Posing at the pass. Not pictured is me breathing very hard!
My first solo international trip, I planned my dream trip to Peru. I enjoyed some incredible time in Cusco, Lima, and featuring a trek from Salkantay to Machu Picchu!
Peru is unlike any other country I’ve visited and has so much biodiversity. You can visit for three weeks and still only scratch the surface of what the country has to offer. On top of that, the people are amazing. Incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable, they invite visitors with open arms. Every time we have people travel to Peru, they are blown away by their hospitable guides and people they meet. The guides all have personal connections making the experience even more special and genuine. My guide in Cusco, Alfredo, pointed to ancient Incan steps carved in a boulder and said he ran up and down them as a small boy. Carla, my guide on the Salktantay trek, grew up in Mollepata which is small town at the base of the mountain. She called Salkantay her apu (her mountain protector) and we were even able to meet her parents. Having that connection with the history of the land made it even sweeter to learn about all Peru had to offer – past and present. The free afternoon at Salkantay Lodge was available to explore by horseback at an extra cost. (Franny Friesz)
Not only are the people incredible, but the food is mind-blowing. One of my favorite ways to immerse myself when traveling is by food. I want to try it all, no matter how weird or odd. Land and sea is a common combination and they cover all of the important senses in a dish. Ceviche was by far my favorite. The fresh fish, bathed in tigre de leche (tiger’s milk) along with fresh, and crunchy corn made for an excellent and light meal. I couldn’t get enough. I also loved the coca tea offered everywhere. My hotel in Cusco, Andean Wings, had whole coca leaves you could add to hot water. The drink was like a delicious green tea that gave you the boost you needed and hydration to battle any altitude sickness. Such a stunning place, Humantay Lake. (Franny Friesz)
This was also my first trip ever traveling solo internationally. It was a perfect place to dip my toes in figuring out how to navigate things on my own. And of course Adventure Life uses local offices that take care of you from when you land to when you leave. I hardly had to lift a finger! It was fun to write these posts and relive such a special experience. I hope you enjoy!
The persons I spoke with knew the material. I wont know until I actually take the trip if it was all correct but at this point they were helpful in finding a trip that met my criteria
SS
4 days ago
Creating a checklist was very beneficial and meeting objectives on certain dates helped as well (to keep my trip organized). The Adventure Travel personnel helped keep me on track which is why my trip was so successful. Communication from both travel agencies (AT/MT) was vital.
Iziah Carthens
5 days ago
This is an amazing company to work with. I generally do not use tour companies as I am more of an independent traveller so I was slightly reticent. They were fantastic from the start - 10/10 - from lining up a phone call to discuss requirements, then their ongoing communication in the lead up to the tour and during it (thank you, Franny and Phen). They also explored cost-effective options (eg group transfers). The tour was in Patagonia so Adventure Life organised a pickup from the El Calafate airport to the El Chalten accommodation, two day hikes with a private guide and then to the El Calafate accommodation. A tour coordinator came to the hotel to explain, using the maps, what was involved in each day tour and what should be expected, and patiently answered all questions. The tour guide Marcos was excellent - very professional, knowledgable, communicative and at all times felt very safe with his navigational skills (important in the Patagonian wilderness). On the second day I forgot to take hiking poles so Marcos kindly gave me his. I honestly wouldn't have changed a thing and would happily recommend and book through them again.
Petrina Sta
1 week ago
Adventure Life has been great throughout my planning process for our up and coming Galapagos cruise. Kevin Moore, in particular, was very helpful in assisting me in making choices and providing me with options. He was also very patient, as I worked through figuring out what I really wanted in this vacation.
Lucy Greenway
1 week ago
Adventure Life was a pleasure to work with. They helped us find different options for our charter and answered a lot of questions with patience and clarity.
