Arturo was a fantastic leader and guide. Knowledgable, helpful, caring, experienced and amusing. This was my 11th Explore holiday and Arturo is up there with the best guides. The porters and cooks are heroes - we were very happy to tip them generously. The itinerary was perfect, though no one should underestimate the challenge of around ten hours walking on day three. Cusco hotel staff were fine but the layout around a central atrium means the rooms are very noisy. The hotel near Machu Picchu was lovely but the staff were rude, unhelpful and disinterested. Overall I’d fully recommend this trip - but be sure to get into shape beforehand and consider your kit carefully.
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Initially before booking the trip I thought it was extremely overpriced.
However(our tour guide) was fantastic. He made the trip worth every penny and was extremely organised and knowledgeable. The locations were great, and the activities were really cool.
was a fantastic character, and became a friend by ensuring we all had fun. He looked after and catered for everyone’s needs and requirements, promoting safety above all else, and more than once went the extra mile to ensure we all had a great time (joining myself at CrossFit and his traditional dance moves were personal highlights).
I hope he gets the recognition he deserves, as I would love to book a similar trip with Contiki in future because of this great experience.
I would also recommend that you include huacachina in future - I went there on my own and it was one of the coolest experiences - maybe this could be added as an extra at the beginning of the trip.
Adventure
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge, Home-stay
Age Range
18-35 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Lima, Cusco, Puerto Maldonado, S
Lima, Cusco, Puerto Maldonado, Sacred Valley, Aguas Calientes, Arequipa, Puno
It is truly an experience that should be cherished and embraced at least once in a lifetime. We were incredibly fortunate to have been blessed with a sunny day, which enhanced the perfection of every moment.
This was an excellent tour. We a nice sampling of Argentina and Brazil in just two weeks. The countries are huge, so many weeks could be spent traveling to much of their sites and cities.
Diego, our tour guide, was terrific!! Hats off to Diego!!
Active and outdoorExplorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Thoroughly enjoy the trip. The itinerary was well thought out. Plenty of time to allow for acclimatisation before the final highlight - the Inca Trail. Special shout out to Darwin our tour leader who goes extra mile to ensure we enjoy our trip. He is very keen to share his knowledge and love about Peru.
Active and outdoorRafting
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Our accommodation in Rio Bamba was terrible, I felt I could not use the shower as it was so dilapidated. We only had one towel that had already been ripped in half. We felt it would have been hygenically unsafe to use the 'restaurant' and went out for breakfast. We were unsure why we went to Rio Bamba as it was not a nice place and it felt unsafe at night. Apart from 4 nights the accommodation was quite good. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and spoke to us for most of the time during the coach journeys. Nothing was too much trouble for him to do for us. The itinerary was very good apart from Rio Bamba (which should have been avoided) and a wasted last day in Quito. We could have caught an earlier flight to Quito, from Cuenca, the next day and not spent another day in a hotel that is a long way from Quito city which we had already explored.. Also it would have been better to have flown from Cuenca on the early morning flight to Quito then straight to Bogota and the to LHR.
Active and outdoorExplorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
This was a busy but amazing trip. Matchu pichu was out of this world.
Galapagos was wonderful, so much wildlife and great memories made with our group.
Definitely should have packed less so could buy more.
Active and outdoorWildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
This was such a trip of a lifetime! I am so glad I booked it and went. The weather couldn't have been any more in our favor too! Clari was such an amazing trip manager - she was so passionate about Peru and making sure we were seeing all the highlights we signed up for. The Inca trail was my favorite part of this trip, so definitely make sure you book that! You get to see so much more of the surrounding area that way of Machu Picchu. 10/10 would re-live this trip again in all of its glory!
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
18-35 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cusco, Lima, Jungle Lodge, Sacre
Cusco, Lima, Jungle Lodge, Sacred Valley, Aguas Calientes