Immersive Vacation to Lima: Peru’s Capital City

We finally got to Peru after 2 reschedules due to circumstances beyond our control on 27 April 2019.From our first encounter with the guide who met us at Lima airport at 1 AM local time to our farewells 10 April 2019, I felt that we had received the best value and superior guides than we had expected.Our first guide really did not have to be there, as all we had to do was walk across the street to the Airport hotel, but he was there, cheerful and helpful.We were back at the airport at 7 AM for our flight to Cusco, where our guide (he was greeted by virtually every other tour guide we met for the next week) met us and began a week exploration through the Sacred Valley, Macchu Picchu, and Cusco. Having been a former guide on the Inca Trail, our guide knew what we needed to become acclimatized to the altitude, as we were headed next to the Ausangate Trek with hiking at altitudes near 17,000 feet (>5000 meters).Our first two nights were in a hotel in Ollantaytambo, as nice a hotel as I have ever been in.Our next day after an early morning visit to the Ollantaytambo Sun Temple,  found us at the Moray Terraces and the nearby salt mines where our guide showed us a path to hike down to the valley to meet our driver for a wonderful lunch.You will not go hungry in Peru! Not only is the cuisine delicious, the portions are enormous.The following day we rode the scenic Peru Rail to Aqua Calientes where we hiked to waterfalls and a butterfly preserve. We were again housed in a fine hotel and served five star meals.The next day was Macchu Picchu, our guide had us in line for entry as they opened at 6AM. We were able to explore and get pictures before the crowds arrived later. We were also able to climb Huayna Picchu for some the best photos of the area. It is a strenuous climb, but well worth it. After lunch we returned to another night to a hotel in Ollantaytambo.The next day, our guide got a day off as we were driven to the top of a 14,500 foot pass for a downhill mountain bike ride of 50 kilometers (30 miles) and 5000 feet vertical descent. There maybe another similar ride on the planet, but I do not know of one! Spectacular scenery and travel through at least five different climate zones. We checked out of Pakaritampu and drove to Cusco with our driver to spend the night.Our last day with our guide was spent exploring Cusco parks and ancient churches, finishing with another fine meal. The rest of the day was spent shopping at the local markets and preparing for the Ausangate Trek with a Cusco lodge.We met that evening with a representative of the Lodge and one of our fellow travelers for the trek for last minute preparations.The following day we met with our guide and driver to begin the Ausangate Trek. After a four hour drive with stops in Urco and Pitumarca, we had a lunch cooked for us near a ruin of an ancient water mill. We then began an easy 3 mile hike to the first Lodge near the town of Chillica, where we we treated to a three course meal and hot showers. The stars were out this evening, with no light pollution at all.The second day starts easily as you follow a primitive road upstream until it end at a llama corral. After this, you climb to lakes and pasture near the base of Ausangate approaching 16,000 feet altitude. Again a hot lunch was prepared on the trail. Terri was beginning to suffer from the altitude, but we managed to get to the second lodge, for another hot shower and excellent meal. Our guide was able to make a Terri more comfortable, and after discontinuing Diamox, and drinking electrolytes, we were able to continue.The morning of the third day we awoke to 4 inches of fresh snow and clearing skies, we then climbed to Palomino Pass 16,887 feet for highest elevation of the trek. from here it was mostly down hill through a broad valley to the next lodge. we were beginning to see the colors of the mountains becoming more pronounced as we were approaching the Rainbow Mountains and Red Valley of the Peruvian Andes The third lodge is the only single story lodge of the four we stayed at.Day four is the day we pass the Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley. We begin with a climb to another pass approaching 17,00 feet, then descend to a series of three lakes. As we approach the Rainbow mountain overlook, we can see the crowds of people who come here for a day hike from Cusco. Our guide knew the crowds would be gone after lunch, and by the time we got to the overlook, we had it to ourselves. Without a doubt, one of the natural wonders of this planet! We then traversed the Red Valley to our last lodge. The final supper was remarkable!Our last day on the trek begins with yet another climb, but then down hill to lunch and our bus back to Cusco. Along the way down, we passed through a small village, where we were greeted by the entire elementary school student body. ( about 12 children) We gave out the last of our trail snacks and continued downhill. we arrived in Cusco about 4 PM, pleasantly tired.We were driven to the airport in time to catch an 0830 flight back to Lima, where we were picked up and driven to the Largo Museum for a tour and yet another example of fine Peruvian cuisine. After a tour of central Lima, we drove to Paracas marine preserve where we stayed at a hotel.Our next day, we were taken to an airport in Ica, where we were first in line for the best seats on a Cessna Caravan for a one hour flight over the mysterious Nazca lines. We then rode dune buggies and sandboarded the dunes near Huacachina before stopping at a three generation old Pisco distillery for samples and lunch. we spent the rest of the day relaxing at the our resort.Our last day, we toured the Ballestas Islands and the Candellabra of Paracas harbor, before returning to Lima for lunch and shopping in the Miraflores district. Our driver then had to get us to the airport in Friday afternoon traffic in Lima. There are somedays you just do not get paid enough for the work you do! We the flew home after an unforgettable trip! 

