PANDEMIC TRAVEL Mark Green put together what proved to be an incredible time. Mark reached out promptly following initial contact, listened very clearly to our interests focusing primarily on food and hiking, and tailored a trip, spent largely in the Sacred Valley and Cusco, that aligned nearly perfectly with our family’s goals. Mark guided us on choosing appropriate activities, lodgings and dining. He presented options, offered pros/cons, and after getting to know us, made ideal suggestions. He steered us from crowds and minimized risks of altitude and COVID illness. Mark took care of all the details, including booking connecting flight and train tickets, coordinating complicated Machu Picchu arrangements, managing high-end restaurant reservations, ensuring hotel rooms included connecting rooms, and setting up all ground activities. He also advised all establishments of food preferences and allergies that proved very helpful. After arrangements were made, Mark’s office provided detailed itinerary information in communication including a useful phone app that was quite helpful during our trip. Costs were clear and understandable. Lastly, prior to arrival, Mark coordinated a group communication thread with folks on the ground to make sure we were all on the same page.

Once on the ground, things were seamless. Delayed international arrival? No worries, Mark’s staff changed connecting flights to ensure we didn’t miss flights. He had a representative at each airport arrival and departure to ensure smooth transitions. Hotels and restaurants expected us, knew our names and likes. Prearranged lunches were some of the best we’ve eaten, wrapped and labeled almost like birthday presents. Activities included things we never could have arranged on our own. Daughter hiking in hand with an alpaca, helping plow a field at 12,000 ft in traditional garb with no other tourists in sight, ceremonial offering followed by picnic snack with traditional food with locals. Hiking at 15,000 ft followed by another picnic lunch, creekside, in the sun, slight breeze, with arguably the best boxed lunch ever, when alpacas start meandering in the area. Early morning start, train ride toward Machu Picchu, getting off train early for 8 miles on the Incan Trail while our bags head on the train to the hotel, all permits and tickets and arrangements made. What could have felt contrived or cliche felt authentic and real. We didn’t feel like we were imposing, we didn’t feel guilty; we just felt like we could relax and experience.

While Mark’s office created a framework for a great trip, it was primarily our guide Joaquin that made it truly remarkable. Joaquin was an incredibly knowledgeable, friendly and reassuring presence. Always prepared and on time, Joaquin kept things organized and moving, while affording us flexibility, time and fun. He would give us the Quechuan name for a plant, followed by its Spanish name, then its Latin name. He knew all the birds, all the constellations. He pointed out details on hikes and drives that played on our interests. He knew of well more than Incan history, and would often connect things to relatable American and Indian themes. He dropped a Tupac Shakur reference. He advocated for us with vendors, supported our kids in hiking endeavors, tuned the radio to stations we would enjoy. Joaquin seemed genuinely interested in sharing his passion for Peruvian and Incan history with us while also taking the time to really get to know us and share some of his personal history as well. Around others, it was abundantly clear that Joaquin was on another level when it comes to guides–in more popular places we had people eavesdropping or asking him for significant advice.

In Lima, Mark set us up with another guide, more of food guide, that brought us to a fascinating market, a great gelato shop and then to a local restaurant, one we’d never heard of and would not have gone to, where we arguably had the best meal we ate in Peru–trying this and that including the best ceviche ever.

Only things in trip I would change would have been perhaps a little less scheduled so as to have some more time to enjoy the wonderful hotels and relax just a bit more.

From the very first moment we began planning our trip to Peru with Marisol’s team to the very last moment they walked us to security at the Lima airport to bid us farewell, our trip was exceptional. Mark Green did a fantastic job of planning ur itinerary based on our interests. The hotels were incredible and we enjoyed immensely each day’s schedule and activities, This trip was beyond our expectations and I highly recommend it. A big thank you to our guide and driver, Juan and Loriano, who were with us from the Sacred Valley, Cusco and Machu Picchu. They were professional, attentive and a delight to share our time with, we also enjoyed Jorge while in Lima. This is our second Wendy Perrin trip and we look forward to our next one with great anticipation. Thank you to all!

