Personal guides each city priceless!
Peru
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Sep 27 - Oct 6, 2025
The level of service provided before and by each of the three tour guides was overwhelming in its quality and case. Upon landing at each airport we were promptly greeted by the guide, easily guided to the awaiting driver and van and helped with gathering luggage and checking into each hotel. I cannot imagine how we would have navigated each step without the experienced guides.
in Lima Blanca and driver Michael met us the first/next morning with an agenda that filled each morning with information about each place we visited. Each day she went out of her way to be sure I got the SIM card I wanted at a CLARO office, found a manicure at the last minute and found us quality places to shop for gits and outstanding food and drink. She was flexible and patient as we chose little side shops to visit.
In Arequipa, Jesus and driver Juvenal were friendly and brought us to amazing shops and sites, and most important Jesus took us to a small town, Tingo Grande, that was close to our family history.
In Cusco, Julio was the best! We spent about 5 days with him and the driver. Julio helped me when I got altitude sickness in Cusco. Julio was adaptive to the needs of each person in the group of four: a person with walking limitations, a shop-a-holic and responded to each when we wanted a break, refreshment and answered our questions
Each of the guides knew their cities intimately and loved the Peru community. each knew many other guides and certain shortcuts that kept the pace up.
Hotel Reviews
close to shops, ATM, bus stop and restaurants. Ground floor rooms and having elevators was great for our group that included two seniors. We asked for room facing river and it was awesome. We kept windows closed as recommended due to mosquito warning. (wish there were screens so we could have heard the river even louder!)
breakfast choices amazing. Nice modern/updated hotel with elevators and top floor small pool and bar. Walking convenient to shops, restaurants.
This was a beautiful boutigue hotel in the heart of Arequipa's historical district. Beautiful setting, breakfast. Note there is no elevator but we were able to get a ground floor room for one party. a lot of street noise, even on a tuesday night, from a nearby disco (til 4 a.m.!) and at 6 a.m. fireworks due to start of monthly long celebration. Very picturesque.
Ground floor off patio helpful for one member who had trouble walking. I liked the little gift stand in the lobby.