Reflections Of A BP Traveler: A Luxury Action-Packed Adventure Tour To Peru

Peru has risen to the top of popular destinations in Latin America, captivating most of its visitors with iconic UNESCO World Heritage sites and famous ruins. However, there are countless wonders waiting to be discovered beyond its most recognized sites.

We interviewed one of our travelers, Kelly Lauber, who recently embarked on a bespoke tour to Peru, to discuss her experience with Blue Parallel and the highlights of her luxury vacation.

How Did You Hear About Blue Parallel?

Our friends visited Peru and the Galapagos Islands with Blue Parallel in 2013 and had nothing but wonderful things to say. We were invited to join them but unfortunately couldn’t make it, however Blue Parallel had been on our radar ever since.

I have also been keen to visit Peru and hike Machu Picchu since I trekked Volcano Acatenago in Guatemala in 2011. It was an incredible experience and sparked a desire to embark on more hiking adventures around the world.

So when my husband and I decided we wanted to visit Peru and hike Machu Picchu for my 40th birthday, we had no doubts about contacting Blue Parallel.

How Was Working With Blue Parallel Different From Your Experience With Other Luxury Travel Companies?

We have worked with other tour companies in the past for both land and sea-based adventures. What we particularly enjoyed about working with Blue Parallel on our tour to Peru is that they took care of everything. We didn’t have to worry about a thing.

The team listened to our interests and took everything on board. They also considered our feedback if we wanted to make slight changes to the suggested itinerary. From the start, Blue Parallel was extremely accommodating and incredibly flexible and this was valuable to us.

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Please Summarize Your Blue Parallel Experience In 5 Words/Phrases…

I would describe our experience with Blue Parallel as:

• 5 star
• Flexible
• Spectacular
• Picturesque
• Once-in-a-lifetime

How Did You Find The Pre-trip Experience With Your Personal Travel Expert?

Our intended travel plans were impacted by Covid-19 and we had to postpone and rebook our trip. Despite being thrust into the unknown, the communication from the Blue Parallel team was always consistent.

From the initial planning stages to rebooking and then including additional travelers, we received regular communication and helpful documentation. They also remained flexible throughout.

Did You Feel Supported By The Blue Parallel Team During Your Trip?

Absolutely! Our guides were phenomenal and paid attention to every detail. They in themselves are unforgettable. For example, I was admiring a fabulous tapestry in our hotel in Lima and so our guide looked into organizing a visit to the artisan’s store before we left.

During the tour, we decided to request a few changes to the itinerary. Blue Parallel and our guides made it happen without question so we could enjoy the perfect travel experience in Peru.

Can You Share 3 “Wow Moments” From This Trip?

There’s a lot of wow moments choose from but I would say these three were the most memorable:

• Walking through the Sun Gate located at the entrance to Machu Picchu: this has been on my bucket list for a long time and it didn’t disappoint. The views were breathtaking and this was the first time we saw a glimpse of Machu Picchu.
• The Sol y Luna Hotel: this was our first hotel in Peru and our first chance to experience Peruvian culture. On our first night we also enjoyed a traditional Peruvian meal at the hotel’s restaurant.
• Luxury camping along the Inca Trail: the entire campaign experience was very well thought out and was on par with the rest of our luxury tour.

What Were Your Favorite Accommodations?

All of the hotels were exceptional and we wish we could have spent longer enjoying each one.

We enjoyed the Sanctuary Lodge in Machu Picchu as it offered beautiful views of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, while the Palacio Nazarenas in Cusco had an authentic charm thanks to its location in the city center. Sol y Luna’s location was incredible and allowed us to relax in comfort while taking in the vastness of the surrounding landscapes.

What Were Your Favorite Activities?

Our itinerary was action-packed with a variety of activities, from exerting adventures to leisurely experiences.

Of course, hiking the Inca trail was the pinnacle of our entire Peru tour. However, we also enjoyed being able to immerse ourselves into the local culture and learn about Peruvian traditions.

Ahead of the Machu Picchu hike, we took part in a private spiritual experience performed by an Andean shaman. We were invited to set an intention and make requests of the divine and were given a special blessing before our Inca Trail adventure. It was an incredible way to start our journey and a fantastic insight into Peruvian traditions.

On our way to Cusco, we visited a weaving center where local women performed a traditional weaving demonstration for us. We also learned about the initiatives of the cooperative in helping local women support their families. It was wonderful to be able to meet the artisans and witness firsthand their passion and love for weaving. This was an educational and incredible moving experience.

We also enjoyed all of the culinary experiences. From the private cooking class in Cusco and the elegant picnic lunch in the shadows of the Andes after our Shaman experiences, to all of the restaurants Blue Parallel handpicked for us, we were really able to taste all the flavors of Peru.

Did All Of The Guides Meet Your Expectations?

Blue Parallel’s guides exceeded our expectations. They each had a wealth of insider knowledge and we felt as though we were getting to view every region of Peru through the lens of a local.

We were also blown away by the ways in which our guides went above and beyond to make our Peru tour memorable. One guide took us to their daughter’s coffee house for a private coffee tasting while another surprised us with a particular chocolate she sought out after we said we had enjoyed it.

These little – unexpected – touches were unforgettable.

DOWNLOAD OUR BESPOKE PERU JOURNEY PDF

How Valuable Was The Team’s Insider Knowledge And Experience?

Blue Parallel’s insider knowledge and spectacular groundforce is what really sets their tours apart. The tour was unique because we had access to hidden treasures and were able to experience Peru from a local’s perspective while still enjoying the luxurious elements that Blue Parallel is known for.

Do You Think The Team Created An Itinerary That Was Ideally Suited To You?

During the planning stages of our tour, all of the guests expressed what we were most interested in doing and seeing while visiting Peru. Blue Parallel listened to everyone and created an itinerary that met all of our needs and requests.

We ended up with an action-packed itinerary which included everything we wanted it to. During the trip, we decided we wanted to slow the travel down and have more leisure time each day and the team immediately adjusted our plan to meet our requirements.

Is There Anything You Would Have Done Differently?

We all loved our tour to Peru but if we had to change anything, we would include less activities from day one to allow us to enjoy more time at leisure.

What Do You Think Makes Blue Parallel Special?

We have a lot of positive things to say about Blue Parallel and there are lots of factors that make it special. I think Blue Parallel’s attention to detail, thoughtfulness, insider knowledge, expertise and kindness all play a part in what makes them unique.

Our whole group of six agreed that this bespoke tour to Peru was one of the best vacations any of us have ever been on.

DOWNLOAD OUR BESPOKE PERU JOURNEY PDF