We are going to Peru in mid February for three weeks. I realize that's not exactly "slow" travel, but this is the period and amount of time we have to work with right now.We will be arriving and departing from Lima.
Wondering if the weather will be ghastly, if we will be able to travel to Macchu Pichu.
We already have the airline tickets in hand, so please *be kind* --- how can we make the best trip possible?
We are a couple, mid 50s, fairly well-traveled (France, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Greece, Portugal, Mexico, Guatamala, Japan, Philippines, China), in good physical condition (we hike and bike regularly)--- we always make our own travel arrangements, so any ideas for good places to visit, hotels, etc. will be much appreciated.
This is our first time to be in South America - we are really looking forward to an adventure>
We were there in late January 2 years ago and the weather was great - here's a link to our blog - highly recommend the local guide we used (he also booked our hotels - got a better rate than we could)
Liz - Thank you so much for your response to my post and your amazing blog. I have just a few minutes right now to look at your journal and photos, but I have bookmarked it so I will be able to read all of it.
We will be also going to Lake Titicaca, as well as Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. Glad to see that the weather will not be as bad as I had thought. We will be fine with a bit of rain ... and perhaps the smaller level of tourism at that time of the year will more than offset any weather related inconveniences.
hi trencita, we were in peru in april 06 and while it was supposed to be the start of dry season, we had a few days of rain. it didn't completely spoil any of our plans, but you could just luck out... it happened to be a wet fall that year.
i would recommend that you stay in the sacred valley area for a few days before heading to MP so you can acclimate to the altitude. the SV is around 8000-9000' whereas cuzco & MP are over 10000'. from there you can explore the ruins in the area like pisac & ollantaytambo. i would also try to stay in aguas caliente at least 2 nights so you can enjoy MP at a slower pace. we were only there one day and i would have loved to stay to see more. it's bigger and more spectacular than i ever imagined.
we also went to manu for a few days, then to lake titicaca on the bolivian side (we flew out of lapaz), which was just beautiful.
We are exploring an itinerary with a tour guide who was reccommended by a friend, but not sure if we will go with him. The tour he is proposing begins with a flight from Lima to Puno (juliaca) and three days at lake Titicaca before we go on by bus to Cusco and Machu Picchu.
I am beginning to be a little concerned about altitude sickness ... it seems like a better plan to start in Cusco (and Machu Picchu) and then head to the higher altitude as the trip goes on.
Anyone have any experience with altitude sickness? I am reluctant to take the medication (diamox) that many people use ... seems as if the side effects can be as bad as the altitude sickness itself.
We started in the SV then to MP then to Cusco and ultimately Lake Titicaca.......didn't have any problem with the altitude other than obvious exertion. We did take diamox without side effects - also our guide drilled it into our head not to drink for the first 36-48 hours - he feels a lot of bad hangovers get billed as altitude sickness! Those Pisco Sours pack a punch at 10,000 feet!
altitude definitely affects people differently. i tried to go without diamox and i really should have taken it. there are coca tea and leaves available to you whereever you go. take advantage of that. as liz said, don't drink alcohol your first few days, eat smaller meals at first and HYDRATE always.
i agree that lake titicaca should be on the tail end of that trip.
