I'm planning a trip to Peru at the end of May for my husband and I. Possibly some friends will come along too. We are in our early 30's. We are used to traveling very independently and don't really like organized tours, but realize in traveling to Peru we will have to use tour operators.

I've been in contact with both companies about what I wanted to do for 10-12 days:

Lima-Cuzco/Sacred Valley
4 day Inca Trail hike
Arequipa - Colca Canyon
Lima

Adventure Life Journey's:
I was able to talk to someone and felt comfortable with their travel philosphy. I'm still waiting for them to get back to me on prices and hotels.

AmazingPeru.com:
I've been in contact with via email and they responded with the exact trip I wanted.

Has anybody used either one of these tour companies? I don't want it to be too over organized and not enough free time. I'm also a little concerned about the hotels they use. I don't like to stay in chain hotels but rather more family run/quaint hotels. Do you know if they take you to places that are pressuring you to buy things. I guess I want to make sure we are somewhat off-the-beaten path. Any experiences you've had will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help.

My boyfriend and I are in our early 30's and just returned from Peru on Sunday...we did not use those 2 companies - we used peru-explorers - I just thought I'd mention a couple of things since we had a similar itinerary...
I'm assuming you're flying on LanPeru since they're the only inter-Peru major airline flying - remind whomever you're using to confirm your reservation otherwise they may just cancel it - and don't schedule too tightly - our flight time from Cusco to Arequipa got moved 3 times...in re: hotel rooms - a double is 2 twins, a matrimonio is a full/queen (we were booked in doubles by the tour company that we were able to change for about 1/2 our trip)... for the colca canyon i'd do the 2-day since it's 4 hours each way to get there (although I would have probably skipped it altogether - wasn't that impressed)...Inca trail was fantastic & sacred valley was good too...hope you have fun on your trip!

Thanks for the reply. I've been trying to decide if it was worth the trouble to get to Arequipa or should we try to go to the floating islands of Lake Titicaca?

Did you go anywhere else?

We don't want to use anymore than 11 days and we will already be in Cuzco/sacred valley/MP for 8 days.

What hotels did you stay in?

It sounds like you weren't too happy with peru-explorers, that's too bad. I'm so nervous about picking one of these companies.

Actually, peru-explorers was pretty good-I think it was mostly the language-barrier that got us confused a bit - and it being our first experience with a travel agent (it's hard to let go of the control!)- but everything turned out really well...we actually stayed in Arequipa for a while and went to the coast, did white-water rafting there...we didn't make it to Puno...and then a day and a half in Lima...we stayed at the Royal Inca I in Cuzco, Hotel Crismar in Arequipa, Colca Inn in Chivay (Colca Canyon), and Hotel Santa Cruz in Miraflores (Lima), and a place I can't remember in Mollendo...2/3 star equivalents...

We are not going until March - so I am a bit hesitant to recommend until we return - but we are working with Bob at peruperu.com from recommendations on this board. He is in Florida and is very knowledgeable as he has been then 30 some times. I didn't want to have the language barrier issue either. You might give him a call. The number is on the website, which is quite nice too.

Hi Cdnelli,

did you end up choosing Amazing Peru? I wondered as we are faced with a similar choice and AmazingPeru.com after some tweaking presented a great travel plan. What we are wondering is how well they deliver in the country?

Thanks

I really hate to say negative things about agencies, but the one we used really did not have it together - peruperu. Many mistakes that would have ruined our vacation if I would not have caught them. I certainly could not give them a recommendation. Inkanatura is the Peru ground operator and they are great. So I would say find an agency that uses them in the U.S. or go direct with them in Peru. One I know of is Tropical Nature. Google and find them on line and call them.