Peru or Vietman, Cambodia and Laos

[WDWMaggie]

Hello!

I know these trips are as different as can be, but I'm curious if anyone has done both of these trips. I'm trying to decide between Peru or VCL for a trip this coming September or October. It would be just my mom and myself doing a girls trip.

Can anyone give me some direction?
Thanks!

 

[TexasTravelGirl]

Hey there.

I would recommend looking at the trip reports on both of these.

I know when I was doing my research (I wanted to go to either Peru or Cambodia by myself, my husband advised me when h*ll froze over he might go to those countries) I read all of the trip reports, I rarely saw complaints about the trip to Cambodia, I did read a few negative things about Peru.

Everyone seems to love Jennie (she is one of the tour guides in Cambodia) and her facebook book is entertaining and she clearly knows her country.

I want to go to Peru, but it is my understanding it is tough due to the altitude and well the political structure in Peru as a whole is very volatile. I have numerous friends who have spent months backpacking in Peru, and have told me this, even though they loved it. Peru is beautfil, and seeing Machu Picchu would be amazing.

Untimely I am choosing Cambodia, and once I get Italy paid I will book my trip to Cambodia. The trip in 2015 is what I am shooting for personally.

I recommend looking at trip reports and reading about each country. You have the Disney Bubble on the trip so it will be amazing no matter what you choose, but it really depends on what you like to do.

Those are just my thoughts. Good Luck, choosing the trip is the hardest part!

 

[wiigirl]

I would choose Laos...but I am a little bias being Laotian.

 

[Cousin Orville]

I would choose Laos...but I am a little bias being Laotian.

Interesting. While in Laos they said the people and food are "Lao". Do some people say Lao and others say Laotian?
Beautiful country. Luang Prabang was one of my favorite stops.

 

[WDWMaggie]

Hi all! Thanks so much for the responses! I'm thinking we're going to end up with Southeast Asia. I would never in my life thought I would be going there, so this seems like a once in a lifetime opportunity.

 

[dizneekrazee]

Interesting. While in Laos they said the people and food are "Lao". Do some people say Lao and others say Laotian?
Beautiful country. Luang Prabang was one of my favorite stops.

My former co-worker would say Laotian.

To OP, we went to Peru this past October, so, same time frame you are considering. We went on our own, no ABD. However, we took almost the exact same itinerary as ABD does.

In regards to the altitude, neither of us had any issues. I purposely planned our trip to work from the lower altitudes, and up, which I believe ABD does as well. So, we did an overnight in Lima, straight to Sacred Valley (Ollantaytambo), MP, Cuzco, back to Lima.

Even doing this with no guides, we experienced nothing whatsoever that had us in fear. Local Peruvians were generally very helpful.

Overall, we absolutely loved Peru. The food, the culture, the people. Everything. The only thing that hesitates my want to return, the bug bites I received at MP. While they don't affect most the way I was, I'm in no hurry to return. Itchy bites for 8 WEEKS!! Needed steroidal cream for them.

Tourist wise, I think there were mostly people from other South American countries, and Europe.

I would highly recommend that time of year to visit. While the bug bites have me in no hurry to return, I do not regret going one bit. MP is truly beautiful. You think it looks good in photos, there are no words I could use to describe it in person. Breathtaking. After my trip, and posting photos on my fb page, Peru has moved up on my friends lists if places to visit. Do not miss the opportunity.

PS. I am on my phone, so I cannot see where you are from. But, travelzoo had a deal on airfare. R/T from LAX was $269 including fees. Yes, $269!! Deals were available from other cities as well, and only covered fall dates.

Enjoy whichever you decide!! Cheers!!

 

[Bobo912]

My former co-worker would say Laotian.

To OP, we went to Peru this past October, so, same time frame you are considering. We went on our own, no ABD. However, we took almost the exact same itinerary as ABD does.

