Peru

Whenever I travel I try to stay in local places, or fun places… Here is the place I stayed in Peru:

• Cusco – Casa Andina –  A nice little hotel with decent sized rooms and a very helpful staff.  It is located in the old city center and within walking distance of markets, ruins, churches, and the town square.  You can check your bags here for hiking the Inca Trail and claim them upon return

I had so much fun in Peru.  Here is a brief rundown of the things I did:

• Watch festivals in the town square
• Hike the Inca Trail
• Learn about the Sacred valley
• Sip Coca Tea with locals
• Explore Cusco

There are so many amazing places to visit in Peru.  Here are a few of the ones i saw:

• Machu Picchu
• Sacred Valley
• Wana Picchu
• Dead Woman Pass
• Phuyupatamarca
• Wiñay Wayna

Peru has so much to offer it is tough to narrow down the things that were amazing.  Here is a short list of things I think you should see while in India:

• Machhu Picchu – Enough said there.  Just go see it.
• Phuyupatamarca – You can only see this amazing city in the clouds by hiking the Inca Trail.  It was my favorite as there were very few people and I felt like i was exploring a lost city for the first time!
• Cuy – Ok, so it isn’t for everyone, but you have to at least try it.  Yes, it is guinea pig.
• Alpaca – it tastes amazingly good!
• Inca Trail – one of the most amazing experiences of my life.  Hiking along a path that was made a thousand years ago buy a civilization that has long gone.  I have no way to tell you how awesome it was.  Just go do it.

As with every trip there are always things you wish you hadn’t wasted your time doing.  Here are a few:

• Coca Leaves  – the locals will give these to you at all times.  I didn’t care for them as they made my mouth go numb.  I only tried them once.  However you should carry a bag with you to share with locals you see hiking on the trail  It is a very nice custom they have.
• Showers on the last day of the Inca Trail – Unless you just can’t stand it anymore don’t use the showers on the last day.  You’ve never experienced cold water like this.  It was one of the worst experiences I’ve had traveling.  They are dirty, crowded, bug infested, and COLD!

A few parting thoughts:

• You get your Peruvian visa upon arrival to Peru.
• Tipping in Peru is expected.  You will need to tip your guides, sherpas, drivers, and hotel staff.  Tip your guides separately from the sherpas (who should all be tipped via a collection from your group). Leaving them with extra clothing, shoes, and hiking supplies can also be a blessing to them.  Just remember that they put a lot of work in for you, treat them accordingly.
• Do not be guilted into buying something just because your driver took you to a specific place.  You are never under any obligation to buy anything, even if they give you a demonstration of how it is made or provide you with drinks or snacks.  If the price isn’t good then don’t buy it.
• Use the company I did – I booked this trip through the Clymb adventures.  The company that they used was great.  They are more locally oriented than many of the other outfits.  This becomes obvious as you hike looking at the other companies.  Valencia Travel actually takes good care of their employees, providing them food, places to sleep, hiking shoes, and clothing.  This isn’t so for most of the other companies as you will see on the trail.  Use Valencia Travel for your Inca Trail experience and you won’t regret it at all.  Here is a link to their website:  Valencia Travel.  Check the Clymb for special Pricing options.  They rotate their trips on the Clymb so check back if you don’t see it.  My trip cost somewhere around $800 (but it was on sale and discount through the Clymb)