clipit101
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Posts โข 23
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December 2009
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Peru
Apr 22, 2008 23:52:10 GMT 1
Peru, by clipit101 on Apr 22, 2008 23:52:10 GMT 1, Anyone been to Peru before im going in June for a few months and dont know what to expect. I know nothing to do with art but would love to hear from you if youve been there or anywhere else in South America for that matter ;D
Anyone been to Peru before im going in June for a few months and dont know what to expect. I know nothing to do with art but would love to hear from you if youve been there or anywhere else in South America for that matter ;D
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trowel
New Member
Posts โข 622
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September 2006
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Peru
Apr 23, 2008 0:41:57 GMT 1
Peru, by trowel on Apr 23, 2008 0:41:57 GMT 1, Was there last summer for a month - you'll have an amazing time! ;D
Where are you going and how are you traveling? I went on a tour with Explore, which had plenty of positives - not least a brilliant tour guide, superb organisation, travel and accommodation, and an excellent itinerary packing loads in. On the downside it did feel a little rushed at times to see so much, but if you're there for 2 months you can take your time!
Things I'd highly recommend are Arequipa (stunning architecture), Colca Canyon (incredible condor viewing), Nazca Lines plane trip, Sacsaywaman, sand buggying in Ica, and make sure you have a stay in the Amazon if possible (I spent 4 days there, could have stayed a whole lot longer and not gotten tired of it). Lima is a bit of a shit hole from my experience (mainly due to the constant mist owing to the odd geography), though they did have a brilliant independence day night parade (24th July or around there I think so wherever you are at that point will be celebrating big style).
Machu Picchu goes without saying - I assume you're doing one of the trails; it's no clichรฉ to say you'll have the experience of a lifetime. Absolutely breathtaking
Was there last summer for a month - you'll have an amazing time! ;D Where are you going and how are you traveling? I went on a tour with Explore, which had plenty of positives - not least a brilliant tour guide, superb organisation, travel and accommodation, and an excellent itinerary packing loads in. On the downside it did feel a little rushed at times to see so much, but if you're there for 2 months you can take your time! Things I'd highly recommend are Arequipa (stunning architecture), Colca Canyon (incredible condor viewing), Nazca Lines plane trip, Sacsaywaman, sand buggying in Ica, and make sure you have a stay in the Amazon if possible (I spent 4 days there, could have stayed a whole lot longer and not gotten tired of it). Lima is a bit of a shit hole from my experience (mainly due to the constant mist owing to the odd geography), though they did have a brilliant independence day night parade (24th July or around there I think so wherever you are at that point will be celebrating big style). Machu Picchu goes without saying - I assume you're doing one of the trails; it's no clichรฉ to say you'll have the experience of a lifetime. Absolutely breathtaking
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themightyreds
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Posts โข 829
Likes โข 16
February 2007
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Peru
Apr 23, 2008 8:06:48 GMT 1
Peru, by themightyreds on Apr 23, 2008 8:06:48 GMT 1, Spent a month there 2 years back. Where are you headed, or are you planning on traveling about while you're there?
Spent a month there 2 years back. Where are you headed, or are you planning on traveling about while you're there?
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saltandiron
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Posts โข 794
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July 2006
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Peru
Apr 23, 2008 8:51:12 GMT 1
Peru, by saltandiron on Apr 23, 2008 8:51:12 GMT 1, Went there about 5/6 six years ago, think trowel covered most of it. I spent quite a bit of time in Pisco too, staying with friends. It's probably worth a day trip though. That said I haven't been back since the earthquake so not sure what's still standing. Could be quite interesting. Have you checked out the thorn tree forums? They're a part of the lonely planet site and are usually pretty good for up to date info. www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/index.jspa
Went there about 5/6 six years ago, think trowel covered most of it. I spent quite a bit of time in Pisco too, staying with friends. It's probably worth a day trip though. That said I haven't been back since the earthquake so not sure what's still standing. Could be quite interesting. Have you checked out the thorn tree forums? They're a part of the lonely planet site and are usually pretty good for up to date info. www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/index.jspa
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angryboy
New Member
Posts โข 366
Likes โข 1
October 2007
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Peru
Apr 23, 2008 9:58:50 GMT 1
Peru, by angryboy on Apr 23, 2008 9:58:50 GMT 1, I went there last year. Went Lima then Cuzco then the Inca Trail then the Amazon and then chilled in Mancora for a few days at the end.