In regards to the altitude, neither of us had any issues. I purposely planned our trip to work from the lower altitudes, and up, which I believe ABD does as well. So, we did an overnight in Lima, straight to Sacred Valley (Ollantaytambo), MP, Cuzco, back to Lima.

Even doing this with no guides, we experienced nothing whatsoever that had us in fear. Local Peruvians were generally very helpful.

Overall, we absolutely loved Peru. The food, the culture, the people. Everything. The only thing that hesitates my want to return, the bug bites I received at MP. While they don't affect most the way I was, I'm in no hurry to return. Itchy bites for 8 WEEKS!! Needed steroidal cream for them.

Tourist wise, I think there were mostly people from other South American countries, and Europe.

I would highly recommend that time of year to visit. While the bug bites have me in no hurry to return, I do not regret going one bit. MP is truly beautiful. You think it looks good in photos, there are no words I could use to describe it in person. Breathtaking. After my trip, and posting photos on my fb page, Peru has moved up on my friends lists if places to visit. Do not miss the opportunity.

PS. I am on my phone, so I cannot see where you are from. But, travelzoo had a deal on airfare. R/T from LAX was $269 including fees. Yes, $269!! Deals were available from other cities as well, and only covered fall dates.

Enjoy whichever you decide!! Cheers!!

We were are Machu Picchu in March and there were no bugs at all. I was prepared with bug spray, but never needed it.

 

[dizneekrazee]

We were are Machu Picchu in March and there were no bugs at all. I was prepared with bug spray, but never needed it.

I wish we had no bugs!! I wore long pants (legs were never bitten), and long sleeves. I got hot, made the mistake of taken my long sleeved shirt off. I received maybe 5-6 bites total, 4 of which caused problems. Bug spray a must!! And pants/long sleeves as precaution!!

 

[susans]

I've been on the Peru ABD trip and I loved it. It was my favorite ABD trip of the four ABD's I've taken (Peru, Equador/galapados, Backstage Magic, and China).

I'm about to do the "Jewels of Southeast Asia" ABD tour (I leave Friday).

I'll let you know how this trip stacks up with Peru if you are still interested when I get back.

 

[WDWMaggie]

I would LOVE to hear all about it! Have a great time and safe travels!

 

[figmentfan2009]

I would say that you can't go wrong with South East Asia. We just got back at midnight last night and I would go back in a HEARTBEAT!!!!

 

[smep013]

Hello!

I have been on both of these ABDs, as well as Enchanted China.

While I had a great time in Peru and loved experiencing the culture and Machu Picchu, the Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia trip is by far my favorite ABD of the 3. China would be second, Peru, third. Again, all three were magical, for sure!

The SE Asia experience was so unique. All three countries are so "young" - still not as developed as China and Peru. Less "Westernized," if you will. The sites on both the Peru and SE Asia trips are breathtaking, but the variety of what we saw and experienced in SE Asia was amazing. It is also a longer trip, which I prefer.

Both trips are quite active, but I remember feeling like we had more down time in Peru. I like the "go-go-go" aspects of the China and SE Asia trips. That is certainly NOT for everyone. however.

To me, seeing SE Asia was a "tier one" trip to take. (My ranking system only). It is up there with Safari in Africa on my list of really awesome trips to take. Peru was always a "second tier" trip for me. Again, only my personal preference. And, as I said, I loved them both!

If you have specific questions, PM me.

 

[susans]

OK I just returned from the Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos trip and I still prefer the Peru trip.

I like ruins and the ABD trip to Peru had more of that. We went to at least three sites to view ruins. Peru's countryside was beautiful. I think we were in the first year of ABD's Peru trip so things may be different now...

It was VERY crowded in Viet Nam. I felt like I had virtually no personal space (China wasn't as crowded as Vietnam). I did like Laos and Cambodia. The temples in Laos were beautiful and Angkor Wat was wonderful. Don't get me wrong, ABD's S.E. Asia is great trip but just not my favorite.