Worth every Penny!
Peru
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Jun 4 - Jun 16, 2024
![Dion](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/users/profile_photos/402b0f7e889c7e071261342354d922cad1bc0619/original-feb5637c95a0f7772797db720773b02e.jpg)
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
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 :)
Very nice staff, room was clean but tiny and the bed was uncomfortable.
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 :)
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.
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.
Activity Reviews
![Lima City & Food Tour](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/2fe37487a4ff08abf9d9373c003fc3429cd0e18e/medium-c2d2538e8e5ba5b84143614610faef13.jpg)
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
![Activities-a-la-carte - Refugio Amazonas](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/2a4a9e9a79d0ff8ec4c3b7cf6eb732dc2ebedcfb/original-bb9dcdf968292c17753033e434b60a6d.jpg)
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.
![Arrival to Lima: Free Day to Explore](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/e5c2a227170851f8975ff7b883961e336e108dd9/original-5c55a5c6f2da1dcefedc11751c1c4af3.jpg)
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.
![Cusco Tour](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/3b703c1d7f3aada849c05a4c50f91a789b4c2bc6/original-3b07a93b82a1350fca10aebe96f33b01.jpg)
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.
![Moray & Maras ATV Tour](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/trip_plan/days/photos/2545ead0eff5c227eee82facc4e725455587505b/medium-3e5dce6e125fe9fd78936350ea6aaedd.jpg)
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.
![Trek Briefing](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/fa63a867396e0c1b2f649daa24ba3da7b4a3e1e6/original-5ab679e22e946840494b278c7081e443.jpg)
Valerio helped me be prepared while not overpacking, which I was very grateful for the next day on the trail :)
![Lunch at Mountainview](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/ccb8ce77ded748bd3409dce3b1a5ad3ba0371a13/original-798ca9399f52a04303cbfc792b314297.jpg)
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.
![Short Inca Trail Day 1: Hiking to Machu Picchu via Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/8fd9b76399273f645625a26187068e87ce11db7e/medium-2735136f3cb46fd16f72c1bc362cb595.jpg)
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.
![Short Inca Trail Day 2: Machu Picchu Guided Tour and Return to Cusco](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/61ff7542f0ab424e22b905da7570499bae869125/original-a63c7059d62a1f128d8f0cb763e77931.jpg)
Perfect amount of time to tour the city. Valerio was very knowledgeable. Plenty of opportunities for post card photos.
![Rainbow Mountain Trek](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/f2800a39a6cbd485802b501fff61e6fec610cb64/medium-558a8b8cca751470da06e036c6b55f88.jpg)
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.
![Johanna](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/users/profile_photos/50e7ed60b35ae93373880f3251ab3ba4490945f2/original-eb3a638d56b59d362313406205ac1dbc.jpg)
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