Peru - A South American Gem

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Danette McAlister, Travel Agent in Gibsonville, NC

Danette McAlister

Gibsonville, NC Travel Agent
Super Agent

Danette McAlister

Gibsonville, NC · 8 Years of Experience

Enriched Travel, an independent agent with WorldVia, a Travel Leaders Agency
5.0
(26)
100% Recommended
Danette made our travel accommodations completely seamless from start to finish. She handled any issues that arose quickly and efficiently, making the entire process stress-free. Her... Read More >
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Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Peru

Interests:

Adventure, Historical Sites, Hiking & Backpacking, Bucket List, Solo Travel

Suppliers:

Central Holidays, Delta Vacations, Globus, Viator, Project Expedition

About Me

Alpaca overlooking Cusco, Peru
Alpaca overlooking Cusco, Peru

Peru is a country that stirs the soul—with ancient history, breathtaking landscapes, vibrant traditions, and warm, welcoming people. Peru was one of the most memorable trips I’ve ever taken. It is an incredible trip to take with family, friends, or solo. We visited iconic sites, enjoyed unforgettable experiences, and immersed ourselves in the richness Inca culture and Andean life. (Inca culture is everywhere; you will not escape it when in Peru!)

Our journey began in Lima, where colonial architecture and a thriving food scene gave us a dynamic start. From there, we headed south to Ica and Paracas, where we cruised around the Ballestas Islands—a haven for sea lions, penguins, and seabirds. One of the biggest highlights was an adrenaline-pumping dune buggy ride at Huacachina Oasis, where we raced across desert sand dunes and watched the sunset over the oasis.

We then explored the Sacred Valley, including Cusco and Ollantaytambo, where the legacy of the Inca civilization is felt at every turn—in the stonework, terraces, and traditions. Machu Picchu, of course, was absolutely unforgettable. We spent two full days there—to truly take in the scale, mystery, and magnificence of this wonder of the world. In Puno, we visited Lake Titicaca and met the people of the Uros Islands, who live on floating reed islands—a way of life that’s both resourceful and deeply rooted in tradition.

Everywhere we went, alpacas and llamas wandered the hillsides and town squares, their colorful woven tassels and soft eyes adding charm to the journey. We even enjoyed a horseback ride through the Andes, taking in panoramic views that felt otherworldly.

From expertly guided private tours and airport transfers (down to check-in help) to excellent accommodations, everything was arranged seamlessly.  Since I’ve personally traveled and booked this itinerary and experienced the culture, logistics, and highlights firsthand, I’m well-equipped to help you plan a journey that’s just as smooth and personalized. When immersing yourself in the Peruvian culture, the last thing you want to worry about is logistics.

April through October is the ideal time to visit Peru, offering clear weather for highland exploration. And for such an extraordinary experience, the cost to travel is surprisingly affordable, especially for the level of quality and service you can enjoy.If Peru is calling to you, I would love to help make it happen. Whether you're drawn to Inca history, adventure, wildlife, or simply want to stand in awe at Machu Picchu, I can help you create a tailor-made experience that brings your dream trip to life.

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
26 reviews
100% Recommended
Your trust is our priority. Every review is submitted by verified travelers after they have booked and completed their trips. Learn more about our review guidelines.
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Showing 26 reviews

Bachelorrette Cruise was a BLAST
Reviewed By TeresaAnn6 - Burlington, NC | Traveled to Bahamas | Caribbean
Danette made our travel accommodations completely seamless from start to finish. She handled any issues that arose quickly and efficiently, making the entire process stress-free. Her reminder emails were timely and filled with helpful information that kept everything organized and easy to manage. I truly could not have chosen a better agent and will absolutely be utilizing Danette’s expertise again in the future!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Villages, Lakes, and a Healing Journey
Reviewed By Deb*L - Sarasota, FL | Traveled to Switzerland | Europe
I came to Danette with a clear vision of what I wanted, but I had little travel experience and a lot of anxiety. She listened carefully and designed a beautiful, highly customized trip that turned out to be exactly what I was looking for. I didn’t realize at first that my vision wasn’t the “standard” way people see Switzerland, but Danette made it happen! She handled everything with thoughtfulness and expertise, keeping in mind specific needs and things I wanted to avoid. The result was a journey through villages and lakes that felt both magical and deeply restorative, which was exactly what I was hoping for. In a time of so much DIY, working with Danette was a reminder of the value of a knowledgeable and intuitive human guide. Very grateful!
Danette McAlister responded
"Thank you so much! I am so very happy that you loved your time in Switzerland, and that I was able to help make the trip what you envisioned it to be. Switzerland is stunning!"
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Amazing trip! It felt like Danette knew us so well.
Reviewed By Tami - Graham NC | Traveled to Switzerland | Europe
It was a HUGE blessing to have the trip so well planned out and prepaid for so many things. Danette met with us initially to plan and the outcome reflected her careful attention to our preferences. It was a perfect blend of scheduled and unscheduled activities. The hotels she chose were amazing and all the logistics worked so smoothly, down to the best restaurant recommendations too! The communication in preparing and during the trip were excellent. I cannot recommend her help too much!
Danette McAlister responded
"I love helping people achieve their visions for a vacation. I'm so glad you loved it. It was a pleasure working with you!"
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Wonderful introduction to Ireland!
Reviewed By McLisa - South Berwick, Maine | Traveled to Ireland | Europe
Danette recommended a Globus bus tour for our first trip to Ireland. It was lovely having someone else drive the hundreds of kms we drove last week, so we could enjoy the beautiful Irish countryside. We covered a lot more kms than if we had driven ourselves in a rented car. The scheduled tour stops at the Irish stud farm, farm to bake scones & see the sheep & sheep dog in action & the Waterford Crystal factory were perfectly fit to the tour. Well done.
Danette McAlister responded
"I am so glad the Globus tour matched up best for making your trip to Ireland a great one. It was a pleasure working with you on it!"
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Family Alaska Cruise
Reviewed By FamilyWhoLovesToTravel - Raleigh, NC | Traveled to Alaska | USA
My family and I ( 5 adults) loved working with Danette to help plan our cruise to Alaska. She was always quick to answer our questions, and offered suggestions throughout our booking (cruise lines, cabins, excursions) as well as worked to get us the best pricing possible. Danette was reassuring when we ran into small glitches with the cruise line app, and provided us backup documentation if needed. She is organized, friendly, knowledgeable, and down to earth. Everything you would want in a travel agent! We are looking forward to booking new trips with her in the future.
Danette McAlister responded
"Thank you. I truly enjoyed working with you, and I'm so glad you loved your Princess cruise to Alaska!"
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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My Places

When it comes to travel planning, real-world experience makes a huge difference. Check out the map below to see all the places I have personally visited or booked for my clients. I know these destinations well and can give you reliable guidance.

My Travel Stories

Machu Picchu

Peru Trip - Bucket List Success!

Exploring the Wonders of Peru: A Journey I’ll Never Forget In April 2025, I had the incredible opportunity to explore the breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture of Peru with incredible friends—and what a journey it was! From bustling cities to ancient ruins and high-altitude lakes, every stop on our...
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