OK, so I know that this question has probably been posted a hundred times before, but I can't find it anywhere on this forum, so I apologise in advance if I am boring!
I am currently planning our 2010 holiday (for my husband and me). We haven't had a trip away for a long time as we have been getting a business off the ground, and I hit the big four-zero next year so it has to be special!
We are keen to do the full Inca Trail trek, but otherwise have no idea what we would like to do in Peru, so my questions are: Which is the best trip to really get under the skin of Peru, and when is the best time to go?
We are not particularly interested in the Galapagos for this trip as a scuba diving holiday there is on the "wish list".
We have up to three weeks and can travel at any time of year. We are also more than willing to go "grass roots".
Thanks in advance!
Helen





Sorry - another question - I am a vegetarian - is this going to be a problem in Peru?
Hi Helen,
Many thanks for your post - this is not boring at all and I think this is a very exciting question as it means you are going away on the trip of a lifetime!
As soon as I read your post I thought of one tour: "Hola Peru". This is a 3 week comprehensive tour of Peru and comes highly recommended by one of my colleagues who was lucky enough to do this tour a couple of years ago.
Of course, one of the biggest draws Peru has is the wonderful 4 day Inca Trail trek, however there are also other highlights such as the Amazon Jungle, Cuzco and the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca and the reed islands (where we do a homestay), Colca Canyon, Arequipa (an attractice colonial city), Nazca (for the mysterious Nazca Lines carved into the desert) and the Ballestas Islands which are home to sea lions, penguins, pelians and other bird life.
Follow this link for full details, availablility and detailed trip notes:
http://www.imaginative-traveller.com/trips/laho1
The best trekking months in Peru are May to October and we recommend booking as early as possible if you want to do the Inca Trail, as permits can be sold out months in advance.
If you would like to book, you can either do so online via the link I have given, or you can contact our sales team on +44 1473 667337 if you prefer to speak to someone.
I hope this helps!
Best regards
Kelly
Vegetarian
Sorry I forgot to answer your question about being vegetarian. No problem - just let us know when you book and we can make a note so the tour leader will be aware.
Thanks
Kelly
Thanks Kelly, I really appreciate your help!
My next question is when will the dates for 2010 be available?
2010 dates
Hi Helen,
We do have 2010 dates available already but these don't show on our "availability" tabs on each tour page as it slows down the website too much.
If you look at our online brochure we have full 2010 dates:
http://edition2a.intellimag.com/?id=imgtrvl_ww0910-uk
Thanks!
Kelly
That's great, thanks very much!
H
Hi, I've run some of those tours out in Peru and fully agree with Kelly, Hola Peru's the one to go for - it shows you a number of the different facets of Peru (Jungle, mountain, coast, desert, culture (a number of different ones at that), nature, wildlife...). If you can go any time then May to Oct is the dry season though I'd probably suggest you try and go in either June of Sept. Have a great trip.
I did the "Hola Peru" tour in August/September 2007 and it was absolutely amazing. You get a feel for the entire country, because you visit the coast, mountains and jungle.
On top of that, you get to do the Inca Trail, which is phenomenal. The feeling you get on the last morning of the trail, when you come over the crest of the hill at Intipunku and see Machu Picchu for the first time, is simply out of this world.
I'd recommend this tour to anyone - if you enjoy it even half as much as I did, you'll have a fantastic time. Have fun!