Peru through ECS Travel

To arrange our trip to Peru, April 28-May 13, 2009, my husband, Graham, and I followed a reader’s recommendation (March ’08, pg. 55) and decided to use the services of Eliu Campos and ECS Travel (Los Pinos St. 156 Of 502, Miraflores, Lima 18, Peru; phone +51 1 242 9716, e-mail info@ecstravel.com or visit www.ecstravel.com).

We are very glad we did. Prompt in responding to e-mails and very responsive to our wishes, Mr. Campos put together an excellent custom tour for us.

The price was $3,100 per person, which included five flights; 14 nights in 4-star hotels and one night in a 3-star; a Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes and back; private English-speaking guides in Machu Picchu, Lima, Arequipa, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Trujillo, and all entrance fees.

We were met at each airport and escorted to our hotel. The hotels included excellent breakfasts. One lunch and one dinner also were included.

We thought the price very fair for the quality of the arrangements. The 4-star hotels were excellent, with some, such as those of Casa Andina Private Collection in Arequipa and Cusco, in converted colonial mansions with lovely courtyards.

Our favorite was the Inkaterra Hotel in Aguas Calientes. It is in the cloud forest, with lovely gardens and offering bird and orchid tours. We have never seen so many hummingbirds. The bungalows are luxurious, and the hotel included a Pisco Sour happy hour and a wonderful dinner.

Julio Cesar, ECS’ manager in Cusco, was also excellent and made sure that all arrangements went smoothly. We have never had such good, personal service as we did with ECS Travel and we highly recommend them.

Peru is a wonderful, interesting country with great food and friendly people. May was an ideal time to go, as the rainy season had ended, temperatures were moderate and it was before the main tourist season, so places such as Machu Picchu were not crowded.

KATHY PARSONS

Ann Arbor, MI