily, and a cooking class and tour was also included. I didn't think I would enjoy the cooking class but it was great. My boyfriend said he hadn't tasted a better curry. Unfortunately, we had to cancel the tour(which would have taken us to the temples, and beach to snorkel), due to bad weather. We also had a few free days and decided to go to the Monkey Forest and look around the local shops. That I think was the highlight of our trip. The staff of our resort and local people of Bali were very warm, and friendly. Acanela's staff were always in communication with us, made sure everything was clear, and answered any questions we had. I at first thought that we would be part of a group, or that a rep from Acanela would meet up with us, but we were left alone which was quite nice actually. Even though in the back of my mind I knew I had won the FREE trip to Bali from Acanela, while we were there it was like we had planned it ourselves. For my FREE trip to Bali, they provided us our resort stay(5/12-5/16), free breakfasts, cooking class, tour, and $1,000 towards airfare. It was an experience like no other! It is still unbelievable!

Fantastic experience: We had a fabulous trip to Peru (Machu Picchu) with ACanela Expeditions!! Everything was well planned and we had the adventure of a lifetime! Besides hiking and touring beautiful Machu Picchu, we were fully immersed in the culture and there was adventure around every corner. We had an impromptu visit up to 14,000 ft to be with a family to do a Elpaca blessing for the baby elpacas for prosperity and then ate at the family’s home having a traditional Peruvian meal which was fantastic! We also attended a cooking class with a view of Cusco that was amazing and we cooked the most delicious food. I would like to say also that our guides were tremendous and very knowledgeable! Kylie and Andrew Chenn and their team were exceptional. My next ACanela trip will be in September to Papua New Guinea to hang out with the tribes and experience their culture then Sumatra for (orangutan trekking and hanging out with baby elephants) and then on to Bali. I can’t wait!!!

Fantastic experience: What an amazing culinary experience! Acanela plans were carefully orchestrated to our interests and activity level! We loved the personal attention of the guides and gained an insight into the Spanish and Moroccan culture along with their foods! We are anxious to plan another trip with Kalie!

Fantastic experience: My mom and I used Acanela for our trip to Greece. It was so nice having our hotels, transfers, and activities planned by them. Made the trip so easy and stress free! They are super flexible with dates (meanig, you tell them when you want to travel and they will make it work). Leading up to your trip they put together an itinerary with every bit of info you could need and then had a call with us a few days before so we could ask any questions! It was great service. On our trip one of our ferry transfers was cancelled, and Acanela was able to help us get everything rearranged that day! Thank you Acanela! We look forward to traveling with you again!

Negative experience: These guys keep emailing us even after unsubscribing. We didn’t subscribe to receive their emails or promotions and they won’t stop. Spammers.

Fantastic experience: I went on my first trip with Acanela this year, and believe me- I plan on going on more trips with them! I went on the Croatia to Greece trip and it was so much more than I thought it was going to be. Not only did we get to see amazing things in each country, but we also got to experience the culture and history. One of my favorite experiences we did on the trip was a hands on cooking experience in Bosnia and Herzegovina in a local family's home and I also got to sleep in a cave on the island of Santorini in Greece! Definitely would recommend using Acanela and also going on the Croatia to Greece trip!

Fantastic experience: We traveled with Acanela to Peru in April 2018 and had a most incredible experience. Kylie, Andrew and Domingo are top notch tour guides and did everything in their power to make it a wonderful and safe adventure for each person in the group. I loved the hikes, the ruins and the unique experiences with the people, from the chefs that prepared our meals to the Inca people that blessed us with their ceremonies and shared time in a kindergarten class. Memories, photos, food, experiences: priceless! Thanks so much Acanela. Can't wait for the next adventure!

Fantastic experience: This was my first trip to Peru and I am not sure what others have experienced but this was much more than I could’ve imagined. Acanela and Domingo put a fascinating trip together from the private dining experiences with the locals, AlPaca birthing ceremony, immersing us into the villages, and the overall hiking treks! I would highly recommend this team for your trip to Peru. Acanela Expeditions has found the right partners where ever you’d like to travel so would use them exclusively!

