Lima Travel Forum

Would like to take 2 adult daughters to Peru, especially Machu Picchu as the destination. Is it possible for non-Spanish speaking women to make arrangements with an agency in Peru to put together a trip which includes Machu Picchu, extra days un Cusco, a couple of days in Lima, Lake Titicaca and possibly the Nazca lines? Are the distances too great and would they require in country fligts? Any agency recommendations? We would book our own flight to Lima. This Mom will be covering most of the expense so I'm looking for budget, but safe rooms and tours.

Yes, you can, but does it make sense for your budget and for your needs?

You do not mention your age or the approximate ages of your daughters, but I think it is safe to presume that your comfort requirements and your need for arrangements to limit uncertainty are higher than those of your daughters. (The older we get the less tolerant we get for uncertainty and physical discomfort. Fortunately, we also tend to be better able to afford to pay for greater comfort.) If this is not the case with your family, you must consider the most inflexible and comfort requiring daughter as your guide as to what is doable.
If you wanted the greatest security you would make your arrangements through international agencies for tours, travel, and stays at international hotels, and whether or not you use "budget options" you will pay international rates. Making extensive arrangements with an agency in Peru that is not international is potentially a money saving move, but it adds an uncertainty. If they do not provide the services you paid for, how do you get satisfaction? Engaging guides or signing up for limited tours locally, rather than for your whole trip, is less risky and gives your more flexibility.

Somethings you should consider concerning the Money/Time relationship: 1) Time of the year--this is especially important if your travel falls on a special holiday or heavy travel time when hotel reservations would be especially important. It also effects travel through the weather. 2) The time of arrivals at certain locations --Who wants to be wandering around at night in a strange city looking for lodging? 3) Time of transport and whether it is day or night. 4) The time you have for travel -- a bus takes longer and you usually see more, but costs less money than a plane. 5) And lastly the time you have for preparation; knowledge saves money.

The more time you have the less you trip will cost per day, and the greater the safety you will have against unexpected disruptions such as illness, road blockage, bad weather. Plus the more flexibility you will have to enjoy the unexpected opportunities you discover on the journey. After you have made your plans I would recommend you add at least one extra day for every 4 planned days.

Good luck. bob

Hello, my name is Escarlet'm travel agent, working at a travel agency at the national level can give you guidance in the organization of your trip you can contact our agency http://www.adventureperutours.com/index.php? lang = en Jose Luis Villegas is the manager you can contact the dominating Idoma better English this is your email info@adventureperutours.com for help with your trip on the website established for programs that have an idea of what want and how much, greetings gratosy welcome to my country Peru.

Escarlet Lucano

Thank you, Bob.
I am almost 70 and daughters are middle-aged. It is this mom, however, who is more comfortable with the "real" experience of a country. Daughters have a narrower comfort zone. For me the more posh the tour, the more isolating the experience. Because I am traveling with my daughters, however, I will use an international agency.(Maybe I can get my 81 yo friend to take a self-planned tour.) Dislike traveling with more Americans but it will make my daughters feel safer. Thank you for your time and the informative reply.

If interested, I have a contact in Lima who could accomodate you.

Now for some specific suggestions:

Lima-Cusco and Cusco-Lima: One way by road with stops at Puno (Lake Titicaca), Arequipa, Nasca, and Pisco (Paracas) and one way by air. (For me Arequipa, Colca Canyon and Paracas are all of more interest than the Nasca lines. Perhaps, I would have become more excited about the lines if I had been willing to pay to fly up to see them from the air. I had previously seen "the video".)

If your flight will arrive in Lima very early in the morning, you might just stay at the airport and fly on to Cusco thus saving one hotel night, and the hassle of two ground transfers -- one to the hotel and one back to the airport.

If you fly up to Cusco make sure to plan for your day of arrival as a day of rest and take other precautions against altitude sickness.

Using VT tips and books like Lonely Planet as a guide you can use the internet or phone to make hotel reservations. I would guess that you would want a reservation for you arrival in Lima or in Cusco by plane. There are hotel reservation desks at the airports but you will do better at finding that special place and special price using pre-trip research. Personally I would recommend against trying to make reservations from the US for all the places you plan to visit. This puts pressure on you to have everything go according to plan and would tend to inhibit you from the spontaneous extra day in paradise. You will NOT save money pre-booking as long as you always ask for a lower price. Negotiating prices is part of the Peruvian way of life. Of course, they will be happy to charge you a non-discounted rate if you are willing to pay it.

Have a good time.

Dear Young Mom;
Given what you wrote in response to my first post, ignore much of what I wrote for more independent travel. You have to plan for your daughters. Some daughters are older than their mothers, and they do not even know it.

Despite what I wrote about the security of international agencies, if it was for my mother, I would want to find out about this contact of VT member nhoolb. His advice is always "spot on".
bob

For some reference about my contact in Lima you could ask VT member risse73 (Marissa).

I just came back from Lima (see my replies to other recent postings in the Peru forum, especially my warning about flights to/from Cusco) and had a nice reunion with my "contact" in Lima (Miraflores) and assured me that business is going on as always.

I tend to agree with the OP about the degradation of authenticity offered via international travel outfits and with this choice comes the loss of the chance to deal with locals. I disagree that there would be any significant difference between an international travel outfit vs. a local one. They should be about the same in providing superior quality service, top-notch acommodations if you so choose it, safety and convenience. The two most apparent advantages in opting for the local tour operator is that it costs significantly LESS and that they pay taxes to the Peruvian government, which contributes directly to the economy. The travel industries in most countries cater to English-speaking tourists (and this is true in Peru), so even if you don't speak Spanish, your needs should be catered to without any problems. Get in touch with Noel's contact and list down what you'd like to see and do with how many planned vacation days you have in mind. Have her design a customized itinerary that fits your preferences (e.g., travel needs, preferred sites, total vacation days, budget vs. luxury vacation, etc.). Yes, the distances are great, but your vacation could be maximized if you take flights in between (e.g., Lima to Cusco, etc.).

As for Noel's contact, she is professional in her work, diligent, reliable, responsive and straightforward. Her prices are competitive with the local tourism market. Everything was set for the leg of the trip that she had planned for me (Lima-Paracas-Nazca), but the earthquake struck (in August of 2007) two weeks before I embarked on my Peruvian trip, so that part of my trip was unfortunately cancelled. :( If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

Goodluck & enjoy beautiful Peru!

Thanks to everyone who has taken their time to give me information. A recent death in the family has put travel plans on hold, only on hold. I WILL get back ASAP to check out the suggestions and recommendations. VT and its members have always come through.

Sorry to hear about the loss of your loved one. May you find some strength and comfort in this time of loss.

Feel free to ask your questions in the VT forum anytime and to browse through the gazillions of VT tips via the travel guides.