-What are you going to do around december this year?
-Probably work, why?
-Don’t you want to go hike the Inca Trail?
[Quits inmediately]
That actually happened. Even though it was for a limited amount of time, I like to remember I actually did the ‘leaves everything behind and goes traveling’ thing, also resulting in discovering actually how amazing Peru was for that part of my life.
This very out of nowhere trip, planned in a week and with a very -very- thigh schedule (I was almost out of money in my Cadivi account*), led me to discover a country I had absolutely no expectations from and provided me with one of the best hikes I’ve done so far, one of the best meals Ive ever had and the slight suspicion about not needing a lot of things I thought www indispensable to me.
I remember everything, from going to my friend’s house after we landed at the airport to the eyes of the ‘cuy’, a guinea pig a refused to eat. I also remember how badly most taxi drivers cruise through the city. I remember being impressed to know how important it was for the current Peru to have had the culture blending it has, so similarly to my own country. Also, how cold it was to dip your toes into the Pacific Ocean, how gorgeous the Miraflores area is, how spectacularly the historic center is kept and impressed at how many cooking schools there are in the city of Lima.
Since I didn't do my usual previous research, it wasn't as hard to get over all the things I probably wouldn't be able to visit; I just went with the flow. Im going to say it now and you will probably hear it again: Perú has everything. It’s quite possible you wont get to know half of it in the two weeks vacation you have. I spent almost a month there and didn't even got to half of the highlights.
You know Im not one to say ‘no’ to any part of the world, but here I present to you exactly why it is totally worth the visit and why ‘yes, let’s go’ it’s the only possible answer to an invitation to Perú.
My peruvian top
The food
If it was only about the ceviche , the causa or the papa ala Huancaína, even only the variety of fish, you could try to concentrate and try a few things. But no, they also hace the chifa, which integrates peruvian and asian food, and there’s also every other fusion you can think of, because apparently peruvians are the ultimate Master Chefs. If you are into immersion traveling, you should try coming here and do cooking clases. I ate like there was no tomorrow for three weeks in a row and didn't gain a single pound, so yes, this must count as healthy cuisine. Also, forget about worrying about expensive eating; yes, there are very fancy -and pricey- restaurants you should go if you can afford to, but you need to try the little places downtown where the regular worker eats every day.Those are the real MVP. I also went to an All you cant eat sort of place, and maybe it wasn't the most authentic thing to experience, but it sure was delicious. I’m going to stop now since I can talk about food all post long, but I do have to say the only thing I couldn't eat was the Guinea Pig because you had to choose them while they were still running around and I didn't have the heart to.
Macchu Pichu
Forget about the whole ‘isn’t that too mainstream already?” thought going through your heads. If you don't go to Macchu Pichu your trip is incomplete, period. I don't think you ever get over how impressive this place is. Even though my guide was a bit too enthusiastic about how cool the incas where -I know they were a groundbreaking civilisation but this guy almost told us they also invented the internet, or something- I get how proud they are of their background, because they did amazing things. You have to see this place once in your lifetime, just remember you need to make reservations.
Walking instead of the train
That’s how I got to Macchu Pichu. The Inca Trail is an exciting hike and I would do it all over again. Using the train must have its magic too, but those four days spent walking are worth it. The day you finally make it and you get to enjoy a private sunrise with very few people, you get it. (Even we got it, and it was pouring rain)
The Lima historic center
It is actually one of the best kept places I’ve visited. The churches interiors, the catacombs and every work of art on display are meant to be photographed - and they photograph so well-. Also, theytold us Lima has a semi permanent gloomy gray sky, which is true, but we got to see the rare days when it is clear blue and that made me love it -and the photos- even more.
Tourism and the way they do marketing
When someone understands their full potencial and also works to develop it, of course great things are about to happen. Perú knows everybody wants to go to Macchu Pichu and also go see the Nasca lines, so, what do they do? They develop a great infrastructure around it and also, they make sure to let you know there are other great places you should go. How? They launch a campaign aiming for you to associate the country with the feeling of wanting to go there and have the whole country working towards it. See this video so you fully get me, I guarantee you it’s great.
The complaints book
This must exist in every other country but I had never seen anyone actually use it. We’re talking about a country that has tourism as its third most important economic industry, so they take it very seriously. Nobody wants a costumer to ask for the complaints book so they do their best when dealing with public, but when it is used, the tourism police follows through the claims and gives you some kind of response.
