Travel to South America: The best way to free your mind
Recent Testimonials
“We had an absolutely wonderful time in Peru. The entire trip was absolutely seamless with no problems. We were very happy with Kuoda and all the recommends made. Edward, our guide in Cusco, was fantastic. The drivers were also all wonderful. My wife and I had a fantastic time experiencing the food of Peru. Our highlights were some of the simple things like the stop off at a Chicha restaurant/bar with Edward after Machu Picchu, walking around Cusco and our favorite experience, having lunch with the family after the Pisac market. As I mentioned before, this was our first venture to South America. We both loved it. The people were all wonderful and we felt very safe the entire trip (though we didn't venture around Lima beyond Miraflores). We have already recommended Kuoda to many of our friends and families who are feeling inspired by our pictures!”
M. Mullinix, USA
“We had an amazing time in Peru!, Kuoda did a wonderful job of ensuring that everything went smoothly. The highlights for the boys were the tree climb in the rainforest (all 4 of us made it to the top!) and seeing Machu Picchu. The kayaking was also a big hit! Our rainforest guide, Berly, was terrific with the kids and the lodge was fantastic. On our last night we filled out the evaluation and my 8-yr-old wrote in that he liked the pancakes. The next morning at breakfast, Berly presented the boys with pancakes made especially for them!
At Machu Picchu, our guide Pilar was great and had answers to every question! So much better than following around a group of 20 and trying to hear your guide! We really enjoyed the second day at Machu Picchu. We went up early (but not 4am!) and hiked up to the Sun Gate where we were able to hang out and soak in the spectacular scenery.
In Lima, the day room and the 4-hr tour were perfect. We were surprised at how much we enjoyed seeing the conquistador's home – it made the boys study of Pizarro in school seem a lot more real. Thank you for everything!”
The Elliot Family, USA
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a travel experience?
- Do you offer group tours with regular departure dates?
- What is the minimum number of travelers in a group that you arrange?
- Is it possible to have a trip based on our specific interests?
- What exactly are the itineraries to inspire?
- Do you arrange travel from my home country?
- Which airlines do you recommend?
- Do I need a visa?
- What inoculations do I need?
- What are the qualifications of your guides?
- Is Kuoda Travel a travel agency?
- Do you work with travel agents?
- I live in Europe. Do you work with people outside of the US?
- Is Kuoda Travel accredited by industry associations?
- How far in advance should I book my trip?
- I have concerns about travel safety. Can you reassure me?
- What happens in an emergency during one of your tours?
- What is travel insurance and medical evacuation insurance?
- We will have a lot of luggage. Is this a problem?
- Can you make dinner reservations for us?
- I would like to enjoy local shopping destinations during my trip. Can you help with this?
- We are celebrating our anniversary while traveling with Kuoda Travel. What can you arrange for us?
- I'm getting married next year and want a Kuoda Travel honeymoon. What can you arrange?
- I will be traveling with children. Are your destinations suitable for any age?
- I'm not interested in doing anything touristy. Can you take me to places that are "off the beaten track"?
- We are interested in having spa treatments in every city we visit. Can you make appointments for us?
- I have a food allergy. Should I worry about eating overseas?
- I am a local supplier and want to introduce my services. Whom should I contact?
1. What is a travel experience?
When you return home from a trip, you have photos and vague recollections that quickly fade in the face of routine. When you return home from a personalized travel experience, you have indelible memories of places, activities and people that were deeply meaningful for you.
Travel takes you places and shows you sites. Travel experiences are deeply personal; they let you touch, taste, smell, hear; they offer you relaxation if that´s what is needed or invigoration if that´s the ticket; they offer you new perspective with new horizons.
In working with Kuoda, you are enlisting the help of experts who not only have extensive knowledge of South American travel, but who are also masters of turning your requirements, interests and personality into an unforgettable travel experience.
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2. Do you offer group tours with regular departure dates?
No we do not. Each of our trips is private and personalized to your group. We build your itinerary from the ground-up, based on your timeframe, budget, needs and wants.
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3. What is the minimum number of travelers in a group that you arrange?
We often, and happily, work with solo travelers.
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4. Is it possible to have a trip based on our specific interests?
Absolutely. We work with you to create exactly the travel itinerary you want. Whether you are interested in art, architecture, history, food and wine, gardens, family-friendly activities, shopping or romance, we will arrange for you to have personalized touring with appropriate experts who will emphasize your interests. This includes meeting local scholars, visiting special private sites and taking advantage of our extensive contacts in each country.
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5. What exactly are the itineraries to inspire?
These are samples of the most successful trips we have organized, visiting the region´s most popular destinations. They are solely meant to inspire you as you think about your own travel experience and offer guidance in terms of typical timeframes. If you are interested in a particular itinerary, please let us know when you contact us.
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6. Do you arrange travel from my home country?
No we don't. We will handle everything once you are on the ground - local flights, transportation, transfers, train and boat trips etc.
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7. Which airlines do you recommend?
From the USA: American, United, Continental, Delta and LAN have frequent flights to Peru.
From Europe: Iberia and KLM offer many frequencies and good fares. Avianca and LAN also offer good fares and connections.
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Citizens of most Western European nations and of the USA and Canada who are entering Peru as tourists do not require visas. Travelers who require visas can normally obtain them from embassies or consulates in their countries of residence. Citizens of the United States traveling to Bolivia will need a visa. For specific and timely information please contact the Consulate of the countries you plan to visit or contact us.
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9. What inoculations do I need?
No inoculations are compulsory to enter Peru. Yellow fever is highly recommended for the rainforest areas. Other recommended inoculations include: tetanus, polio, typhoid and malaria for certain areas. Please be reminded that if you travel to Brazil or Bolivia from Peru you will need a yellow fever inoculation.
