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I can lastly say I’ve been to Peru. I’ve seen the superb Incan ruins of Machu Picchu, I’ve scaled the steep stairs in the metropolis of Cusco, and I’ve eaten myself right into a potato-induced-coma in Lima (Peru has over 3,000 various kinds of potatoes). However I didn’t do my analysis earlier than I arrived, as a result of all the pondering was finished for me by reserving a tour with Trafalgar.
Nonetheless if you’re doing it by yourself or need to analysis earlier than your tour departs, right here’s the whole lot you want to know!
Visiting Peru for the First Time
When to Go
Although travellers go to Peru year-round, the finest (and hottest) time of 12 months to go to is the dry season, which runs from Might-October. If you plan to go to Peru throughout this time and want to hike (there are some nice day hikes except for the four day Inca Trek), ensure to e-book upfront as permits e-book out 6 months upfront.
The place to Go: Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu
You might need heard from different travellers that Lima isn’t price visiting. Certain, Lima just isn’t as spectacular as Rio de Janeiro or as charming as the European streets of Buenos Aires, but it surely actually has sufficient allure to hold you busy for a few days. The meals alone is motive sufficient to go to as Lima is the gastronomic capital of South America! Regardless, you’ll be passing by means of Lima in transit so why not keep a pair nights to relaxation earlier than your journey in the Andes.
After Lima, you’ll catch a flight to Cusco, the area by which you will discover the famend Machu Picchu – Peru’s largest draw card for worldwide tourism. Whereas most travellers select to keep right here in a single day upon arrival (as it’s cheaper to keep in Cusco than the motels nearer to Machu Picchu), it’s a lengthy day if you select to go to Machu Picchu by practice in simply at some point. Apart from, you may have to depart Machu Picchu to return to Cusco on the practice earlier than 4pm, of which is the excellent time to take photographs as a result of most of the vacationers have gone (bear in mind that Machu Picchu closes at 5pm – so you have an hour to your self for photographs).
Then there’s the Sacred Valley to think about, which has many nice factors of curiosity to cease alongside the route to Machu Picchu. If you resolve to journey by bus (as I did with the tour group) or by automobile, there are a lot of nice locations to cease to view Llamas, conventional handicrafts, and distinctive views.
A be aware on Altitude
If you’re fearful about altitude — don’t be. Most individuals are high quality and don’t really feel the results of altitude in any respect, particularly if you drink loads of water. If you do begin to really feel dizzy or in need of breath, a terrific answer is to sip coca tea all through the day (it’s served all over the place).
To alleviate signs additional, eat lights meals, keep away from cigarettes and alcohol, and eat just a few hours earlier than mattress to enable for digestion.
A be aware on Well being (water, bugs, and so forth.)
The obvious tip: drink loads of water. How a lot is a lot? At the least 2-Three bottles per day.
By no means drink the faucet water – don’t even threat brushing your enamel, particularly in the Andes.
Convey sunblock, the UV rays are robust – particularly up at Machu Picchu!
Convey bug spray – you’ll thank me later. Machu Picchu is crawling with little flies.
Keep away from road meals and as an alternative go for respectable eating places – the place you can nonetheless pattern nice regional delicacies.
A be aware on Meals
Again to the meals – what ought to you attempt in Peru!?
Being a vegetarian, I couldn’t attempt lots of the native delicacies. I might nevertheless pattern a little bit potato right here and there (there are over 3,000+ differing types in Peru), in addition to sampling chicha, a regional drink in cusco manufactured from corn. You may also like to attempt Pisco Sours in Peru, and if you have a candy tooth seize an alfajor on-the-go.
For the meat lovers, native delicacies embrace ceviche and cuy (aka guinea pig).
A be aware on Security
Security is hit or miss in Peru – however identical to anyplace else in the world, you ought to at all times take precautions. To be protected, do the following:
Go away your valuables in your resort protected
Watch out for overly pleasant locals – particularly in Miraflores, Lima and Cusco.
Ask your concierge the place to trade cash or which ATMs to look out for.
Cash & Tipping
Individuals usually ask what forex you might use in Peru, to which there are two solutions. The native forex is Peruvian sol, which is accepted all over the place. You should use US {dollars} at many distributors’ stalls, however solely in small ($1, $5, $10) denominations in good situation. It’s higher to get some native forex out at the starting or earlier than your journey. Bank cards accepted: Mastercard and Visa, although many is not going to. Safer to seize some money.
Thanks to Trafalgar Journey for arranging my go to to Peru – I took the eight day Highlights of Peru Tour.
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