Backpacking group posting on GLOBOsapiens

advice for Peru needed

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picaflor Joined: Aug 02 Points: 33 Posts: 6 Posted: 2004-06-13 23:21:00    Has anyone of you been to Peru yet? I'm going there next month and I'd be very thankful for some travel tips... For instance: - Should I pay in US$ or Soles? - Have you ever experienced any trouble with changing traveller's cheques? - Is it necessary to take a sleeping bag with me although I'm planning to stay in youth hostels or cheap hotels? - Which travel agencies would you recommend for going to Machu Picchu? - How safe is Peru for women that travel alone? Thanks in advance Reply    Reply with quote    Contact picaflor   willow Joined: Dec 03 Points: 1258 Posts: 12 Posted: 2004-06-14 12:32:00    Hi Claudia, Enjoy your time in both Ecuador and Peru! Euros and US$ are both easily changeable. I didn't bring travelers checks...I seem to remember reading something about them being difficult to exchange, like not even the American Express office excepted American Express travelers checks...it was a long time ago for a forgotten detail. Check Lonely Planet on this point. It's better to bring either US$ or Euros, and exchange them for soles as needed. Sometimes you can pay for larger things in $ or €, but you have to watch the exchange rate they give! I DO highly recommend very good travel insurance. Most everyone gets robbed at least once in Ecuador. Peru as well. I knew quite a few packers who were traveling with just a local bag and a change of newly bought clothes with their brand new passport because their entire pack was stolen! That said, I didn't have any problems. In the end someone took my mobil, but I'm sure it was someone in the house where I lived. (they forgot the power supply, and the phone was awful anyway!) Also, don't forget all the vaccinations, and travel with anti-bacterial (waterless) handsoap and toilet paper! I spent a lot of time in the hospital in Peru cause I ate like a Latino while I was there. A year later, my stomach still regrets it...but I LOVED the food. Peruvian food is fantastic! Just make sure you eat somewhere clean. Try the Ceviche! I kept my money belt wrapped (and pinned) around my lower leg in a way that didn't show through my jeans. I kept my insurance papers, passport and all of my money there. An Israeli friend of mine was robbed 3 times and they never found his stash around his leg! NEVER get money out of your belt in public, carry enough cash for the day, and no more. If someone robs you of this, you're not stuck. I was also a woman traveling alone, and it was a little scary at first, not helped by the "State of Emergency" declared by the President of Peru just before I arrived. It wasn't nearly as bad as I was afraid it would be. Even the demonstrations and riots weren't that bad. Just stay clear. They aren't out for tourists. If there are blockades, don't cross. (sometimes people will shoot) As a woman, be EXTRA careful. Rape is common in Peru. It's a very macho country. Exercise caution. Make friends along the way. For the most part, I found you can trust other backpackers (trust your instincts). Make friends on the buses, it was common to just talk to people either on the bus, or see who else was alone as we were getting our packs and see about hooking up to share a hostel. It's perfectly acceptable to talk to other travelers (if they don't want to talk, they'll just answer in short, closed sentences). Often, you'll find yourself hooking up with people for a time. I hiked Machu Pichu with an English girl and an Israeli guy that I met...well, I forget. Maybe we met in the cafe while waiting for a train? I shared my hotel with an Israeli in Cusco that I met getting off the bus, and we looked out for each other. In Bolivia I shared with a Dane who sat next to me on the bus. The locals warned us where not to walk at night. Sleeping bag- I didn't bring one. It got cold. REALLY cold. If you don't want the bulk of a sleeping bag, think about bringing a thermal liner. Even on the treks you can hire everything you need, so a sleeping bag is unnecessary. Travel agencies, check out my report on Cusco. I put a lot of detailed information about planning your trip, including where to find travel agencies and environmentally friendly travel. I know it sounds scary in some ways- and it is, but it's not as bad once you're there. Life is different there, and you need to take a lot more care in order to be safe. Take that care and you should be fine. I'd do it again, and alone. Be safe and have a wonderful time!! I'm already thinking about when I'll go back. Next trip I think I'll spend a lot of time in Brasil jungle trekking! --- "Seek to live. Remembrance is for the old." -Paulo Coelho Reply    Reply with quote    Contact willow   picaflor Joined: Aug 02 Points: 33 Posts: 6 Posted: 2004-06-14 21:54:00    Hey Willow! Thanks a lot for your detailed travel advice. That's really kind of you! I wish you all the best for your future travels, good luck! Reply    Reply with quote    Contact picaflor   willow Joined: Dec 03 Points: 1258 Posts: 12 Posted: 2004-06-15 15:08:00    My pleasure Claudia, that's what we're all here for- to help learn from and to help each other in our travels. I made a couple of big mistakes in my trip to South America and it almost cost me my life (namely not getting a typhoid fever vaccination). Luckily, I did other things right (like the excellent insurance). My having an extremely high fever for a few weeks further impaired my judgment - which explains a very large tattoo on my neck, and accidentally living with 9 Peruvian