Peru

rockchick113

Loupinz wrote: »

I've booked two separate trips with Intrepid. One to the Amazon and one from Lima to La Paz which includes the Inca trail.

I've decided to get some dollars. I can't get any Bolivianos until I get to Bolivia so the dollars will be my backup.

I fly out a week Wednesday. I'm feeling pretty nervous too. How long are you staying in Peru for?

I fly 3/10 till 18/10 with Llama travel. Maybe I should start packing
Ordered Peru sols today for pickup at weekend, another thread I read no problem with Halifax card.

trolleyrun

I went with llama travel a few years ago and had a fab time. I was also on my own. My top tips: take it easy on your first day in Cuzco. You'll know what I mean when you get there. It's a lovely city! If you're doing the 4 day trek, the second day is the trickiest as the trail takes you up to 14000 ft. I hadn't done any exercise before going and I was a smoker at the time... The way I got up there was to count my steps. Walk 50, rest 50 etc. As you're focusing on something it becomes easier to make it to the top.

Pack some thermals for night time as it gets quite chilly. Bring wet wipes unless you like cold showers. There's electricity in camp 3 but the hot shower advertised is not even lukewarm
Bring smallish change of Soles for the trail as there are locals selling chocolate and bottles of drink in the mountains. Bring tip money for the porters - we had a nice meal in camp 3 and gave the porters their tip then, from a group to a group.

Bring a torch (preferably wind-up type) in case you need the facilities after dark - and it gets proper dark - the stars are beautiful! Light waterproofs and waterproof walking boots are a must.

If you have time, spend the day around the sacred valley. I hired a driver/guide for the day through the travel rep. Best $50 I spent. The local cuisine is wonderful and tasty.

Have a wonderful trip! You'll love it! And if you bump into a porter/cook called Ces!r, please say hello from me

rockchick113

trolleyrun wrote: »

I went with llama travel a few years ago and had a fab time. I was also on my own. My top tips: take it easy on your first day in Cuzco. You'll know what I mean when you get there. It's a lovely city! If you're doing the 4 day trek, the second day is the trickiest as the trail takes you up to 14000 ft. I hadn't done any exercise before going and I was a smoker at the time... The way I got up there was to count my steps. Walk 50, rest 50 etc. As you're focusing on something it becomes easier to make it to the top.

Pack some thermals for night time as it gets quite chilly. Bring wet wipes unless you like cold showers. There's electricity in camp 3 but the hot shower advertised is not even lukewarm
Bring smallish change of Soles for the trail as there are locals selling chocolate and bottles of drink in the mountains. Bring tip money for the porters - we had a nice meal in camp 3 and gave the porters their tip then, from a group to a group.

Bring a torch (preferably wind-up type) in case you need the facilities after dark - and it gets proper dark - the stars are beautiful! Light waterproofs and waterproof walking boots are a must.

If you have time, spend the day around the sacred valley. I hired a driver/guide for the day through the travel rep. Best $50 I spent. The local cuisine is wonderful and tasty.

Have a wonderful trip! You'll love it! And if you bump into a porter/cook called Ces!r, please say hello from me

Thanks trolleyun,
How much did you tip at the end of the trail ?
I've booked on Llama travels day trips for lima and cuzco to sacred valley.
Getting excited now

fairy_lights

trolleyrun wrote: »

Bring wet wipes unless you like cold showers. There's electricity in camp 3 but the hot shower advertised is not even lukewarm

I've read that some tour groups get given bowls of warm water so they can strip wash in their tents - is this the case with llama travel? Does anyone brave the cold shower?
I'm doing the trek next year and normally shower at least once a day, so going four days without one is going to be a mental challenge!
What about the toilet situation? Is it true that you have to take your used loo roll with you to be disposed of at the other end? What if you get a bad stomach?
I'm curious about how it all works but toilets and personal hygiene is something that most travel blogs are suspiciously quiet about!

rockchick113

fairy_lights wrote: »

