Peru Travel - guides, tips, questions, whatever

[Garcia]

Hey, we need a reference thread for travel to and in Peru.
Some of us have never been and others are experts in certain areas. Let's bounce our ideas around and help people plan and have a good time on their trip.

I basicly get stuck when in Peru. With the number of family members, I have to force myself to get outside of Lima. Now, there are relative close ruins to Lima and other interesting places, like playas to the south.

This time, I have 2-3 weeks in Peru with two certains date to be in Lima, the 24 and 29 of June. The 24th is the 15th birthday for my Goddaughter and since her father left for Panama, I have agreed to host a party for her. That is a saturday, Peruvians' party day anyway, so we might have a dual party for my birthday, too. My bday is the 29 of June.

I am taking a gringo friend (to maybe hookup with my sister in law) and about 6 of us want to go to Cuzco. I will be the only one having been there before to Cuzco. I hear the actual festival days of the Inti Raymi have been changed? I thought it was on the 24 of June?

Maybe if we go a few days before or a few days after, the area won't be so busy and possibly expensive (relative). I have a friend who has family in Cuzco, but until I can get an email or number to talk to them directly, I can't really plan on certain things. Just wondered what experience anyone has there?

I was in Cuzco and the whole Machu Piccu tour deal when I was 15 years old. I got airfarfe from LimaCuzco/Lima three days, two nights, tours, train to aguas calientes, bus (was on strike, so had to climb to the top) to the top of the ruins, various other tours of the valley and meals...all for $200! But that was in 1986! :eek:

Man, how times change, but prices seem reasonable enough. I am looking at some tour packages, but wondered if I should buy in Peru or beofre I leave. I may pay a little more from the USA, but the security of having averything done beofre I leave will make less stress for me. This way, I can finally decide when to leave the USA and when to return, coordinate the dates, the time on a tour and the time with family and other things we may want to do, like go to Huaraz (which I have also already done) or something.

Other factors will be provincia travel. Cuzco by air obviously, no? Is it safe to travel by bus? Many dangers like rain soaked roads (rain season), terrorists, kidnappings, accidents, etc.

Caminos del Inka sound good and my friend like camping. Many ideas and don't want to miss the chance to do things while down there.

What do you all think?

[KesOne]

Nice thread, I havent been to MachuPiccu since I was 6 and only stayed with family in Lima. Hope other people got better advice for you. I'd be curious to know myself.

[Garcia]

Gotta wait for chaski. He knows the most about Peru travel.

[locotl]

I just received this week a magazine "Acura Style" (first one after buying my car last year). In it they have a 6 page report on Peru:eek: they called it "Mythical encounters", For a trip beyond compare, explore the many faces of Peru.... SA's third largest country is nearly incomparable, offering intriguing fusion of cultural history, Inca folklore, natural wonders, adventure activities-even cosmopolitan indulgences. Yet Peru's incredible diversity often gets overlooked as travelers make a beeline for the famed Machu Picchu citadel. Agreed, it's a can't-miss archaelogical treasure, Peru's signature attraction. But think of Peru instead as an ensemble cast: For openers, take time to experience the wonderful seaside capital of Lima, where urban adventures and historical charms intersect at almost every street corner. On your visit to the highlands and Machu Picchu, spend the extra time to soak in the sights of historic Cusco. And for the grand-finale-one of the wildest you'll ever encounter-venture into Peru's primeval Amazon jungle....."
Unfortunately its not online but I'm sure you can get it for free at your local Acura dealer. It gives you places to eat, entertain, sleep with prices, pictures and websites that really makes you proud :) You guys should check it out.

[Garcia]

Sounds great, and expensive. :p

Too bad FOPTUR is always a few steps behind.

[locotl]

just look at this site: www.inkaterra.com
Check this interesting site: www.enjoyperu.com

[BorrachoNJ]

very good tips, maestro garcia...
i myself have never been to MP and i had a chance to go to cusco for a couple of days with continental air paying my pasaje after they lost my luggage for a day. but i declined so i can party in lima and at the beaches down south...i regret that schitt.

i'll be going to peru in october but only for a few days to celebrate my grandmom's anniversary as a teacher in the beautiful suburb of el agustino...

i figure the next time i hit peru, it'll be with the kids, to show them what's up! the last time i was there was in 1999...i used to go almost every summer to chill.