I had the pleasure of working with Mark Green to arrange our trip to Bolivia. We wanted to see the main landscape highlights in the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve, experience the wonders of the Uyuni Salt Flats and have enjoy the urban environment of La Paz at the end of our trip. Mark crafted an itinerary that reflected our interests and that was no too long or strenuous given the challenges that high altitudes in those areas can pose. He was always a delight to talk to and promptly available on email or phone to answer any questions in great detail. Because we were transferring to Bolivia from the Atacama Desert where we had made our own arrangements, it gave us peace of mind to know that we had a reliable land transfer who helped us negotiate the paperwork of exiting Chile and entering Bolivia, and who handed us over to the Bolivian guide and driver.

Over the next three days, we savored the otherworldly landscapes of the high altitude colored lagoons, the Dali Desert, and ultimately the Salar de Uyuni with its surreal hexagon formations. We also requested to see some ancient rock art pictographs and mummies, which can be seen in situ in a cave near the Thunupa volcano, and which added to our extensive list of “firsts” that we experienced in both the Bolivian and Chilean Altiplano. However, we did not warm up to the Bolivian guide, and found her to be junior, inexperienced and unfocused, as well as unable to deliver a more sophisticated experience that we were anticipating, given the high price tag of this trip. The vehicle was also a bit of a let-down: for the price we paid, we were expecting a larger, more comfortable vehicle in better repair. The seatbelt in the passenger seat behind the driver was not working, and even though we pointed this out to them right away, no one did anything about it, so for the entire trip, my husband rode in the car without a seatbelt, While there is not a lot of traffic in the desert, it could have posed a safety issue, especially once we were in towns on busier routes. We also found it bizarre that the guide kept taking pictures of everything, including before and after pictures of our meals for the agency. When we asked if this was for Marisol’s company, she said no, for her own agency, because she has no direct contact with Marisol’s company. She also asked us for copies of our passports once we got to Uyuni, which I refused to give her and told her that Mark has copies of our passports. I have never encountered this level of monitoring on any trip, and it was as unnerving as it was bizarre. When I asked Mark about what the guide was up to, he had no explanation for this strange behavior.

Thankfully the guide in La Paz was everything that we had hoped for, She was very pleasant, professional, well informed and detail-oriented. Amara was able to stay in the moment with us and adapt the sightseeing to our interests and needs on-the-go, and infuse our time with her with fun as well as magic. She and the driver, Don Guido, made us feel relaxed and very well taken care of. We thoroughly enjoyed Amaras company and everything she showed us and told us about in her quiet manner, both history and fascinating facts. The insider experience that Marisol and Mark orchestrated for us was definitely a highlight of our visit to La Paz, our private meeting with Bolivias most revered visual artists, Gaston Ugalde, at his Salar gallery, which concluded our trip on a high note.

Response from Wendy

I asked Marisol about the issues that Ileana described in Bolivia, and here’s the upshot: First, regarding the vehicle: It was a type of 4X4 vehicle that is commonly used in Bolivia, as it is suited to cope with the roads and exposure to salty conditions. The vehicle had recently passed inspection. The seatbelt issue arose en route. Although the driver attempted to fix the seatbelt, he was unable to complete the repair until arrival back in Uyuni. Second, regarding the passport: When the guide requested Ileana’s passport, it was actually for the hotel. Hotels in Bolivia are required, by law, to obtain copies of each guest’s passport and visa entry stamp. Although Marisol’s company had Ileana’s passport on file, it did not have a copy of her visa stamp until the day of her arrival. As for the guide taking photos, Marisol apologizes and says that this represents “an unacceptable lack of discretion.” As a result of Ileana’s feedback, action has been taken, and Marisol’s company will no longer be working with that guide. Thank you, Ileana, for sharing such important feedback that has already helped your fellow travelers.

