Riveting Time Capsule Trip of Peru’s Capital

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! 

Initially Everything was great when planning the trip. Then I didn't hear from them and three weeks before the trip I had to insist on an itinerary and to pay. I don't like last minute changes and that is why I started in July for December. They changed my trip to Machu Picchu to leave from the train station versus the hotel which was one of the benefits of staying at the hotel. I did not catch this change when we finally got are final itineray two weeks before the travel. Basically this meant driving on Christmas Eve to the train station versus just leaving from our hotel. So the traffic was so bad we had to just get out and walk about a mile and the train was late. Bottom line our half day tour was 90 minutes and Machu Picchu was the basis for the whole trip. Additionally we had asked about comercial flights from Peru to Paracas. We were told only charters and limited availability. Actually the concierge at the hotel told us they have commercial flights for $97.00. No weight restrictions. We spent 6 hours driving both ways which basically cost you a day when we could fly in 45 minutes. The agent in Paracas was late and made us miss our flight (for the Nazca lines) as he didn't know where our hotel was, (came to the service entrance) and then had to stop at a gas station and ask how to get to the airport and then was late picking us up. They did not call the night before and we had to have the concierge track down the company as the number we were given was dis connected.

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!

I will divide it into the process of planning the trip, and the trip itself.

When planning the trip, they were very responsive and open to making adjustments.  They were easily reached via phone or email, which was much appreciated.  They were always polite no matter how many adjustments we made and they were forthcoming with suggestions.  The one negative was that they didn’t always send me the documents I needed without asking.  As our trip got closer, I had to contact them for our flight information, status report, and final itinerary, when they were supposed to send them to me at a determined date without my asking. However, they got me these items within a day of my asking for them. 

Once in Peru, we loved all of our tour guides and tours.  I have nothing but good things to say for all but one of the tours and tour guides.  When we landed in Peru, we had flown first class so we were first out of customs (they had our flight info so knew this).  We waited an hour for someone to pick us up.  We called the Lima contact number and she told us the person was in a car accident and to go right to the hotel, but when we got there, he was there and denied being in an accident, saying that he had gone to the airport 45 minutes after our plane landed to allow us time to go through customs.  We never saw him at the airport despite walking through the area where the pickups were multiple times.  However, he was polite, he apologized, and all was well.  Other than that, all of our rides, tours, guides, etc. were seamless and the tour guides were friendly and knowledgeable.  One in particular spent a lot of extra time with us helping my husband find something he wanted in Peru.

The one somewhat negative tour was the Nazca Lines tour.  We were supposed to be picked up at 5am, but the Lima contact called at 10pm and told us they would be getting us at 2:45 instead due to weather.  She said the bus left at 3, so be ready on time.  Well, we waited until 2:55 for our pickup, which isn’t a huge deal except that we were frantic we would miss the bus.  However, it turned out that the bus wasn’t scheduled to leave until 3:30.  Once we got to Ica, we were told there were still issues with the weather so we were taken to a resort, given a tour, and went dune-buggying.  However, my husband and I were the only ones who hadn’t pre-paid for the dune buggying, which made us wonder if there weren’t in fact weather problems, but that we were somehow put on a different tour.  Regardless, we had a great time on the buggy and then took our flight over Nazca.  We were supposed to go to lunch right after (it was 1pm by this time) according to the itinerary, but some people wanted to go dune-buggying again, so we went back to the resort and waited, starving, for an hour for them.  We finally ate lunch around 2:30 and we got back to Lima two hours late. 

Other than those two negative experiences, as I said, we enjoyed everything else and felt that it all went quite smoothly overall.  We expected to have some snafus when traveling internationally, so the changes were not a huge deal.  Overall, I would recommend working with this agency, but they may want to review their Nazca Tour.  

Travel Company's Comments

#1. About traveler's comments on arrival assistance:

Would like to point out that the person in question has been reprimanded and is not working in our staff anymore. Our company values are based in honesty and punctuality. We appreciate the customer´s feedback and regret they had a bad welcome.

#2. About traveler's comments on the Full Day tour to Ica and Nazca Overflight:

This program was offered to the clients in order to be within their budget and was done on a Shared Service basis (i.e., group tours), which has the risk of changes during the service according to the group’s wishes, pace, etc. We agree that punctuality should not have been affected and the guide of the group should balance the wishes of different tourists in the group.  We have sent a report to the local supplier and we trust they are taking corrective measures. From our side, we always prefer to propose service on private basis (e.g., private transfers, private guided tours, etc.) to clients, but it is not always possible due to clients' budget considerations.

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.