Peru Trip
Aug 4, 2017 17:18:02 #
My husband and I are heading to Peru for 3 weeks in September. Our primary purpose for going is to explore the headwaters of the Amazon and especially Manu National Reserve, but we are also visiting Paracas Bay/Isla Ballestas, Mancora, and Machu Picchu, and will be bouncing back into Lima in between. We like solitude and try to avoid crowds (hence Machu Picchu was not a high priority, but at the last minute we decided to add it on the itinerary...), especially photographing wildlife. Has anyone been on a similar trip? What advice would you give a first-time traveler to Peru? Adventure ahead!
Aug 4, 2017 22:02:28 #
Aug 5, 2017 06:01:00 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Terry in Indiana wrote:
My husband and I are heading to Peru for 3 weeks i... (show quote)
If you photograph people they expect to be paid, the going rate is one Sol, which is about equivalent of our quarter. And photographing in churches is questionable as they sell photo's in front of many churches.
Aug 5, 2017 06:30:26 #
Aug 5, 2017 06:43:55 #
Aug 5, 2017 06:44:36 #
billnikon wrote:
If you photograph people they expect to be paid, the going rate is one Sol, which is about equivalent of our quarter. And photographing in churches is questionable as they sell photo's in front of many churches.
Good to know. Thanks!
Aug 5, 2017 06:45:39 #
SonyA580 wrote:
Don't drink the water. Seriously.
Not planning to...always super-cautious in other countries. I hope your advice didn't come from personal experience.... Thanks!
Aug 5, 2017 08:17:28 #
Sounds like a great trip, Terry. Be safe and we look forward to stories and pictures when you return.
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Bob
I've enjoyed browsing your site www.notquitecountrygirl.typepad.com Congratulations and good luck with your book.
Bob
Aug 5, 2017 08:37:22 #
1) You MUST get a Hepatitis A vaccination before you go. Hep A ("yellow jaundice") is very commonly acquired by travelers to underdeveloped parts of South America. This is not the same as the Hep B vaccine that students and health care workers get. It is a two-shot series, the second shot being given six months after the first one - but one shot gives you a lot of protection.
2) Obviously you should follow safe food/water guidelines.
3) Altitude - unless you live in Denver you will be hit hard when you arrive in Cuzco. Best if you allow a day to just relax and acclimate. Plan on staying the night at Machu Picchu if possible (there is an extremely expensive hotel near the ruins but several down below) since otherwise your time there is very limited and you are there with the maximum crowd.
4) Travel health videos ( 3 parts) at: http://www.youtube.com/user/rainforesteducation/videos
Have a great trip.
2) Obviously you should follow safe food/water guidelines.
3) Altitude - unless you live in Denver you will be hit hard when you arrive in Cuzco. Best if you allow a day to just relax and acclimate. Plan on staying the night at Machu Picchu if possible (there is an extremely expensive hotel near the ruins but several down below) since otherwise your time there is very limited and you are there with the maximum crowd.
4) Travel health videos ( 3 parts) at: http://www.youtube.com/user/rainforesteducation/videos
Have a great trip.
Aug 5, 2017 08:58:56 #
I second sb's advice. i always take Diamox 2 days before arriving in Cuzco to minimize the effects of altitude. The headache is not pleasant. However, if you go right to the Sacred Valley of the Incas on the way to Machu Picchu upon arrival you will have descended some and then be in better shape upon return to Cuzco to investigate it. Trips to Islas Ballestas are weather dependent so it is good to have a couple of days there. The do not go out if the seas are rough. Stay away not only from drinking water but also fresh salads or anything uncooked or fruits that you do not peel. The dining rooms may look great but the kitchen staff often is something very different. Peruvian beer is very good! Pepto Bismol tablets can be helpful for your gut.
Aug 5, 2017 10:15:29 #
Take LOTS of memory cards for your cameras! When I'm there, it seems I take another picture about every 10 seconds! And take lots of extra batteries. Get a power converter kit at Walmart so you can plug in your chargers.
Aug 5, 2017 10:18:39 #
You will probably travel through Cuzco in order to take the train to the town near Machu Picchu. Due to the altitude I highly recommend seeing your primary care physician ahead of time and getting a prescription for medication to lessen the results of high altitude. Maybe you'll need the medication and maybe you won't, but it's best to have it on-hand in case. Lack of medication can result in very bad headaches. I was working in Peru in 2010 for several months and took the opportunity to visit Machu Picchu. Unfortunately, I scheduled a long day trip with a long rail trip vice a couple of days near the base of Machu Picchu. Regardless I thought the site was very interesting and well worth the travel. Subsequently my eldest daughter went to Peru years later to attend a wedding and made the side trip toCuzco and Machu Picchu, stayed overnight, and had a great time. I hope you enjoy all aspects of your trip.
Aug 5, 2017 10:40:17 #
Advice from my daughter, who is married to a Peruano and lived in Peru for several years: 1. When in the Amazon, hire a local guide. You can walk for a week and discover nothing by yourself. A guide is priceless. 2. If you prize solitude, stay out of Lima!
Aug 5, 2017 12:10:10 #
Sounds like a great trip! My husband and I visited Peru and Machu Picchu just over a year ago. Although we normally rent a car and drive ourselves, we hired a guide and a driver for the trip. The streets in Cusco are something else.
Although others have cautioned you against eating salads, etc., we ate everything without any problems when we were in upper scale restaurants in Cusco. We actually spent a bit more time around Cusco than I would have liked to so I think your "quick trip" to Machu Picchu will serve you well. We found the people very welcoming and I cannot wait to go back . . Maybe next year.
I'd like to explore some of the other parts of Peru. You might consider Ecuador for you next adverture. We loved it as well.
Although others have cautioned you against eating salads, etc., we ate everything without any problems when we were in upper scale restaurants in Cusco. We actually spent a bit more time around Cusco than I would have liked to so I think your "quick trip" to Machu Picchu will serve you well. We found the people very welcoming and I cannot wait to go back . . Maybe next year.
I'd like to explore some of the other parts of Peru. You might consider Ecuador for you next adverture. We loved it as well.
Aug 5, 2017 12:11:04 #
Make reservations to hike Waynapicchu. This is the Mountain behind Machu Picchu. They only allow 400 people a day to climb it. It is 1200 feet straight up, and will take you about an hour to reach the top. It is well worth the trip. Try to get there at daybreak.
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