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Clara Gies

Born and raised in Germany I am inwardly Peruvian since I came here for the first time. I have been living for almost eight years in Peru now, traveling a lot through Peru and its neighboring countries. During my trips I have discovered new exciting and incredible places and attractions, which I'd like to share with you. I look forward to planning a trip together and creating a tailor-made vacation according to your travel style.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"I specialize in Peru, Bolivia and Chile. I love to create meaningful memories and remarkable travel itineraries. When designing itineraries and packages, I focus on creating a customized and unforgettable experience that best suits the needs and travel interests of each person."

How did you get involved in travel?

"Born in Germany I started traveling at a young age. At first, I explored Europe with almost all its countries, then, at the age of 18 I came to Peru and stayed. The last 8 years I traveled through almost the whole country, and I am happy to be able to share what I know with others to organize a customized trip that is truly unforgettable."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"For one year I supported a small Andean village at 4000 m asl, helping out in the local health post and giving English lessons in the small secondary school. Everyone in the town spoke Quechua, the Inca language and any or little Spanish. I stayed there once a week for two days/ one night and shared their life. Since this experience I am deeply connected to the Andes and their people."

Clara is part of the following groups: Peru Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice

Recent trip reviews for Clara

Trip to Peru
Peru | Sep 22 - Oct 4, 2019

Kendra
Kendra M.
Houston, TX | Reviewed on Oct 06, 2019

Liz was our travel agent and she did a great job. Everyone at Andean Travel was really helpful. They provided additional guidance when we had a situation.

All our guides and drivers were great. The guides were all very knowledgeable and were able to answer our questions. I really loved the Machu Picchu tour with Javier? and the Sacred Valley tour with Ruth. They ensured that we had a truly unique experience.

I also really appreciated that we did not have to wait for transportation. All the drivers were waiting for us when we arrived in an area.

Local specialist: Clara Gies

Trip to Peru
Peru | Sep 22 - Oct 4, 2019

Doretta
Doretta C.
San Antonio, TX | Reviewed on Oct 06, 2019

Àll our drivers and guides were wonderful ! I admired our guide at Machu Picchu! He told personal observations that were not found in books! All the personnel were patient and kind! They were knowledgeable and considerate of our health and well being! As I’m presently on my last bus ride home, I can honestly say that I would recommend this service to anyone ! I need more time to find all our guides names to thank them personally - but I’m so happy to experience the beauty of Peru with the assistance of your staff and all the tours we took! Thanks to all!

Local specialist: Clara Gies

Planned perfectly
Peru | Aug 13 - Aug 18, 2019

JMETRIA
JMETRIA A.
Raleigh, NC | Reviewed on Aug 23, 2019
Our trip was planned perfectly. We were very pleased with everything. The process was easy, the local tour guides were all very wonderful!!! We had Alexandra with us the majority of our 6 days in Peru and Franco was our guide up Machu Picchu. Alexandra is the best and when we come back we would request her to be our personal guide if she's available. Although I really really liked Franco it felt like he was a little overwhelmed as he had multiple tours during the time we were there. Still a... Read more

Our trip was planned perfectly. We were very pleased with everything. The process was easy, the local tour guides were all very wonderful!!! We had Alexandra with us the majority of our 6 days in Peru and Franco was our guide up Machu Picchu. Alexandra is the best and when we come back we would request her to be our personal guide if she's available. Although I really really liked Franco it felt like he was a little overwhelmed as he had multiple tours during the time we were there. Still a great time and both took awesome pictures for us and of us. We really appreciate them capturing these moments. The hotels that we stayed in were excellent and in the perfect locations. We stayed at Aranwa for our first and third night in Cusco, Casa del Sol Machu Picchu Boutique in Ollantaytambo for Machu Picchu and Antiqua Casona San Blas in Cusco. It was one or two of the hotels I suggested and had changed after receiving Clara's suggestions and after I agreed to the itinerary because I researched where we wanted to stay and the type of hotels we wanted to stay in. Do not agree to any itinerary prior to researching your hotels. We were charged for each change, a service fee which I feel is a little much, so I warn you prior to agreeing to any itinerary do your own research first on hotels and rooms to ensure you are comfortable where they are suggesting you stay. I didn't and we were charged additional fees. Just a warning because their suggestions might not be what you really want and you won't know until you research.