I've read that some tour groups get given bowls of warm water so they can strip wash in their tents - is this the case with llama travel? Does anyone brave the cold shower?
I'm doing the trek next year and normally shower at least once a day, so going four days without one is going to be a mental challenge!
What about the toilet situation? Is it true that you have to take your used loo roll with you to be disposed of at the other end? What if you get a bad stomach?
I'm curious about how it all works but toilets and personal hygiene is something that most travel blogs are suspiciously quiet about!

as far as I know you get small bowels of warm water, but not enough to do a full body wash, I've got some body wipes https://www.amazon.co.uk/Individually-Wrapped-Adult-Wet-Wipes/dp/B00YCO3K6G/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1475075356&sr=8-1&keywords=body+wipes


also taking Imodium tablets just in case.
Llama travel and some other tour groups do have potable toilets, I've not heard of having to bring used toilet paper back though.!!!
At the end of the day its a 4 day hike away from everything so you have to expect no luxuries and rough it.

fairy_lights

saxonman wrote: »

Llama travel and some other tour groups do have potable toilets, I've not heard of having to bring used toilet paper back though.!!!

Oh that's a relief, I was imagining having to stuff dirty loo roll in my ruck sack :rotfl:
Yeah I'm happy to rough it for a few days, I just want to be prepared and know how rough it's going to be.

Marcus-H_2

this is a trip I am planning for 2018!
done some research already - supposedly some of the larger camps sell water.
You can also get them water purifying straws that allow you to drink straight away through the straw. No idea how good they are, but I guess its down to how guts in the end!

You could always get one of them Solar Showers? HOwever would make for an expensive shower if you had to buy & pay someone to carry 20l of water!

rockchick113

Marcus-H wrote: »

this is a trip I am planning for 2018!
done some research already - supposedly some of the larger camps sell water.
You can also get them water purifying straws that allow you to drink straight away through the straw. No idea how good they are, but I guess its down to how guts in the end!

You could always get one of them Solar Showers? HOwever would make for an expensive shower if you had to buy & pay someone to carry 20l of water!

I've checked several time about water on the trail, boiled water is available for filling drinking bottles, I've not heard of any problems with this.

Loupinz

saxonman wrote: »

I fly 3/10 till 18/10 with Llama travel. Maybe I should start packing
Ordered Peru sols today for pickup at weekend, another thread I read no problem with Halifax card.

That's good to know about the Halifax card. I fly out on 5th but I'm trying to be orgainised so I've already packed half of my stuff and I picked my sols yesterday. Are you going to the Amazon first or the Inca trail?

fairy_lights wrote: »

What about the toilet situation? Is it true that you have to take your used loo roll with you to be disposed of at the other end? What if you get a bad stomach?
I'm curious about how it all works but toilets and personal hygiene is something that most travel blogs are suspiciously quiet about!

Regarding the toilet situation, I've read that in between camps if you've got to go then you should carry your toilet paper to the next camp where you can dispose of it in a bin. I've packed a few small zip lock bags for this purpose. It's not something I'm looking forward to but I'd rather do that than litter the Inca trail.

trolleyrun

There are no portable toilets. If you're out of camp, you hide in a bush and pop the loo paper in a bag to dispose of in camp. Camp toilets are a hole in the ground but private as in a dunny. Bring your own loo paper, you can buy it in Cuzco.

You get a bowl of hot water at each camp, to do a strip wash. Face, pits and feet Some very brave people did go for the cold shower but I'd rather be a bit whiffy. You'll know what I mean when you get there. Everyone is in the same boat so nothing to worry about.

If any ladies are going, bring pads just in case as the altitude does strange things to your system.

I brought a lightweight towel, the camping microfibre type that dries quickly. You can hang it from your backpack to dry whilst you're walking.

Day 4 is a really early start so it will be pitch black dark. A head torch is recommended. I had no issues with my tummy and didn't meet anyone who did. The food is basic, but tasty and local. I can't remember how much of a tip I gave but possibly around £30 if you're able to afford it.

It's a wonderful experience and you'll have a blast!