men (tattoo and piercing artists). Luckily, God was watching over me. It was an adventure, and I'm a fighter. I would not recommend that anyone go with just under $200 a month like I did. $500 a month and you can live safely, healthily and do a lot of things. $800 a month and you can live like a queen and do whatever you like. For my bad experiences I feel very strongly about helping others to enjoy their time and be safe. All the best in your travels, and especially safety and health! Willow --- "Seek to live. Remembrance is for the old." -Paulo Coelho Reply    Reply with quote    Contact willow   downundergal Premium account Joined: Jun 02 Points: 12936 Posts: 221 Posted: 2004-06-16 10:43:00    Really great advice, Willow! I hope the tattoo on your neck is something you can live with and not something awful... I really just want to add the importance of vaccinations - typhoid, malaria & yellow fever for the Amazon,Hep A & Hep B, Diamox for quick acclimatisation for the Andes altitude. We took quite a few US $ cash but mainly withdrew soles from the local banks but inside not at the atm so we could stow it safely before leaving the premises. Again, like willow using a very unnoticable money belt. Don't bother with t/chqs I think they are useless nowadays. Blend in as best you can, a bit hard when you have blonde hair but it is possible. I wasn't travelling alone but did not encounter one bit of trouble and was caught in quite a few blockades, riots etc, this really is par for the course in Sth America so make your travel plans are flexible. You will get a few snide remarks but that is the same in any Latin American country, machismo runs deep. Just ignore them - thats the best remedy. I didn't take a sleeping bag but then again I didnt hike the Inca trail(too old for that), ask fellow travellers that you meet on the road for recommendations for the Inca trail etc as all tourist orientated companies can be great & then go downhill quickly. I have quite a few travel stories on Globo as well, if you get the chance try to do the 2 day trips in my report, they are worth every cent. Good luck, it is a great country. Be careful without being paranoid. Cheers, Kerrie --- Where to next? Reply    Reply with quote    Contact downundergal   picaflor Joined: Aug 02 Points: 33 Posts: 6 Posted: 2004-06-16 12:24:00    Thanks for the useful information. I have asked for Diamox but my doc said it's not available in Germany. Do you know a good alternative? Reply    Reply with quote    Contact picaflor   downundergal Premium account Joined: Jun 02 Points: 12936 Posts: 221 Posted: 2004-06-17 10:14:00    Hi Claudia, I searched the web to see if there was something similar for Diamox also known as Acetazolamide but about the only useful thing I found was that it is used to control epilepsy! It seems to be avail in the UK, US & most countries. It is available online but I would suggest contacting your doctor or a doctor specialising in travel for a substitute.We have a Travellers Medical & Vaccination Centre here in Oz but the closest to you is the London Trailfinders ph 44 171 938 3999 fax 44 171 9383305. If worst comes to worse you still have coca leaves to chew!! The other thing I forgot to say is that if you are going anywhere there is Malaria to make sure your repellant contains DEET (diethylmethytoluamide-what a mouthful) & wear long light coloured clothing. Cheers, Kerrie --- Where to next? Reply    Reply with quote    Contact downundergal   willow Joined: Dec 03 Points: 1258 Posts: 12 Posted: 2004-06-17 20:03:00    My tattoo is a very mystical butterfly of my own design....I just wish it wasn't on my neck. Oh well. At least I can't see it. :-) Maybe one day when I have money to spare and I don't want to use it on another country...I could have it removed :-) Good list of vaccinations Kerrie! A good alternative to a drug against altitude sickness is to just stay super hydrated! It's easy. I had no problems with the altitude cause I'm a heavy water drinker. Caffeine, sodas and alcohol can be very dehydrating. Your first couple of days just make sure that you don't push yourself too hard, and drink lots of water. You can still expect a mild headache for the first few days, but this passes. An Aussie girl that I met who was VERY ill with altitude sickness was basically rehydrated with an IV, and spent a lot of time in bed drinking alot of water for a few days. The Doctors told her that if she had just been drinking water all along, she would have been fine. --- "Seek to live. Remembrance is for the old." -Paulo Coelho Reply    Reply with quote    Contact willow   dausenharker Joined: Mar 05 Points: 54 Posts: 1 Posted: 2005-04-02 04:38:00    I'm considering travel in Peru during Christmas 2005 and was wondering if you had any advice, general info, or just commentary about your 2004 trip. Anything would be helpful. Thanks! Reply    Reply with quote    Contact dausenharker   esfahani Premium account Joined: Aug 04 Points: 13010 Posts: 6 Posted: 2005-04-21 20:54:00    Hi Claudia! I have been there twice, and hope for a third time!!! Answer your questions: -Take EUR or USD and change into Soles! -went both trips on cash only! -definitely take a sleeping bag! some cheap Hotels are not that clean and it can be freeeeeezing cold -do you really need to go to MP - go alone by train, avoid the trail! there hundreds of breathtaking hikes arround Cuzco! -Safe! - is Peru your first backpacking? - lots of other travellers are there. for detailed reporting lets talk, if you want to... its takes too long writing about this amazing country! Ralph Reply    Reply with quote    Contact esfahani   Page: 1 2