It's an amazing country, although for some reason I wouldn't want to live there.
Make sure you do the full Inca Trail, IMO the trail's far better than Machu Picchu itself which is a bit of a theme park nowadays. For the Inca Trail go with Llama Path, cost about ยฃ250 for the 4 days which is pretty good value and they're were the best looked after porters we saw. Some of the porters from other companies were struggling with sacks tied on their backs with rope but the Llama Path guys give there's big comfy looking rucksacks.
www.llamapath.com/
Book up quick though as the Inca Trail books up months in advance.
Saqsaywaman is also very good and just a walk from Cuzco, albeit an uphill walk between 3200m and 3500m up so pretty tiring.
I found the amazon pretty tiring and a bit of a let down compared to everything else, fun swimming in it with dolphins and catching piranha but the jungle beats me down whenever I go there. So humid and noisy and hard to sleep.
Mancora is good to chill, bit of a mission to get there but once you're there it's hard to leave as it's pretty relaxing sunbathing in the equatorial sun (roll on skin cancer).
Wherever you go it will be fun though and if you like food Peru is a great place to be, they're obsessed with eating so crack on with ceviche washed down with pisco sours.
I went there last year. Went Lima then Cuzco then the Inca Trail then the Amazon and then chilled in Mancora for a few days at the end. It's an amazing country, although for some reason I wouldn't want to live there. Make sure you do the full Inca Trail, IMO the trail's far better than Machu Picchu itself which is a bit of a theme park nowadays. For the Inca Trail go with Llama Path, cost about ยฃ250 for the 4 days which is pretty good value and they're were the best looked after porters we saw. Some of the porters from other companies were struggling with sacks tied on their backs with rope but the Llama Path guys give there's big comfy looking rucksacks. www.llamapath.com/Book up quick though as the Inca Trail books up months in advance. Saqsaywaman is also very good and just a walk from Cuzco, albeit an uphill walk between 3200m and 3500m up so pretty tiring. I found the amazon pretty tiring and a bit of a let down compared to everything else, fun swimming in it with dolphins and catching piranha but the jungle beats me down whenever I go there. So humid and noisy and hard to sleep. Mancora is good to chill, bit of a mission to get there but once you're there it's hard to leave as it's pretty relaxing sunbathing in the equatorial sun (roll on skin cancer). Wherever you go it will be fun though and if you like food Peru is a great place to be, they're obsessed with eating so crack on with ceviche washed down with pisco sours.
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angryboy
New Member
Posts โข 366
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October 2007
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Peru
Apr 23, 2008 10:32:37 GMT 1
Peru, by angryboy on Apr 23, 2008 10:32:37 GMT 1, Alas I missed those, absolutely stunning from the photos though.
Alas I missed those, absolutely stunning from the photos though.
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themightyreds
New Member
Posts โข 829
Likes โข 16
February 2007
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Peru
Apr 23, 2008 11:08:12 GMT 1
Peru, by themightyreds on Apr 23, 2008 11:08:12 GMT 1, i missed these too... a good reason to return one day though!
Also worth trying is some white water rafting - we did some about 2 hours away from Cusco which was awesome! Don't bother eating the Guinea pigs.... they stink. although it is funny watching the odd dumb tourist try to eat one and thinking they are local! Cusco is a pretty cool town to chill out in for a few days. Lots of the night bars show movies during the day and the guys on the square touting to get you into the clubs/bars at night are excellent contacts for one of Peru's finest exports other than coffee!!
Theres a good couple of museums in Cusco - one with a nice restaurant, and there's a so-called biker bar in one corner of the main square that does nice fat burgers.
