I know it was last minute and appreciate all of your effort and keeping us informed. Have recommended Kuoda to all of my friends and also on Fodors blog. Well, it was too bad to have to revert to our normal routines here, but we had this “Machu Picchu high” that lasted for several days after we got back, which made things much easier. Thanks so much to you, Rina, Willy, Cesar and Edson for making things work so well and for finding such great things for us to do and places to stay. (We enjoyed meeting you, too.) We have already forwarded our itinerary to several neighbors who want to take a similar trip, and you may expect to hear from them. Machu Picchu obviously is an experience without comparison. We were extremely glad, on balance, that we were there in the rainy season — it must be unbearably hot and crowded, or at least a lot less magical, in the (US) summer. We’ve been making that point to friends who have asked about going. All the other Inca ruins we saw were also much more impressive than we had expected, especially Pisac and Ollantaytambo.

We had some concern about the visits to the Andean village and Awanakancha — we were afraid either that they might be tourist traps or that we would feel like the indigenous people were embarrassed to be showing off for us. But they were both very pleasant visits. Lunch with the artist’s family (I’m sorry I’ve forgotten their name) was also really enjoyable. The se�ora is very gracious and funny, and a good cook.

The Inkaterra MP was extraordinary. There probably is some virtue in staying at the Sanctuary, but Inkaterra and its extensive grounds were gorgeous and we would stay there again if we came back. The food was also especially good. Sol & Luna was also a little spot of paradise, with equally good food. Casa San Blas was less distinctive, but the view was certainly impressive from the upstairs patio. Limo is a great place. They went far out of their way to be helpful and to accommodate us once we mentioned Kuoda to them. The food was outstanding and the view of the New Year’s festivities was unsurpassed. The service was also exceptional.

You should steer people to Cusco for New Year’s if that’s feasible and suggest they make reservations well in advance– we were just there by coincidence, but what a coincidence! Spending the first night at the airport hotel was wise. The DoubleTree in Lima was very nice and in a good neighborhood for walking around. We ended up just doing a paseo from there to the nearby parks. Rosa Nautica is expensive and the service was kind of slow, but the food was excellent and the setting is beautiful. On balance we would go there again. Rina could not have been warmer or more considerate. She clearly loves showing people the Inca ruins — it comes out in her work. She gave us an understanding of and appreciation for what we were seeing that we could never have had on our own.

Once again, a spectacular trip, and we were very happy we chose Kuoda to help arrange it!