After another well know international travel company let us down by cancelling our Peru tour we were left with flights from Australia and a burning desire to complete our planned trip. We found Kuoda Travel and took what we thought was a gamble on a local company, they had some good reviews but, we are so far away in Australia.

I sent an enquiry to a few companies and I have got to say that the response from Kuoda Travel sold me, I was instantly engaged with what they offered, it seemed perfect. At this stage I will mention a really great guy, our Travel Designer Jon, he really made our decision easy with his impeccable communication and his willingness to work with us to build our perfect adventure.

We went from a group tour to a private tour, and while it cost a little more we were so much better off, particularly in Peru, we had such good company from our Guides and Drivers and had seamless entry to attractions and experienced many things that would be impossible with a group tour. Our accommodation was perfect, we settled on our selection from Jon’s recommendations, he even pushed us toward some and was absolutely correct.

Accommodation: JW Marriott in Lima, perfect location for a few days in Lima’s Miraflores area, Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica Lodge, I have got to laugh when I say that they provided “Hot Water Bottles” in our lodge, a cold front passed over South America and it was really cold, but beautiful, what a story to tell! We felt like Tarzan and Jane with our adventures into the deep forest. The Casa Andina Private Collection Valle Sagrado in the Sacred Valley, we stayed in and Andean Cottage with views over the complex, it was inspiring to stand on our balcony and breathe in the vista, they do need to put wine glasses in the room, although it was interesting watching them being delivered on a golf cart from our balcony! Sumaq Machu Pichu Hotel in Agua Calientes offered us a view of the raging river from our balcony and a nice respite from our walks at Machu Pichu, I was lucky enough to win a massage from a birthday promotion at the hotel. The Casa Cartagena Boutique Hotel and Spa was perfectly located in Cusco, a walk to the square and Pisco Sour making lessons were a lot of fun. Puno, we had a long bus trip to get to Puno the Libertador Lago Titakaka was a great relief, the view of the Sunrise in the morning was sensational from our room, what we did not realise was that we were looking over the Uros islands, one word “MAGIC”.

We had so many Bucket List experiences, all the ones you expect and plan for with a visit to Peru, and we would have got these on our Group adventure with the big international tour company, yes we would, but we would not have gotten the lasting memories afforded by Kuoda Travel, those special experiences, the intimacy, the personal touches, the ones that allow you to experience the people of Peru.

Thanks to the Kuoda Travel team for making our trip so easy, we were left to enjoy, and we did!!