“Travel with Purpose" is the Real Deal - I have waited 50 years to see Machu Picchu. Thanks to Jacob Diaz and Sam at Travel with Purpose Peru, the reality exceeded my expectations!
The Booking Experience:
We... read more were initially unsure about the need for a guide since we had already independently booked our own accommodation and some travel.
But we had a few questions about how to link it all together to make it flow smoothly - we didn’t have time to muck about with connections.
The team at Travel with Purpose provided so much helpful information willingly—with no expectation of us spending money—that we were convinced of their commitment to ensuring travelers have a great experience in Peru. We decided we wanted to take them on as a private guide. And I’m so glad we did. They patched our itinerary together perfectly and they respected our independent arrangements. Nothing was too much trouble and their English was amazing. They made our time in Cusco and surrounds memorable and fun while fitting lots into each day that would have been impossible on our own. To top it off we made some great friends too!
The Journey:
Day 1 was a tour of the Sacred Valley and all the sites.
Mid afternoon, Jacob then coordinated our transition onto the Vistadome train at Ollantaytambo to Agues Calientes where we stayed the night.
Our driver, Mario, was a standout. Roads in the area were severely pot-holed from the wet season, with some steep, narrow, and windy dirt sections. Mario and his vehicle were excellent—he was careful and considerate and the car was spacious and clean making long road trips feel surprisingly comfortable.
Heads up: The drive can be very slow at times due to traffic and road conditions.
Day 2 - at 5am we queued to get our tickets to enter MP the following day. The remainder of the day was relatively quiet (at our request).
Day 3 - we were up early bound for Machu Picchu.
Once we got to MP, Jacob knew where to go and how long to pause at certain points which meant we avoided the crowds. His knowledge of the Inca and Machu Picchu is extensive, delivered in a friendly conversational style that welcomes questions. His English is very good and, added bonus, he is a great photographer too! We have special memories of the whole experience.
If you want a team that brings 'extraordinary' depth and zero-stress logistics to your lifelong dream, ask for Jacob and Mario.
The added bonus of a personal guide is the friendships you can create. On his day off, Jacob chose to take on the role of driver and took us to the airport. It was such a wonderful surprise to be greeted by his smiling face at 5am in the morning and left us feeling like we had friends in Peru.
