Peru tour, tailor made
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rosy@responsiblevacation.comDeparture information
This trip can be arranged at a time to suit you, and adapted to your requirements. We also check the Inca Trail permit availability for you
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Responsible tourism
Responsible tourism: Peru tour, tailor made
Environment
All excursions and trekkings are guided by local guides with ecological knowledge and organized by local organizations, which are taking care of the environment with ecological awareness. A Tourguide in case of a grouptravel has extensive knowledge, is very well trained, professional, takes care of the environment and internationally certified. By making use of nature excursions during your travel on Peru, you stimulate the people to continue with taking care of their natural reserves. The Peruvian people are very aware that it is important to take care of their beautiful nature, as it is one of the main attractions for tourists, and tourism is an important income.You can compensate the CO2 emmisions of your flights with ClimateCare, GreenSeat, or more cost and travel effective solutions. (Interested? Contact us for more information).
Community
As we work with all local suppliers your investment returns directly back in local society and you have the possibility to learn from the local culture and even to practice your spanish. Transport is always with local bus, and accommodations are usually (of course this also depends on your wishes), small scale, beautiful in ambiance and contributing to the local economic development. On your itinerary you may stay overnight several times in small indigenous communities with which you directly support the development of local communities.This journey to South Peru is a cross cultural travel in which you can create a mutual benefit by acquiring locally produced goods & inspiring people by showing your interest in their traditional made handicrafts.
We also offer our Tourguide services to small organised groups, the itinery may include all elements your group is looking for, daywalks, cultural excursions, visits to archaeological sites, the Inca trail, other trails, rainforest extensions etc. You will be accompanied by an expert on Andean nature & culture. Your Tourmanager is internationally certified, lives and works in Latin America, is part of the Latin community, has guided 140 grouptrips, educated as a westerner in an Indian lineage & one of the most knowledgeable guides in Latin America.
11 Reviews of Peru tour, tailor made
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 11 May 2015 by Igor Borisek
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Sunset and night view in Ica- Huacachinero desert, stay in Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu, Colca Canyon with condors and Inca terraces, Cusco old city, Andahuaylilas Church and finally tracking the huge herd of peccary in amazon jungle.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Finish your trip in Huacachinero oasis. Be prepared for really cold conditions at
Titicaca lake.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very well organized travel, beautiful country with interesting contrasts (from desert to amazon jungle), kind people, good level of travel possibilities and accommodation. Recommend to people who like to be in the close touch with country life.
Reviewed on 07 Aug 2014 by Stuart Rieger
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Many great memories. Machu Pichu and the Amazon jungle would have to top the list. Viewing the Nazca lines and the sand dunes of Huacachina were also really special.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
We traveled the southern route of Peru. There is so much to see. Please travel beyond Cusco and Machu Pichu. Be warned that many of our activities began early in the morning. Marcel gave us excellent advice on which sites were the best to see. Bus travel in Peru is easy and very comfortable. Overall the country is very affordable.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We did feel that our vacation benefited local people. We also felt the local people were very appreciative. The people of Peru are wonderful.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
This vacation was outstanding! We enjoyed all the places we visited, so much variety. We felt very safe, we encountered no problems. Marcel and his partner in Lima did an amazing job of planning and organizing our vacation. I would give them a VERY STRONG recommendation!
Reviewed on 01 Sep 2012 by Jane Lewis-Evans
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
We did a tailor-made tour of Peru, and having invested time in reading up about what we wanted instead of just doing 'the usual' tourist attractions, I would not have changed a thing. Walking in Chivay region independently was one of the highlights, and a great starting point for the vacation. We also spent some time with a charity in Ollantaytambo and got to know some fantastic people working for the charity as well as local families.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Just because places are popular tourist attractions, doesn't mean you have to do them! I don't think we paid much more tailoring our trip than if we'd just signed up to a tour. Our children (youngest is 11) did the Inca Trail and did not find it difficult, so would recommend it as a great experience for children. We spent 2.5 days in the Amazon rainforest and enjoyed that, and it showed a very different part of Peru.
Peru (and the operator organising our tour) were very organised and the whole trip ran smoothly, with drivers turning up at airports as expected, rooms always booked correctly at hotels, tour reps turning up on time to brief us on trips etc. This is one country where it is easy to travel independently, but with the luxury of having people waiting for you at key points!