Our travel agent was great - she was very responsive and efficient in creating a trip exactly as we were hoping to have it. We truly had an unforgettable experience once we wer in Peru. We were met at the airport by a charismatic and helpful driver, enjoyed a day tour of Lima and liked our hotel. The Nazca Lines, Paracas, and the Ballestas Islands were all places that we never would have known to go, and truly a unique experience. Cuzco was stunning - the city, culture, and history were like nothing we've ever seen and the Sacred Valley/Ollantaytambo were gorgeous.  Machu Picchu was truly an experience that we will never forget. The trip was enjoyable and seamless. I highly recommend this company!

Our trip to South America had been in the pipeline for several years so when it came to putting it into actuality we wanted to make sure that it was just right. We hunted around to find a travel agent who could tailor a package to suit our needs. We came up with a list of 4 travel agents in 4 different countries but eventually we chose this travel agency. Our decision was based on  the the travel agency's approachability (whenever we emailed a question we always received an immediate and comprehensive response); also our agency's flexibility in being able to add or alter different options, and their friendly and helpful advice.Our contact was with Heather who made herself available to chat on Skype at all times. (It is very reassuring to be able to personalise travel arrangements - it makes it seem less like dealing with an anonymous organisation and more like chatting with a friend and mentor.)Our agent provided us with a comprehensive written itinerary which left nothing in doubt. She organised all transfers, internal flights, tours with local operators (some private, some group). At one stage when demonstrations in Cusco interrupted train and bus services, Heather immediately stepped in to organise suitable alternatives. We understand that other tourists did not fair so well and were stranded on train platforms or forced to pay for exorbitant hotel accommodation.Our 43-day tour included visits to 6 countries -  Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Brazil. Right from the onset in Quito we were met by a wonderful guide who shared his knowledge of Ecuador - its geology, its history, its politics and its food. Our agent marked the beginning of a series of friendly, well informed and entertaining tour guides from the different regions we visited.We had an amazing holiday visiting all the well known tourist sites - Galapagos, Machu Picchu, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, Iguasu Falls and Rio de Janeiro. And a few maybe a little less touristy such as Paracas and the Ballestas Islands, the Peruvian Amazon basin, Nazca lines and the Bolivian Salt Lake of Uyuni.When we used bus transport it was reasonably comfortable, hotel accommodation was always clean and comfortable and airport transfers were always on time. All hotels included breakfast which naturally varied from one hotel to another but it was always quite adequate and healthy. At different times when other meals were provided such as on the Galapagos cruise, in the Amazon Basin, on Lake Titicaca and during the Sacred Valley tour the quality of the food was quite impressive.We are now considering another visit to South America - this time to Patagonia and we will definitely be looking at involving this travel agency again with our trip arrangements.Muchas gratias!

The trip and company were great. For the most part exactly what we expected, there were a few small hiccups but otherwise everything was great. They were always on time and professional. The only time they didn't meet us right away was off the vistadome train in Aguas Callientes because they confused us with someone else, but the hotel send someone to meet us and the guide came later, the issue was quickly resolved.

The guides and tour group agents were courteous, timely and spoke English well and were helpful with information which is the main reason to hire a tour agent in my opinion especially if wanting to cover more ground on limited time. The hotels they booked us were very comfortable and we were very satisfied with them. The only thing we personally would have like is a hotel closer to the town of ollantayambo, rather then in the valley though some people would appreciate the secludedness of the lodge.

What we liked best was private tour guide around Macchu Picchu who was very experienced and knowledgeable, patient, avoided crowds, offered various theories on the constructions and spend more time with us then allotted for the tour. The other hiccup was the ride to Ica when we asked for VIP seating on the bus but got regular, on the return trip we got the seating we asked for, there must have been none available on the way there. Otherwise the trip itself was amazing, and we were happy with everything else.

The only thing is we though it was very pricy for what we got, since we paid around $950 pp which did not include food (except one lunch), hotels (except two) and domestic air. three years ago my parents made the same trip paying around 1300 pp for a twice longer trip which included much more places (puno, nazca, arequipa, cusco, colca, amazon, ica, paracas) as well as all hotels and domestic air. Other then the value, this company is good.

Our family of four had a great trip to Peru! Zicasso’s travel agency put together a pretty elaborate 12-day tour that included Lima, Paracas, Nasca, Ica, Sacred Valley, and Cusco from Los Angeles.

The hotels were nice, the optional activity and restaurant recommendations were perfect, and the guides and drivers were fantastic. They really attended to all the details and made it a great vacation.

Our agent at this Peru travel company planned a 16 day private tour for my family through Southern Peru. We visited Lima, Paracas, Arequipa, Puno, Machu Picchu and Cusco. This trip was AMAZING!! Our agent intuitively knew exactly what kind of excursions, accommodations and guides we would be most pleased with. The entire trip went off without one problem - every connection, every tour, every hotel - perfect! I was so incredibly happy with every aspect of the trip. I would give this travel agency the highest recommendation possible! Thank you Zicasso for referring us to this travel company :)