That's it, I'm going to PERU!

Fed up with shit, I just decided on a whim that I'm doing what I always wanted to do - I'm going backpacking in Peru! I think three weeks is a good amount of time, but I'm considering longer. Found a cheap flight, my boss gave it the go-ahead (crazy, right?) got a cool gal who wants to come with and I'm going in a few weeks! I cannot afford to not be working, but hey, you're only young once, right? Has anyone ever been to Peru and can tell me where to go, what to expect, what to bring, or just tell me I'm not a complete nutcase for doing something so rash.


Fuckin A Right!

 

shaman!

 

Ah, yes you are a complete nutcase for doing something so rash.

But I frequently do such things.

Do you speak any Spanish?

Advise you to not hang out in Lima for any long period of time, until you get the hang of it.

Have you ever left the USA?

What to do depends on when and where you are going.

I am always in some jungle looking for legendary cities or mineral deposits on mountain ridges.

 

Machu Picchu goes without saying. I mean, you do know about that, right?

Anyways, I am jealous, because I have always wanted to go to Peru. I hear it is very safe by South American standards and an Argentina guy I was talking to, who has been all around south and central America said Peru has done the best job out of any of those countries of keeping their traditional culture intact, so it should be interesting for you.

 

i grew up in peru. unfortunately, it was peru, ohio...

happy to be rid of you for a while?

 

I was there a few months ago.

I'd advise doing the 3 night, 4 day hike to macchu picchu, one of the best things ive ever done in my life. i spent some time in Lima, it was ok, pretty dirty and the taxi drivers honk at you non stop, it's kind of ridiculous after a while. we went to the "nice" waterfront spot in Lima and it was a big disappointment. We spent quite a while in Cusco which was beautiful but isn't "traditional" as the spanish took over and all of the buildings are european style, but it's quite pretty. We tried a lot of the local food and went out to some local clubs and stuff. We also visited some of the local and more traditional towns + markets with the mud brick houses etc. and we spent some time helping out at a very poor rural school.

In terms of safety, we were a group of 4 and we felt safe together but I wouldn't want to be wandering around at night by myself. Pretty much the same for any place you go though, I wouldn't do that here either. The only times I felt unsafe was in the shared cars you take to nearby villages, they go soooo fast around the mountain bends, it was very dangerous!! The people are generally really friendly and it helps to know a little bit of spanish, I'd try to learn a bit before you go if you don't know any.

have fun!

 

"Going to Peru" used to be slang for "doing cocaine". Dallas, TX, early '90s, I think was where I heard it.

 

I spent a month in Peru and LOVED it. It's a really big country with lots to do and see, so you're going to need to pick a region and sort of keep to that area. I'm the type of traveller that likes to spend time in places to get to know the people...not so much just to see the sights.

Be advised, that there was recently a flood in the Aguas Calientes area, so the trains that run from Cuzco to there are currently not in service. Not sure if you can even get to Machu Piccu right now, so you might want to check that out before you go.

Miraflores is beautiful. Don't spend time in Lima, it's not worth it. Arequipa is by far my favorite place in the world. The people are great and the city is BEAUTIFUL. You can't really go to Peru without going to Cuzco, the Incan capital, but make sure you drink lots of coca tea to cope with the altitude sickness. LOKI hostels are a great place to meet lots of new people...and a lot of times you can work there to pay for your room. There are LOKI hostels in both Lima and Cuzco. If you're in Arequipa, I suggest you stay in Bothy Hostel. It's a really chill place with hammocks on the roof.

Also, you have to try cuy, just to say you did.

If you have anything specific questions, let me know! I loved Peru!

 

well I just booked my ticket. 23 days 22 nights