Fantastic experience: I went to Iceland with Acanela and had such a great time. We did a fully guided tour of the Golden Circle and went to a geothermal spa. All of our transportation and buses were arranged for us, we pretty much just had to show up! Kylie Chenn, the CEO, was very responsive and helpful and answered all of our questions promptly.

Fantastic experience: Acanela is amazing! I love the attention to detail and the personal communication between the company and their travelers!

Fantastic experience: I went to Cuba with ACanela in May of 2017. It was the best trip I've ever been on! Basically, a 2 week road trip from one side of the island to the other! I loved that we got to see SO MUCH! i feel like kylie and alber really went out of their way to pack in as much as possible, and i appreciated that very much! i don't think i'll every be able to do that again! I REALLY loved visiting all of the national parks, going on the hikes, swimming in the sinotes and both the atlantic and caribbean ocean. I loved cienfuegos and the bay of pigs, but guantanamo and baracoa were awesome too...especially the humboldt park! The accommodations just kept getting better as the trip progressed! As far as the drivers and guides, I have absolutely NO complaints! I loved them ALL! I seriously want to go back to Cuba just for the purpose of visiting them! I enjoyed all of the activities! The trip was rich in cultural exposure, adventure, great people, and even great food! Thank you so much, Kylie (and ACanela!)

Fantastic experience: I first became aware of the various promotions Acanela runs when I received a sweepstakes email from them, and ultimately became intrigued to travel with them once I saw a 2for1 deal that I wanted to go on (visiting Greece). Greece is a fabulous destination and the trip was a dream. We arrived in Mykonos and had a delicious dinner at a local joint near where we were staying. We ate fairly late since our plane was delayed, but that wasn’t too big of a deal since we stacked up until that time. Mykonos was a charming place and Eleni was really helpful throughout our time there. We then caught the ferry over to Santorini which was such a stunning place to see. We had a cooking class with a local cooking school which was quite charming and did a few tours as well. Food was great throughout our tour and really had a nice time chatting with the various guides on the excursions, asking them about Greek culture, food and life in general. I took heaps of photographs and had a great time.

Fantastic experience: Acanela Expeditions is the best option when it comes to travel! Hands down the best vacation experience out there!

Fantastic experience: Traveled to Greece Feb 2018 with Acanela and had a really great experience. I honestly felt the 7 day experience they offered was really well put together and allowed me to see so much of the country in a very short period of time. Loved the cooking classes that were part of the experience and the hotels had incredible views. I wish I could've taken more time off to do the Athens portion, but alas that will have to be for my next trip with them! Great experience overall!

Fantastic experience: If you love to travel and explore the world but hate all the planning and stress that comes with it; I highly recommend Acanela Expeditions for your stress-free planning needs! They offer great customer service without all the hassle and head ache! You’ll definitely have a great time with your travels seeing the world.

Fantastic experience: I had a great time visiting Morocco. Rostom was our main contact there and he made sure everything was super smooth. For example during the trip on like day 4, we had gotten tired of Moroccan food, so he made arrangements for us to try other things (Italian, Spanish food) it was a welcome change. Acanela did a good job of assembling experiences we would be interested in - everything from hiking to cooking classes. They all were pretty good. Loved the Sahara, can’t recommend it enough!

Fantastic experience: The girls at ACanela were so helpful. Awesome experience with them.

Fantastic experience: We had a wonderful time in Iceland! Kylie and Andrew from Acanela Expeditions took care of all of our needs and did a great job planning our trip. The sites were beautiful,the guides were fantastic and the hotels were cute and clean! We can't wait to go on another trip with Acanela Expeditions.

Fantastic experience: Great tour of Iceland. Acanela got all of the details right. Kylie and Andrew were very helpful in planning our vacation. Thanks for a great vacation!