Goes without saying that the trip to machu picchu is awesome. Trek it if you like that sort of thing or get the train there and back - be prepared though, when i was on the train back to Cusco it was getting late and it stopped in the middle of nowhere at the exact time a shed load of taxis were waiting there to take people back to Cusco... If you get to Machu picchu make sure to climb up the hill at the back of it called wayan picchu. The guides tell you this takes 30-40 mins but this is a bare-faced lie! It took me about 2 hours and nearly that to come down again so leave plenty of time if you're on a schedule. Make sure you get right to the top as the view down onto machu picchu is fantastic! Try and come down via the back of wayan picchu as well as most that come up it go down the way they came up but there are other ruins, great views and indiana jones style overgrown trails to get through!
Have fun clipit!
i missed these too... a good reason to return one day though!
Also worth trying is some white water rafting - we did some about 2 hours away from Cusco which was awesome! Don't bother eating the Guinea pigs.... they stink. although it is funny watching the odd dumb tourist try to eat one and thinking they are local! Cusco is a pretty cool town to chill out in for a few days. Lots of the night bars show movies during the day and the guys on the square touting to get you into the clubs/bars at night are excellent contacts for one of Peru's finest exports other than coffee!!
Theres a good couple of museums in Cusco - one with a nice restaurant, and there's a so-called biker bar in one corner of the main square that does nice fat burgers.
Goes without saying that the trip to machu picchu is awesome. Trek it if you like that sort of thing or get the train there and back - be prepared though, when i was on the train back to Cusco it was getting late and it stopped in the middle of nowhere at the exact time a shed load of taxis were waiting there to take people back to Cusco... If you get to Machu picchu make sure to climb up the hill at the back of it called wayan picchu. The guides tell you this takes 30-40 mins but this is a bare-faced lie! It took me about 2 hours and nearly that to come down again so leave plenty of time if you're on a schedule. Make sure you get right to the top as the view down onto machu picchu is fantastic! Try and come down via the back of wayan picchu as well as most that come up it go down the way they came up but there are other ruins, great views and indiana jones style overgrown trails to get through!
Have fun clipit!
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angryboy
New Member
Posts โข 366
Likes โข 1
October 2007
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Peru
Apr 23, 2008 11:34:11 GMT 1
Peru, by angryboy on Apr 23, 2008 11:34:11 GMT 1, "there's a so-called biker bar in one corner of the main square that does nice fat burgers"
All the way to Peru and you eat burgers.
"there's a so-called biker bar in one corner of the main square that does nice fat burgers" All the way to Peru and you eat burgers.
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themightyreds
New Member
Posts โข 829
Likes โข 16
February 2007
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Peru
Apr 23, 2008 12:12:47 GMT 1
Peru, by themightyreds on Apr 23, 2008 12:12:47 GMT 1, believe me when i say that they were tasty burgers.! Didn't get on too well with the altitude in Peru/Bolivia so most things either didn't go down, or stay down too well. I sure do love my food angryboy so when presented with one of these bad-boys there's no way i could pass it up!! It's also an ok bar to get drunk in!
believe me when i say that they were tasty burgers.! Didn't get on too well with the altitude in Peru/Bolivia so most things either didn't go down, or stay down too well. I sure do love my food angryboy so when presented with one of these bad-boys there's no way i could pass it up!! It's also an ok bar to get drunk in!
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angryboy
New Member
Posts โข 366
Likes โข 1
October 2007
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Peru
Apr 23, 2008 12:50:56 GMT 1
Peru, by angryboy on Apr 23, 2008 12:50:56 GMT 1, If I'm honest I have a McDs cheeseburger in every country I visit and they're from great. I'll look out for it if I'm ever back.
I was OK at altitude but my gf was ruined by it. In Puno the doctor had her on an oxygen tank and I sat by the side of her bed for the day occasionally checking that breath was still coming out of her blue lips.
If I'm honest I have a McDs cheeseburger in every country I visit and they're from great. I'll look out for it if I'm ever back.
I was OK at altitude but my gf was ruined by it. In Puno the doctor had her on an oxygen tank and I sat by the side of her bed for the day occasionally checking that breath was still coming out of her blue lips.
