South American Vacations

TESTIMONIALS

Our trip was absolutely fabulous. It met all expectations. The guides were great. The weather was nice. The ships crew was helpful, courteous and freindly. The other passengers were interesting and good fun...Everything ran on time, and the sun tan is starting to fade. Thanks for great arrangements.

Inge and Peter Poot
Toronto, Canada
January 28, 2010

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Peru, all of your agents were very professional and friendly. There were no problems at all, the hotels were all gorgeous and of course the country is beautiful and the Peruvian people were all very friendly. Thank you again for helping us to plan this wonderful trip! I will keep your information for future trips to South America, and for referrals to friends.

Kathy Sinton
Durango, CO
November, 2009

I don't know where or how to begin to tell you just how absolutely amazing our month long vacation was! It was totally wonderful, absolutely exhausting, totally unforgettable and the best ever. All the people who helped us at the airports, hotels, on the tours - well, everywhere were just fantastic. Gustavo in Quito and Updon in Cusco especially stood out from the others in their love of their countries, the history and their ability to share it with us.

Thank you so much for organizing such an amazing journey - there was not a single glitch, nothing went wrong at all - we could hardly believe it......I wrote a final email to a good many people and put a link in there to South American Vacations website - I am going to add another on the blog too after we have rested a bit today. We have already recommended you to a good many people along the way and will keep on doing so. Thanks again - it was a really absolutely amazing month!

Annie Baggett
Soddy Daisy, TN
October, 2009

Just wanted you to know what a FABULOUS trip we had to Peru. The food was delicious, the people were wonderful and kind and the sights were marvelous. Our guides Lucio and Rodolfo (birding guide) were outstanding and made for a very special trip. Inkaterra and Posada Amazonas (especially Refugio Amazonas) were incredibly beautiful and well run. Thanks so much for all of your help.

Lexi Sifford
Corte Madera, CA
July, 2009

It was a great trip. You have an excellent partner in Ecuador. Flawless execution on their part. By luck, the timing of the tours in Quito couldn't have been better. The Sunday tour of Old Quito coincided with a national holiday and fiesta, with marching bands, etc. There was a huge rock concert (Equadorean music of course) at the Middle of the World park when we were there. And the Saturday trip to Otavalo was on the largest market day of the month. So lots of opportunity to see the people and the culture. And Galapagos was fabulous, of course, although overrun with homo sapiens...Thanks for making all those arrangements.

Helen Roberts
Seattle, WA
June, 2009

I hope all is well. I just want to let you know that we had a great trip in Peru! The logistics and transportation were very well organized, the tour guides and drivers were all very professional with their jobs and what made the trip really memorable were the people of Peru...they were so welcoming and warm to us. We really felt safe to walk around with the friendly people around us and seeing the sights in Peru has been the most exhilarating and awesome experience. The views were so diverse and what I enjoyed most were the sights of Machu Picchu, Nazca Lines, the sand dunes and the Ballestas Islands...the last two were the most surprising and something I had not expected in Peru! Plus the many friends we made with those who guided us around...including Eduardo whom I understand is also a friend of yours. So thank you so much for the well organized tour and I am very sure I will be booking another South America tour with you very soon.

Philip Tng
Urbana, IL
May, 2009

I just wanted to take a moment to e-mail and thank you very much for the excellent service I received from your company. Right from the beginning with your clear, informative and friendly e-mails I knew I was dealing with a professional and knowledgable company. The feedback that I received from my clients while in destination was that they could not be more pleased with the smooth and expert service they received. All the hotels were fabulous and the tour guides and drivers were most helpful and friendly. All in all it was a fantastic vacation.

Jemma S., Travel Agent
Victoria, Canada
May, 2009

We just returned from our magnificent vacation to South America. Everything was extremely organized, and planned out so well, for our time there. All of the tours more than met our expectations. The tour guides and drivers took very good care of us. Eduardo in Lima did an exceptional job with the extra hours we had, before our flight to Buenos Aires, spending more time in Lima - going to the 'Magic Water Circuit' park was the highlight for that last night in Peru. Rosa and her husband couldn't have given us a better welcome to their city of Cusco. They were very friendly and knowledgeable. Rosa's husband took us on our private tour of the Sacred Valley - his pride in the area around Cusco and its people showed in the wonderful tour he gave us. We spent the entire day with him and we learned so much. We loved Peru and would like to return for a longer stay. We know now that there is much more to see. Thank you again Martha for arranging such a fantastic tour of Machu Picchu, Cusco, and Lima!

P.S. And thanks for arranging the Palomino Island and swimming with the sea lions excursion. It was a great experience! Gene said the water was very cold.

Bev and Gene Coverdale
Golden, CO
February, 2009

Everything worked out beautifully in Buenos Aires--the city tour was great and guide was extremely knowledgeable. The performance at El Viejo Almacen also was terrific (and yes, there was transportation waiting for us after the show). The VIP seats were great--right in the center of the balcony overseeing the performance. It was a great performance--not too large and with many locals (if they go, then it must be good). Thanks again for doing this for us.

Joan van Berg
Potomac, MD
January, 2009

Our trip was AWESOME. Everything was so just so organized and the accommodations were lovely, as well as the professionalism of your staff and our guides...We especially LOVED our Guides...Aldo and Raul were just so knowledgeable about the areas and their caring was outstanding...Attached are some pictures...

Thank you again for all you and your people did to make our trip memorable...Happy Holidays to you and yours.

AnnMarie Touchette
Fort Worth, TX
December, 2008

Everything about our trip, from the flights to the food was pleasurable, but most of all memorable. Your accommodations made us feel that we were at the highest regard, a great supplement to the beautiful people of Peru! We hope to travel with you again!

Charles and Jessica Kim
Los Angeles, CA
December, 2008

I want to thank you for arranging our best vacation ever. All details were well planned and we had few problems. The hotels were top notch, the people who took us around were friendly, courteous, and very obliging, especially the ones in Cusco.

