Anyone been to Peru and/or Bolivia?

Peru is one of the greatest places on earth. How are you getting to Machu Pichu? Hike or train?

I can give you a number of tips if you are hiking.

Hike!


(we are not doing the whole inca trail, but part of it...)

My sister works for Oxfam and was in Peru on a charity support job and got kidnapped. Luckily she is a quick witted cockney who talked her way out of it.

I really cant wait!

for people not familiar with peru and bolivia, here are some of the things we are visiting:

The machu picchu


Salar de Uyuni (Salt desert)




Lagunas and Geysers in bolivia

I heard some horror stories but alot of people I talked to didnt have a problem in peru...

of course we are avoiding unliscenced taxis ;)

That is how she was kidnapped. Got into a cab and it wasnt a cab at all but some nasty people!

Golden rule become catholic instantly and start crossing yourself. They dont kidnap catholics!

Ok, I know exactly what you are doing

First and foremost, Peru is by my account, the greatest place I have ever visited. You will be completely and utterly shocked, fascinated, as well as immersed with a unique culture.

Make sure you spend at least 2, even better 3, days in Cusco. Most travel agents are smart enough to do this for you. The altitude is high. I believe 11k for Cusco.

Drink the Coca tea. They will hand it to you constantly. While in Cusco walking the streets, chew it like tobacco.

Reserve your energy as much as you can, when you reach Machu Pichu, you will be told that you can climb Temple del Sol. Be careful with this, it is a third world country and parts of this hike are tough, a bit frightful, however very worth it. Here is a shot from there:



Get your camera ready for the Gateway to the Sun. If you can, bring a tripod. Don't worry with the guides at that point IMO, you can walk the remainder yourself, I wish I would have had the camera equipment I have now, then. You can always buy another tour guide on site at Machu Pichu.

They will send you hiking early so that you can see the sun rise over Machu Pichu (Gateway to the Sun). With any luck, the sun will be out. But even if it isn't, it is worth every shot you will take.

Not a great shot, I am tempted to go back



Feel free to peruse my gallery (below). I didn't make Peru due to turbulence over US oil lines, however I made Brazil, Buenos Aires. South America is amzing and Peru is the staple of it all. The people are wonderful. People will tell you Lima is scary, but it really isn't. Be careful, use common sense, always pay off the door guys at your hotels (especially in Lima), they will see to it that no cabs rip you off, if you need something, they get it....I would suggest giving the door guys $20 a pop right when you walk in the door. (I mean, if there are only a couple, etc...) Otherwise, give some cash to a few of them.....It will pay off. That includes Cusco, however Cusco is very removed Lima's harder, faster pace.

http://www.gomidgetarmy.com/gallery/album42

Don't take any taxi. The airport and hotels work with safe taxis. Also, place your luggage, including laptop, in the trunk. I hated doing it, but that is why people get robbed. They want to grab your valuables fast.

BTW, the kidnapping deal is pretty blown out of proportion. South America is safe.

I have traveled to a good amount of places, Asia, SA, Central America......Europe....I have been robbed once: In New Orleans

Awesome info Cory! Thanks! Exactly what I was looking for!

Thanks! And nice pics!

We are going with a Digital Rebel XT and a Travel-sized tripod!

I was in Lima for a bit and loved ever minute of it.

Also: We booked a local guide who was recommended to us (he speaks french/english/spannish)... he will come meet us at the airport in Lima and we spend 1-2 days at his home and visit Lima with him...


One thing you gotta love about Peru: everything is cheap compared to our standards!

No problem, I am off to Mexico shortly, plane boards in a few hours

Be safe and take it all in as much as you can, it is truely one of the great places on earth.

Awesome! Have fun in Mexico!

BTW, those guides you book to meet you, etc. They are super reliable. In Peru, being in the Turista industry is like being a doctor in the US. They are pros.

If you have a guide, they will treat you right. Just keep in mind tipping them, they really work hard for you and you will have no problems

My parents went to Peru last year and it looked beautiful. They both got stomach sickness tho..

Those are some of the most amazing pics I have ever seen.