Our tour was laid out so perfect we didn't experience much jet lag at all. Peru is our most favorite place to visit and we are very excited to return. This was our first time in this beautiful country and it's already top of our list. Going through KimKim was a little scary I must say as it was our first time using an on-line travel platform but it was the perfect platform to use for me as I was able to send my questions and receive responses that I could easily find again. I would definitely use KimKim again.

The only problem I had which was not KimKim at all is that our local travel agent Clara left the agency (That's why I gave her 3 stars) and we weren't told. I would send messages upon messages and I was getting a little scared that I had lost money because I got nothing in return. I contacted KimKim, they got in touch with the local agency and we were assigned to Liz who was great at responding but the local agency should have done a better job communicating that Clara had left. Other than that, I think if we had Liz from the very beginning or if we had known that Clara was leaving and a proper and speedy transfer was done it would have been a 5 star review for the local specialist.

I am really satisfied at Andean Travel who was the local agency. They are professional and offered the best layout for our first tour of Peru. They met us on time at the time we agreed on each day. The drivers were all courteous and the tours awesome.

Local specialist: Clara Gies

Sacred Valley Highlights - 5 Days
Peru | Jun 27 - Jul 3, 2019

Brad
Brad N.
Fort Worth, TX | Reviewed on Aug 11, 2019
This for me was a trip of a life time which was a total of 18 days with my daughter celebrating her graduation from High School. Kim Kim handled our 7 days in Peru and 11 days in Colombia. The time in Peru was magical. The highlight of the entire trip was Alexandra who was our guide in Peru for 2 days. I've been traveling for 20 years on international trips and Alexandra was by far the best guide i've ever encountered. Her ability to interact with myself and my daughter was wonderful as... Read more

This for me was a trip of a life time which was a total of 18 days with my daughter celebrating her graduation from High School. Kim Kim handled our 7 days in Peru and 11 days in Colombia. The time in Peru was magical. The highlight of the entire trip was Alexandra who was our guide in Peru for 2 days. I've been traveling for 20 years on international trips and Alexandra was by far the best guide i've ever encountered. Her ability to interact with myself and my daughter was wonderful as she relayed to us the customs of local people and the influence of Inca culture. Her ability to recant history and it's influence on previous cultures and current live styles of those who choose a modern path along with those who desire to live an indigenous lifestyle of the past. She was funny, engaging, caring, recommending places to eat and sites to see later when the guided tours were over enhanced out time substantially. Alexandra was more than a guide, she became a life long friend. We loved everything about our trip to Peru. Kim Kim hit a home run in our book. I will be back!

Local specialist: Clara Gies

Explore Peru and Bolivia - 11 Days
Peru | Jul 21 - Aug 6, 2019

Denisse
Denisse G.
Puerto Rico | Reviewed on Aug 07, 2019

El equipo de KimKim y los especialistas superaron mis expectativas del viaje. El servicio de guías y personal de transportación son impecables. Todo corrió de manera organizada y a tiempo. Definitivamente satisfechos con los hoteles recomendados durante el viaje. Los guías eran muy amables y con mucho conocimiento. Muy agradecida por el excelente servicio de los guías David, Ruth y Mario en Peru y afortunados de contar con Aida y Gerson para el tour del salar de Uyuni en Bolivia. Definitivamente volveré a utilizarlos en mi siguiente aventura.
Gracias Kim Kim!!

Local specialist: Clara Gies

Trip to Peru
Peru | Jun 29 - Jul 6, 2019

S
Sujata A.
Thomasville, NC | Reviewed on Jul 08, 2019

It was great experience. Carla was great, all the guides were very knowledgeable and all the transportation on time for pickup.

Local specialist: Clara Gies

Machu Picchu & Amazon Jungle - 8 Days
Peru | May 25 - Jun 1, 2019

T
Theresa R.
Saratoga, CA | Reviewed on Jun 07, 2019
Back from our 9 day trip to Peru. It was an amazing trip with fantastic sights, food, and experiences. Clara/Liz from Andean Experience did a great job planning the trip and setting up the hotels, tours and transfers. Some of the highlights of the trip
- Transfers: we had many of them and every single one of those went amazingly smoothly. All the drivers were helpful, courteous, punctual and drove clean vehicles
- Great tour guides: Alexandra, our tour guide in Sacred Valley was very...
Read more

Back from our 9 day trip to Peru. It was an amazing trip with fantastic sights, food, and experiences.

