Transat puts the magic of Peru on show for travel advisors

Transat, and its partner Jumbo Tours, provided 20 handpicked Canadian travel advisors the opportunity to participate in an exclusive familiarization tour of Peru, using Air Transat’s direct flights from Toronto. The trip took place from Aug. 14 to Aug. 22.

The itinerary was inspired by Transat’s Magical Peru guided tour, which allowed participants to immerse themselves in the country’s rich culture and history while discovering its breathtaking landscapes.

Lindsay Merrill, Transat’s sales manager, said: “This trip was the perfect opportunity to highlight the exceptional quality of our Peru tour and reinforce our travel advisors’ confidence in our product. Experiences like this help us equip our partner agencies with the tools they need to inspire their clients to step out of their comfort zones.”

Highlights of the trip included:

• In Lima, agents were introduced to Peruvian gastronomy with a visit to the San Isidro market and a culinary workshop at Guarguero restaurant, where they learned how to prepare ceviche and the pisco sour cocktail.
• This was followed by a walking tour of the Presidential Palace, Lima Cathedral and the Rafael Larco Museum.
• They then took a flight to Cusco – “one of the most scenic flights as you soar over the Andes,” says Merrill – where they visited an alpaca farm to learn how artisans create Peru’s iconic textiles.
• The agents visited the Sacred Valley’s most iconic sites such as the Maras salt flats, the ruins of Pisac and the agricultural terraces of Moray, as well as one of the best-preserved Inca cities, Ollantaytambo.
• A highlight of the trip was of course the visit to Machu Picchu, which offered a complete immersion in the history and grandeur of this ancient Inca site.
• The trip concluded with a guided tour of Cusco and some free time to enjoy the grandeur of the colonial city.

Advisors participating on the trip certainly had lots to say.

Josée Morin, Owner and Travel Manager at TravelOnly Sudbury, said: “While the sites of Peru such as Machu Picchu were what we were all looking forward to, it was the sincere passion and knowledge of the Jumbo Tours guides that really impressed me. I’m confident that our clients will be in excellent hands and treated like family. From start to finish, Transat’s Magical Peru tour exceeded all expectations.”

Caezar ‘Chachie’ Flores, an independent travel consultant with Durham Travel, observed: “Machu Picchu is more than just a World Heritage site; it’s a journey into the heart of an ancient civilization. You can feel the echoes of the past in every stone. It’s a must-see for anyone who wants to connect with history and marvel at this awe-inspiring wonder.”

While Autumn Harvey-Smith of Transat Travel Oshawa, said that: “Transat’s Magical Peru Tour is an incredible experience, from the Inca heritage to the Peruvian cuisine and surrounding architecture. The guides are extremely knowledgeable and personable about every aspect of the trip.”