Simple stays with essential amenities. Typically guesthouses, hostels or hotels rated below 3 stars — clean, no-frills, and great for value-conscious travelers.
Comfortable and reliable 3-star stays. Expect private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, and solid amenities — a great balance between comfort and cost.
Upscale 4-5 star hotels and lodges. Enjoy high-end service, refined comfort, and premium locations — ideal for travelers seeking extra indulgence.
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
This was my 5th Contiki and it was another unforgettable experience. The trip manager () was excellent, a true expert in all things South American. My only constructive comment is linked to the number of days spent in Buenos Aires. The add ons and city were disappointing compared to the rest of the trip. I can't believe we spent so long there. I would have much rather spend more time in the Amazon or in Rio.
The trip was really good with lots of standout places and experiences. Our trip manager was brilliant. He was friendly and knowledgeable and made everything easy. Some of the accommodation wasn’t the best (poor showers, uncomfortable beds, no safety lock box, no elevator) but for the most part acceptable.
It was the adventure of a life time, expert guides and the best tour manager anyone could ask for Esteban! From unbelievable nature sites to fantastic cultural experiences, it was an unforgettable trip entirely!
The trip was fantastic, and I felt like I was able to see a lot of Peru and really experience the culture while there. The homestay and Machu Picchu were definitely the highlights!