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. Recycling was encouraged, and filtered water was available in a few of the hotels to discourage plastic water bottle use.
We got in touch with a charity based in Ollantaytambo and took gifts out for special needs children. Hotel in Cusco (Hostal Marani) recycles clothes for local poor families, and many hotels have links to Peruvian charities supporting local communities.
Explorers Inn (Amazon Lodge) and I imagine most of the lodges along the Tambopota River supported conservation and employed local people as guides and staff (even if they struggled with languages, so not always best for tourists, but good for local communities).
There are some 'well known' restaurants in most of the cities, that people flock to due to Tripadvisor reviews. While some of these are excellent (we enjoyed eating in 3 of them) we generally chose to eat in the quieter restaurants run by local people. We didn't have a single bad meal in a restaurant, so would encourage the support of the smaller establishments too, as some of them appeared to be struggling against the popular tourist magnets!
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent, varied, easy to travel, comfortable, delicious food, no hassle. We are a family of 4 (children aged 13 and 11) and this was the best vacation we have ever done. No hesitation in recommending Peru as a fantastic vacation destination for a family, and this oeprator for organising and setting up the perfect tailor made vacation, with plenty of consultation which lasted nearly a year!
Reviewed on 25 May 2012 by Samantha Lewis
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Seeing Machu Picchu through the mist in the early morning. Seeing dolphins and sea turtles alongside the cruise ship in the Galapagos. Hearing the grunts and feeling the vibrations of a stampede of over 50 peccaries in the Rainforest.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Suspend your expectations and enjoy and immerse yourself in all that Peru and its people have to offer. Do try to communicate in Spanish as much as possible.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes we believe that local people benefited and that the money we paid went towards supporting conservation.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent. A trip of a lifetime.
Reviewed on 27 Jul 2011 by Lorraine Anthony
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Machu Picchu & the Lares Trail.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Don't bother with Inca Express, use Cruz del Sur instead - much better service. Explorer's Inn is rather basic and facilities a bit run down and neglected - shame because the guides there are excellent. Need lots of warm clothes for Lares Trail - routes may vary from as described due to road closures and weather conditions. Make the most of down time at altitude to adjust.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
To some extent.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Great experience, amazing sites - but very full on - little time to rest so don’t come for a relaxing break.
Read the operator's response here:
From Puno to Cusco (or visa versa) we always recommend to take the Inca Express bus above any other bus company or the tourist train, as this bus makes several stops at interesting archaeological & historical sites along the way which the other companies don’t and this would be a missed chance to see and experience more of the Andean culture. Sites visited are among others the village Pukara of the Tiwanaku culture and the Inca pilgrimage site at Raqchi with the Viracocha temple, residential quarters, a ritual bathing place, a colca storehouse area and an intact Inca trail running through the site up into the mountains, all really impressive.
Reviewed on 09 Mar 2010 by Chris Kimberley
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Machu Picchu and the Inca trail simply amazing the 2 day trail was just challenging for myself and my wife, although if I was on my own I would love to try the 4 day trail. The site itself was breathtaking and our guide’s local knowledge and her native ancestry gave us extra insight into the people who lived there. The flight over the Nazca lines was also spectacular.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Sanitizing hand gel meant we never suffered from tummy troubles. We never allowed ourselves enough time to relax between excursions, a few more lie-ins would have been very nice. If you are going to drink alcohol at altitude make sure you have a bottle of water when you go to bed!
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The stay on the Island on Lake Titicaca was when we felt we were benefiting local people the most, avoiding big hotels and shopping at local markets for food as well as souvenirs was also very rewarding.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Unforgettable.
Reviewed on 24 Aug 2010 by Natalie Whitworth
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The Inca trail was probably the most memorable part of our vacation. Far more difficult than we imagined, but with a supportive group, an excellent guide and efficient porters, the trail was made enjoyable.
Nothing will compare with waking up at 5.30am in our tent with a cup of coca tea looking out over a mist-covered valley, knowing Machu Picchu was ahead of us. Seeing Machu Picchu slowly appear through the fog was unforgettable.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
I would certainly recommend some training for the Inca trail -there was a lot more 'uphill' than we realised and with a lack of oxygen making it more difficult, I was worried I wouldn't be able to make it! The sense of achievement at the end made it all worthwhile!
