I just finished reading all 300 some topics and am really
impressed at the sharing of information. I have never
traveled to SA and feel that I have learned very much
"insider" info from this site. I have always dreamed of
seeing PERU and am getting my chance this summer at the
last minute, but am worried that it may be kind of late to
make some reservations. If anyone has info on:
1. How much trouble I will have making reservations for a
trip beginning mid June and lasting to the end of July?
Airfare, hotel, trekking, etc. Really interested in hiking
the Inca Trail and seeing Inti Raymi.
2. A good 45 day itinerary (outline) that will take us (2
persons) from arriving in Lima and departing from Lima? I
kind of thought Lima-Nazca-Arequipa-Cusco-Lake Titicaca-La
Paz-????(Argentina-Chili-Lima???).
3. Is $20 US/day doable and if so what are the
accommodations like for these rates?
4. I think I get the idea on the safety. Be street-smart,
avoid going out after dark, etc ... basically your normal
precautions whenever in a strange location. Can someone
explain the wire mesh inside the pack trick. Is this just
chicken wire (small mesh-type) wrapped inside the pack to
preclude someone from quickly slashing your pack and
grabbing whatever they can get ahold of?
5. I'm learning as much Spanish as I can by reference
pages, etc, but is there something on the web that is also
helpful in learning some of the basics. Also, I plan on
taking a language guide/dictionary to help ... any good
recommendations?
6. Can one arrive at a train/bus station and book a trip or
does it require early reservations?
7. What's the weather like during this time of year (June-
July). Recommended clothing for various altitudes.
Thanks to all for any info and any other ideas you might
give to a first-time traveler to this area.
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1. I would book airfare ASAP to get best deals. Lots of
agencies do the Inca Trail so no problem there. However,
during Inti Raymi, prices zoom in Cusco, hotels fill up and
the Peruvian National Pickpocket Association holds its annual
convention. If you can get to Cusco at least a week in
advance you will be better off in term of getting a room.
Many of the hotels in LP list phones. Worth calling in
advanc to reserve a room. This is the only time of the year
its really necessary. Try the Hotel Suecia II.
2. Your Lima to La Paz route sounds good. Add Pisco and the
Islas de Paracas. Argentina+Chile I would leave off because
of time and price.
3. $20 a day would probably not do it. You are really moving
quite a bit so bus fares..while cheap..would take you over
budget. To do $20 a day would mean really low end hotels and
eating in markets. Thats fine..done it many times. But leaves
no room for splurges. Go up to $25-30 and it gets alot more
fun. Plus you are goingto want to shop.
4. You have it.
5. Make sure your dictionary is for South American spanish. A
dictionary written in Spain is a bit different.
6. I recommend avoiding trains..usually have to book a bit in
advance. Buses..except for the Inti Raymi glitch..you can
often get same day. However, I always try to book at least 1
day in advance to avoid dissapointments.
7. Its cold at altitude at nite. I take a down jacket.
Layering is the way to go. Nice sweaters for sale cheap. Lima
will be cloudy but sun elsewhere. Some rain is possible but
not a lot.
Hi...going to Peru? I'm envious. I lived there for five
years and just came back to the states 7 months ago. I
will eventually be going back...
I am sure that I can answer some of your questions..
1. What do you mean, what kind of trouble will you be
getting in with your reservations? If you are referring to
your visa, you will automatically be stamped with 60 days
in your passport, but you have a right to ask for 90. If
you should happen to want to stay longer than 90 days, you
can go to the local immigration agency (about 10 days
before your 90 days expire) and for around 20 dollars, you
can extend your stay. Let me know if you were referring to
something else.
2. If you are planning on doing all of your planning by
yourself and not going through an agency...(cheaper) you
must be very careful of independent tour guides. They
usually work at the airports and will offer you a tour for
very little money...but believe me it's not worth it.
There are many legitamate tour operators, and it's worth it
to pay a little more for a better tour. The other tour
guides are just locals who will take you for a ride...in
all ways. Never feel bad for them, if they tell you long
stories of their poor families and their sick mothers.
Tour guides make a lot of money --in dollars--and the
majority of them live better than you and I. It's a great
country...but people will take you for all you have if they
can.
Make sure that you look at a map to decide where you want
to go first. A lot of the smaller airports don't offer
direct flights from place to place but must first return to
Lima and then go from there. I also know that you can only
fly into Cuzco on certain days in the morning...it has
something to do with wind and cloud cover. I'm not sure
what the airline situation is now, but I know that there
were three airlines that flew nationally and the largest of
the three went bankrupt a few months ago. It may be more
difficult to get availablility. I would check into it, you
don't want to get stuck.