Do you do tours in Central America or know of someone dependable who could make arrangements of the type we need for Costa Rica?

David Otero
Cocoa, FL
November, 2008

We've just returned home and wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed Peru. This was the most flawless trip we've ever taken - everything you suggested from hotels to the folkloric dinner was far beyond our expectations. And the guides and greeters, from Eduardo to Rosa and her husband, Lucio and Darwin at Macho Picchu - always right on time, good sense of humor, knowledgeable and as important as anything - just real people. And we loved South America! Our plan is to learn Spanish and go back! And you can be sure we'll be contacting you! Next time we want to do Brazil, Argentina and Chile.

Thanks, Martha for your patience and willingness to answer all my questions! South American Vacations is #1 in our book!

Aloha,

Judie and Rich Hoeppner
Kauai, HI
November, 2008

We had the most amazing time and were very impressed with the number of tours that were included and how well organized everything was. It was excellent value for money, the tour guides were all very friendly and well informed and the tours were really interesting. In particular, we all loved the visit to the equator, that was absolutely fascinating...Thank you very much for organising the trip for us. We will have no hesitation in recommending you and hopefully using your services again in the future.

Marilyn Warren
Pinner, England
November, 2008

We want to thank you for arranging our 8 day trip to Peru. It was the best vacation we've ever had and the best experience of our life! We had a fabulous time and the Inca Trail was a challenging but incredible adventure.

The staff was professional and kind and the guides were deeply proud of their Quechua heritage. We would like to thank Eduardo in Lima, always on time and always with a smile, and Adriana in Cusco, who gave us not only the information about the places we visited, but most importantly, the feeling.

Special thanks to Julio, our guide on the Inca Trail, a knowledgeable, nice, and very funny guy, who made everything seem easier than it was! We'll highly recommend your company to everyone we know!

Marian and Gabriela Istan
Alameda, CA
September, 2008

What a wonderful trip! Everything you planned for us, all the advice you gave us, toda, toda, toda was on target. It was one of the best vacations I've ever had. Forget Disneyworld. I want to send the family to Peru!

Cathy Maxwell
Powhatan, VA
September, 2008

We are back home (as of Friday) from our wonderful trip to Peru. It was quite an adventure for us! We want to check in with you to let you know how happy we are with all the arrangements you made for us. The guides and drivers were great, very willing to help in any way they could. Even in the excitement of getting us to our hotel in Cusco in the middle of a strike/demonstration with rocks and fruits being thrown at the few vehicles on the streets, Rosa and the driver did a fabulous job. Lucio in Cusco is a WONDERFUL guide, we so enjoyed getting to know him. As you know, this was a birthday present to Bill. He had a fabulous time, with Machu Picchu of course being the highlight for him. We learned so much about Peru and met many interesting and wonderful people.

Peru is an amazing place, and while we know we saw only a small part of it, we both enjoyed it immensely. Our arrangements worked just fine, thank you for your thoroughness in putting things together for us. By the way, we passed your name on to a few people we met on the Hiram Bingham train! Thank you again!

Sue and Bill Painter
Knoxville, TN
September, 2008

Last March my friend turned 60 and three of us went on the Incan Odyssey tour as part of the celebration. We were thrilled with the service, the hotels and most important the wonderful guides who took extra care to ensure we had the best experience possible on this fascinating tour. They were flexible and cheerfully changed itinerary at our request because of a special interest we had in one of the stops. We especially enjoyed the charming Royal Inka ll in Cusco and their fantastic customer service oriented staff.

I'd also like to thank the office staff in Miami for their prompt attention to my forgetting important documents they had sent for the trip. They immediately re-issued and delivered them in person during the stop over in Miami and were most patient with my oversight and disorganized state.

Thanks again and we would definitely consider using your agency for another great adventure!!

Jane Millan, Shirley Malanych, and Wendy Wank
Toronto, ON and Seattle, WA
September, 2008

The trip to Peru was excellent in every detail. I loved all the hotels. The guides were all just fabulous! Machu Pichu was even more spectacular than I hoped for. The food was delicious and the weather was great. I am so glad we took the Hiram Bingham train. It was worth the extra money. Thanks for all your help planning this vacation.

Delilah Perkinson
Addison, TX
August, 2008

I just wanted to thank you for your hard work regarding my tour last week in Cuzco. Everything was perfect. I appreciated the pick up and drop off at the airport, the tours, tour guides, reminder notes, etc. I have absolutely no complaints. Your staff was kind, prompt, and efficient. As I compared it to what other people got from other tour companies, I know that I got a great deal and a high-quality one, too. Thank you for everything. I will recommend your company to everyone I know.

Peggy E. Phillips
Placerville, CA
July, 2008

We really enjoyed our trip. Peru is blessed with many interesting destinations - two of which we visited - the Amazon rainforest and Inca ruins around Cusco including Machu Picchu. The Explorama staff were very accommodating which made for a wonderful adventure in the Amazon. The agent and guides in the Cusco area were very helpful and informative. Thanks for arranging a great trip.

James Birchler
Columbia, MO
July, 2008

We loved every minute. We felt very well cared for by the representatives of the local tour companies and the guides were very knowledgeable. We're both educators and we had lots of questions - all of which were answered very thoroughly. Martha did a super job of coordinating and was always timely and thorough in response to my questions. Thank you a million times over for putting the extra effort into getting us the room at the M.P. Sanctuary Lodge. That was completely a dream come true - every moment there is cherished. I've been looking forward to this particular trip since I was 9 years old (40 years!) and it lived up to every expectation. Thanks for making everything so seamless.

P.S. We shared one day (Sacred Valley) with another family for whom Martha had booked a 3 week trip. Major changes had to be made in their itinerary due to a possible train strike and they were so impressed with how well the local agent, Rosa, had been able to switch things. They also raved over the great job Martha had done overall. That's 2 families who will definitely recommend your agency and we for sure will look to you for future S.A. adventures. Thanks,

Tricia Garwood
Orlando, FL
July, 2008

It exceeded our expectations. Scenery was spectacular, interesting culture, good food, and fabulous hotels. Everything went off without a glitch and we saw everything we wanted and more. Would highly recommend to friends and fellow travelers.

