Peru Trekking Tour from the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu

Our Peru trip was very well organized by the tour operator that we chose, and it was one of our best international trip experiences. I was really impressed by the punctuality and helpfulness of our points of contact and guides in Cusco and everyone was so courteous. We're group of 3 adults and covered Lima, Cusco, Inca trail, Machu picchu and Agua Calientas. We spent only a day in Lima but our guide gave us a great tour of the city and it's history. Cusco was relaxing and very different that the usual tourist towns. Inca trail was breath-taking and awe-inspiring. Our Inca trail guide was great and had an interesting sense of humor which made the hike pretty enjoyable. The porters and cook were very nice and effable people and the time we spent on the trail was amazing. The only hiccup during the trip was the hotel room arrangement at Novotel in Cusco. The room assigned was too small for our group of 3 people and the hotel staff was a bit adamant on us paying the difference in tariff for moving us to a bigger room. Our contacts at the tour company were very helpful and great. They were able to help us resolve the situation with the hotel even though it was late at night before we started the Inca trail. Overall, it was an excellent arrangement and awesome trip, would certainty cherish the good times.

The travel company had good guides in Cusco and on the Inka trail. The guide in Lima was very nice, but hard to understand. I felt he showed us very little of Lima and we were disappointed.

We asked for vegetarian, vegan meals, and never received names of restaurants in Cusco that we could enjoy. More research should be done on this. We were let down. Some restaurants did not know what vegetarian is.

Too many days did not have full schedules of activities The church was closed in the morning in Cusco (which should have been checked out prior to our visit) especially given the hours were posted on a sign at the door. Our guide never took us back and told us to go on our own in the afternoon.The last day in Cusco with a ride of two hours each way to see the ruins was just too far at this point. Maybe this could have been done a day we had a free afternoon. No suggestions on what we should do with all the free time we had, especially in Cusco.

The hotel at Inkartarra was beautiful, but we arrived there at 4:30 in the afternoon, there were no lights until 6:00 and we left early the next morning to take visit the ruins of MP. We could not take advantage of the amenities and it was very expensive. You should have realized with our schedule, that another choice and less money would have been more suitable. The other hotels were very nice. When we had the shaman, we had only a few hours with him and then we were driven back to our hotel The Sonesta. There was an afternoon hike scheduled for the same day that never happened? We're not sure what the glitch was.

Our driver in Cusco was fabulous. Courteous, careful and very caring. The driver in Lima spoke English well and was very nice.

We did enjoy our time in Peru.

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 agents did an amazing job planning an itinerary that exceeded my husband's and my expectations even without knowing ourselves exactly what we wanted in a vacation to Peru. We are active people, asked for an active vacation and we got just that! In addition to fun days of biking (on great mountain bikes with shocks) to visit sites, hiking the one-day Inca Trail, climbing Wayna Picchu, and trekking and boating in the Amazon, we learned a lot about Peru and its history, culture, food, people, plants and animals.

Logistically, everything worked and activities were realistically planned as we transitioned from one location to another. For example, our travel planner booked a hotel across from the Lima airport to provide more rest after a late night arrival and early morning departure to Cusco. Our first day in Cusco with our guide was a casual and interesting day that helped us familiarize ourselves with our new surroundings and the altitude.

Our planners' knowledge of Peru and experience working with travelers really worked. Their choice of hotels was good for logistics, character and customer service. While I think it depends on their schedule, they spent time with us and we're so glad to have gotten to know them.  As a special surprise, they surprised me with a birthday cake at the top of Pisac. It was a really special birthday.

Guides and drivers that were scheduled were terrific as well. Our guide for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu, was a great person to spend a couple days with. The tour guides they worked with during our stay in Lima was also a good fit; The guides were upbeat and knowledgeable about the parts of the city we visited and they helped us become familiar with the inner workings of a very large city.

Other guidance provided was also spot on; When they say "don't drink too much the first night in Cusco (altitude)" or "use mosquito repellent," they really mean it. The itinerary provided all the things included/not included and what to bring for each day.

My only regret is not having more time.

Wow, where do we start? We took a chance to explore our love on an amazing Peruvian honeymoon adventure through the mysterious and wondrous pathways of the Inca trails, mountain tops of magical Machu Picchu, hotels, rooftops, and markets of Cusco and Lima. Little did we know that not only would it cause us to fall in love and create a deeper connection with the divine, but we would also find our hearts connected to a land, culture, and people that welcomed us with open arms as one of their own. Mother Pachamama, you are truly the salt of Peru.

We searched near and far for an agency that could fulfill our traveling needs and desires, and there in the balance they stood. Zicasso's travel partner is definitely a cut above the rest in the competitive industry of traveling and tourism. From the moment we made contact, we knew without a shadow of a doubt that they were something special. From our first correspondence, we were drawn in by a force, and behold, with what appeared to be no effort, our needs were met. Our travel agents seamlessly tailored for us an adventurous itinerary that left us speechless and in awe.

Breathtaking views of historical and archaeological civilizations passed, yet all but forgotten. We relished the cultural ambiance of the locals. The expertise of our tour guide, chauffeur, our lovely and articulate chef, and the many hotels that accommodated our rest, refreshments, revival, and retreat were truly amazing. From the smiles on their faces to the looks in their eyes, we knew that what they had given us were acts of selflessness, not just tourist favor. What we received was genuinely and wholeheartedly fueled by the passion inside of them for the land they love, the people they supported, the traditions that shaped their hearts, and the spirituality they held sacred, both near and dear to their souls.