CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

A selection of testimonials from ex-clients who travelled with Vilaya Tours since 1999.

• 2016-2019 - Testimonials

  If you develop any more trip ideas, keep us posted. I really appreciate your role in our wonderful adventure. Both K. and I were so impressed by Brother Eyren.
  J. Dunlop – 2019, Custom trek with Lake of the Condors Trek and Vira Vira
  
  Thank you again for arranging my trip to Peru. It turned out to be super trip, thanks to a large part, to Julio Porras, who was the guide. Julio was just only super guide, also the good friend.
  S. Chladek – 2019, 14 Day North Peru Custom Tour
  
  Just wanted to let you know, the trip has been spectacular.  Thanks!
  Y. Szancienki – 2018, Wonder of Gocta and Chachapoyas
  
  Just a note to say thank you. Both Ricardo and Julio were excellent and we had a great time. Thank you for an extremely professional operation that allowed us to bring our children and elderly parents!
  J. Thomas – 2018, 5 Day Chachapoyas Discoverer
  
  I just want to thank you for great trip! Actually ALL places we saw were more impressive and more interesting then I imagined! Karajia is unbelievable. Everything was very, very well organized, our guides were superb! Thanks for showing us La Casa de Dona Lola - so unique place! It was a pleasure to know Perico and Doña Lola , exceptional people. With Julio - you couldn't find better guide, he was our soulmate , we could talk for hours!
  J. Juranek – 2018, Wonder of Gocta and Chachapoyas
  
  A couple of people were very interested in our trek with you, which of course we highly recommended!. It was one of the best highlights of our trip, being away from the cities and towns and in the countryside amongst such natural beauty and dramatic scenery. We enjoyed staying in the farmhouse too, as it was peaceful and away from modern life and distractions.
  S. Davidson – 2018, Tombs and Citadels
  
  We continue to have a wonderful journey through Peru but both L. and I feel the tour through Amazonas has to date been the highlight.
  J. Mansbridge – 2017, Tombs and Citadels
  
  We all really enjoyed the tour and your company. I've recommended you to several people already.
  E. Bereton – 2017, Wonder of Gocta and Chachapoyas
  
  Everything went to plan and was well organised. All the accommodation was very good (including Tajopampa!) and so was the food. Excellent guide, Hegel was a careful driver in a very nice minivan, and Eidin (Eyren) a friendly and helpful horseman (and a good cook!). All a credit to Vilaya.
  T. Rigby – 2017, Tombs and Citadels
  
  I just wanted to say a big thank you to you and Miguel, Carlos and Otto for a great week. I was a little concerned that Judy might not enjoy the archaeology as much as me but she certainly did.
  J. Paxman – 2017, Tombs and Citadels
  
  We are always telling people about our amazing trip to Chachapoyas we can't thank you enough for everything you did for us it was really an unforgettable trip.
  O. Gustafason – 2016, 8 Day Custom Tour (birding/nature and archaeology)
  

• 2010-2015 - Testimonials

  Rob Dover was not able to lead our 11 day tour, but Julio (Porras) was superb. Julio was raised in Piura and rejects his Spanish ancestry in favor of a Moche/Chimu persona. He is very passionate, knowledgeable and pleasent. He slept in Kuelap 10 nights and knows the whole archeological gang on the coast and highlands. All in all a 10!
  S. Freidrich – 2015, Custom Tour  including Trujillo, Chiclayo, Chachapoyas and Cajamarca
  
  Thanks very much. We had a wonderful time. It was an amazing week. The archaeological sites were excellent and we had a great time on the trek to and from the farm house. The girls think they are world class horse riders, thanks to the calm horses and Susan and the two guys. Kentitambo was just amazing, it was such a great way to finish the week. Hegel was an excellent driver and Susan was a great guide, very knowledgeable and very patient with the kids.
  S. McFadyen – 2015, Custom Tour based on Amazon to Andes
  
  I just returned from a trip to Peru and thought the Chachapoyas region was incredibly interesting, filled with history, fascinating archeological sites and beautiful, awe-inspiring mountain scenery; it was the perfect antidote to the crush of tourists in Cusco and Machu Picchu. I was initially drawn to descriptions of magnificent Kuelap when planning my visit, (and indeed it is an amazing site) and found that there were many additional, interesting sights to see in the region.  Our guide and driver  was Vilaya’s owner. Rob had incredible knowledge of the region, its people, and the history. What we really appreciated was Rob’s ability to explain both the historical and present context of the region. Rob seems to have a great affinity with the local people and his heart and values are in the right place when it comes to economic and social justice. We visited: Gocta Falls, Karajia, Kuelap, Chachapoyas city and its food market, Ravash, and the Leymebamba Museum. Rob was very accommodating to our needs and stopped frequently during the long driving spells to allow us to snap photographs, stretch, or get a bite to eat. Overall, he went well above and beyond what we expected, and made a fantastic tour for us. The price was really very reasonable for the quality and personalized nature of the tour, especially in comparison with other providers. I can’t recommend Vilaya Tours enough.
  R. Keller – 2015, 6 Day The Wonder of Gocta and Chachapoyas
  
  I want to thank you for a most rewarding - if sometimes tiring - trip. Other than a few lapses in the weather - and one pisco sour - everything went smoothly and most agreeably. Thank you very much indeed for all your efforts in putting the tour together and running it. I am left with a much better feeling for the Chachapoya architecture and the cliff tombs, to say nothing of the design of the old churches. Whether my legs and lungs feel better for a good workout is a totally different matter!
  J. Ingham – 2015, 11 Day Custom Tour
  