Steve Kandrach and Maureen McQuillan
Sea Girt, NJ
June, 2008

We had a wonderful time. We were always met at our destinations in a timely manner by a friendly, knowledgeable guide. They were always very clear about where to meet them and when. We particularly appreciate their willingness to tailor the agenda to our personal requests. Our only regret is that we did not spend more time in Peru!

Judy and Bob Secrist
Boise, ID
June, 2008

There is really nothing I could add to the glowing testimonials already on your website. I returned yesterday full of wonderful memories and hundreds of photos. I was especially impressed by the flawless organisation of the trip. On every occasion the pick-ups occurred on time, whether at the airports in Lima and Cusco, or the various other locations. The hotels were all good, and the sightseeing trips well conducted. Thanks for a job well done!

Hartmut Heyck
Ottawa, Canada
May, 2008

My brother and I just returned from the Incan Odyssey trip that you planned for us. I want to tell you that all the arrangements that were made went very well. We were met at the various airports and hotels on time by your very courteous agents. Eduardo and Eric, in Lima, were most helpful, and also recommended several good restaurants. Julio and Willie, the guides in the Sacred Valley and Cusco, were excellent. Their knowledge of the history, art and architecture of the areas was terrific, and we learned a lot from them. Felipe, the driver for many of the days, knew the roads like the back of his hand. Our guide for the Machu Picchu one-half day tour was Darwin. He was very knowledgeable and humerous. We had enough time for our own plans-we hiked up to the Sun Gate and started out to climb Huayna Picchu. We also walked on our own in Cusco and Lima. The 4 hotels that we stayed in were very clean and well maintained. The staffs were all very courteous. When we were leaving Cusco to catch our plane back to Lima at the end of our trip, Mery picked us up at the hotel. We arrived at the airport with what we thought plenty of time to spare but found out that the schedule had changed and it was leaving an hour early. We made the plane with a few minutes to spare and Mery made sure to call Eduardo in Lima, to tell him to pick us up early. That extra effort was certainly appreciated. The trip was excellent, well-planned, and reasonably priced. Thank you for a great trip.

Jeff Burger
New City, NY
May, 2008

Inca Trail was spectacular - words cannot describe the beauty and magnificance of the Inca "ruins" and the Andes Mountains. We were treated like absolute royalty by all South American Vacations' staff and contractors and guides. Our accommodations exceeded my expectations, and were extremely lavish and fit very well with the context of the settings where they were located. We were completely taken care of at all tour stops, were always picked up and delivered on time, and were given assistance to make all flights. It would be my pleasure to use South American Vacations in the future, and to recommend them highly.

David Hupman
Calgary, Canada
April, 2008

I am a procrastinator, but I wanted you to know how much we enjoyed our vacation. All of our guides were exceptional. We enjoyed our time with Eduardo, even when he told us to be ready at 3 am to leave for the airport. He was great, always there no matter the hour, always with a smile and we had a great time with the banter back and forth. We also appreciate all of Jonathan's efforts, he also made the trip a success for us. In Cusco, Raual was very knowledgeable and our time with him was great. He made our time in Cusco a really good stop. In Machu Picchu, the guide, who had written several books was certainly a wealth of information, we learned so much. We enjoyed our hike to the Sun Gate, what a spectacular view. Ricardo, our guide on the Amazon cruise was great. Very personable and always took the time to answer individual questions. The entire trip on the river, in the villages and bird watching was awesome. We also want to complement the crew, their friendliness and professionalism made for a wonderful experience on the boat. In Lima, Desadae (sp) was great, again, another very knowledge guide that helped us in learning about the history of Peru. We all appreciate your effort in making sure that we had a good trip. We would recommend your company to anyone we know that is planning a South American trip.

Bobby (Barbara) Miller
Washington, DC
January, 2008

We just returned home from Peru in time for my husband to participate in Iowa caucuses. We've had a fantastic trip. The accommodations were great and everything came off on time and without any confusion or delays. You have a great team helping with your services in Peru. You should be proud of them. After return to Miami we spent 2 days on South Beach which is an exotic place in itself. It turned cold yesterday but we bundled up and brought a picnic to the beach anyway. The kids are getting to be seasoned travelers and to our surprise they requested sushi for dinner last night. It was a real hit.

Siv Brit Saetre and Family
Bettendorf, IA
January, 2008

We really had a great time in Peru! It is more than we had expected. Everybody on the team loves the food, the people and the places we went. Everything was very smooth; we didn't need to worry about the transportation or tour. Our guide in Cuzco, Adriana is our beloved best guide. She was with us for about over 3 days and we had a very good time together. She gave us the "feeling", not only the information about every place we went. Now that we are back to New York and busy with our schoolwork again, we still miss so much our time there. We had thousands of pictures there and are going to hold a Peruvian party in memory of it, consuming some Pisco Sour and Chicha Morada we brought back from Peru! Thanks to South American Vacations for arranging this trip for us. It was a fantastic memory! Thanks again Martha, for helping me organize this trip. This is really a nice experience and I am going back to South America in the future! Best, Ting

Ting Qian
New York, NY
November, 2007

I meant to send you an e mail the minute I got home from Peru to let you know what a wonderful vacation we had, but somehow the days got away from me and I am just getting a few minutes to write to you. It was a perfect trip from the moment that Eduardo met us at the airport in Lima until he dropped us off at the airport 10 days later. All of the tour people that met us were wonderful and were willing to stop and let us take pictures anywhere that we wanted to and Mary went above her duties in Cusco by meeting us at the train station and then immediately taking us to the Cultural Center to see the Peruvian dancers. The tour guides were very knowledgeable and great about having to wait for us to catch our breath to be able to hike up the next set of stairs. Machu-Picchu was wonderful and staying at the Sanctuary Lodge was one of the best ideas we had. We were up at 5:00AM and ready to see the sunrise over Machu-Picchu. This was a once in a lifetime experience and I am so glad that we did it. When Mary took us to the train station in Cusco for our trip to Puno, we had no idea that we had first class reservations. Not only was it an elegant lunch and tea, but the train employees kept us entertained with dancing, singing and a fashion show. Lake Titicaca, the floating islands and Tequile island were also great. We took hundreds of pictures (not developed yet) and I hope they show all of my friends what a great country we went to and how much fun we were having. It was superb planning on your part to have all of our connections handled flawlessly. I will certainly recommend your travel agency should any of my friends or family want to visit South America.

