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Peru - 19-07-2011
Voir nos voyages : Peru
Trip of Johanne
How would you describe your overall impression of this Uniktour trip?
We were happily surprised! It was the first time that we went on a private organized tour like this, and we were a little skeptical…would there really always be someone to welcome us when we arrive? Would our names be properly written down for reservations at hotels, restaurants, buses, excursions, etc…The answer is yes! What a well-oiled machine! Our trip went according to plan, despite some small adjustments due to demonstrations in Puno and a sudden downpour the day we came back from Puerto Maldonado. The drivers (and the representative in Puno) only spoke Spanish, but we managed all the same. All the guides and representatives were great: welcoming, helpful, cheerful, and interesting. The hotels and restaurants actually surpassed our expectations. We loved each destination on our itinerary, apart from the touristy side of Uros Islands (a tourist trap where we felt forced to purchase embroidered handicrafts and a raft tour). This being said, it was still an interesting visit. Many thanks for this marvelous trip!
Overall, how would you describe your appreciation of your Uniktour travel specialist?
He was very helpful when we were planning our itinerary, answered all my questions, managed to make our dream come true while respecting our budgetary constraints, but the final document was lacking in detail. I think there was a lot of copy-paste going on, which means that the end product wasn’t exactly what was discussed. For example, we had changed our accommodation in Cusco to stay at my husband’s aunt’s house, but the document stated that our drivers would take us to the hotel; on the day of our visit to the Sacred Valley, the title included Pisac, while in reality we went through Maras, Moray, and Chinchero; the document didn’t mention the porter that we had reserved for our trek and the description of our day out in the jungle didn’t correspond to what actually happened. The lodge decides which activities you do. At that moment, I was disappointed that we weren’t going to Colpa to see the parrots, but finally I really liked what they proposed instead. So it would be a good idea to warn clients that the descriptions are only there to give people a general idea of what their trip can look like. This being said, despite these problems with the written document, everything was satisfactory (except in Colpa), which means the messages got through. The service at the local operator was excellent, by the way!!!
Describe your overall impression of on-location services (hotels, guides, etc.):
Like I just wrote, it was excellent, surprising! Very agreeable, informative, rewarding…We managed to enjoy our days without any stress or worries. We are well taken care of! I loved it. This luxury was truly appreciated, and I would even say essential for those who really want to be able to enjoy an exotic destination with such a full itinerary, particularly when you don’t master the country’s language. It is very reassuring to know that you have someone to count on.
Do you have any tips for other travelers thinking of going on this trip?
Our itinerary: Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, Cusco, the Inca trail, Sacred Valley, Tambopata Reserve (Puerto Maldonado) in 16 days. It was great! Walking sticks really helped avoid any problems during the 4-day trek. I had a headache for 3-4 days, the time it took to get used to the altitude. Tylenol helped. We were very happy to have put the trek on the second week of the trip: that way I was acclimatized to the altitude and in good shape (yet, we still have difficulty catching our breath above 3500m). Make sure you bring a comfortable daypack since you’ll be wearing it all the time. The large backpack often stays at the hotel, or in the bus…Though the thermal pools in Aguas Caliente were not very clean and the water not very warm, the ones in La Calera, past Chivay, were super.
Is there a memorable moment or trip highlight you would like to share?
Santa Catalina Monastery in Arequipa, the beauty of Colca Canyon, and our stay in Amantani (Lake Titicaca) were particularly extraordinary. Traditional, peaceful life, with a quasi-Mediterranean feel to it. Cusco is magnificent! The 4-day trek is extraordinary!!!! And we were almost always alone, not in a single file as we had been told. The morning arrival in Machu Picchu is however a little disappointing. Overcrowded camping with TV screens and music during the meals, waking up at 3:30 am so the cooks and porters can pack everything up and take their train…. waiting in the dark until 5:30 for the gate to open. After an hour-long walk, we arrive at the Sun’s gate for the sunrise, only to discover that there are already busloads of tourists on the site! Listening to the sounds of the jungle, in the dark, on a pirogue, during our caiman safari. Visiting San Francisco Monastery in Lima (the library, the catacombs!), especially if you have Frida as a guide! And the great dinner à the Rose Nautique to end our trip.