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trowel
New Member
Posts โข 622
Likes โข 287
September 2006
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Peru
Apr 23, 2008 12:52:17 GMT 1
Peru, by trowel on Apr 23, 2008 12:52:17 GMT 1, Heh, I went that biker bar too! Good pool table
As TMR says, guinea pig is absolutely terrible - I tried one served split and fried in breadcrumbs and it's greasy as hell, with no meat and looks foul enough to put you off the rest of your meal. However I had an awesome meal of steaks in a brilliant Arequipa restaurant, which they called "A trilogy of meats" - one plate with steaks of beef plus alpaca plus ostrich! The meals on the trek were fantastic - they did us some great dishes of meat early on, then in the final days rustled more veggie based stuff, including quinoa-based soups, which is the most amazing and versatile grain I've ever encountered.
Also did rafting outside Cusco in the Urubamba - had a little swim too... albeit an unplanned one...
Heh, I went that biker bar too! Good pool table As TMR says, guinea pig is absolutely terrible - I tried one served split and fried in breadcrumbs and it's greasy as hell, with no meat and looks foul enough to put you off the rest of your meal. However I had an awesome meal of steaks in a brilliant Arequipa restaurant, which they called "A trilogy of meats" - one plate with steaks of beef plus alpaca plus ostrich! The meals on the trek were fantastic - they did us some great dishes of meat early on, then in the final days rustled more veggie based stuff, including quinoa-based soups, which is the most amazing and versatile grain I've ever encountered. Also did rafting outside Cusco in the Urubamba - had a little swim too... albeit an unplanned one...
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dotdot
Junior Member
Posts โข 3,651
Likes โข 1,029
December 2006
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Peru
Apr 23, 2008 12:52:54 GMT 1
Peru, by dotdot on Apr 23, 2008 12:52:54 GMT 1, I visited a couple of years ago.
Lima - interesting only because it's different. No real infrastructure so slums on the outskirts and buses everywhere everyshape in the city.
Cuzco - fine city - lots of people selling postcards. Everyone friendly / safe.
Machu Picchu - one of the wonders on the world for many reasons. Once seen never forgotten - you'll not believe how high up it is - it's in the sky!
The food / the people / the culture / the HATS ! - certainly a trip you won't forget.
Not forgetting Puno - if you get the chance - wild place.
Oh and you'll hear a bit about the SPANISH too... you'll not think of them in the same way ever again.
have fun
..
btw - thier cusquena is a fine beverage...
I visited a couple of years ago.
Lima - interesting only because it's different. No real infrastructure so slums on the outskirts and buses everywhere everyshape in the city.
Cuzco - fine city - lots of people selling postcards. Everyone friendly / safe.
Machu Picchu - one of the wonders on the world for many reasons. Once seen never forgotten - you'll not believe how high up it is - it's in the sky!
The food / the people / the culture / the HATS ! - certainly a trip you won't forget.
Not forgetting Puno - if you get the chance - wild place.
Oh and you'll hear a bit about the SPANISH too... you'll not think of them in the same way ever again.
have fun
..
btw - thier cusquena is a fine beverage...
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themightyreds
New Member
Posts โข 829
Likes โข 16
February 2007
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Peru
Apr 24, 2008 18:04:52 GMT 1
Peru, by themightyreds on Apr 24, 2008 18:04:52 GMT 1, Cusquena is indeed fine! Just be careful pouring it out into a tall glass at altitude....!
Cusquena is indeed fine! Just be careful pouring it out into a tall glass at altitude....!
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welikestatic
New Member
Posts โข 144
Likes โข 36
November 2011
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Peru
Apr 24, 2008 18:07:46 GMT 1
Peru, by welikestatic on Apr 24, 2008 18:07:46 GMT 1, Its amazing mate, you will have a fantastic time,
i did the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu which was one of the best experiences of my life, do it if you get chance
Its amazing mate, you will have a fantastic time, i did the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu which was one of the best experiences of my life, do it if you get chance
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