20 dollars a day is definitely doable...more so in the
smaller cities. But a lot of the more "posh" hotels have
rates in dollars. They are nice hotels, but you can find
just fine accomodations in the 'hostales'. They will
normally be rated with stars and those that are 2 will give
you a clean room, usually no T.V. (but if you are a tourist
who cares, you won't understand the T.V. anyway) a bathroom
with running water...BIG plus!...but no amenities like A.C.
or cable. If you only want to sleep it's fine. A three
star hostal is a little better and may even have Hot
water!! When in Lima, you will have to pay more, around
25 or 30 american dollares will get you the equivalent. In
the smaller cities a nice hotel can be found for 30 - 35
Soles (or about 10 american dollars.) The big prob. is you
will have to get used to cold showers...I'll explain later.
4. The only place that you really have to be careful is
Lima. If you look like a tourist, you are a prime target.
However, just like any other city you CAN enjoy yourself
and do the things you want to do without being paranoid.
Just don't tote video cameras, expensive cameras etc.
around in the city. Before you know it they will run past
you and cut it off your neck. (Be careful on public
transportation or collectivos) In the other smaller cities
you will have no problems. The people who will rob you
there are those i mentioned before, who steal by lying and
leading you on stupid tours. Try to remember when tipping
that these people can live just fine on 500 soles or about
150 dollars a month. When we go, we think in dollars and
to us 20 dollars is nothing, but to them it's a weeks worth
of food and fun. The people may look poor, but believe me
they are happier than most of us could ever dream to be.
It's great that you want to learn spanish, it will help.
But in most circumstances you will find plenty of people
who speak english. You definitely won't learn spanish
overnight...but you'll be amazed what you'll learn while
you are there. Just bring a handy dictionary and before
you leave, study a comp. program like the berlitz
spanish...it will teach you a lot and after rebate only
ends up costing about 25.00 dollars.
6. Like I said before, I'm not sure how the bankruptcy of
the major airline affected travel in Peru, but before...
flights you used to be able to book the very same day with
no change in price. (The only exception being around
Christmas time) If it is still the same you don't need a
reservation for the bus or train. In Cuzco it may be a bit
more difficult because there are a lot more tourists.
7. June/July is winter in Peru. Lima is constantly misty
and looks like rain. Around 50 - 55 degrees during the
day, 40 or so at night. It gets cold in Cuzco and Arequipa
at night, but is sunny during the day. But no where in
Peru does it really get REALLY cold. You should be fine
with a long sleeve shirt and a jacket and if you find your
self cold, they sell alpaca sweaters all over that sell for
like 8 dollars.
You may want to bring some warm weather clothes just in
case, because Peru like everywhere else has been having
wierd weather trends like all over the world because of El
Nino. Try to go to Iquitos and see the Amazon River, and
the jungle. You can't go to Peru without visiting.
Believe me. And if you do go there...it's HOT and you will
want to dress accordingly. Peru has many different
climates and you would do well to bring every type of
clothing. If not, stuff is cheap and whatever you don't
have you can buy.
Note: Cold water showers are a common occurence. Ask the
hotel if they have hot water. It sucks to take a shower in
cold water when it's cold. In the tropical areas there are
very few hotels with hot water, but believe me it's not
necessary.
Again, have fun....it's breathtaking!!! Take lots of
pictures, I guarantee it is a trip you'll never forget.
Any other questions, feel free to contact me. My husband
is a Peruvian police officer, and between the two of us, we
can probably answer you're questions.
Molly
Selva4998@hotmail.com
Bob and Molly: Thanks for all the great info. SARA.
Sara,
I'm planning a similar trip to you in November. I have
gound a great site for learning Spanish on the web. It has
free tutorials and make sure you check out the vocab
section, which has flashcards and games! It is by far the
most useful thing I've found and is helping me immensely
with my evening course. The address is:
http://www.studyspanish.com/
Have a great trip,
Julie
1. ?
2. Good plan.
3. I spent $150 per WEEK travelling at a lower pace and staying in the cheapest places ($21 / day...). Like Bob says, $30 per day is much more fun and gives you the opportunity to go on tours without worrying (eg. Colca Canyon one), and sometimes going to a more luxurious hotel, and buy some more souvenirs (nice alpaca sweaters, etc.). You'll be sorry if you don't put in a little extra effort to save up NOW (easily done with strong currency, just buy a few beers less now, and you'll make a difference for later).
4. That's right.
5. I used a little grammar book for the verbs and tiny dictionaries (both ways). You learn faster when you're there. People appreciate the effort you're making and will help you.
6. I usually booked bus seats one day in advance, aslo to make sure I'd not be all the way in the bouncy back. You can appoint a certain seat. Sometimes you can haggle about the price.
7. ? I was there in Feb-April and during El Ni±o...
.
I'll also send you my tips list. There might be something useful in there for you.