Sandra Williams
Canterbury, NH
November, 2007

We just returned from a September, 2007 trip to Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. We had been referred to South American Vacations by another person who had used them for her trip and was very pleased with the results. We were very happy with all of the arrangements. All of the flights were on time, seats were perfect, loved the hotels, and most importantly everyone showed up as promised to meet us and escort us. Everyone was on time and we liked all of the tour guides. We especially liked Lucio and Mary in Cusco and Darwin in Machu Picchu. Eduardo was great in Lima and even came back to airport the day we passed through on our way to Quito to be sure that everything was okay. All of the drivers were cordial and drove safely. We really enjoyed Peru and found the food to be quite fantastic. And really got spoiled with the variety of juices and ice creams. Prior to the trip Martha of South American Vacations was very accommodating and made adjustments to the itinerary to suit our needs and preferences. Documents arrived well before we left and there were absolutely no issues with vouchers or any form of payment once we were in Peru - it had all been taken care of. The on location staff made certain that we knew exactly when we were to meet and made certain that we were in the right location at the right time. Eduardo in Lima was at the airport waiting for us even though our flight arrived at 4:30 a.m. In summary we were very happy with the pre-arrangements, air reservations, hotel reservations, guides/tours, and found all details taken care of for us.

Jill and Harley Hurt
Phoenix, AZ
October, 2007

My wife Janet and I have just completed a flawless 10 day trip to Peru in August, 2007. What a wonderful trip! We enjoyed it very much, and all the tour guides and hosts/hostesses along the way were kind, informative and extremely helpful. We would like to thank Eduardo Devescovi, Lima's inbound Services Manager, Rosa and Felipe (driver) in Cusco, Adrienna in Ollantaytambo and Cusco, and Aldo in Puno and Lake Titicaca. All of you were fantastic and made our trip so much more enjoyable. Peru is a lovely country with fabulous cultural heritage in addition to its beautiful landscape. We enjoyed our stay at all the Casa Andina hotels and at the incomparable Sanctuary Lodge in Machu Picchu. Additionally, the luxury train ride from Cusco to Puno was an unexpected highlight of the trip! We thank all of you, and we would also like to thank Martha of the Miami office who coordinated the entire trip. You can bet that we will be back to Peru and other South American destinations in the very near future, and we will recommend South American Vacations to all our friends and relatives.

Janet and Joe Tsou
Irving, TX
September, 2007

Gwynn and I really enjoyed our adventure in Peru! South American Vacations did a great job planning out our itinerary and we so appreciated your agents helping with our connections between cities--Eduardo in Lima and Rosa and Mery in Cusco. Lucio was very knowledgable and gave us a great tour of the Sacred Valley. All of our tour guides were so proud of Peru and their heritage. We were pleased with our hotels, two Casa Andinas and the Machu Picchu Inn. The staff was very courteous and helpful. The breakfasts were just right for us! We were especially impressed with the food at the restaurants in Peru. It was not only delicious, but presented so beautifully. ATM's were readily available for cash. We had a great taxi driver in Lima at the Casa Andina Miraflores San Antonio. Coco took us to our destinations, picked us up and on to the next for a reasonable rate. We found the people to be friendly and helpful. Two different women in Aguas Caliente even left their shops to help us find our way. Lima was an exciting blend of cultures. Being history buffs, we found Pizarro's tomb and enjoyed the main plaza, the museums, and pre-Inca ruins. The Pacific coast area was beautiful and the Larco Mar shopping mall built on the cliffs overlooking the ocean was spectacular. Dinner at the Rosa Nautica was a treat! I had always wanted to visit Cusco, the Inca Empire capital. The high altitude was a new experience. The ruins were massive and so interesting! The Sacred Valley tour was such a learning experience. Climbing the ruins was tiring, but worthwhile. You could visualize life hundreds of years ago. The Andes were magnificent! Visiting Machu Picchu has always been one of our dreams. The vistas were breathtaking! It was an incredible building project! After a hard day climbing, we tried out the hot springs the next day. Thank you again for a great vacation! We are attaching a few photos. Sincerely,

Peggy Barhite and Gwynn Earp
Thomasville, GA
June, 2007

I'm back safe and sound. The trip far exceeded my expectations and I am quite impressed with South America. The weather was perfect, the food delicious, the animals and people, sweet and friendly. Except for two minor emergencies with my cats, my home and business seem intact. I love traveling but it is always sooooo nice to come home. Thanks again for arranging a perfect trip for us. We kept saying about every place we went "we should have booked longer", especially Machu Picchu and the expedition ship in the Galapagos. It was all wonderful. Jeannie

P.S. I'm thinking Argentina next!

Jeannie Gardner
Sacramento, CA
June, 2007

I know that feedback is essential with any well run business. As a former Director of Meetings and Conventions for a large national association and also as owning my own independent meeting planning business for 10 years, I just wanted to let you know that the trip you planned for us to South America was as near to perfect as is possible. This is especially true due to the fact that you had to coordinate your trip with a cruise we had previously planned. Your people were professional, your guides were knowledge and the hotel properties were exactly as you described them. If you need another testimonial, please feel free to use this. You may not currently have one in Arizona. Both Bill and I will look forward to our next trip with you.