Fantastic experience: Acanela’s Peru Expedition exceeded our expectations. We arrived in Cusco the day before the tour started because our flight from Lima was canceled the previous day due to weather in Cusco. Our guide Domingo was waiting at the airport. He met us in the evening to take us to dinner and made alternate arrangements to visit a textile cooperative instead of the horseback ride for the next morning due to the weather forecast. Lunch later at a private home was delicious. The train ride to Aguas Calientes was picturesque. Machu Picchu the next morning was breathtaking. Our train ride to Ollantaytambo in the afternoon was beautiful and our tuktuk ride to the hotel was fun. We loved Ollantaytambo and the view from our hotel was fabulous. Domingo suggested that we drive into the mountains in the morning to see how the native Quechua lived and witness a llama blessing ceremony. It was one of the highlights of our trip, as the mountain vistas were beautiful, the llamas and alpacas adorable and the native Quechua were very friendly. We spent a very enjoyable afternoon shopping the markets and artisan shops around the town of Ollantaytambo. The next morning, after visiting the Ollantaytambo fortress, we drove back to Cusco through the sacred Valley with a stop and walk to the beautiful Inca fortress at Pisac. The scenery was magical. We had a quick stop at the Pisac markets for more shopping and returned to Cusco for a late lunch. On our last full day, we had a morning tour of Cuzco with Domingo and were sorry to say goodbye. In the afternoon we were taken shopping to the San Pedro market by Xavier, who also gave us a wonderful cooking class. Dinner was the ceviche and a delicious quinoa dish that we learned to make. We were also taught to make the Peruvian national drink Pisco sour. This expedition was great value, as I have taken many previous trips with other tour companies that were much more expensive and no better in enjoyment.

Fantastic experience: The expedition guides have tons of experience all over the world. I've been on a few trips around Asia, but nothing like the experience you'd get with these guys. Acanela Guides have really in depth knowledge of the local area, best sites, best eateries to make the experience really special.

Fantastic experience: Thank you Acanela, our experience in Costa Rica was the trip of a lifetime. Punta Islita Hotel is an absolute gem, surrounded by lush forest and ocean, with an infinity pool and swim up bar. The staff were kind and attentive, going above and beyond to make sure our trip was comfortable and memorable. Most of the daily activities were included, and we took full advantage of this. Going on bird and monkey hikes, surfing, kayaking, visiting the newly hatched sea turtles, learning to cook Tico cuisine and make cocktails. The list goes on and on. I can't wait to book another tour through them!

Fantastic experience: Went on safari with Acanela Expeditions to South Africa and what an amazing experience! They had everything prearranged and planned perfectly. We saw incredible animal interactions and breath taking scenery. We survived camping in the bush surrounded by hungry carnivores without being eaten, along with sitting on the edge of Victoria Falls for a photo opp without going over the edge. That's why this trip deserves a 5 star.

Fantastic experience: Jordan and Israel Expedition: THE best trip of my life. I love being engaged and immersed in the culture of the place I'm in, and traveling with Acanela does just that. Excellent local guides give you the knowledge and connection to the history of Jordan and Petra, and the dinners provided at local restaurants give you a taste of the culture. Not having to worry about planning for transportation, hotel, and everything logistic that involves such an important trip leaves you more time to enjoy your journey. You don't have to pay luxury price for a luxurious vacation. Will only book our next adventure with Acanela!

Fantastic experience: Went on my first trip to Australia with ACanela and it was amazing! Kylie was a fantastic guide and we did everything we could've possibly hoped for and more :) She definitely did her research and found all the hidden gems and took good care of us. We scuba dived the Great Barrier Reef, pet kangaroos, held koalas, ate sour ants, took a scenic train ride into the forest, and sailed on a pirate ship overseeing the Sydney Opera house, what more could you ask for? Would definitely recommend!