My husband and I recently returned from our incredible trip to Peru. Marisol and her team did a wonderful job helping us prepare for our 10 year wedding anniversary. I enjoyed the planning process and was happy to be thoroughly involved so that Marisol would understand our wishes. I was able to voice my opinions on activities and restaurants, but I left the transportation details to the pros(just as I had hoped).

I was quite impressed upon our arrival. The itinerary printed for us was beautifully bound, and included historical information about the sites we would see. We were also treated with small gifts!

By far, our favorite experience was on the afternoon of our anniversary. We were told we would enjoy a picnic lunch. My husband and I were content with the idea of a simple lunch knowing that for dinner we had planned a private dinner in the wine cellar of our hotel. When we arrived to our picnic, we were amazed to see that a canopy tent was popped up in a field that overlooked the Andes. The table was tastefully decorated with linens, lace, fresh flowers and local decor pieces. Wow! We had a 3 man cooking team that prepared a lovely, warm 4 course meal in a separate tent while we we sipped on wine. There was even a portable toilet in a third small tent for us to utilize! Again, nothing was overlooked! I was on the verge of tears, and just filled with so much gratitude. Mind you this event occurred on day 3 or 4 of a 10 day trip. So we still had much more to look forward to.

No detail was left unturned. From the beautiful accommodations to the our awesome guide, Ruben, to the snacks in the vehicle. We would not hesitate to recommend Marisol’s group to anyone. They made us feel safe, and they took excellent care of us.

Frankly, your travel planners and guides exceed our expectations!

I had a medical issue with my knee when we arrived in Lima – they quickly helped get me the finest care available in Lima.
The accommodations were exactly what we were looking for especially our interest in music in Cusco – our hotel had live music 4 nights a week, someone truly listened during our planning conversations.

Our guides were patient and adaptable to our evolving situation – from simple stuff like providing walking sticks for Machu Picchu or arranging for an individual guide because of my knee while in the Amazon.

I think my biggest take-away was I wish I would have followed our planner, Mark Green’s, suggestion to spend more time in Lima.
Everything about Marisol’s team was outstanding!

Thank you for helping us with this fantastic experience!

Mark Green did a really good job of preparing an itinerary for my wife and me. We are foodies, and he incorporated a special lunch, cooking class and food tour, in addition to scheduling all of our meals. His guides and drivers were excellent, and they were able to adjust our schedule on the fly as we asked for changes. When my wife bought earrings at a store, and then realized the posts were not correct, Javier went back to the store which was closed, but went to another vendor to correct the problem at no cost to us. We did hiking (Fortress and Machu Pichu), sightseeing and wonderful food experiences. A great vacation

Marisol is exactly the type of travel specialist our family loves to work with… Their guides and staff are thoughtful, generous, intelligent, and caring. They specialized the trip well to a family with teenage girls… Activities were off the beaten track, unique, and fun! We went hiking with a local village woman and her four llamas in the Sacred Valley… We had a picnic at a Vista point overlooking the sacred valley where chefs prepared traditional Peruvian foods. Both were amazing! They were referred to us by the travel specialist we used in Thailand, Daniel Fraser, also on your list… Also fantastic! Thank you…

The trip for my 31-year-old daughter and me was arranged by Mark Green at Marisol Mosquera’s agency, and it was wonderful. Everything ran very smoothly in terms of representatives of the agency and guides meeting us and taking care of us. The guides were great, especially our guide Javier in the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Cuzco. Machu Picchu was the top experience. I have a very bad knee (I’m getting a knee replacement next week) but with the help and encouragement of Javier and my daughter, and a walking pole arranged by Mark, I was able to do much more there than I would have expected. We climbed really high and then took a hike that involved even more climbing. We also loved the 48-hour Andean Explorer train, which took us to Lake Titicaca. We hadn’t even heard of the train but Mark suggested it. We liked Lima, which we had heard was gray and gritty, maybe because of our guide, and Arequipa, even though we had never heard of it before. The hotels were all really good, except for the one in Arequipa, but there was not much choice there. We liked Colca Canyon, which we also had never heard of before this trip. It was a very full and interesting itinerary for just 11 days, but that was right for us.

