Hola Peru Including Inca Trail trek Departing on 09/08/2009

Hello!

I'm not travelling on your tour, but I did exactly the same tour in August/September 2007. You're in for a treat - it's a belting tour!

As for tips, I'm assuming you're doing the Inca Trail, so for God's sake make sure your boots are comfortable and properly broken in. You WILL suffer if your feet get lots of blisters, etc. My feet were fine despite 4 days walking, but my boots were comfortable - other people on the trek weren't so lucky!

Also, if you haven't done it already, get a few days walking in between now and when you leave - ideally full days, of at least moderate exertion. It'll do your confidence the world of good, and you'll have a bit of mental strength for when the going gets tough, too.

All that said, the trek shouldn't be too challenging - it was my first time at altitude and I didn't have any real problems at all - and I smoked all the way!

Make sure you've got plenty of batteries for your camera, and maybe even a bottle of beer to celebrate when you reach Intipunku, the point of arrival for Machu Picchu (you'll arrive there around 7 or 8am, depending on walking speed, so possibly not a good suggestion if you can't face early morning drinking!).

Other than that, just relax and enjoy it. You'll have an amazing time.

If you have any other specific questions, just ask!

Cheers

Dom

Hi Martin

That's some good advise from Dom, thanks Dom!

I would agree with getting some training in for the Inca Trail. As long as you pace yourself on the trek you should be fine with the altitude.

Also, there are 7 people booked on your tour.

Have a great trip
David

David / Dom, many thanks to both of you.

Boots have been partially worn in, they are quite new but incredibly comfy so I’ll cram in a couple of walks in the next couple of weeks just to make sure.

The camera / battery issue is one I think I have covered. I’m planning on taking two cameras with me and a couple of extra batteries for both just in case. Nice tip about the beer. Not normally an early morning drinker, but if ever there was a time to make an exception, this is surely it!

Couple of specific ones for you Dom.
1. Is it easy to recharge camera batteries (apart from on the Inca Trail obviously)
2. Can you suggest a sensible amount of money (dollars) to take. Don’t want to carry loads with me, but at the same time don’t want to miss out on anything
3. What was your favourite bit? Just curious to know.

Thanks very much

No problem, glad to be of help.

Good news about your boots - you should be fine, particularly if they're as "incredibly comfy" as you claim! Glad you liked the tip about the beer as well - when I arrived at Intipunku and was having my photo taken, I clocked some fella in the background, cracking open a bottle, and thought "Damn, I wish I'd thought of that!"

As for your specific questions, you should have no problem charging camera batteries. Obviously, you're going to need a travel adaptor. I bought one ages ago, which has a USB connector built-in, and you can change the pins on it as well - the one I've got is essentially the same as this one:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Jivo-World-Power-International/dp/B00193RN9S...

Good value for a tenner, and perfect if your camera batteries (or iPod, or whatever) can charge by USB. I don't remember any of the hotel rooms not having plug sockets, to be honest, so you should be fine on that score, too. As long as you charge all your stuff on the night before you leave Cuzco to start the trail, I can't see you having any problems.

I'm a bit confused as to question 2, to be honest - do you mean how much to take on your entire holiday, or how much to take on the trail? Obviously, you can't spend much on the trail, but there are some enterprising locals scattered throughout the first day and a half of the trail, who will sell snacks and drinks, and the final campsite on night 3 has a shop which sells quite a lot of stuff, including beer. Actually, that final campsite also has shower blocks, but seeing as everyone on the trail at that time will probably want a shower as well, I'd advise hanging on until after you finish the trail and get down to Aguas Calientes (the town below Machu Picchu). I think they've changed the itinerary slightly, as it happens. When I went, you finished the trail, went into Aguas Calientes, and got the train back to Cuzco the same day. I think - but I'm not sure - that you now stay in Aguas Calientes for the night after you finish the trail, which is better, to be honest.

If you're asking for a guide as to how much money for the entire holiday, that's a different proposition. If I recall correctly, I spent about US$800 - US$1000 over the three weeks, but that covered me for pretty much everything, including souvenirs, drinks, food, excursions, etc. I had some left over when I came home, too - possibly around US$100; it's been almost two years since I went, though, so it's hard to recall now. If you're worried about carrying a lot of money, there are ATMs pretty much everywhere though, so you can just take your cashcard. I did, and used it a couple of times, once at Cuzco airport, and once to pay by Maestro for some souvenirs in the Larcomar shopping centre in Lima. I didn't have any problems that way. I actually took a mix of traveller's cheques, dollars, and my card. If you do take traveller's cheques, though, make sure they're US dollar ones. Also, you know how you have to sign your name once when you get them, and then again when you cash them? Make sure these signatures are identical, because I had a few Peruvians moaning, saying that my signatures weren't that similar. No-one refused to cash them, but they did moan a bit sometimes, so it's best not to take a chance and ensure that your signatures are spot on.

Also, make sure to have your local payment in cash ready to pay to the tour leader on the first day of the tour!

Finally, as for my favourite bit? It's got to be arriving at Intipunku. It's the 4th day of trekking, you're tired, a bit grizzled and manky from being without a good shower and all the usual comforts...and then all of a sudden, you come to the top of a small rise, and suddenly, there's Machu Picchu in all its glory. I defy anyone not to have their breath taken away when they first see it. It's all the more special because you won't see Machu Picchu at all - not even a glimpse! - until you get to Intipunku.

There's plenty else to enjoy though - the time we spent on Lake Titicaca was amazing, and sandboarding at Huacachina Oasis was a brilliant laugh. I'd also recommend Sacsayhuaman, the Inca site above Cuzco. You get a great view of the city, and can wander around saying "Jesus, how big are these stones?" because they're gigantic.

If you've got any other questions, please feel free to ask - I've really enjoyed going back over my time in Peru to answer your questions!

thanks Dom

Hi Dom, thanks so much for all of this information, really helpful.

Did you enjoy the food. Anyone else got any experience of the cuisine in Peru?

Cheers, Martin

1 week to go

1 week to go until the trip, Im very excited.You have answered some of my questions Martin and Dom, thanks!
Gem

Hi Gem, presume you're one of the 7 on the tour then! Are you travelling alone?