Canadian girl travelling for the first time and alone....any tips from seasoned travellers or things I should watch out for in Peru?
I'm in Peru from Sept. 26 to Oct. 30. I haven't booked any tours yet as I'm not sure if I should wait till I get there and meet people and what it's like backpacking on your own.
Reply to this Hi Peaches!
Well, I´ve never seen a lonely backpacker in Peru yet! There are lots, and you will always find someone that is going the same way as you. And there are lots of tours available on the spot, so you can book everything while you´re here.
Agencies I can recommend in Cusco are http://www.besttravelperu.com and http://www.pmexplorers.com
I also have lots of good info on tours in Puerto Maldonado, send me a PM if you want me to send you some links to those.
Are you planning what cities and sights you would like to include by the way, or will you also decide that here?
Happy to help if you have more questions,
Ariana
Reply to this I realised I didn´t reply to your other question: things you should look out for.
The usual: pickpockets do target tourists more than locals, so dont keep your wallet and other things anywhere they can be easily reached during a bump-in.
Also: false notes are very common here, so when first arriving ask someone how you can tell the difference, and then always check when getting money changed, change in shops, and even from cashmachine. Getting a fake 100 sol note wouldn´t be the end of the world I know, (it´s about $30 USD), but if it can be avoided..
Then buses, don´t be tempted to go with the cheapest buscompany, I don´t want to scare you, but bus accidents during intercity journeys are very common in Peru. Travel by day rather than overnight on the more dangerous routes (Cusco-Juliaca-Puno for example). Lima to Arequipa for example is fine, almost straight most of it.
Ciao!
Ariana
Reply to this Hi
I am also a first time traveller and I am going to be travelling in South America in November. I was wondering what tour companies you would reccommend for the Inca Trail? Also I know you can hire porters but do they carry all your possessions apart from your day pack or is there a locker or something that you leave your big backpack in before you head off on the trail?
I look forward to your reply.....thanks x
Reply to this Hi Lynz22 - When I went to Peru I used Peru Treks and Adventure www.perutreks.com for the Inca Trail. Was very pleased with how they run things, highly recommended. They have a load of info on their website, and I was lucky enough to end up with a great bunch of people. I was travelling as a single female, first time to South America but with basic Spanish (usseful but not a prereq for a great time!)
Reply to this p.s. I wouldn't recommend waiting until you get to Peru to book the Inca Trail. Restrictions now allow for only 200 new trekkers a day. Nearly all hotels happily look after your large backpack while you are on the trail, particulary if you are returning to the same hotel, a good idea given you return to Cusco in the evening. The deal with Peru Treks porters was that you hire '1/3' of a porter (optional) and can give them up to 6kg. A duffle bag was delivered to the hotel the night before - this doubles as a dummy run so the driver knows where all the hotels are for the early pickup the next morning. You supply a padlock for the dufflebag if you want to lock it. That leaves you with only a daypack to carry.
Reply to this Thanks Jo. I have had a look on their website and they look pretty good. Thanks for the helpful tip. Oh and your photos are amazing!
Reply to this Hi, I'm trying to plan open ended trip to South and Central America starting early November... no clue where to start. Irish girl travelling alone, excited and nervous! Any tips on first port of call?
Reply to this Hi AhSure - I've only been to Peru in that region so wouldn't be much help, other than saying 'go to Peru!'. Maybe start a new thread rather than bury it in this one, and you might attract people who can give you the info. Good luck!
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