Gail and Bill Pape
Fountain Hills, AZ
April, 2007

The trip was outstanding, no hitches. We enjoyed our 3 guys from Boston on the IT ("Inca Trail"). You deserve a gold star, job well done. Will recommend you to friends. My new quest is to find coca tea bags. Thank you for all you did.

Judy-Clare French
Redding, CA
April, 2007

We have returned from Peru, and what a fabulous place that it was! Thank you for all of your help putting this trip together for me and my friends. The hotels and the guides were wonderful, especially Will in Cusco. We really enjoyed the food, the countryside and the local people. And the Inca trail was an incredible adventure! Thank you so much for making this a wonderful trip for us. I will be recommending you to other friends.

Diane Burke
Redding, CA
April, 2007

Wendi and I would like to thank you for the trip of a lifetime we experienced in your beautiful country. Our whole trip went without any problems and all of the people you had providing us service were above and beyond expectations, especially Eduardo in Lima. We have shared our trip so many times since we have returned and all of our friends have remarked how well organized and well planned the trip sounded. Wendi and I have tried to remember what the best part of the trip was and so far all we can think of is that it started when we got off the plane in Lima and ended when we boarded our flight to return home. All of the accommodations were very nice and the staff at the hotels were more than helpful. The tours were always on time and very informative. Again, we want to thank you for the experience of this fantastic trip, something we will always remember. Thank you and best regards.

Gary Harrell and Wendi Secrist
McCall, ID and Boise, ID
January, 2007

We never have gotten back to you after our trip to Machu Picchu in September. The trip was amazing and everything was perfect! I have recommended it to everyone that has asked us about it. I have attached a picture that my wife and I used as our X-mas photo for this year, thanks again for everything!!

Jay and Julie Kuchenbecker
Chicago, IL
December, 2006

I hope that all of you are doing well. As you can see I'm back and the time went by so fast that it seems almost a dream to see and do all that I did. To say that I had a great time is an understatement. It has to be one of the most pleasant experiences of my life. What struck me the most was how kind and loving the people were with me. I almost felt like I had come home to my family. I hope that they think that I behaved well also. For I was demonstrating too much exuberance. Something like a kid in a toy store. It was interesting because something that I had not planned to do took place and that was I had to practice my Spanish and believe it or not, it got better! By the time I left I was communicating a lot better than when I first came in. Machupichu was just like I thought it would be...a dream come true! I sat in front of that majestic sight and just meditated for at least an hour soaking it up like sponge. I even had my picture taken in front of it so that when I tell others that I really went there, they won't be calling me a liar. I will send you pictures after next week when I get all of my film scanned into CD's. You guys did great, you placed a lot of great and gracious people in my way that helped me a lot. Rosa in Cuzco came to my rescue on several occasions. One of them was when I got lost in place that I can only remember by the name of "Sexy Woman" since otherwise I could never remember it's real Inca pronunciation. By the time she located me a local farmer was about to loan me his llama to take me back to town...what an experience! I'll tell you more when I get the pictures. By the way...Do you arrange tours to other parts of South America?...How about Antartica?...let me know. Talk to you guys soon and thank you again.

Orlando L. Morales
Houston, TX
November, 2006

South American Vacations did a superb job in arranging all the details of our recent visit to Peru. We were met at each airport by gracious and informative guides who were passionate and well informed about Peru's history and heritage. All our hotels met all of our expectations and the travel arrangements within Peru were flawless. We highly recommend Martha Cohen and the entire team of South American Vacations for any trip planned for South America.

Timothy and Marcia Bell
Reston, VA
September, 2006

We are at the tail-end of the trip and I wanted to tell you that this was one of the best vacations I´ve had. My parents loved every moment and all your reccomendations and suggestions were excellent. Peru is a very beautiful country and the people are very very nice. You are lucky to be from this beautiful region! I look forward to traveling in South America with you once again. Thanks.

Anita Agarwal
New York, NY
July, 2006

Just a few lines to express our thanks for a flawless vacation. We all agree that your company is way above any other travel agency that any of us (all well seasoned world travelers) have had the pleasure to deal with. The staff everywhere were above average in their courtesy, professionalism and knowledge.

Marcial Garcia
Miami, FL
May, 2006

I wanted to express our gratitude for the great service your agency and it's counterpart in Cusco, Peru have provided. Despite the fact that this was booked at the very last minute, everything was organized seamlessly. Rosa and Luccio were wonderful. They even managed to change our itinerary so that we could spend extra time in Cusco! We had a great vacation and will recommend your agency to all our friends who wish to travel to Peru! It's such a beautiful and friendly country! Thank you!

Margaret and Gabriel Torek
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL
April, 2006

What an amazing experience! My only complaint was that we should have taken at least 3 weeks instead of the 9-day tour. I definitely must go again. I have been abroad many times - even took High School students to Greece, and another time through France and Switzerland. At no time, even during my youthful hostelling through Europe, have I more thoroughly appreciated another culture. It had been a long time dream of mine to visit the archaeological sites of the Inca culture. Your guides were so knowledgeable and so patient and understanding of our lack of Spanish skills. All of them, especially, Eddie, were outstanding. Peru has replaced Portugal as my favourite destination. Thank you.

Anna English-Smith
St. Johns, Canada
March, 2006

Words can not tell you what an absolutely fabulous time all of us had. From the moment we arrived until we left there was not one disappointed face in the crowd. Your people were wonderful and the whole trip a dream come true. Many thanks.