[Visca...]

yah, like you said Garcia, Lima is not very much for tourism. Lima is to hang out, go out at night, go hang out at Larcomar and well is the beginning point when you arrive in Peru, so might as well take advantage of it. There are a few places to go for tourism. There is Museo de la Inquisicion (http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2758259-museo_de_la_inquisicion_lima-i) along with the Congress museum (http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2758281-hands_on_fun_too_charter_service_lima-i?action=describe) and a few more places. Yahoo travel (http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2758234-lima_things_to_do-i;_ylt=AgUv0Tu2zrL9ZMCJqPPZYJT9FmoL) has a nice summary of places to visit in Lima.

I can't comment on Cuzco cause I haven't been there yet! soon enough though.

The Paracas reserve is awesome (highly, highly recommend it). The Nazca lines are also cool.

When travelling to provincias, try doing it by plane most of the time. Buses are allright in some parts of the country. In the northern part of the country and the not so south of Peru the roads are in great condition and buses are save. Ica, Pisco and such are safe. To the South is where the problem lies, so try to avoid buses. Your safest bet is travelling by train (Arequipa, Cuzco and such). Awesome scenery too.

Caminos del Inca? how much you weigh Garcia? cause it's a long way. j/k. Most of the time it's crazy gringos and euros that do the whole trail. My cuz did the whole trail and he said it was awesome. It's a long-ass trail, but it'll be the experience of your life. Spend the night camping out, wake up and it's always a different amanecer every day. It's awesome. You can pretty much see the whole Inca empire, present Cuzco. I'll certainly do it when the chance arrives. So don't waste this chance to do it even if you develop asthma :D

Things to do in all of Peru http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-6916407-peru_things_to_do-i;_ylt=AoQHWEY7LQTMea9w425bCrv7FmoL

Have you guys heard of The Amazing Race on CBS? I got the word that the first place they went to was Peru. I rented the DVD's season the other day and it was pretty cool. Funny to see all these people running around Lima and then Cuzco. :D

http://www.cbs.com/primetime/amazing_race7/show/ep01/race/story/

[Visca...]

in the beautiful suburb of el agustino...

beautiful? hahahaha.

chucha la cagué!, don't wanna scare off the tourists.

[chaski]

I was in Cuzco and the whole Machu Piccu tour deal when I was 15 years old. I got airfarfe from LimaCuzco/Lima three days, two nights, tours, train to aguas calientes, bus (was on strike, so had to climb to the top) to the top of the ruins, various other tours of the valley and meals...all for $200! But that was in 1986! :eek:

Man, how times change, but prices seem reasonable enough. I am looking at some tour packages, but wondered if I should buy in Peru or beofre I leave. I may pay a little more from the USA, but the security of having averything done beofre I leave will make less stress for me. This way, I can finally decide when to leave the USA and when to return, coordinate the dates, the time on a tour and the time with family and other things we may want to do, like go to Huaraz (which I have also already done) or something.

Other factors will be provincia travel. Cuzco by air obviously, no? Is it safe to travel by bus? Many dangers like rain soaked roads (rain season), terrorists, kidnappings, accidents, etc.

Caminos del Inka sound good and my friend like camping. Many ideas and don't want to miss the chance to do things while down there.
You could arrange everything when you get to Cusco, your hotel would probably do it for you. But an advance package might save some stress, like you say.

If you go to Machu Picchu, I highly recommend not doing the standard 1-day tour from Cusco. Instead, take the train there in the morning, stay in Aguas Calientes (the town where the MP train station is) that night, and return to Cusco the next day. On the standard tour, you are only at MP for 5 hours or so. Its not enough time to see everything, and there are lots of people there. If you spend the night, you can stay in the ruins in the afternoon the first day and go up there in the morning the 2d day when there aren't as many people around.

I believe the bus from Lima to Cusco is safe enough (no rain in June) but it is a very long trip, so the 1 hour plane ride is better. Sit on the left side of the plane and you get a great view of the Apurimac Canyon and Cordillera Vilcabamba.

For Camino del Inca, I think they are now requiring permits and limiting the number of hikers per day, so if you want to do this, best to arrange in advance. From what I have heard (I haven't done it) it is fairly strenuous and its 3-5 days or so. I think there is some short option where you just hike the last part in 1 day or less.

Also, stay in Cusco long enough to see other things, at least Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Sacsayhuaman, and some of the iglesias in Cusco.

PD. I haven't been to Cusco since 1999. I am much more qualified to give advice on Puno.

