Worth every Penny!
Peru | Jun 4 - Jun 16, 2024

Dion
Dion F.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Jun 24, 2024

Johanna made the planning so easy, she was very knowledgeable and worked with me to craft the perfect trip. It was sooo refreshing to not spend hours stressing about an itinerary. Having all my travel logistics set up made traveling so much easer and care free. Each place I visited and every tour I took far exceeded my expectations. My local guides were also very accommodating and friendly. I'm still in awe. Peru is such a diverse and beautiful country, with a rich culture, full of wonderful people.

Hotel Reviews
Refugio Amazonas Lodge
Puerto Maldonado

What a wonderful and unique experience! Open air rooms with nothing but the buzz of the jungle to lull you to sleep. Very friendly and accommodating staff. Delicious food and fresh juices. I loved lying in the hammock, drinking a cold one on a hot day and listening to the Amazon's natural symphony. p.s. get a massage :)

Authenticity & Character
Open air, all natural wooden lodge in a peaceful, authentic environment
Location
Deep in the jungle but not too hard to access
Staff
Very friendly and knowledgeable
Cleanliness & Comfort
Comfortable beds, hammocks, common areas and nice bathrooms
Parwa Guest House
Ollantaytambo

Very nice staff, room was clean but tiny and the bed was uncomfortable.

Authenticity & Character
Feels like city itself
Location
5 minute walk to town square
Staff
Very friendly and accommodating
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean but tiny and the bed was uncomfortable
Tierra Viva Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu

The most comfortable hotel I stayed at during my 2 weeks in Peru. Nice sized clean room, comfy bed. Close to everything. Really appreciated the water refilling machine in a town where everything costs at least double :)

Authenticity & Character
Cool decor, water bottle filling machine was greatly appreciated
Location
Close to everything but quiet
Staff
Very friendly and accommodating
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nice sized clean room, comfy bed
Selina Hostel Miraflores
Lima

Pretty nice, comfy private rooms, centrally located, friendly staff. In the bar downstairs they have a fun welcome drink / jenga game every night for guests and live music many of the nights. Good common areas including a little library and movie theater. Good bar food and a coffee shop downstairs too.

Authenticity & Character
Cool artsy decor
Location
Right in Mira Flores, walkable to everything.
Staff
Friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pretty nice for a hostel (private room)
Selina Cusco Plaza de Armas
Cusco

My bed was sooo uncomfortable. I got a terrible stiff neck and soar back and felt sick from not getting any good sleep. I tried to cancel the last 3 nights of my reservation (48 hours ahead of time) as I was leaving for Aqua Calientes for a few days but they REFUSED. It was sooo bad I paid to stay in a hotel instead. I will NEVER stay here again. There are way better hotel options in the same price range as a private room.

Authenticity & Character
Average aesthetic
Location
Right near the plaza, noisy but convenient
Staff
Other than refusing a refund they were all friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Worst bed I slept in. Could not sleep and got a stiff neck / hurt back
Activity Reviews
Lima City & Food Tour
Lima City & Food Tour
Peru

Well rounded sampling of delicious Peruvian foods. Our guide was very knowledgeable so we enjoyed learning about the foods as much as eating them. I wish there was more fish including Ceviche. Also, it's much more of a food tour, we did not explore very much of the city

Quality of Experience
Each culinary experience was unique
Food
The quality of food was all top notch
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Enjoyed learning about the foods as much as eating them
Transport
Comfortable van
Activities-a-la-carte - Refugio Amazonas
Activities-a-la-carte - Refugio Amazonas
Peru

Overall it was a very enjoyable and unique experience. I would be interested in what activities the other lodges offer as Refugio's are pretty limited unless you're an avid bird watcher.

Quality of Experience
One of a kind place
Food
Authentic and true to the Amazon
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very friendly and knowledgeable
Transport
Fun River boat rides to get around. Only place you'll find cool air lmao
Arrival to Lima: Free Day to Explore
Arrival to Lima: Free Day to Explore
Lima

If you'd like to try one the world's top rated restaurants (Central, Kjolle etc) book at least 3 months ahead of time! Either way there are soooo many good restaurants with availability. Check out the 100+ stray cats in Kennedy Park, good place to buy souvenirs too.

Quality of Experience
Culinary meccha
Cusco Tour
Cusco Tour
Peru

Well rounded tour of Incan ruins with beautiful city views. Valerio was a very friendly and knowledgable guide. We took a detour to an Alpaca factory where I found some beautiful handmade gifts.

Quality of Experience
Ruins and views
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Valerio was a very friendly and knowledgable guide
Transport
Driver did a great job navigating crowded streets
Moray & Maras ATV Tour
Moray & Maras ATV Tour
Peru

Beautiful ancient ruins and salt mines. Riding an ATV surrounded by mountains was so much fun. The Sacred Valley was majestic. Ollantaytambo was such a charming town to visit and stay in on the way to Machu Picchu. Again, Valerio was a fantastic guide.

Quality of Experience
Unique and fun experiences all day
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Valerio was a fantastic guide
Trek Briefing
Trek Briefing
Peru

Valerio helped me be prepared while not overpacking, which I was very grateful for the next day on the trail :)

Quality of Experience
Had me well prepared and not overpacked
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Valerio is great
Lunch at Mountainview
Lunch at Mountainview
Peru

Such a one of kind experience. Up high on a hill in the Sacred Valley surrounded by jagged snow capped mountains. Llamas and Alpacas grace the grounds and eat corn husks from your hands. The food was delicious, the ambiance is top notch. We caught the ATV rides from here not Moras, which I'm glad we did because this area has much more beautiful scenery.

Quality of Experience
Lunch surrounded by jagged snow capped mountains
Food
Delicious lunch
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Valerio is great
 Short Inca Trail Day 1: Hiking to Machu Picchu via Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna
Short Inca Trail Day 1: Hiking to Machu Picchu via Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna
Peru

Life changing experience for me! Gorgeous views the entire way. The boxed lunch was soo delicious. You will never forget the feeling of satisfaction when you walk through the sun gate and look down on a world wonder. Wiñay Wayna was amazing too.

Quality of Experience
Life changing experience! Gorgeous views the entire way.
Food
Fantastic boxed lunch
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Valerio was great
Transport
Very bumpy unstable train ride. Luckily I don't get motion sickness
Short Inca Trail Day 2: Machu Picchu Guided Tour and Return to Cusco
Short Inca Trail Day 2: Machu Picchu Guided Tour and Return to Cusco
Peru

Perfect amount of time to tour the city. Valerio was very knowledgeable. Plenty of opportunities for post card photos.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Valerio is great
Rainbow Mountain Trek
Rainbow Mountain Trek
Peru

Wow, it lives up to the expectations in every way. It's so overwhelmingly beautiful it's a spiritual experience. The surrounding area is beautiful too.

Quality of Experience
So overwhelmingly beautiful it's a spiritual experience
Food
Worst meals I had in Peru. The buffet breakfast and lunch were terrible quality, pack a lunch instead and eat light at the buffet, fruit, coffee etc. Unfortunately this is the only place around and all the tours stop here.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Valerio is great
Local specialist: Johanna Fabian
Johanna
Johanna Fabian
Local specialist in Lima, Peru | Replied on Jun 27, 2024

Dion, thank you so much for leaving a detailed review! I will be sure to share this with the rest of my team. I'm so glad to hear you had a great time in Peru and we look forward to helping you with your future travels!

Best,
Johanna