Prepare yourself for early starts and early nights! Getting up at 5.30 /6.30 was a bit of a shock to the system, but essential to see the amazing things we did.
Also, double check your agency's checklist before you go... we forgot our binoculars and torches which ended up being a must-have on both the trail and in the Amazon (after seeing our first tarantula, you really don't want to be wandering around the jungle in the dark)!
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Definitely. We stayed in small hostels, our porters were local farmers from around the area whom we tipped very well for all of their efforts. The amazon trip was organised to ensure minimum impact on the environment, which impressed us very much.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Another 5*s for Responsible Travel! This was our honeymoon, and you definitely made it a memorable one. This is also the second vacation we've booked through your sister company operator - we frequently recommend responsibletravel.com’s services to other travelers!
Reviewed on 12 Oct 2009 by Jude Mckenzie
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Walking the Inca trail with a wonderful small group (6 of us) and flying over the Nazca Lines. Learning about the Inca traditions and culture - so much to admire! The bus trip from Puno to Cusco - I think it was called the Inka Express - great service with excellent pacing of the journey.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Acclimatize slowly - make sure you have a few days in Arequippa - it's beautiful and helps you get used to the altitude. use an agent or company like Marcel's to help everything run smoothly. Our best treat was to arrive at our destination (by bus usually) and to have a reliable, smiling driver waiting with your name on a piece of paper to whisk you away to your hotel/hostel. We felt like independent travelers but we didn't waste time or fluff around looking for places to stay and haggling over how to get there.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The guides and porters were certainly grateful for our business. Staying with the homestay on Lake Titicaca was very special - you really did get a glimpse of village life and the hosts were so humble and gracious. The reed island experience wasn't quite so positive – very commercial although very interesting.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
At least 4 - we had a wonderful adventure. Peru is a very interesting and different country to visit - not exactly a vacation but a really worthwhile place to explore and share experiences. The people are lovely - especially those who are so proud of their Incan heritage.
Reviewed on 04 Sep 2008 by Steve Pullinger
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Difficult one this, because our three weeks in Peru were packed with such a wide range of experiences in diverse environments. You catch you breath when the Condors float effortlessly past you in the Colca Canyon. You cannot quite believe how close you are to the Caiman and the Giant Otters fishing in the early morning sun on a Manu lake nor does any photo prepare you for the excitement of watching a Jaguar search for its breakfast on the bank of the river. Cities, towns, villages and countryside alike offer so much of cultural interest and so much physical beauty that at times you feel overwhelmed by the richness of it all. The scale and beauty of the Andes is awesome and you realize that it can only be for this reason that the Inca's managed to keep both the trail and the city secret from the Spanish as you explore a small part of them on the four day trek to Machu picchu. When you get there you cannot quite believe how much of this lost city has survived. However much you have read or however many photos you have seen nothing prepares you for the thrill of the real thing.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Do try to be fit enough to get to Machu picchu via the Inca trail and to spend a day or two on mountain bikes (we cycled from Chinchero via Moray and Maras to Tarabamba and would recommend it). Do not try to do the high altitude physically demanding stuff too early on in the trip, even if you do not get altitude sickness it takes a while to get used to less oxygen. If you are pushed for time, spend as little of it as possible in Lima - it is interesting and there is much to do but we found the necessary day at each end of the trip plenty to get a feel for the place.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes is the short answer to the first part of this question, it was clear from the start that our agent had given this careful thought. As for impact on the environment, even if you mitigate it by carbon off-setting there is no getting away from the fact that you will almost certainly have to fly to South America. We compounded this sin with some internal flying (not just the 30 minutes over the Nazca Lines) which is a temptation given the scale of Peru, limited time and the astonishing views.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
From the gushing above, it is clear that I feel it was a 5 star vacation. Everything was brilliantly organized. The accommodation - be it hotel, hostel, cabin or tent was clean and comfortable and transport was safe and comfortable. Our guides were well informed friendly and enthusiastic and all the Peruvians we met (not just the professionals with whom we were interacting) were charming, helpful and welcoming.
