Peru

rockchick113

I'm going to Peru in October.Male solo traveler, a bit nervous about going alone but no point in just wishing :undecided
I've booked though llama travel,doing the jungle and Inca trail.
Just after advice on:
Money, take US dollars or exchange to Peruvian Sol ? + credit card ( Halifax )
Is it best to get a water purifier filter (I've heard horror stories) for water on the trail.
any info on best type of insect repellent.
In fact any advice please.. eating out etc.

Update 19/10/16.
Ok then I survived the hard hike of the inks trail..
A few tips..
Anyone using llama trsvel will not be disappointed the local company in Peru is called condor travel and they were brilliant, picked you up and dropped you off when agreed times. All tours that I had had pre booked with them had a very knowledgeable tour guide.
The jungle part of the trip was brilliant and food was just fantastic you don't go hungry.
The inca trail Do not pack too much, most people in my group did and we never used half of it. One pair of trousers two shirts clean socks and underwear, waterproofs will do you for the 4days. biodegradable soap and a micro towel and toilet roll. There are plenty of toilets on the trail but they are not pleasant. On camp Condor have 2 camp toilet tents again not nice after a few folks have used them but they are better then the toilets on the trail.
The porters make you look so unfit the way they run past you as your gasping for breath :rotfl: again food was fantastic breakfast lunch and dinner you get snacks for the day and plenty of water (boiled)
A couple on the trail ordered vegi food and they where both very happy with the food they got given.
Hope this of help to anyone planing this trip. Any questions please ask.

richardw

Are you spending much time in Cusco to acclimatise to the altitude?

rockchick113

richardw wrote: »

Are you spending much time in Cusco to acclimatise to the altitude?

Yes 2.5 days before going on the trail, it was 1 reason I went with Llama travel, most other travel companies only did a day.

richardw

That's good it's a great place. I took soles in cash and also paid by credit card.
I didn't do the Inca trail, but went to Machu Picchu on the train, I was surprised at the number of people there. You should see it just as dawn breaks which will be good.
Will you spend much time at Aguas Calientes after Machu Picchu?

rockchick113

richardw wrote: »

That's good it's a great place. I took soles in cash and also paid by credit card.
I didn't do the Inca trail, but went to Machu Picchu on the train, I was surprised at the number of people there. You should see it just as dawn breaks which will be good.
Will you spend much time at Aguas Calientes after Machu Picchu?

We get the full day at Machu Picchu then return to Cusco in the evening, then fly yo Lima morning after.
I did think about doing the short Inca trail and staying at Aguas Calientes but I thought I'd be cheating myself.

Miró

Make sure you have good medical insurance and read up on altitude sickness. Most of our party suffered to some extent despite a week's acclimatisation beforehand. One had to be Medi Vac'd and another ended up in hospital after the trek. You can buy over-the-counter meds locally that are supposed to help, (start them 2-3 days in advance), sorry can't remember the name of them but they seemed to work for me. Just go to a pharmacy and ask. Drink lots of coca tea and chew coca leaves. Some people carried small portable oxygen thingies, (cost about £5) which help with the altitude headaches. Sorry for the doom and gloom but it's best to be prepared. You will have a fantastic time!!!

The mozzes didn't bother me in Oct/Nov and I am a mozzy magnet but I didn't do the jungle bit.

blindman

Mir! wrote: »

Make sure you have good medical insurance and read up on altitude sickness. Most of our party suffered to some extent despite a week's acclimatisation beforehand. One had to be Medi Vac'd and another ended up in hospital after the trek. You can buy over-the-counter meds locally that are supposed to help, (start them 2-3 days in advance), sorry can't remember the name of them but they seemed to work for me. Just go to a pharmacy and ask. Drink lots of coca tea and chew coca leaves. Some people carried small portable oxygen thingies, (cost about £5) which help with the altitude headaches. Sorry for the doom and gloom but it's best to be prepared. You will have a fantastic time!!!

The mozzes didn't bother me in Oct/Nov and I am a mozzy magnet but I didn't do the jungle bit.

How old and fit were they??


Did this a year or so back.


Both late 50's Relatively healthy\fit


Lima one afternoon\night\
Flew to Cusco next day.
Stayed at Cusco for 2 days before and chewed lots of leaves and had tea.


Caught the train to AQ and spent 1 afternoon\evening there.


Caught the first bus up to the summit of MP (05:00) IIRC


No problem TBHO.

benjus

For money, I'd just use a fee-free card (e.g. Halifax Clarity) to withdraw cash at ATMs (and to pay for things directly where possible). Even when I went to Peru in 1999 there were quite a lot of ATMs around.

Peruvian food can be really great - if you're spending any time in Lima there are some top restaurants there.

fairy_lights

This thread is strangely timely - I've been considering booking that same tour with Llama travel for next year!
I'll be interested to hear how you get on, I'm sure you'll have an amazing time.

richardw

Btw

From 18 July Avianca (TACA Peru) will fly Cuzco-Bogota-Cuzco three times per week on an Airbus A319.

AV 144 CUZ 16:01 19:44 BOG Mon, Wed, Fri
AV 145 BOG 07:44 10:52 CUZ Mon, Wed, Fri

Source: avianca.com

There are direct non-stop flights on Avianca from Heathrow and with BA's non-stop Gatwick-Lima flights, Cusco is easier to get to.

rockchick113

Mir! wrote: »

Make sure you have good medical insurance and read up on altitude sickness. Most of our party suffered to some extent despite a week's acclimatisation beforehand. One had to be Medi Vac'd and another ended up in hospital after the trek. You can buy over-the-counter meds locally that are supposed to help, (start them 2-3 days in advance), sorry can't remember the name of them but they seemed to work for me. Just go to a pharmacy and ask. Drink lots of coca tea and chew coca leaves. Some people carried small portable oxygen thingies, (cost about £5) which help with the altitude headaches. Sorry for the doom and gloom but it's best to be prepared. You will have a fantastic time!!!

The mozzes didn't bother me in Oct/Nov and I am a mozzy magnet but I didn't do the jungle bit.

Thanks Miro for making me feel more nervous about this trip.:(
I know about altitude sickness and it does not mater how fit you are.But all I have read and been told is it you slow down and take things steady don't drink to much alcohol you should be fine.( I hope)