The trip to Peru was wonderful. Mark Green on Marisol’s team was very responsive to all of my questions and accommodated all of our desires for the trip- for the most part. The tour guides, drivers and specialty providers that hosted us in Peru were excellent. They are culinary journey specialists. Highly recommend!

This was the first trip for which we used a travel agency, and our experience could not have been better. Marisol and her team helped us with our 14 day trip through Peru, and everything from the places we saw to the hotels we stayed in, our expert guides, and all the travel logistics far exceeded any of our expectations. The trip was absolutely amazing! We would recommend them to anyone looking for a phenomenal trip to Peru.

The guides, 3, were all so different and perfect in their specialty. Guides were a highlight of our trip. I am pretty sure we were upgraded at the hotel in Cusco because of Marisol and her team. Vehicles were clean with snacks and water and excellent drivers. Everything went smoothly with no problems.

Our trip experience was excellent. Marisol was a terrific partner to work with. When we were hiking into Machu Picchu, our guide got sick. He did not communicate well with us, so we ended up hiking the whole day into Machu Picchu without him. When we arrived there, we contacted Marisol and she immediately figured things out. She was terrific. I would work with her again and again.

We had an amazing, outstanding trip from start to finish! We did Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Hiram Bingham Luxury train, Lake Titicaca, Colca Valley and Arequipa.

All of our questions were answered and all of our requests organized promptly. The suggestions, organized tours and hotels were the best! Our guides were terrific and enjoyable to spend time with.

EVERYTHING ran smoothly and nothing was overlooked….no small feat for a 16 day tour for 4 people!

We had a wonderful time and felt very well cared for by Marisol and her team. The itinerary and accommodations were excellent, particularly Hotel B and Inkaterra. We ended up taking an earlier train from Machu Picchu back to Cusco as once we finished our morning hike there wasn’t a lot to do in Machu Picchu city. Fernando and Hugo were particularly wonderful and we very much enjoyed our time with them.

Mark on Marisol’s team planned such an amazing trip for us and our daughters- he was always responsive to our needs and questions and I would definitely recommend using Marisol and her team!

I confess I had a complicated wish list — start in the Atacama (Chile), spend time on the Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia) and end in the Galapagos (Ecuador). Fortunately, Marisol and Mark Green on her team were up to the planning task. They accommodated every request — including finding a star-gazing experience on the Atacama during the almost full moon (hard to come by) and setting up a three-day stay in an Airstream parked in the middle of the Salar de Uyuni. The “in-betweens” were mini-adventure unto themselves. From the Atacama to the salt flats, we drove through the Andes with stops to walk in a geyser field and see the Red Lagoon. So too, Bolivia to Galapagos leg allowed for time to see La Paz and Quito and learn a bit more about the history and culture of both Bolivia and Ecuador. All of our guides were terrific — knowledgeable and accommodating us if we had requests that were different from our planned itinerary. The M/Y Grace in the Galapagos provided the perfect ending to a well-planned trip. Marisol and her team definitely delivered an adventure where we could focus on the beauty and wonder around us. Simply put, it was amazing.

Marisol was very accommodating to our group and all of our individual needs, patiently creating three separate itineraries for us with enough overlap to make us feel like we were on a memorable trip together. We’d like to give a special shout out to Adriana, our intrepid guide to Machu Picchu who was able to charm our entire group, with ages ranging from 3 to 73!

We truly had a wonderful Peru experience. The range of activities, environments, and experiences was remarkable. We spent time in the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, a few days hiking the Andes (starting at 14,000 feet and ascending to almost 17,000), and finishing it off with a perfect Amazon cruise experience on the Delfin. All connections, guides, facilities, and food were great. We are so glad we used an in-country travel agent. The expertise was invaluable in light of the fact we had two families traveling for part of the time together, part of the time apart, and for part of the time, adult children having yet a third itinerary. Pleasing two families with ages 17–63 is an art, and we appreciated Marisol’s advice. We didn’t have any issues for her team to “fix” but were pleasantly surprised to have not just a car and driver, but the use of a guide and on-the-fly help with dinner reservations while hanging out in Lima before our overnight flight home.