Sharon A. McLaughlin
Kingston, Canada
February, 2006

From the start of the trip to the end, everything was top-notch, on time and perfect! Eduardo and I hit it off immediately. He was attentive, informative and worked hard to make our stays in Lima most enjoyable. He should be commended for his attention to service. Rosa in Cusco was most helpful as well. Both Nance and I suffered from soroche initially. Rosa was most helpful as was the manager of the Sonesta Posada del Cusco. I also commend Blanca in Lima. She was most gracious and interesting. We enjoyed befriending her. Whether upscale or not-so-upscale, the accomodations were excellent. The service was excellent. Everything was wonderful. We loved Peru. The people, the culture and the scenery. We've already recommended a Peru trip to friends, and we highly recommend your company as the tour provider! Thank you so much for everything. Bueno suerte al futuro,

Bob and Nance McAleer
Newark, OH
January, 2006

We really enjoyed Peru and we particularly wish to thank you for setting us up with Lucio Pando with Explorama in Iquitos - he was fantastic with his awesome knowledge of birds. He could even "call" them up closer to us and he knew all the English, native, and scientific names. He spoke very good English and really made this vacation. All the other guides and drivers were courteous and very helpful. We had a wonderful vacation. Thanks.

Darrel and Karen Unrue
Mill Creek, WA
January, 2006

Thank you so much for your wonderful staff and your incredible support!!! Your company was amazing in every way. We thought you were amazing before the problem at Machu Picchu (rail worker's strike), but then you became even more amazing!!! Thank you. Peru and the people are also amazing!! So friendly and so service oriented. Thank you, thank you, thank you. We will definitely use your services again.

Lois Bly and Alison Whiteside
Ellicott City, MD and Tucson, AZ
December, 2005

Anybody who desires a hassle-free vacation to Peru can have it arranged economically and without a problem by Martha and her staff at South American Vacations. My wife and I shy away from group travel and prefer something a bit more personal and adventurous. The planning was carefully and cheerfully done even though some replanning was required by the inclusion of our 9 year-old grandson. We were met at the airport wherever we went and escorted to the hotels. Martha arranged our trip to dovetail with friends who were in Cusco for the Inti Raymi at the same time and we traveled together to Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca. Special guides were available for side trips and transportation was provided to trains and planes. We had what I would consider an adventure-packed 23 days in both Peru and Bolivia and although we speak little Spanish, we had a wonderful educational vacation. When we accidentally left our camera in Lima, Eduardo went out of his way in the middle of the night to recover it and return it. You don't get service like that often these days. We can't thank you enough.

Flint, Ruth, and Hal Smith
Garden Grove, CA
November, 2005

I just wanted to report that all arrangements went without a hitch. More importantly, your people (Edwardo and Rosa) were outstanding. Friendly, always on time and smart. It was a pleasure to be with them. I think Peru has replaced Thailand as my favorite country. The people we met in the stores and on the street were kind, considerate and gentle. One word of Spanish unleashed a lot of conversation and made us feel welcome everywhere. I hope to send a lot of people your way, and will send a copy of articles printed over the next year. I was impressed with your service and your people. You should be proud of what you have accomplished. Of course, thank you for your hospitality, too. I hope to repay the favors you graciously provided.

Jim and Barbara Winnerman
St. Louis, MO
November, 2005

I just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed our trip and how impressed we have been with your operation. This was our first trip to South America and won't be our last. We found the Peruvian people to be very friendly and helpful everywhere, and we came away with a strong feeling of only just having scratched the surface of the country. It was definately a place we will return to and explore further. We will also be happy to recommend you to our friends.

Shanee and Victor Martin
Oakland, CA
November, 2005

What an Adventure! Our goal was to see Machu Picchu, the "Lost city of the Incas" - and we did. We saw the mystical and spiritual citadel with our expert guide Ruben. We even climbed up to the drawbridge and Georgie, Josie and Greg climbed up Huayna Picchu. Everyone that met us, from Eduardo in Lima, to Rosa and her husband Lucio in Cusco, were wonderful. Hotel Monasterio in Cusco, was an ideal base from which to discover all the places we wanted to visit. The hotel was beautiful and we had our fist Pisco Sour in a cosy corner of the lobby bar. I think we had Pisco Sours every night on our trip, sometimes two or three! Our lodgings in Peru, from Hotel Monasterio, to The Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, to our favorite, The Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel with its extensive cloudforest gardens and The Sonesta Posadas del Inca, in the sacred Valley, were truly wonderful. Lucio was a wonderful guide and we visited an Inka Chicha bar and even played a game in the courtyard. He was so knowledgeable and explained the history of the fortress of Ollantaytambo and many other sites. We saw and did everything. From Whitewater rafting, the Vistadome, horseback riding, from shopping in every store and village market. When we got back to Lima, Eduardo was there and took us everywhere, including a supermarket where we bought Pisco Biondi and some Peruvian staples. Such Fun! We had a tour of Lima and Eduardo suggested that we spend our last night at a glorious restaurant - La Rosa Nautica at the end of a pier. The food was superb. Martha, everything you suggested turned out to be absolutely wonderful and I feel like I know you as a dear friend. Thank you for the service, arrangements and the well organized trip. Tell Eduardo, we think it was amazing that he was able to find Greg's passport. When we got to the airport to go to Cusco, Greg realized he left it at the hotel. Eduardo flew in his car back to the hotel, then flew back to the airport (he had to be going 100 mi. an hour) and when he arrived at the plane everyone clapped. As I said earlier, what an adventure. Thank you and I love you.

Joan and Joe Needham
Hopewell, NJ
October, 2005

We are back. What a great time we had. All the tour guides were so knowledgeable; we learned so much. My highlights were seeing the family of Giant River Otters in Oxbow Lake with Carlos, touring the Sacred Valley and hiking the Inca ruin above Pisac vs. spending 2 hours in the Pisac Sunday Market, and of course Machu Picchu - the train ride, the climb and visit, and the tours at Machu Picchu Pueblo Lodge. Rosa in Cuzco and Eduardo in Lima are outstanding organizers. Everything happened on time, everything went smoothly. We now know we needed 2 more days in Cuzco and in Lima - there is so much to see. I hope to return in late April/early May 2006, spend 3 days in Cuzco, then do a 4-5 day Lares Trek (Pisac to Lares), maybe visit some of the recently discovered Inca sites, spend 2-3 days in Lima visiting all the museums and sites.