In Cusco, you must try the Lama meat. It is a very strong meat but it tastes very good. It is freezing in the morning but really hot by noon because of the sun so make sure that you dress appropriately. While you are in Cusco, I would also recommend that you visit some of the Inca ruins by horse back. To rent a horse is cheap and the views of the landscapes are beautiful.
In Lima, I would recommend that you see the pyramids. They are not well maintained but they are nearly as old as the ones in Egypt.

Thanks for the tips Porn Girl!

A horseback ride is definitly a kickass idea!

cuzco all the way

Here is a pic of me in Machu Pichu

Peru is awesome. Lima was depressing and way dirty, Cuzco was kick-ass.

I was supposed to meet up with my travel mates at LAX before heading to Peru, but they didn't make it and I got handed a note from the flight attendant on the tarmac from my brother with a short message and the name of the hostel we were staying at... So, I arrived in Lima at 2am all by myself, couldn't speak a lick of Spanish, jumped in a cab and after a 30 minute cabride arrived safely at the hostel (travel book with map and pointing got me where I needed). Good thing they didn't try to fuck with me..

Hi there, I'm local from Lima, Peru. I've lived here all my life.

If something I'd like to tell you, yes... Cusco is fascinating. There's millions of things you'll be able to do. For example, Porn Girl suggested horseback riding.
When I went to Cusco, we went horseback riding, but with really shitty horses! I guess it was bad luck. However, riding an authentic Peruvian Paso Horse is one of the most valued peruvian tradition. I suggest you find them around.. I did a quick search and found perolchico.com, which could be kinda expensive but soooo much better than those other horses... (peruvian paso horses, however, are more of a coast tradition).

While in Lima, I must say one of the most valued activities you can do here is EAT! Yes sir, peruvian food is among the best in the world and Lima has the best restaurants to prove it. There's "expensive" (for us, not for you!) restaurants like Astrid & Gaston that serve andean-fusion cuisine. Others, like "La Mar" (impossible to get there: too full, always), that serve the best seafood (don't leave lima without trying Ceviche, or Tiradito...). There's other "Cevicherias" that serve extremely good plates like: Punto Azul, El Gol Marino, Alfresco etc. Of course, drink several PISCO SOURs while eating. You guys will end up really drunk LOL!!

Another cool thing I'd take someon in Lima is probably the center, yes. But there's a district called Pueblo Libre ("Free Town") who's center is very nice. There, you could go to a bar called "Antigua Taberna Queirolo" where they serve exquisit pisco sours and you'll enjoy excelent atmosphere.
For further partying you could end up in Barranco... the bohemian district.

Always paying attention to those taxi drivers, sometimes they are jackasses. Try not to take buses/combis, they're more like an amusement park's ride.
But like someone said, there's no danger unless you end up somewhere real dangerous (but we all know EVERY city has dangerous zones and no one ever ends up there).

I'm telling you guys all this stuff so you don't end up enjoying "Larcomar" which is a very commercial food court/mall with nothing but commodities you could find in the U.S. too. I always see lots of tourists around there and I can't understand it. DON'T GO TO LARCOMAR, there's nothing there!!

GO EAT EAT EAT, the best restaurants are in town. The best food is here.
(other food suggestions: CHOCLO (giant corn) with cheese @ cusco, LOMO SALTADO, Anticuchos, etc).
But be careful with your stomachs, this food is kinda spicy!!

Shit, I think I got excited.
Contact me if you need ANYTHING: nicolaskisic at musichabitat dot com

I forgot to say, Gaston Acurio is one of the hottest chefs worldwide right now... he owns "Astrid & Gaston", "La Mar" and some others.
The food is really incredible there.

cheers.

i highly recommend a nature tripping at Islas Flotantes or floating islands. yes, floating islands made of reeds

I'm sure you will enjoy your vacation. Don't forget to post your pics here at GFY.

Hey thanks a lot for all this info nicolask!...

I will definitly eat like a pig while in Lima!!

I might contact you eventually for some more info!!!!

no problem, man!
there's nothing better than having a visitor truly enjoy hisself during his vacation... and i'm sure you'll have a great time.

please, contact me for ANYTHING, i'll be really happy to help you out.

cheers,
nicolas.

Those are beautiful countries that I want to visit comeday.

have a friend in peru

I~ve been in Bolivia twice and it is one of most peaceful countries I saw...
Very good people, beautiful places!
And, of course, cheeeeeeeeap!