[KesOne]

You could arrange everything when you get to Cusco, your hotel would probably do it for you. But an advance package might save some stress, like you say.

If you go to Machu Picchu, I highly recommend not doing the standard 1-day tour from Cusco. Instead, take the train there in the morning, stay in Aguas Calientes (the town where the MP train station is) that night, and return to Cusco the next day. On the standard tour, you are only at MP for 5 hours or so. Its not enough time to see everything, and there are lots of people there. If you spend the night, you can stay in the ruins in the afternoon the first day and go up there in the morning the 2d day when there aren't as many people around.

I believe the bus from Lima to Cusco is safe enough (no rain in June) but it is a very long trip, so the 1 hour plane ride is better. Sit on the left side of the plane and you get a great view of the Apurimac Canyon and Cordillera Vilcabamba.

For Camino del Inca, I think they are now requiring permits and limiting the number of hikers per day, so if you want to do this, best to arrange in advance. From what I have heard (I haven't done it) it is fairly strenuous and its 3-5 days or so. I think there is some short option where you just hike the last part in 1 day or less.

Also, stay in Cusco long enough to see other things, at least Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Sacsayhuaman, and some of the iglesias in Cusco.

PD. I haven't been to Cusco since 1999. I am much more qualified to give advice on Puno.

Funny you mention staying in Cuzco a few days. I was only 6, but faintly remember taking the train staying between MP and Cuzco, way cool. Not sure if we actually stayed in MP but definitely Cuzco. I remember my dad hung over from the night before passed out on some sacrificial table or something and my mom took a picture. Classic :D

[pepehyo]

[QUOTE=chaski]For Camino del Inca, I think they are now requiring permits and limiting the number of hikers per day, so if you want to do this, best to arrange in advance. From what I have heard (I haven't done it) it is fairly strenuous and its 3-5 days or so. I think there is some short option where you just hike the last part in 1 day or less.

Also, stay in Cusco long enough to see other things, at least Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Sacsayhuaman, and some of the iglesias in Cusco.
QUOTE]

I was in Cuzco back in 2000. I did the inca trail (3 nights) along with a few friends of mine (mostly gringitos). It was one of the best trips I've taken. I do recomend that you go with a reputable company. I recomend www.trekperu.com I wouln't consider it strenuous!! its jusk hiking and carrying your daypack. This is coming from someone that lives in the mile high city. I don't know about you sea level people.

[FARFAN 17]

We all know some of us have been in Lima/Cuzco but has anyone here gone to the Jungles/Amazons? It is something different I want to try.

[KesOne]

Hey I got a question, for you frequent travelers. Say I plan to got around the time Peru plays a WC qualifier. Say I just walk up to the stadium a day or two before, how realistic is it that I'll get good seats?

[KesOne]

We all know some of us have been in Lima/Cuzco but has anyone here gone to the Jungles/Amazons? It is something different I want to try.

Well I went to Iquitos once to visit and Aunt, and she took me to a zoo park that bordered the Amazon, where some of the river actually went by the zoo and I swam in it and it was fenced off and everything, I guess for piranhas. Does that count :D

[FARFAN 17]

Well I went to Iquitos once to visit and Aunt, and she took me to a zoo park that bordered the Amazon, where some of the river actually went by the zoo and I swam in it and it was fenced off and everything, I guess for piranhas. Does that count :D

Better than notin' I guess. But I meant like running with the Jaguars, and petting Anacondas :eek:

j/k

[Garcia]

Hey I got a question, for you frequent travelers. Say I plan to got around the time Peru plays a WC qualifier. Say I just walk up to the stadium a day or two before, how realistic is it that I'll get good seats?
Depends who they play against and if Peru is already eliminated.

I have been to one and it was about 60% full. Shame really.

But there is nothing like it. The crowd exploding bombs, the moat, the fence, the military police, the match, the crowd...Peru lost. :mad:

[KesOne]

Depends who they play against and if Peru is already eliminated.

I have been to one and it was about 60% full. Shame really.

But there is nothing like it. The crowd exploding bombs, the moat, the fence, the military police, the match, the crowd...Peru lost. :mad:

Even if Peru loses, which wouldnt be a shock, I bet would be a great experience :D

[Garcia]

I am training for the Inca Trails. I hear you can take your mountain bike, too. :D I am bringing my moto!

In April, you New Yorkers will see me fit and ready!

I will change my name to chasqui.

[FPF y SC]

las cucardas its a good place, just ask for it guys!