  The Yorkshire Ramblers' Club (England's oldest regional mountaineering organisation, founded 1892) asked Vilaya Tours to arrange a bespoke trip matched to our interests.  Rob provided full information ahead of the trip and answered queries promptly encouraging 11 members to join the two-week trip. All arrangements for transport, site guides, feeding, trekking support, accommodation ran smoothly and exceeded our expectations.  All the trekking support staff were patient and helpful.  The cost was very reasonable.  One member changing their itinerary and another needing to leave early were rearrangements dealt with efficiently.  We have no hesitation in encouraging others to visit this area's fascinating and largely unspoiled remains... and to use Vilaya Tours to make their lives easier.  They even arranged a full week of good weather for the trek though I can't guarantee they will manage the same for you.
  Michael Smith, Yorkshire Ramblers' Club President - 2014
  
  The Northern Peru Special Adventure is an excellent trip and the two weeks went far to quickly. Rob Dover knows the area like the back of his hand, he took us to some quite remote areas, as well as more well known places. We felt very privileged to explore Kuelap, Vira Vira and many other pre-Inca sites, which opened our eyes to the sophisticated, organised and disciplined cultures that had existed in Peru. Rob's well-rounded commentary, brought the places to life, and it made it easier to imagine what life was like, all those centuries ago. The seven day trek was a great adventure, with a caring and attentive support crew, great food and amazing scenery. The trip ended with two luxurious days relaxing in the Hotel Laguna Seca.
  M. and D. Parker – 2011, Northern Peru Special Adventure
  
  Mr. Robert Dover is an unassuming English scholar that taught our discerning and well traveled group not only about the Chachapoyas and their rich legacy, but also the flora, fauna, economy, history and culture of the high jungle Amazonas region of northern Perú. Mr. Dover and his very safe driver, accompanied us on a 800 mile adventure that began in Chiclayo, across the mighty Marañon river to the Kuelap citadel and Leymebamba, ending in Cajamarca. We went from sea level to near thirteen thousand feet, and were received warmly in the quaint and comfortable inns along the route. Mr. Dover has made his home the spectacular Utcubamba River Valley and is well known and respected by all we met. All look forward to returning and asking Mr. Dover to guide us to Laguna de los Condores and Gocta Falls.
  Leo S. - 2010, Custom Trip
  
  I think your tour was first class. Thank you for working with Mark to put this trip together for us. I wish we could have spent more time there.
  Mark and Rae – 2010, Custom Trip

• Testimonials - pre-2010

  Thanks for putting together a wonderful trip to your Northern Highlands for us. I truly consider the northern portion of our trip the highlight. It was fun to experience a part of the country that 99% of the tourists never see.
  S. Miller - 2009, Custom Trip
  
  Julian and I would like to thank you for being such an excellent guide. We really enjoyed our adventures in the North of Peru and felt that we learnt a lot about the history and culture of the area. We met lots of people on our travels, but none of them had been to the north, so we felt very special!
  Julian and Joy - 2009, Custom Trip
  
  Rob came up with a well-organized thoughtful itinerary that included time to really explore. Our guides were terrific --- and it was clear, everywhere we went, how well respected and well liked Rob and Vilaya Tours are. We had a great time.
  S. Landau - 2007, Custom Trip
  
  Rob, we wanted to add our kudos to your impressive list on the website. You put together a magical trip for us.
  A. and F.  White - 2007, Customized Tour
  
  After my first trip back in 2001 I knew I needed to get back to Northern Peru and that Vilaya Tours was the only company I would trust to give me what I wanted. The only problem with this trip was now I have to find another excuse to get back to the area!
  R. Liebman – 2006, Custom Trip
  
  I left Chachapoyas reluctantly, knowing I had only scratched the surface of this area, but with the thought that I would plan a return visit with Rob to show me the other fantastic sites.
  E. Refuerzo - 2006, 8 day Chachapoyas Discovery
  
  Rob, thanks again for a truly inspirational week. What made it really special was the personal service I received with a much more sincere and personalised tour than I thought was possible in these days of mass tourism.
  P. Helps – 2006, 5 Day Chachapoyas Discovery (alternative itinerary)
  
  We highly recommend Rob and Vilaya Tours for any of the many adventures (soft to hard) they can arrange.
  S. and W. Raab – 2006, 5 Day Chachapoyas Discovery (alternative itinerary)
  
  This was an enthralling trip, professionally organized and executed. Vilaya Tours are thoroughly recommended.
  B. Cushion – 2005, Vira Vira Special Adventure
  
  This is truly an adventure never to be forgotten. The support team was absolutely wonderful. I know everyone was a little misty when it came time to say goodbye in Cajamarca. I plan on coming back again, I've been spoiled.
  Rob Liebman - 2001. Sacred Mountain Adventure, 2001
  
  Thank you for the awesome experience...
  E. Hsu- Laferl - 2000, Custom Trip
  
  Great memories...
  J. Agg - 2000, Cities of the Condors
  
  I would recommend anyone visiting Peru to avoid the tourist traps of the southern gringo trail in favour of a trip with Vilaya Tours.
  G. Thompson - 1999, Cities of the Condors