The trip is excellent, coach journeys over the Andes, moonscapes and volcanoes with snow on the peaks. Machu Picchu is stunning. The condors were happy to come out and play. The hotels were good.
The homestay on the island was charming and the people genuinely hospitable without being pushy. The food served to us on the homestay was the best meal I ate in Peru, simple and tasty.
We have just returned from the Best of Peru tour. We would highly recommend it for the variety of settings: Amazon jungle, Macchu Picchu trek and islands in Lake Titicaca. The tour was excellently led by a variety of guides but the highlight was definitely the impossibly beautiful and challenging Inca Trail. The whole team of guides (Jeiko and Hector) and chefs and porters were so supportive and encouraging that it turned into an amazingly spiritual and satisfying experience. Hard to get permits now so book early and get training!
We cannot recommend this trip more highly. It provided us with a truly memorable combination of South American experiences; the Amazon Rain forest ecology with our lovely guide Sol, the Inca ruins of Cusco (and its chocolate museum!) the fascinating sacred Valley and 4 amazing days trekking under canvas with Henry up the Trail to reach our iconic destination, Machu Picchu. Then finally the high lake of Titicaca in a local farmers homestay (Peruvian hat comes in handy as no central heating or hot water but still superb!) on an island there. We also enjoyed some Peruvian cuisine worthy of Masterchef. All the staff could not have been kinder or more professional in their assistance: the hotels were well chosen and with just one nights exception, provided us with excellent accommodation. We are now planning our return to the continent next year.