Marisol and her staff planned a fabulous trip that was so luxurious and authentic. We had a small budget but they still seemed to make everything first class. The staff is incredibly welcoming and accommodating. The hotels we stayed at were so unique and the experiences unforgettable! I will NEVER travel outside of the US without a service like this again!

Everything was great and helped at every stage. Wonderful trip

Every aspect of our vacation was planned flawlessly. Mark Green, on Marisol’s team, coordinated trains, guides, hotels, restaurant reservations…all so I had a stress-free vacation. We spent a day with Chef Penelope in Lima, visiting the market, drinking Pisco Sours and cooking in her beautiful home overlooking the water. Truly a memorable experience which my entire family loved. We then flew to Cusco and Fernando was our guide for five days of exploring the Sacred Valley, Machu Pichu, and Cusco. I cannot recommend Fernando more highly. He was so knowledgeable, engaging, flexible and personable. He was able to arrange a doctor visit to our hotel at night when one member of my family was sick. Our driver Hugo kept our car spotless and there always was a supply of water and snacks. I’m looking forward to returning to Peru to visit other parts of the country, and I definitely will be using Marisol and Mark again!

It was a masterfully planned trip, everything was excellent including the small details. I fully recommend them.

My wife and I went to Peru in October, 2016. Since I have a disability due to multiple sclerosis (using a wheelchair often), I needed this trip planned to the 9s by experts extremely familiar with the terrain, streets, hotels, etc. It was. We worked around challenges and the trip turned out to be fantastic. Highly recommended. Thanks for the recommendation, Wendy!

My husband and I traveled in Peru for 2 weeks. We had a wonderful time on our trip which was planned by Marisol and her team. Everyone was extremely attentive and helpful at all stages. My husband and I have numerous calls with our agent Mark Green during the planning. Mark made sure that our concerns were addressed and our suggestions were considered and incorporated in our itinerary. Raul warmly welcomed us at the Lima airport upon our arrival. From that moment on, we were well taken care of by guides and drivers at various locations. We spent an educational and fun day with Ronald in Lima. Ronald’s knowledge about the architects in Lima is incomparable. We were so grateful to have Leo as our guide in Sacred Valley, Macchu Pichu, and Cusco. His love of the country, Cusco region, nature, and the culture is contagious. We loved our stay at the Suasi Island. In Mancora, we stayed at K! Chic (best boutique hotel), recommended by Marisol’s team. We could not have done the trip with such thoughtful planning. At the end of the trip, there was a little hiccup with the hotel in Lima, but Marisol’s representatives immediately took action to ensure my last day in Lima was taken care of.

Overall, we would not hesitate to recommend Marisol and her team to anyone who wants to visit Peru!

Marisol and her team were terrific from beginning to end. Marisol immediately replied to my inquiry—within hours, if I remember correctly. We then set up a Skype call, which was phenomenally helpful. She asked me tons of questions about my preferences, the group I was traveling with, and gave me incredibly helpful and honest feedback about what was doable—and pushed me to do things I hadn’t considered. For example, this was a special trip for my niece just graduating from high school—about to study marine biology in college—so Marisol steered me toward the right Amazon basin area I hadn’t even considered. Truthfully, I was a little worried about her passing off her notes to a colleague, but it turned out flawless, seamless, and Mark Green was tremendous. He answered all of my questions, made adjustments so quickly as needed, kept me advised the entire way. The materials they delivered were superior—and then waiting for us on arrival.