Bob and Doretta Marwin
Chicago, IL
October, 2005

We are in Lima on our last day in Peru. Eduardo, who has been wonderful, tells us that you will be in Peru on holidays next week and we just wanted to send a quick email to you before we head for the USA. Thank you so much for organising such a diverse and wonderful 'holiday' We have had an amazing time and have come to love your beautiful country and it's people. We've done things we never dreamed of and even though we are quite tired have loved every minute of it. When we get back to Australia I'll send you some detailed feedback if you like. In the meantime 'gracias' from two very happy Australians. We will spread the word!

Pat and Tony Henry
Merewether, Australia
October, 2005

Thank you for a fabulous trip! The Incan Odyssey was very well planned out for the 8 days we had in Peru. My son and I only wished we had more time to spend on the wonderful discoveries we found in your country. Eduardo, Rosa, and all of your representatives were as helpful as they could possibly be. The personalized service you provide, along with the accommodations, are exceptional.

John E. Shields
Collierville, TN
September, 2005

We returned yesterday from Buenos Aires very happy. Thank you for the fruit. It was a total surprise. Just like the Peru trip, everything worked smoothly. The wheel chair was waiting for my mother when we got off the plane. It certainly helped us with a smooth movement through immigration. Miguel Kenny, the guide, was waiting for us. He and the driver took us to the hotel. Design Suites is a wonderful hotel. It is only six years old, and very modern with light wood, metal and mirrors. Everyone was very helpful, and the location was perfect. We arrived to teeming rain, so the city tour was not as wonderful as it might have been. However, the rest of the week the weather was excellent. We loved the trip to San Isidore and El Tigre, and the dinner and tango show were both excellent. We used the subway once just to try it on our way to the zoo, but the rest of the time we took taxis. My mother did very well. She is very happy that she could take such a long trip at her age--87. Thank you again for doing such a good job.

Edith Tirpak
Port Jefferson Station, NY
August, 2005

I want to thank you and your firm for a truly memorable trip. Every aspect of it was well thought out and well organized. The accommodations were just right, the people who met us in Lima and Cusco prompt, helpful, and knowledgeable, the timing appropriate. We wound up going to all the places we eventually figured out we wanted to see. And I can't say enough positive things about the guides, especially Eddy in Ollantaytambo/Pisac and Enrique at the Museum of Archaeology in Lima; they knew what they were talking about, and they were deeply proud of their Quechua heritage. I don't think I mentioned that I am an anthropologist, and though my specialty is not in South America, I did study with John Rowe and Edward Lanning, two eminent archaeologists of pre-Columbian Peru, so I knew what I was seeing. The Peruvian people were without exception hospitable and helpful. My daughter kept telling me, "me encanta" (I love it) - what more could I ask for? Thanks again, for everything, and don't hesitate to use me as a reference.

Glenn Petersen
Lawrenceville, NJ
August, 2005

The trip was very well organized. Everyone was friendly and extremely informative. I would use South American Vacations again.

Puja Asthana
Cerritos, CA
August, 2005

What a great way to travel. It was a wonderful adventure. If you don't care for the sterile atmosphere of an organized tour group where all you mingle with is other Americans, this is the way to go. All hotels, transportation and tours arranged to your needs. Most tours are private. Someone meets you at each airport and provides your transfers both ways. Martha arranges great agents that handle all the details along the way. Everything works smooth and if there is any problem you have all these locals to fix things. Eduardo in Lima, Katty in Quito, Rosa in Cusco and many others treat you well and are very well informed. Speak English only or try out your Spanish, either way. Have free time to explore on your own but leave all the main events to the pro's. Our hotels were 4 star and great but Martha can customize for any budget. We really felt we got to know the country and many of its people.

Martha arranged our custom 28 day trip and custom trips for four of our friends. Each wanted to do something somewhat different. We all met up in Cusco in the middle and spent 8 days together. Martha helped us plan it all out, made suggestions on where and when; for example to see the Inti Raymi which was spectacular. Can't recommend SA Vacations enough. Regards,

Dave and Bobbe Mootchnik
Huntington Beach, CA
July, 2005

I just wanted to let you know that our trip was awesome. Everything went well, and we thoroughly enjoyed everything. Our suite at Machu Picchu was just beautiful. We enjoyed the "ceviche" and had lots of it. What was outstanding was that on the Saturday before leaving, Eduardo came to get us in his own car and took us out for "as long as it takes". We saw sights of the country that were not on our agenda. He was amazing, and nothing was too much trouble. I'll tell you, he was one of the best tour guides that I have ever seen.(Cute too!!!!!) Thanks again for the professional way in which you treated us, for providing us with the best guides that we could ask for, and for a stress-free vacation. Muchas Gracias!

Barbara Young, Beth Lee, and Rhonda Anderson
Toronto, Canada
June, 2005

The trip was just wonderful. We truly enjoyed Peru. Your company's organization and personnel made it a unique and fantastic experience. Regards,

Joan and Irving Kershner
Hendersonville, NC
May, 2005

I just wanted to thank you for the most exciting , magical trip to your Country! Kevin and I were amazed not only about the scenery, architecture and the spiritual feel of the cities , but most of all Machu Picchu, it was so rewarding to hike the Inca Trail, and to be rewarded with the site of Machu Picchu. The guide we had was amazing at teaching us about the culture and history of the region! The Posada Amazonas also was a memory I will cherish for life! Your whole trip that was planned for us, with guides and the people that took care of getting us to these amazing destinations, were punctual, informative and very nice! I look forward to dealing with your company again! I hope to check out all your other tours, and begin a new adventure next year with you, knowing that the trip I plan with you will be organized so well as this one was! Thank you again!

Kevin Mayback and Kevin Kilgore
Buffalo, NY
May, 2005

Just a short e-mail to thank you for arranging our trip to see Machu Picchu and other sights in Peru. Everything was handled in a timely and friendly manner by the local guides. We are extremely happy with your selections especially the hotel in Aquas Caliente, the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. What a natural paradise it was. Thanks again.