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10. What are the qualifications of your guides?
Our exceptional guides have been carefully selected for their knowledge, professionalism, experience and ability to effectively manage groups with finesse. We hire only guides who are local to the destination and are licensed and/or certified in accordance with the government regulations of their country. All are fluent in Spanish and English and some also speak indigenous languages. Our team of congenial guides offers priceless insights into the true nature of their homelands, adding immeasurably to the enjoyment of the trip.
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11. Is Kuoda Travel a travel agency?
Kuoda is a tour operator. We arrange comprehensive tours that include hotels, sightseeing with private guides and/or drivers, airport and train station transfers, visas, and regional transportation (internal flights, private drivers, train tickets, etc.). Tour operators work with travel agents and travelers. Once you are ready to start planning a trip, please have your preferred travel agent contact us, or contact us directly at info@kuodatravel.com.
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12. Do you work with travel agents?
Yes, we work closely with travel agents. Our Itineraries to Inspire can be sent to clients as is, or customized.
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13. I live in Europe. Do you work with people outside of the US?
Yes, our clients live all over the world.
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14. Is Kuoda Travel accredited by industry associations?
Yes, Kuoda Travel is a registered member of all major travel industry associations, including ASTA and LATA.
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15. How far in advance should I book my trip?
This depends how far in advance you prefer to plan. We book last-minute trips all the time and we also arrange tours that are planned years in advance. Major considerations are visa requirements, holiday and festival availability and seasonal demand (e.g., the dry season in Peru).
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16. I have concerns about travel safety. Can you reassure me?
Our primary concern is the safety and comfort of our clients. We monitor security situations around the world and discontinue tours in destinations that seem unsafe. We have representative offices in each major city and they are available around the clock to monitor your services, your safety and to respond as needed.
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17. What happens in an emergency during one of your tours?
Each traveler receives comprehensive contact information for our associate offices in each country and around-the-clock emergency contact information. Additionally, we recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance and separate emergency evacuation insurance through a provider that will fly you to the hospital of your choice.
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18. What is travel insurance and medical evacuation insurance?
We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance and medical evacuation insurance. If you do not have travel insurance and you cannot take or complete your tour for any reason, you stand to lose the entire amount you’ve paid for your trip. Travel insurance offers protection against such circumstances, including trip cancellations, interruptions and delays, baggage loss and delays, medical emergencies and other problems. Medical evacuation plans offer additional protection: in the event of an emergency, our recommended affiliate will fly you on their ICU-equipped aircraft to the hospital of your choice.
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19. We will have a lot of luggage. Is this a problem?
You won’t have to worry if you have a lot of luggage. We will arrange for spacious luxury vehicles and porters at every stop along the way. We want you to be as comfortable as possible. Please let us know how much luggage you expect to travel with before you depart on your trip so we can make appropriate plans.
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20. Can you make dinner reservations for us?
We provide our clients with extensive restaurant recommendations and are happy to make advance dinner reservations. From haute cuisine to local favorites to traditional dinners in private homes, we know all the best places to have a variety of dining experiences.
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21. I would like to enjoy local shopping destinations during my trip. Can you help with this?
All tours can be customized to include personalized shopping as part of the private cultural touring in each location. There is no extra cost for this special service. Whether you simply want plenty of time to browse in museum gift shops or interesting shopping streets, or if you want more in-depth private shopping excusions, we offer insider access to shops and people, expert advice, private specialist guides fluent in the local language and culture, and full-service logistical support such as packing and shipping. Our Travel Designers maintain a vast, sophisticated knowledge base of the best local craftspeople, shops, markets and other sources of high-quality goods.
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22. We are celebrating our anniversary while traveling with Kuoda Travel. What can you arrange for us?
Your Travel Designer will plan activities to make your special day one to remember, whether it’s a candlelight dinner, side-by-side massages, a sunset horseback ride, a shaman ceremony, a private cruise, or a romantic picnic on a private beach.
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23. I'm getting married next year and want a Kuoda Travel honeymoon. What can you arrange?
Our honeymooners receive extra perks and amenities—e.g., complimentary spa treatments, beachside dinners and room upgrades—in addition to the flexibility of touring with your own private guides and drivers, top rooms in South America´s best hotels and resorts, and other services that are standard on all of our tours.
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24. I will be traveling with children. Are your destinations suitable for any age?
Family travel is one of our specialties. Our Travel Designers can recommend certain hotels and destinations that are recommended for children.
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Our travel experts have lived overseas for years and we pride ourselves in having the expert knowledge to take you to places that are not frequented by many tourists. For example, you can visit a small Andean village far from the tourist centers, stay in a local home, or dine with a local family.
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26. We are interested in having spa treatments in every city we visit. Can you make appointments for us?
Our Travel Designers know all the most luxurious spas in the region. We will gladly book appointments for you in any destination you are visiting and we will provide spa menus in advance. We are also happy to customize an entire spa tour.
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27. I have a food allergy. Should I worry about eating overseas?
Let us know if you have any dietary restrictions. We will inform the hotels and guides in every destination on your tour and make sure everyone is well aware of any special dietary requirements before you arrive. We will also assist with dining reservations, if desired and notify all restaurants of your dietary requirements in advance.
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28. I am a local supplier and want to introduce my services. Whom should I contact?
Please send all materials to us by e-mail at info@kuodatravel.com. We will be sure to forward your materials to the appropriate members of our product development team for consideration.
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Is there a question you would like answered? Please e-mail us at info@kuodatravel.com. Thank you!
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