Reviewed on 16 Sep 2008 by Helen Hooper
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
3 things: a. Completing the Macchu Picchu trek with our two kids (9 & 11yrs) still talking to us! A really worthwhile 4 days. Inca ruins seen in full splendour--backdrop of steep mountains fully clothed in sub-tropical vegetation, with low clouds and brilliant blue sky to aid my, otherwise dubious, camera skills. Lots of physical exertion and early morning starts that gave the feel of a 'real' expedition. Only downside was arriving to find MP filling with hundreds of goretex-clad tourists up on the first buses from Aguas Calientes. You can appreciate the splendour of the place by looking at promotional photos before you leave the UK--I just wanted to get out of there.
b. Eating in San Miguel market in Lima. Saved this delight till end of vacation as hygienic food prep is not a speciality of Peruvian markets. 3course vegetarian meal for 4 soles (80p)--we shared 2 between 4 as they were huge portions. Unlike the tourist trail restaurant fayre where, for what reason I cannot fathom, chillies, spices and herbs have been removed from all dishes making them bland unpleasurable offerings, the meals in the marker were the 'real thing'--nice and spicy!
c. Our first night hike at a jungle lodge. Armed with head torches we set off down a small trail to discover tree frogs, giant stick insects, a nest of tarantulas and then, not 2 metres away, at about head height, an emerald boa hanging from a branch. Asleep--but the still having an adrenalin effect from a knowledge delimited by the lore constructed by children's adventure stories.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Don't be persuaded to stick to the usual tourist trail. Take a look at any company on the web--they all go to the same places. Take more days in the Colca Canyon. Maps in all places are difficult to find but some good walking in the canyon that can be accomplished with/without a guide. If at Yanque thermal baths go to family-run one just over the old wooden suspension bridge rather than the posh one, newly built that is about 100yds upstream in the grounds of a newly built tourist hotel. Much more authentic and their business has been hit badly as a result of a baths with poolside bar and restaurant opening just upstream. Grin and bear Titicaca--the money from visiting tourists is obviously benefitting the community--just don't expect to meet real people.
Pisco: still in a state of major demolition/rebuilding post-earthquake so you can feel that you are benefiting the local community here. Whether you're prepared to visit Paracas NP just to benefit the local community should be well-considered though. (nothing there--this is freely admitted by guides--since 'El nino' apparently--non-impressive rock formations and a few turkey vultures).
Nasca: The Cemetery!! Kids loved it. But ourselves and most on tour were less convinced by the site. Seemed as if piles of stones had been covered by cloth and a skull unceremoniously dumped on top. May have been a great find when first discovered but most articles had been looted and what remains is unconvincing.
Arequipa: We recommend 'La casa de mi abuela': wow! good rooms, beautiful gardens, nice food at reasonable prices, wonderful buffet breakfast. (Arequipa was our favourite town visited--less touristy than all the others)
Cusco: not advisable to stay more than a couple of days unless you wish to spend lots of money doing organised trips. Beautiful city but soon became overwhelmed with 'Dos soles senora'... We were very bored. Wanted to walk up some of the mountains overlooking the city but no tourist agency will sell you a map. They only sell overpriced group trips. Food better here though. Sandwich bar on street parallel to Casa de campo (on way to plaza san blaas) does superb (huge) veggie sandwich with hot vegetables, guacamole and wonderful sauces (esp. rocotto) for 7 soles.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
See above. I HOPE that some of the money we spent found its way into the hands of local people. I THINK most of the tourist agencies operating tours that we went on were Peruvian and not US/UK company franchises. You do need to step out of the tourist circus though to really feel that your money is being spent in a beneficial way.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Please note: the following gradings are NOT related to the organisation of our vacation which was exemplary--I would recommend the tour operator wholeheartedly in this role (4-5*). Vacation as a whole: Me: 3-4* but can appreciate the kids who would give it 4-5* and my partner's 3*
We did have a great time. I just realised why I love traveling and being whisked around the tourist trail isn't the reason! I need proper adventure and real people. The kids haven't stopped talking about it though. It is a safe place to travel with kids. Whilst travel companies give you the usual safety advice, I never felt threatened. We generally came into contact with another family with kids in tow every couple of days so the kids were able to play together and relax.
