Archived Thread

NFT: A week in Peru - recommendations

jgambrosio : 7/14/2019 7:08 pm

Never done a trip to South America and it's been on my wish list for a while. The wife and I have done Europe the last few years since our honeymoon to Italy, I was nominated for a work trip to Panama earlier this year and we've done Mexico and Jamaica for weddings, but I've never made it further south. I was contemplating Argentina and Chile as well but Peru is a hell of a lot closer and frankly cheaper, especially the flight on both aspects which makes a week vacation a bit easier.

Every sample itinerary I've seen online says three days in Cusco to acclimate, do Macchu Pichu and the sacred trail. Beyond that, no idea what to really think of that's not too much of a pain logistically. In a week Titicaca seems too far, my wife would love to try the upcoming wine region but Pisco and Ica are a four hour bus ride from Lima so not really a day trip like you can do in most, better known wine regions.

Anyone else been and have any thoughts on the country?

Going in August...

George from PA : 7/14/2019 7:13 pm : link

I heard the key is to stay a night at Machu Pinchu....to catch sunset.

Otherwise, open to suggestions

Don't drink the water

Gman11 : 7/14/2019 7:28 pm : link

A friend of mine backpacked in Peru for 3 months.

smshmth8690 : 7/14/2019 8:31 pm : link

He loved it, and felt pretty safe most of the time. All he talked about was how good the fresh fruit was. He also loved Picarones, which are sweet potato doughnuts. He said they are available everywhere, and are a can't miss food item. That's all I got. Have a safe trip.

have a blast

mattlawson : 7/14/2019 8:58 pm : link

bucket list.

a week in Peru is pretty much filled if you are going to Cusco

Peter from NH (formerly CT) : 7/15/2019 7:38 am : link

and doing the Inca Trail. We went to Cusco for three or four days and did a number of side trips (Sacred Valley etc.) Then we did a biking, rafting, hiking, zip lining trip to Machu Piccu. That was three or four days (as is the main Inca Trail). There are Inca Trails and ruins all over the place, so while we didn't do the "Inca Trail" we were on extensive Inca Trails. We spent a three night in Lima on both ends and were there for a total of nine or ten days.

It was an awesome trip and I would love to go back. Don't skip on the time in Cusco for both acclimatization and the fact that is a very cool place. You can schedule side trips out of Cusco to a number of amazing places - there is much more there than just Machu Piccu. I needed oxygen one afternoon to overcome the altitude. Pretty common - they pulled a tube out of the wall and after 30 minutes my headache was gone and I was fine thereafter.

The food is great in Peru. If I am going back to Cusco I am definitely going back to the attached restaurant. Not very expensive. Incredible roast meats. I have sent someone else there recently and they had a great meal.
Retaurant in Cusco - ( New Window )

Get your legs in shape

gtt350 : 7/15/2019 9:00 am : link

If you only have a week, doing to Inca Trail might be too

Jim in Hoboken : 7/15/2019 9:43 am : link

much. That�s 3 days and not all that glamorous from what I heard. Mosquitoes must be hellish. Once you get to Machu Piccu, just hiking the entire complex in that thin air was challenging enough.

Spend some time in Lima since you are going to fly in and out of there anyway. World class restaurants there.

Cuzco is the definite highlight though. Just fly to Juliaca, Lake Titicaca is worth it.

Get Diamox just in case.