Clara/Liz from Andean Experience did a great job planning the trip and setting up the hotels, tours and transfers. Some of the highlights of the trip
- Transfers: we had many of them and every single one of those went amazingly smoothly. All the drivers were helpful, courteous, punctual and drove clean vehicles
- Great tour guides: Alexandra, our tour guide in Sacred Valley was very knowledgeable and made the day very interesting. Jackson, our guide in Posada Amazonas was also very friendly, helpful and informative. Jamie, our guide for the Inca trail hike and Machu Picchu was very encouraging when the going got tough.
- Paul, our co-ordinator in Cusco met with us and explained our itinerary. His restaurant recommendations were spot on and he made restaurant reservations when needed. Nice!
- Clara and Liz were available for questions during our planning and very helpful in suggesting itineraries and activities. Glad they Clara got us on the Short Inca Trail hike!!

Things that could have been better
- Chinchero was a canned experience showing just one weaver. Felt it was setup mostly for selling their products. It could be removed from the itinerary.
- Hotel in Ollantaytambo didn't have working showers. Location and garden was great but the room and shower were sub par.
- We could have gotten a warning about the access to Posada Amazonas. We were taken by surprise when we were faced with over 100 stairs to access the resort; it was strenuous for the grandparents (over 80yrs) in our group (rest of group was perfectly alright with them).

Overall, loved the sights and experience in Peru. Inca trail, salt ponds of Maras, Ollantaytambo ruins, WinayWayna ruins are spectacular. The eco experience at Posada Amazonas was unique and well worth the time spent.

Local specialist: Clara Gies

Huaraz & Cordillera Huayhuash Trekking - 9 Days
Peru | May 27 - May 30, 2019

Neil
Neil C.
Pittsburgh, PA | Reviewed on Jun 06, 2019

We had a fantastic trip to Peru and really appreciate all of the help from our coordinator, Liz Karen. We had unexpected delays with our incoming flights and Liz was able to help change our itinerary! She was a pleasure to work with.

In country, our guide's name with Extreme Adventures was Ronny Pillco Farfan - he was absolutely awesome! He was fun, knowledgeable, accommodating, and was a great guide for our trek.

Local specialist: Clara Gies

Huaraz & Cordillera Huayhuash Trekking - 9 Days
Peru | May 27 - May 30, 2019

K
Kellen C.
Pittsburgh, PA | Reviewed on Jun 05, 2019

The Sankaltay Trek was an unbelievable experience! Our guide Ronny was very good and accommodating to our group and did an amazing job! Our chef Grimaldo and Manuel also did an incredible job for us and together, the three of them made the trip wonderful! The trek itself was beautiful, the scenery was pretty incredible. We had a beautiful day for our Machu Picchu tour and were able to see everything! Overall wonderful trip.

Local specialist: Clara Gies

7 Days in Peru: 5 Unique Itineraries
Peru | May 24 - Jun 2, 2019

Sameer
Sameer B.
Franklin, TN | Reviewed on Jun 03, 2019
The trip to Cusco, Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu was planned meticulously. Paul, our coordinator was on top of things and whenever I reached out to him, he was extremely responsive and supportive. All in all, the trip was fantastic and we thoroughly enjoyed it. So many beautiful memories. The planning and follow-through were top notch. Restaurant reservations and recommendations were spot on. Hotel Sumaq, Aranwa, and Casa Andina were awesome!! Guide in Cusco - David was fantastic. Guide... Read more

The trip to Cusco, Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu was planned meticulously. Paul, our coordinator was on top of things and whenever I reached out to him, he was extremely responsive and supportive. All in all, the trip was fantastic and we thoroughly enjoyed it. So many beautiful memories. The planning and follow-through were top notch. Restaurant reservations and recommendations were spot on. Hotel Sumaq, Aranwa, and Casa Andina were awesome!! Guide in Cusco - David was fantastic. Guide to Machu Picchu, Marco saved me from me, by carrying my backpack for a quarter of the hike!

Here are some things to consider for refinement:

Novotel in Cusco - nice location but the room size, layout and sofa bed were not very good.
Dazzler - nice hotel but the front desk was not very well informed, consistent or helpful.
Lunch for Hike - we ended up carrying a lot of unnecessary load. If they are providing protein bars, chocolates, and juice, it might be best to ask people to bring their own favorite brands. Should send bananas. Luckily, my guide shared their's with me.
Allergy information - even though we shared our daughter's allergy information, this wasn't passed down or communicated very well downstream.

Local specialist: Clara Gies