Growing up, family vacations were not something my parents did. So when I had a family of my own, I made sure we made memories together. As the kids got older, our trips shifted to sports tournaments and camps, and eventually to visiting them wherever they lived.

2025 was the first time my husband and I travelled somewhere with no “family” strings attached. For the first time, we decided to go on a guided tour, and as the usual family travel planner, it was a real treat to leave the logistics to someone else.

Lima

We arrived a day early to rest and explore. We visited Barranco, enjoyed lunch at Isolina, and stopped at El Cacaotal. Lima’s desert climate surprised me, and the central plaza and Museum Larco offered a great introduction to the city’s history.

Sacred Valley Highlights

We visited the Maras Salt Mines and Moray, both fascinating examples of ancient engineering and agriculture.

Machu Picchu

The journey - bus, train, and a switchback drive -added to the excitement. Hiking through the jungle trail and finally reaching the Inca Citadel was breathtaking. The engineering, astronomy, and placement of the site were incredible.

Cusco

Cusco’s narrow cobblestone streets, Plaza de Armas, and surrounding archaeological sites made it a memorable stop, along with the San Pedro market and San Blas neighbourhood.

Learnings

Work with a travel consultant to handle the booking details

We had to cancel a trip booked in 2024 for a February 2025 departure. Thankfully, we had booked through our CAA Travel Consultant, who worked with Air Canada to reuse the flight credits toward our Peru trip. It wasn’t a straightforward swap, but she handled everything. I also wanted to add a day ahead of the tour and an extra day at the end, and again, all the hotel and flight booking details were looked after by our consultant. It saved me a lot of hold time and complicated discussions.

Identify your goals for the trip first and then find an itinerary to match those goals

After selecting Peru, we reviewed several tour company itineraries to determine which best suited our interests. We chose Insight Vacations because it offered an extra day in Machu Picchu. I love history, culture, walking, and being outdoors, but I also wanted cozy hotel beds and hot showers. Be sure to understand what a tour is offering and match it with your interests and priorities.

Unexpected benefit of guided tour – making new friends

Although I knew the tour was for a group, I hadn’t factored in how enriching travelling with others can be. We met people from the U.S., Indonesia, Singapore, and Canada. We learned about each other’s lives, struggles, joys, and travels. Exploring Peru brought us together, and we left with shared memories we’ll always look back on fondly.

Tour logistics make you feel like a VIP

The tour experience starts as soon as you get off the plane. A guide greets you, and a driver takes you to the hotel. We never had to lug our suitcases; we simply left them outside our room in the morning and they were delivered to the next hotel. There was no guesswork, no stress, no “what should we do today” discussions. Just show up in the lobby at the appointed time. One traveller said, “I don’t like being herded around, but then I realized that I actually do,” which summed it up perfectly. Our guide even reminded us to use restrooms at exactly the right moments.

Food lovers unite in Peru

Breakfasts were full buffets with a wide assortment of hot and cold foods. Included lunches and dinners offered local dishes and standard fare to meet everyone’s tastes. Peru is a foodie’s dream, and our guide provided great recommendations for free evenings.

Solo travel vs travelling with a partner

I travelled with my husband, but we met several solo travelers who were quickly incorporated into the group. The structure of the tour encouraged camaraderie, and guides doubled as expert photographers. Whether touring ruins, visiting museums, or walking around main squares, we were together as a collective.

What to pack/wear

I researched the climate beforehand and knew to pack layers, but I didn’t see much mention of the intense UV rays. The higher the elevation, the stronger the sun. I really wished I had brought a hat earlier in the trip, especially in Cusco. Hats are easy to pack, and you will need one.