My husband, niece, and I just returned yesterday from Peru and wanted to send a HUGE GRACIAS to everyone for making this trip one of a lifetime! Everything ran so smoothly from beginning to end—and there’s no way I ever could have constructed such a wonderful journey. For sure, it was packed, but we came back feeling we’d seen such a diversity in Peru and, truthfully, we look forward to coming back and exploring more. The entire team deserves our appreciation. They knew just how to counsel us and talk us through what would work for us, given our interests and time constraints. It ended up being a perfect balance of wildlife, culture, adventure and a bit of relaxation. And although the weather was terrible during our one-day Inka Trail hike, with rain & clouds obscuring Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate, we still wouldn’t change a thing.  What a true adventure. I can’t thank them enough. And I will of course recommend and tell everyone I know to use them—and to once again trust a Wendy Perrin specialist.

Over the years, I have used and vetted many of Wendy’s travel specialists— and, no doubt, Marisol and her group are absolutely top of the list.

Marisol was fabulous. Seamless transfers, great tour guides, great restaurant and hotel choices.

We have traveled with Marisol’s team twice (once to Machu Picchu / Cusco and the Amazon and a second time to the Galapagos) both times were amazing! They deserve their excellent reputation! I had a child get sick in Cusco and they whisked us to a hospital and also had a doctor waiting for us in Iquitos as well as on the boat in the middle of the Amazon to check on our child! They escorted us to every flight and hotel. Our hotels and guides were spectacular- and they personalized each itinerary for our family of six (which is not easy with 4 children!)… and everyone loved it! You will be thrilled that you booked with them- truly best of the best!

I made arrangements for travel from Lima to the Cusco area for 3 days—a quick trip, but I wanted to see Machu Picchu while I was in Peru. All arrangements were handled by Marisol’s team and the trip went flawlessly. At first I was a little surprised by the cost, but reality set in and I came to terms with the cost of traveling solo. That being said, I was extremely pleased with the itinerary prepared for me, and with my guide and driver. It was like visiting the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu with a friend. I wasn’t trapped in a large tour group; we could go where we wanted and vary the itinerary as I desired. Also, I learned so much from my guide about the history and culture of the area. It was the best decision I made to use this Travel Expert. It was a very memorable trip.

Peru was on our “bucket list” and we naturally looked for the person recommended by Wendy Perrin to plan our adventure.  Marisol Mosquera and her associates, fulfilled all of our expectations, and MORE.  Most of our pre-trip planning was completed in detail by Cecile Febre.  She listened to our wishes, followed through immediately, was totally available through email or telephone, and created a wonderful and diverse itinerary.  On landing in Lima, Giovanna Barnuevo became our contact person, and she was AMAZING!  Our guides were terrific, so well versed in their localities and in Peru in general.  Each guide had excellent English and really made us feel at home in their city or area.  I had thought to cruise the Amazon on the Aria, but Cecile convinced us the Deflin I was the way to go, and she was totally correct.  This four cabin floating guest house had a top notch guide/naturalist in Sandro and the most amazing food you would taste anywhere in the world, let alone the Amazon River!  Each of the lodges, hotels, where we stayed were lovingly chosen based on our input, and each was better than the last.  On reaching Arequipa my husband became ill.  The guide and hotel sought medical support and we continued on to the Colca Canyon and Lake Titicaca.  After only one of our scheduled four nights at this beautiful lake, it became apparent my husband was too ill to stay there.  By the next morning Giovanna had arranged for a guide, a driver to transport us to Juliaca, and a flight to Cusco, where we hoped my husband could rest and restore his health to complete our itinerary.  The doctor was called to the beautiful Belmond Palacio Nazarenes, my husband was transported to the local clinic, and upon hearing he was so ill that they wanted to keep him overnight, we determined to return to the United States.  Again, Marisol’s group did everything possible to support us in this decision and facilitate our early departure, even though this undoubtedly caused them extra work in canceling lodging and guides.  When we are able to complete our itinerary, at some future date, we will return to Marisol and her team for there can be no better travel specialists to fulfill our dreams to see the rest of Peru, including Machu Picchu.  We will look forward to having the engaging and helpful Raul meet us on landing!  We recommend you contact Marisol, for Peru is a beautiful country with a rich history, tempting cuisine, and beautiful people.  Way to go, Marisol!!!  Thank You for everything.