Four of us turned 2 weeks of our lives over to Kuoda Travel and Mery Calderon … and it was awesome! The planning for our trip was easy and we were able to customize the tour exactly to our desires. Throughout the trip, we were provided with a private vehicle, driver and guide – wonderful, friendly and knowledge people all. We stayed in outstanding and varied hotels (check out the Monasterio in Cusco, the Casa Andina in Arequipa and Colca Lodge in Colca Canyon!). We saw many incredible and well known sites in Peru – Machu Pichu, soaring condors in Colca Canyon, the Uros floating islands in Lake Titicaca, the Andes, llama and the Maras salt mines.

But, we also saw many unexpected things – me hand feeding grass to a llama (!); small towns with local artisan, food and medicinal markets with yarns and clothing made in every color of the rainbow; dishes like causa, ceviche, quinoa and hundreds of types of potatoes. Other favorite memories include: riding the Orient Express train to Machu Pichu and standing on the caboose’s open-air deck with live music and drinks in hand, breakfast at the Monasterio hotel, crossing Lagonillas pass at 14,468′ and trying to breath, standing on the balcony of the Casa Andina Arequipa’s Imperial Suite – the nicest hotel room we’ve ever stayed in – and looking down on the sites!

All of these great memories are due to the exquisite planning and flawless execution by Mery and her team. Thanks again, Kuoda, for a GREAT trip. We’ll be back!!