Read the operator's response here:
Many real tailor made options are possible at least with us. Whoever thought for instance of hiking from the Colca canyon to Cusco, an impressive expedition, or hiking off the beaten path trails in the Colca canyon with our GPS information and/or a private guide, or traveling with a private guide for 2 weeks through Peru off the beaten paths? The issue is that most travelers have little time and wish to see all the main highlights giving that their priority above exploring into the unknown. We can offer hiking off the beaten path trails in the Colca canyon with our GPS information or a private guide for instance visiting an amazing pre-colombian village hardly visited and hidden out of sight higher in the canyon. My personal experience on the islands of both Taqule and Amantani is very positive. I have met so many beautiful and authentic people with whom I have shared wonderful conversations and volley- and football games playing up into full moon lit nights! They love to meet travelers and do games together, and this breaks certainly the ice and leads to heart opening experiences. But you need to speak of course Spanish, integrate with their way of being, be able to make fun and be respectful at the same time. The National park of Paracas is impressive, and this is not only a personal experience as I have been many times with clients over here; you need to step out at Lagunillas and walk along the cliffs to for instance the beach of Minas, climb a hill, and afterwards have some delicious tapas at the tiny fisher village. It is amazing and beautiful, but you should not stay in the car and explore walking, to enjoy the steep cliffs, wind and shouting of the sea gulls. The cemetery was a looted place, one big chaos of bones & cotton that you can still see on old pictures in guidebooks. Afterwards archaeologists tried to make the best out of this completely destroyed graveyard, created some order by putting mummies, bones and ceramics together and offering the public a view of a few funeral chambers. Cusco is loved by most travelers! It is such a special location and you could say thanks to all the travelers there are so many facilities for immersing in city life, shopping, Nova Andean cuisine and enjoying culture all at the same time in this the former capital of the Incas, it is a wonderful combination. All local agencies we work with are Peruvian and so all the income flows back to the Peruvian society.
Reviewed on 21 Jun 2007 by Kirstine Wilson
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Too many to mention as Peru gave us so many unique experiences. But if you have to pin us down I would say, seeing the sunrise at the Temple of the Sun, Machu Picchu, staying with a local family on the Island of Amantani, Lake Titicaca, sharing their food and dressing up in folkloric costume for an evening of dancing and Cusquena cerveza, Climbing the terraces to wonder at the magnificent ruins and relaxing in the Plaza des Armas with delicious pancakes and joyful children at Ollantaytambo
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Don't take too many clothes. There are plenty of laundry facilities in the larger cities and hotels that will do 3 hour laundry service. Better to save space for all the Alpaca hats, gloves, socks etc that you will end up buying! There are ATMs all over the place, often in restaurant lobbies or shops so getting money is never a problem. We found that using Visa and Mastercard, we were charged 10 soles but for using Maestro (ordinary debit card) we weren't charged. We took no UK money or travelers cheques at all but had some dollars for emergencies which are also widely accepted across Peru. We found that 100 soles per day (less than £20) was easily enough for everything we needed (food, drinks, small souvenirs, taxis).
Get the biggest memory card for your camera that you can, or a selection of smaller ones and download to CD while you are in Peru. It only costs approx 6 soles (£1) to download all your pictures to CD (approx 700 MB per CD). Make sure you save some money back for the airport taxes. They quote in Dollars but you can pay in Soles too. It was approx $7 US to travel internally from Cusco to Lima and approx $30 each to go from Lima to the UK.
If spending time in Cusco, get a visitor ticket (70 soles) which allows you to visit local ruins at Saksayhuman, Qenko, Tambomochay (we booked a half day trip with Andean explorers , Av Triumfo for $7 US per person). Also allows access to Pisac, Tipon and Ollantaytambo. Does not include entry to Cusco Cathedral or the Temple of Coricancha. Includes entry to some of the museums in Cusco but note that most are closed on a Sunday.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
I feel that we supported local people through purchase of local handmade goods rather than purchasing factory produced items. We also ensured that we gave tips wherever we ate or drank (10%) and when our bags were carried (a couple of soles) and that both our drivers and guides were given reasonable tips following any tours that we went on.
We tried to buy large bottles of water and fill up smaller bottles from these for taking out on day trips. But invariably we needed to purchase more drinks whilst traveling and it was quite difficult not to purchase plastic bottles. While on the island we took pencils, paper and a head torch and batteries for our host family which seemed to be well accepted. We learnt later on that perhaps we should have taken fruit as this is in short supply.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
An amazing experience and a real eye opener. Peru has such a wide variety of climates and breathtaking landscapes and the Inca sites and history are fascinating. The poverty and housing conditions are quite a culture shock when you first arrive but all the positive aspects of the people, their easy going attitude and their kindness had much more of an impact overall.
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