Travel Review: Custom Peru Vacation, Cusco, Lima, Macchu Picchu, Arequipa, Pisac Ruins, Colca Canyon

All hotels were great, except the Eco Inn in Puno. That was too basic for the travel company's standards and what we had paid. The lunch on the arrival(first day) in Chivay was not good. It was a buffet style lunch, which was a complete tourist trap and the food was mediocre. The travel agency we were connected with in Cusco did not live up to the expected standards from the rest of the trip. The person who met us at the bus station to pick us up, and drop us off was completely useless. He did not have an itinerary, and was writing comments on a city map he got at the hotel. We knew more of what we were supposed to do than him. His comment for recommendations for dinner was "just go to the main square". When we did not get the room expected he did not know what to do, and blamed the travel company, saying they had informed them incorrectly. We had to make more calls that evening. Aside from the staff of Americana, the tours were not well organized at all. We were put in a group of around 20 people, which was very large compared to the other tours we had done. You loose the personal attention. At the beginning of each tour a lot of time was lost because they did not have any overview of who was supposed to go in which group. When we were going on the city tour of Cusco we were initially put in the wrong group and had to correct it ourselves (Luckily one of us spoke Spanish). When we were going on the tour of Inca valley we lost 1 hour in the morning because of poor organization with the buses. In addition, the tour included a useless first stop at a market which was just for exploiting tourists. The same thing happened in when we were going to the market in Pisac. The tour company arranged that we should all go to a silver workshop, thus loosing time there instead of seeing the actual market. This is not what we paid to see. The tour should also clearly state what we are seeing. We were under the impression that we were going to see the ruins of Pisac, but that was not on the schedule. After a British tourist argued with the guide, we were allowed to go there for an hour. This should definitely be on the tour as it was one of the better sites. If the travel company wants to live up to the standards for Zicasso, you should change agent in Cusco. We were not happy with it. Travel Company's Comments about This Review #1. About traveler's comments on Eco Inn in Puno: Would like to point out that we did offer further alternative hotels, which were of a better level and yes a little more expensive, but the traveler decided to stay with Eco Inn due to the cost. #2. About traveler's comments on the lunch on the arrival(first day) in Chivay: As this is a shared tour the lunch offered is part of the program, to be honest we have not had a complaint before, but will certainly look into further alternatives. #3. About traveler's comments on the tour size and tour organization: This program is what is called the Full Day Sacred Valley program and in this case was done in a Shared Services, i would like to point out that we manage small groups of no more than 20, many of or competitors have groups of up to 40. The program clearly stated what would be seen that day, in-fact an extra visit was given without extra charge to Pisac Ruins which is an extra two hours as well as to a Silver Factory for 30 mins / manufacturing process ( which is not compolsery ) . The market referred to is Pisac Market, this is a very popular place visited and often requested and for this reason is part of the program content. I am not aware of any poor organization or confusion on the part of the City tour, as mentioned above the group size of 20 is small compared to most and in-fact on this particular departure there was 15 , plus two children and the group visited all the places as stated in the program with the guide. #4. About traveler's comments on the tour guide in Cusco The person in question has been reprimanded, again its the first time we have had a complaint of this nature, as the representative, should have the program and be fully aware of the itinerary and to give recommendations. I terms of room, we gave a lot of attention including even myself i spoke with clients.