It’s affordable to visit
Shall I remind you this was a very thigh budget kind of trip for me, but I was able to eat a full lunch por 10 Nuevos Soles (about 3 dollars) and be full and happy. The Inca Trail hike includes practically everything you will need and it is affordable if you do a little saving for maybe a couple months. Even though I can’t currently include Venezuela in this affirmation, with a little planning you can have an amazing trip and not end up broke. I even got to see Nazca lines in a private little plane, so, you get the idea.
The culture
They have a lot. Their history, like the rest of Latin America, is filled with battles and heroes. Intermingling of races and the melting pot resulting from it has proven to add to their heritage, and it became even richer after the more recent migrations, such as the asian population.
Diversity and mystery
Just imagine yourself walking through ancient inca ruins, surrounded by lots of green and a little rain, but with a huge snowy mountain in the background. To see the sunrise in the mother of all archeological sites but to be luxury dining in Cusco the next night. To go from splashing in the Pacific ocean to doing sand boarding in a desert and to find an oasis there. To explore a recently found pyramid in the middle of the city while you figure out how to get to the jungle and the Titicaca, and also wonder about how the Nazca lines got there.
The travel partners
Yeah, it’s a bit of a cliché, but every trip has people in it to surprise you. Out three guides for the trail hike were outstanding. One had a particular job: to carry the oxygen bottle and to run towards anyone who would need it. Another one was armed with patience and a perpetual smile for the last struggling one. Also, the chasquis. They're like pemones in Roraima**, they make sure you enjoy, carry your weight and provide you with delicious food. Only them know how to make a cake for a birthday in the middle of a mountain. Even though they are very private people, peruvian kindness is very well known.
So, you want tips on how to get there
Yes, I know. You fell in love and you need to go now. Here is some info that might be handy.
[When I travel, I do travelogs. Usually the first page consists of a small, very nerdy investigation about the place I’m going, and I love it because it feels like I’m actually learning amazing facts. It goes something like you’ll see below]
Brief history: humans have lived in the peruvian territory since about 15 thousand years ago. Their cultural blend is tremendous, and all of the original ones (moche, nazca, recuay, cajamarca, lima…) combined with the most ‘recent’ ones, add to the country’s current identity. The Inca Empire, the greatest andean absolute and religious monarchy, ruled in the 15th and 16th century. The term ‘Inca’ was originally applied only for the chief figure, but it later extended to the entire civilisation. The spanish conquest happened between 1532 and 1572, then came the Viceroyalty era and independence was declared on 1821. Since then, a lot has happened: wars, dictatorships, terrorism, economic crisis and more have shaped Perú into what it is today. (Source: Wikipedia. Just so you know, their history is dense!)
How to get there? Many airlines will get you to Perú, these to name a few: LATAM, Iberia, Air Europa, Avianca, KLM, American Airlines, Air France, British Airways, Delta, Copa, Aerolíneas Argentinas y United. You can also make it by car if you have days to spare, a a good car or wish to make an epic journey out of this visit.
Currency: it’s the Nuevo Sol (New Sun). Many places will be glad to take american dollars but you can also change your money in exchange bureaus (get away from the ones in airports, terrible fares). As I publish this, you get 3.27 Nuevos Soles for each dollar.
Electrical appliances: the voltage there is 220v, so make sure you check every one of your gadgets and make sure whether you need a converter and/or an adapter. I almost burn my phone and we burnt an Xbox, so.
Travel medicine: you don't need mandatory vaccines to get into Perú, but you should have gotten the yellow fever, chickenpox or varicella and hepatitis A and B before you go. It is also great if you have travel insurance, as usual.
Do I need a visa? most countries can get access to Perú for 183 non extendable days of tourism. Check this list to make sure your country is cleared. If you wish to stay longer to study or work, you should go to a Peru’s Government Office in your home country and check what you need.
(Source: Peru.travel)
I recommend you should know a word or two in spanish before hand, so ¡Hola! (Hello) - Gracias (Thank you) - Por favor (Please) -¿Cuánto cuesta? (How much is this?) - No, gracias (No, thank you) would get you covered the first days. There are also a little more complicated phrases, such as “a la firme” which means for sure and “hacer la gauchada” which means to help out someone or yourself, but I’ll let you discover that while you’re there.
So hagan la gauchada and go to Perú! Enjoy!
Source: Viaja Peru
*Cadivi is the way venezuelan government used to assign how many dollars each person could use in a trip abroad. You had to make a formal government request. Now it’s almost impossible to get any.
**Pemones de Roraima: indigenous people from Venezuela, who live right next to the tepuys and are in charge of the hikes and excursions.
You can find this post and others like it at my blog, todoesunviajeenglish.wordpress.com - All photos by me, from the time I went there :)