Visiting Peru

[Guest]

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[Diane R]

As several of you know, Charlie and I will be visiting Peru for two weeks in Sept.  Our trip includes a four-day trek on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, but it will be much more than that, including stops in Arequipa, the Colca Canyon, Cusco, Lima, and several small towns.

This thread is meant as a place for me to talk about the upcoming trip (and de-brief after it's over!), and to ask advice of those who've been there before (or those who have always wanted to visit!).  There seems to be a lot of interest here in visiting Peru, and some first-hand experience on the part of at least two KivaFriends who have visited and at least one more whose family members have visited.  I invite a discussion of the country, the food (!), the landscape, the politics, the pros and cons of visiting, whatever strikes your fancy! 

And then when we get back, I can post photos! 

And no, I have not contacted the several MFIs in Peru to see if we can visit any entrepreneurs while in the country.  Most of them are located in areas where we will not be, and we probably will not have sufficient free time to make such visits.  Interesting idea, though....

--Diane.

[Paula-from-NZ]

I'm vegetarian so I struggled to find meat free meals other than salad and fries so can't really rave about how great the food was. 

I loved Peru though.  It was so diverse and very interesting!  Every day was completely different due to the environment, the climate and the things we experienced.

One problem we hit was it was so very hot in the desert and so very cold at night in the mountainous areas so it meant taking a lot of different types of clothing and layering.

Peru made me really keen to see a lot more of South America.

Have a fabulous trip!

[Paula-from-NZ]

Forgot to say - the photo of me and the Llama was taken in Peru last year.   

[Mark CDT]

As several of you know, Charlie and I will be visiting Peru for two weeks in Sept.  Our trip includes a four-day trek on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, but it will be much more than that, including stops in Arequipa, the Colca Canyon, Cusco, Lima, and several small towns.

--Diane.

Man oh Man - If either of you decide not to go - I will fill in his or her  spot.  My Dream Trip  When I was younger I wanted to see the Pyramds but realize now that I would be disappointed with them due to their proximity to Cairo.  But Machu Picchu - WOW.

If I should last here at KF when your trip happens, I can't wait till I hear of your experiences there. Take lots of photo and share them with us.

You are indeed two lucky dudes 

[cpbailey]

I think you have to know where to go for vegetarian food in Peru.  Here is one place.

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=15704&_tpos=1&_tpg=1

In Lima here is a whole big ol' list of places (not Kiva, though).  http://www.happycow.net/south_america/peru/lima/

There are books for world travelers who are vegetarians as well.  So if you want to avoid cuy, it is possible.  My sister traveled the world for a year, and she said China was the hardest place to be a vegetarian.

Colette

[chris]

I just returned from Peru two weeks ago.

Lima, Cusco, MP, and Huancayo were the places I visited.  MP did not disappoint. Note: if you want to hike Waynapicchu while you're at the site, make sure you get there early.  The entrance closes at 1pm, and there is a 400 person limit per day.  Because I didn't know this, Waynapicchu was the one place on the site I wasn't able to get to. Most of the tourists left around 2pm, but make sure you stay until closing.... they release the llamas at 4pm!  Back in Aguas Calientes, you can then get some llama on your plate for dinner.  It's not bad, but not better than beef.

Lima did not impress me.  There are lots of things to see there, but not in one concentrated spot.  This is a problem due to lack of public transit.  Getting around requires that you take a taxi (or if you're brave, a bus).  The upshot is that taxis are cheap: S/10 (~$4) from Miaflores to Lima Centro (20mins).  Practice your haggling skills!

I did make an effort to contact some MFIs in Peru.  I started emailing a few weeks before I left, but never got a response.  Undeterred, I took a bus to Huancayo, which is a town near Lima (7hrs) where some of my borrowers have their businesses.  I was able to see what it's like there, but didn't meet any of them personally.  One of the MFIs had an office near my hotel, but they were closed when I stopped by.  It was enough for me just to get a feeling for the place where some of my money goes.

In the small towns, speaking Spanish helps.  In Huancayo, no one spoke English.  Not the hotel staff nor tourist information booth attendant nor any of the young people I tried to speak to.  I assume this is similar for other small towns around Peru.

[Diane R]

WOW great information so far, thank you all for your posts!

As for food, I've been saving lists of yummy-sounding edibles made by Kiva entrepreneurs (including papas rellenas and juanes) and hope to be able to avoid eating cuy (although I suspect Charlie would be ready to try some; somehow I don't think I can bring myself to eat it).  I do eat meat, though, so it should be a little easier (although now that I've looked through the HappyCow site Colette linked to, I might seek out some vegetarian alternatives while there).  I was a vegetarian for 10 years when younger, but actually started eating meat in 1981 just before my three-week trip to China, knowing it would be almost impossible for me to find non-meat foods there at that time.  Paula, I can imagine it must have been challenging to try to find meals while in Peru.

Chris, I'm not sure my knees nor my inconsistent fear of heights would allow me to hike up Waynapicchu, but I'll let Charlie know to get there early if he wants to try it.  Have you heard from anyone how strenuous it was or how vertigo-inducing?  We'll be staying at MP overnight and I'm told after the tourist buses leave for town is a good time to wander the site.  I'll watch for the llamas: maybe I'll take a photo with one, like Paula did!  Did you hike any of the Inca Trail while there, Chris?  (Want to share any photos, hint hint?)

I do speak some Spanish although my vocabulary has mostly vaporized with age.  I'll brush up in this last month (while I also try to maintain my aerobic and other fitness, and whittle down what I'm packing to take with me and carry on the trek, and try not to get too nervous).

For those of you who have visited, did you find any challenges in the altitude?  Any tips for avoiding altitude sickness?  We'll be at-altitude for about three days before starting our trek and are hoping that, combined with maybe some coca tea or leaves to chew, will help avoid any serious problems.

And Mark, I'll definitely be posting photos somewhere!

--Diane.

[P, B and J]

I'm really excited for you Diane!!    My 2 sisters went to Peru last summer, they saw Machu Picchu as well.  One of my sisters showed me her photos earlier this year... beautiful, spectacular...!  I'm sure you can imagine!   My other sister that went, well I'm about to see her this afternoon (visiting from Montreal!  ) and I will ask her about her experience again, but in person this time.  I'm really looking forward to any and all photos you would feel like posting here.  In the recent photos of the borrowers from Peru, doesn't the sky look so incredibly blue and clear, I am quite taken by it, just from those photos we've seen on Kiva!  Looking very forward to hearing about your adventures and all Diane!

[Dolphine]

I hope you two have a wonderful trip and I can't wait to hear the stories and see your pictures! 

In terms of altitude, I have found that I make sure and drink lots and lots of water throughout the day to keep hydrated.  I'm sure more individuals on here will have more advice but that has worked well for me so far. 

Enjoy your trip and safe travel! 

[KivanSteven]

Look forward to hearing about it all Diane...other than the Iguazu falls region, Peru would be at the top of my list of South American destinations as well...if I make it there someday Im sure some of the information you share in detail will be put to great use...

thanks Chris as well for your detailed account...it must have been an in your face sort of feeling to actually stand in the places we only see and know through Kiva.  Any pics youd like to post--if Diane doesnt mind?