I can say I have finally been to Peru. We’ve seen the glorious Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. We expanded the steep stairs in Cusco city and ate ourselves on potato-induced chorus in Lima (Peru has over 3,000 types of potatoes). However, I did not do any research before I arrived. Because booking a tour with Trafalgar made all the thoughts for me.
However, if you’re doing it yourself or want to research before the tour departs, there’s everything you need to know!
My first visit to Peru
When shall we go?
Travelers visit Peru all year round, but the most popular (and most popular) period to visit is the dry season, which takes place between May and October. If you plan to visit Peru during this period and wish to hike (there are some great hikes besides the 4-day Inca trekking), please book in advance to allow reservations six months in advance.
Where to go: Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu
You may have heard from other travelers that Lima is not worth visiting. Certainly, Lima isn’t as impressive as Rio de Janeiro and as attractive as European streets in Buenos Aires, but it’s attractive enough to keep you busy for a few days. Lima is South America’s gastronomic capital, so it’s a good reason to visit only food! Anyway, you’ll pass through Lima in transit, so why not spend a few nights to rest before your adventure in the Andes?
After Lima, I board a flight to Cusco. Cusco is the region that finds the famous Machu Picchu, Peru’s biggest draw card in international tourism. Most travelers choose to stay here overnight on arrival (as it’s cheaper to stay in Cusco than a hotel near Machu Picchu), but if you choose to visit Machu Picchu by train in one day, it’s a long day. Plus, you will need to leave Machu Picchu to return to Cusco by train before 4pm. This is the best time to take a photo.
Then there is a sacred valley to consider. This has many major interests to stop along the route to Machu Picchu. If you decide to travel by bus (as we did with tour groups) or by car, there are plenty of great places to stop by to see llamas, traditional crafts and exceptional views.
Notes on altitude
If you are worried about altitude, don’t do that. Most people are healthy and don’t feel any sign of the effects of elevation at all, especially when drinking enough water. If you’re beginning to feel dizzy or shortness of breath, a great solution is to drink coca tea all day (served everywhere).
To further relieve symptoms, eat light meals, avoid cigarettes and alcohol, allowing for digestion several hours before going to bed.
Health notes (water, bugs, etc.)
Most obvious tip: Drink lots of water. Are there a lot? At least 2-3 bottles a day.
Don’t drink tap water – there’s no risk of brushing your teeth, especially in the Andes.
It brings sunscreen, is strong in UV rays – especially on top with Machu Picchu!
Bring your bug spray – I’ll thank you later. Machu Picchu raw with small flies.
Avoid street food and choose a decent restaurant instead – sample great local cuisine.
Food notes
Back to Food – What to try in Peru! ?
Being a vegetarian, I couldn’t try a lot of local delicacies. However, I was able to sample a bit of potatoes here and there (Peru has over 3,000 varieties), and sample Chicha, a local Cusco drink made from corn. You might also want to try Piscosais in Peru, or if you have sweet teeth, try using Alpha Jour.
For meat lovers, local delicacies include ceviche and chi (also known as guinea pigs).
Safety Notes
There are safety and mistakes in Peru, but like in other parts of the world, precautions should always be taken. To be safe, do the following:
Keep your valuables safe at your hotel
Beware of overly friendly locals, especially in Miraflores, Lima and Cusco.
Ask the concierge where to exchange your money or which ATMs you want to pay attention to.
Money and tips
Often, they ask what currency is available in Peru. The local currency is Peruvian sol and is accepted everywhere. Many vendor stalls can use USD, but can only be used in good condition in small ($1, $5, $10) denominations. It’s best to give your local currency first or before your trip. Credit cards were accepted: MasterCard and Visa, not many. It’s safer to grab some cash.
We took the highlight of our 8 days of our Peru tour thanks to Trafalgar Travel, which arranged our visit to Peru.