Fantastic experience: In June of last year, I was able to go on the Acanela trip to Morocco. Here are a few of my honest thoughts and experiences while there. Probably the best part of the trip are the guides. One thing that was unique about Acanela, is the opportunity they give for you to have a very authentic trip. The main guide that stayed with us through the whole trip was amazing! He was a local who knew people almost everywhere we went. It was very exciting seeing him interact with the people of his country. He also did a very good job of keeping us safe and feeling safe. Like most tourist, we all had to bring our cameras, computers, chargers, and other valuables. Where ever we would go, our guide would make sure nothing happened, that included staying with the car always when we took off on all our little photography sessions, and even walking us to our hotels making sure we arrived safely. All the guides knew great English and were one of a kind in their own way. We were able to be immersed in the local culture. There really wasn’t ever a time I felt scared or nervous during the trip, which says a lot, because I tend to be an uneasy traveler. During our travel it was Ramadan, which briefly is where they go without food or water during the day hours and only eat their meals at night, this I’m sure caused a lot of hungry people to be a little extra angry and we even witnessed a couple street fights. I received a few marriage proposals (I am a 5’9” blonde hair blue eyed girl that stands out like a sore thumb when traveling in Morocco) but I still never felt that my safety was ever at risk. A couple of things that I wish I would have known are that there are hundreds of stray cats that are all over the streets, and I really wish I would have brought a bag of cat food or treats to give them. I also wish I would have brought something to give to some of the amazing people I met, something little that represented the state I am from, or even just the US. After hearing some of their stories, it made me want to share with them my story and give them a little extra something. I also wish I would have brought more money with me because there are lots of shopping opportunities and many things that are exclusive to Morocco and you can't really get them anywhere else. Lastly, I would suggest bringing lots of extra memory cards or a hard drive because you will be taking lots of photos of the beautiful sites and cities in Morocco. Overall this trip was honestly a once in a lifetime experience for me that I will never forget thanks to the help of Acanela.

Fantastic experience: Acanela is an incredible company. I traveled with them to southern India and Sri Lanka, and it was absolutely amazing. There was so much attention to detail and effort put into every part of the trip to make it authentic and memorable. Everywhere we stayed was clean and safe, while still maintaining the culture of the area. The activities we did and the places we went were not the type of experiences you get with large tour groups. It was so personalized and intimate. I can't speak highly enough of my experience traveling with Acanela. I plan to travel with them many more times in the future and recommend them to anyone looking to travel.

Fantastic experience: ACanela orchestrated two different tours within India for us, Rajasthan in the North and Kerala in the South. My husband and I had the opportunity to take our 14 year old daughter and 12 year old son with us so finding the right tour agency was imperative. ACanela was referred to us by a friend and they truly came through in every way. They organized tours and activities that were culturally significant, historically engaging, and very adventurous! ACanela went above and beyond by ensuring that each of our meals were not only delicious but a cultural, culinary experience. The historical heritage hotels throughout our stay were a hallmark to the ACanela tours. Each haveli had its own character and charm and added immensely to our experience as a whole. ACanela did a wonderful job of lining up safe, reliable transportation. Our drivers Bennie and Rathore were the friendliest, most reliable drivers and tour guides. They were there for us with whatever we needed to be comfortable during our trip and took us in like family. We loved everything about our time in India and can't thank ACanela enough for keeping our family safe and healthy during our time in that wild and beautiful country. We will definitely be traveling with ACanela again!

Fantastic experience: Best Adventure of our Lifetime. My husband and I have traveled extensively over the past 50 years. Never have we experienced such well organized excitement as was provided for us by aCanela. Our nine days in Botswana, Africa were incredible. Kylie, our tour guide, had taken care of every detail. We loved being in a small group and seeing the animals up close and personal.

Fantastic experience: Nice tour operator based out of Los Angeles. Used them for my vacation in Italy. Saw Bologna and Umbria - both were scenic destinations. Great cooking classes and fun local experiences. Highly recommend if you have the time.