The floating islands of Lake Titicaca are
one of Peru’s tourism highlights.
As General Tours World Traveler marks its 60th anniversary, it has added even more exotic locations and expanded its tour options to Peru. The country’s continued growth as a tourist destination fits perfectly with General Tours’ mission to provide tours that fit its customers’ changing interests. While South America, and Peru in particular, have long been popular with clients, travelers these days seem to be looking for something more unique.
“Our South America tours have always offered great value. We are noticing an interest in seeing these destinations in two different avenues: people want an active trip and people want affordable luxury,” said Mickey Huang, marketing manager at General Tours.
In response to a growing demand for reasonably priced adventure travel, General Tours has increased the number of tours they offer to Peru and has enhanced the variety of ways clients can experience the country, said Huang.
Huang notes that small group size is the key to offering intimate and flexible travel. The company offers privately guided tours and small-group escorted tours with no more than 16 travelers.
In addition, General Tours has added luxury to the adventure by designing affordable vacations that include a personal driver to offer a more intimate means of seeing the country.
Guestrooms The luxury Hiram Bingham Train
is featured on the Peruvian Splendor tour.
Some of General Tours’ best-selling packages are the Grandeur of Peru and Peruvian Splendor.For $3,699 travelers can experience the 12-day Grandeur of Peru tour which includes visits to Lima, Pan-American Highway, Paracus, Cuzco, Nazca Lines, Sacred Valley, Sillustani, Machu Picchu, Puno and Lake Titicaca.
Peruvian Splendor is a nine-day tour that explores Lima, Cuzco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu for $3,999.
Additionally, the Amazonian rainforest and its wildlife can be visited by any of three land- or river-based tours. Huang considers these itineraries some of General Tours’ packages that hold the most potential.
“The Amazon is an area of Peru that people should consider. It is just a wonderful and different experience to go into the pristine rainforest,” said Huang.
General Tours also features weekly “Gems of a Deal” announcements on their Web site. Gems of a Deal provide savings of up to $100 per person, or $200 per couple, and can be used with any other published deals. The multiple Web site offers and destinations are updated weekly.
“Recently, we had [a deal] where clients could save on any of our small-group South America tours,” said Huang. “If agents check our Web site regularly, they will see South America comes up again and again throughout the rest of the year in rotation with the rest of our products.”
Agents should also note that General Tours promises excellent customer service. Agents should expect a hold time of less than one minute when contacting the General Tours call center.
The company offers 10 percent commission.
www.generaltours.com
| INTINERARIES Andean Vistas (13 days, from $4,399)
Adventuresome travelers will love this small-group escorted trekking tour through the high mountains exploring ancient Inca destinations including Cuzco and the Sacred Valley. The tour features four- to six-hour day hikes through the dramatic scenery, accommodations at deluxe lodges, 26 meals and internal flights. Lake Titicaca (3 days, from $429)
Guests can experience the largest lake in South America with this privately guided tour that visits the floating islands made of reeds and the Taquile Island to see the Incan terraces. The tour includes a two-night stay at various hotels in Puno with daily breakfasts and one lunch. Machu Picchu to the Galapagos (14 days, from $4,849)
Clients can journey on the Galapagos Explorer II with this escorted cruise and tour that features 27 meals, sightseeing, port charges, park fees and all internal flights. Guests spend two days in Machu Picchu and then are off to the Galapagos Islands to learn about one of the most interesting and historical sites of evolution. Make A Difference in Peru (8 days, from $2,179)
For those with a big heart, this volunteer trip is a perfect fit. The package includes all meals, seven nights in shared quarters at home base, full health insurance and roundtrip airfare and transfers. Volunteers can expect to participate in a one-week project helping the social development of Peru, cultural activities and tours of Lima and an Incan ceremonial site. |
