Machu Picchu Walking Trips

Fantastic trip! Heather helped arrange a custom 4-day hike of the Inca Trail for me and a friend. The arrangements were excellent. Our guide, Elias, met us at our hotel in Cusco the evening before departure. All our questions about logistics and what to expect were answered. Elias was very knowledgeable. All along the trail we learned about pre-Incan and Incan society and culture. From our porters, and Mario (our cook -- he even made and frosted a cake for desert our last night), to the food and the arrangements, everything had been well-planned for a great experience. Seeing the clouds and mist clear from Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate was a wonderful experience, and the highlight of the trip.

We enjoyed our trip to Machu Picchu immensely. Our guide, Hubert, was simply outstanding. He was so good that we took another vacation with this travel operator this past August to the Galapagos Islands, and that trip was also incredible. I can't recommend this company enough...they are outstanding.

We added city tour in Lima before flying to Cusco. In Cusco we met our guide who cared about us for 6 days. Ancient ruins, snowy mountain peaks, local women in traditional clothes and tall hats - everything was amazing. All hotels bear local flavor. The food has been excellent, the sights amazing, the people lovely. One recommendation: learn at least some Spanish - it would be very helpful.

Counting on your fingers top 5 best things you've done in life, this one will be first. The Trail is filled with orchids and birds, sights and senses everywhere, pertinent and immediate, surrounded in earth's wonder. But too it's a personal victory, a sense of elation when you arrive. When its over and your back in civilization the littlest mundane things, like a full fledged toilet, seem remarkable! It opens your eyes.

Being a traveler versus a tourist, I enjoy immersion into the culture and get as close to the real deal as I can. The tour company goes above and beyond what you would expect from a regular travel company. Luckily, I booked my trip to Peru through Jacquie. I am a very busy small business owner, I didn't have the time to look up and research, do a cost analysis and so on. I simply told Jacquie at the tour company my dates and the country I wanted to visit. Jacquie took it from there and before you knew it I was all set with a full itinerary including stops and locations I never even knew existed. While in Peru, Jacquie, Vidal and Hubert made my trip personal, intimate, exciting, informative and relaxing all at once. I instantly felt like I was completely immersed in the culture with all the benefits of home, but not having make decisions or plan a thing. That is what I call a vacation! For example, instead of taking you to the "tourist market" (aka tourist trap) to be hounded to buy a souvenirs made in some far away sweat shop they'll take you to the local weaving site. Here you'll talk with, learn from, watch the artists and if you should choose, buy directly from the very same local artisan. This left me feeling happy and satisfied knowing I was giving back to the community. What's more, the intimate small groups allow them to be flexible and spontaneous and stopping along the roadside to check out a cool site and grab that picture you may never find anywhere else. The accommodations were fabulous and authentic with all the amenities you want and need. Having the knowledgeable and friendly local guides put you right in the heart of the destination. This allows you to get away from the daily grind and puts you in another world, which is exactly why you came in the first place. Using this tour company I was able to enjoy the uniqueness of this beautiful country and catch a breather at the same time. Well done Jacquie, Vidal and Hubert! Gracias, for my much needed wonderful, interesting, adventurous and relaxing Vacation!!

My husband and I went on the 7 Day Machu Picchu Walking Vacation offered by this travel operator and it was amazing. A lot of thought was put into very detail of the experience - from providing detailed packing lists to offering equipment rental to having a local guide who was passionate about sharing the history of his country. We received wonderful service from the moment we were picked up at the airport to the moment we left Peru.