Antonio W. Chow
Toronto, Canada
May, 2005

We wanted to thank you for making the arrangements for our wonderful trip to Peru. It was truly one of the most enjoyable vacations we have ever taken. The services, arrangements and facilities were top-rate. We are very grateful for your coordination of the trip and helpful advice prior to the trip. We were also extremely impressed by the well-organized inbound arrangements by Eduardo, the care and expertise of our Inca Trail guides Silvia and Dorian, and the hospitality of the guides and staff at Reservas Amazonicas. They all went out of their way to be helpful and we could always depend on them when necessary. We will always remember the beautiful land and the warm, friendly people of Peru, and hope to visit again some time through SA Vacations. We will be happy to serve as a reference for your future customers! Thanks!

Anjali and Aditya Kalle
San Francisco, CA
May, 2005

Eduardo in Lima was very responsive, helpful, and kind. Lucho, Rosa, and Mery in Cuzco were always ready to help. Lucho's guide experience is vast and we really appreciated the extra time he gave us. The rafting trip was more than expected and Alex was great. Loved the trip to Machu Picchu and the Sanctuary Lodge (best stay of the trip). La Hacienda was great and very local to everything. Their staff was very helpful. Thanks Martha.

Lee Sommer and Luis Guzman
Cheverly, MD
April, 2005

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip and it was great to have all the small details taken care of. Jaime met us at Lima airport - he was great. My daughter had fun practicing her Spanish on him after 11 years of not speaking the language. In Cusco, Rosa and her husband Lucho were great too. They always met us on time and were very considerate of our needs especially since Meghana was sick. Lucho took us on the tour of Sacred Valley and Pisac. It was wonderful to have a private tour. It was really nice to see Cusco first and then make Machu Picchu the last stop since it is the best place to be. City tour of Lima was great.

Vasudev and Jyoti Nayak
Houston, TX
January, 2005

We followed Martha's recommendation and took the train from Cuzco to Puno, which was one of the highlights of the trip. The scenery was simply amazing and we appreciated having the option to walk around the train versus being confined to a bus - even if the bus ride is shorter. She also arranged most of our flights and was efficient in getting the information to us, and we never had to worry that our tickets wouldn't be at the next stop. Each of our guides arrived before scheduled, which was in vast contrast to what we'd experienced with other services in the country...Overall, I was very impressed with the professionalism, knowledge and helpfulness of everyone we encountered through SAVacations and their affiliated tour operators and sincerely appreciate all of their efforts to ensure we had a great vacation.

Heather and Scott Lusk
Indianapolis, IN
December, 2004

It was WONDERFUL. I love the people, the scenery, and the history!!! Your people in Peru did a very very good job. Everyone was very helpful, especially you when I needed extra papers, flights, etc. I would recommend the trip and expecially your company. In the future I will need to go again but to a different area of Peru. I learned that there is so much to see and do in Peru and I enjoyed practicing my Spanish...Thank you so much for all your help!!!

Donna and George Mixon
Yoder, CO
November, 2004

I could not have been happier with my trip! The efficiency and friendliness of your associates in Peru was astounding. I have been abroad many times and the one thing that is a negative is the difficulty in doing the simplest things , booking hotels , transportation, and general knowledge of the city/cities. It was wonderful to have all that taken care of for me and also the security of feeling like there was someone to call if anything went wrong. I was able to just sit back and relax and enjoy the sights, sounds, and flavor of the country without the hassles. It was truly like visiting friends! Thanks so much for the great preparation and follow-through of your service. Everyone was informative and caring. I will call on you again when I am ready to visit another wonderful South American country. Many Thanks!

Cynthia Runion
Atlanta, GA
October, 2004

The trip to Peru was fabulous. We especially enjoyed the train ride from Cusco to Puno. It was very comfortable and we had great views of the scenery. All of the accommodations were perfect. The hotels were located within walking distance of where the action was, and the tour guides were friendly and professional and took care of every detail. We are history teachers and have traveled a lot. One of our dreams was to travel to Peru and because of your professionalism in setting up the perfect customized itinerary for us, we accomplished our goals and the trip exceeded our expectations.

Eric and Ines Pearson
Miami, FL
July, 2004

They said they were fascinated with the trip and that everything was wonderful! This is the email they sent me...

'I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on the wonderful trip you planned for us to Peru. Everything went as planned and everyone was on time. The tour operators and hotels were all excellent.'

Maria Elena E., Travel Consultant
Coral Gables, FL
May, 2004

Susanne and I want to thank you for arranging our 10-day vacation in Peru. The trip was wonderful. The tour guides and services you set us up with in Peru were excellent. When we landed in Peru, a very personable host, Hamlet, was there to greet us and to take us to the superior J.W. Marriott. The tours you arranged for us in Lima were of good quality and were enjoyable. When we arrived in Cusco, the Libertador was superb. We had excellent tours in Cusco. It turns out that the region was going to have a one-day strike (against the privatization of certain industries) on the day that we were to return from Machu Picchu, so Rosa efficiently rearranged our itinerary on short notice. Everything went like clock-work. After a spectacular one and one-half days at Machu Picchu (and the lovely Pueblo Hotel at which you had booked us), Rosa's husband, Lucio, met us at Urubamba and gave us a tour of the Sacred Valley that I imagine most visitors from the USA using other tour operators don't get. A number may tour the Ollantaytambo ruins, but how many have experiences like drinking chicha with the locals and later having a trout luncheon in a lovely little courtyard where a personable parrot walks across the grass, climbs on my lap, and helps me with the remains of my meal, even helping himself to Inca Kola from Lucio's glass? Every time we made a connection or tour, the guides - very personable and knowledgeable individuals - were there on time, so that our trip flowed smoothly. Susanne and I have traveled extensively throughout the world, but we agree that you arranged one of our most memorable trips ever. And we felt you did so for a most reasonable price. If Susanne and I can ever serve as a reference for you, we'd love to. With our gratitude,

Roland and Susanne Burke
Creve Coeur, MO
June, 2002