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Peru is filled with enormous contrasts. This is due, in part, to the multiple layers of great civilizations which make up this country. In Peru you have everything from colonial cities that have preserved the legacy of the Spanish conquistadors, to tiny villages where you can really get a feel for the country and its people. You can visit the ancient Incan capital of Cuzco, explore the lost city of Machu Picchu, and enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere.
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When it comes to travel guides and other travel resource information, I personally prefer the travel guides and books put out by Fodor.
Travel
Etiquette
Behavior and customs vary greatly from country to country. We
discuss the correct travel etiquette so that you won't be caught out.
TravelEtiquette was formed to offer a unique reference
point on essential etiquette advice and information for worldwide
travel. Our features and articles are written by professional
journalists and experts - who have a particular interest, or a
background in this area. So – know before you go. Visit
TravelEtiquette so you will know how to, as the old adage states, “When in Rome,
do as the Romans do.”
Language
| Learn Spanish Today! Isn't it time you learned another language? Spanish is fast becoming one of the most popular language in the world. Countries in Europe, the Caribbean, Central America, South America, North America and Africa have countries where Spanish is the local language. These countries include Spain, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Cube, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Equatorial Guinea and Mexico. If you plan to visit any of these countries, why not learn the language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Click on Learn Spanish Today to see how you can get FREE SPANISH LESSONS! |
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| You will enjoy your visit to Argentina if you know the language - or at least, some of the language. Visit the Getting Away Language Learning Center to find out how you can make your visit more meaningful. The Getting Away Language Learning Center will give you all of the information you will need to begin learning today! |
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Getting To and Around in Peru
Getting There
AeroPerú and Faucett, Peru's international airlines, are indefinitely shut
down. There is talk of reopening AeroPerú in some form. For the time being, you
must use a non-Peruvian airline for international flights. Lima's international
airport, Jorge Chavez, is the main hub for flights to the Andean countries from
North America and Europe, and has plenty of connections to neighboring
countries. Some international flights land at Iquitos, in Peru's Amazon region.
There is a departure tax of approximately US$25 on international flights.
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There are overland border crossings between Peru and Bolivia at Desaguadero and nearby Yunguyo on the shores of Lake Titicaca; between Peru and Chile at Tacna; and between Peru and Ecuador at Tumbes. It is possible to travel by river from Colombia and Brazil to Iquitos.
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| Peru Travels, a Peruvian site of tourism, travel and promotion, provides information about Peru and is a rather complete source of tourism and travel services. Peru, thanks to its strategic location, is a privileged travel destination. Heir to very ancient cultures and a rich colonial tradition, Peru is a magical spot which involves one of the richest biodiversities of Earth, and is a melting pot of different cultures who together are forging the promise of a better future. |
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Getting Around
Peru is a big country, so many travelers take internal flights if they have
limited time. As of August 1999, Aero Continente has effectively monopolized the
domestic market. Prices have risen accordingly, and route coverage is limited.
In July 1999, LanPeru, co-owned by LanChile, resumed domestic flights. There are
also a handful of small airlines flying to remote destinations in light
aircraft. There's an 18% tax on domestic flights, but you can avoid most of this
if you buy tickets abroad. There's also a US$4 departure tax on domestic
flights.
Public buses are the usual mode of transport over long distances. They are cheap, frequent and relatively comfortable, at least on major routes. When traveling between towns, have your passport with you as it will need to be shown at police checkpoints. Armed robberies on night buses are not unheard of in Peru, so travel on a day bus (or fly) if you have the option. Trucks often double as buses in remote areas. The fare is usually standardized according to the distance, but agree on the fare in advance. Local buses are slow, cheap and crowded; when you want to get off just yell out. Taxi fares need to be haggled over; there are no metered cabs.
The government-owned railways (INAFER) is facing imminent privatization. Services go from the coast to the highlands: The Central Railroad runs from Lima to La Oroya, where it branches north and south. The northbound line goes to Cerro de Pasco and the southbound to Huancayo; although there are plans to open the southern route to passenger trains, both of these routes are currently for freight use only. A short passenger line continues from Huancayo to Huancavelica. The Southern Railroad runs between Arequipa to Lake Titicaca and Cuzco. Services are cheap and fairly comfortable, but not particularly safe.
Boat travel is important in Peru's eastern lowlands. Dugout canoes powered with outboard engines operate as water taxis; larger cargo boats are often also available as water transport.
Click on Peru Expeditions for some interesting ideas on ways to see and get around in Peru including some interesting tours.
Accommodations
in Peru
Costs in Peru are lower, on average, than those in developed countries, but
higher than those in many neighboring countries. Lima and Cuzco are the most
expensive places in the country. If you're on a tight budget, you can scrape by
on around US$15-20 per day, but if you want to stay in modest hotels and eat out
at restaurants, you'll have a better time on around US$50 a day. Prices for
luxury accommodations run up to US$200 at popular destinations like Machu Picchu.
Here are some examples of what you might expect to pay:
- Budget: US$5-10
- Mid-range: US$10-15
- Top-end: US$15 and upwards
A combination of taxes and service charges are added to bills in the best hotels and restaurants and can total as much as 28%. The cheaper hotels and restaurants don't add taxes.
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| Click on Peru for suggestions for accommodations in Peru prepared for Getting Away by the Hotel Club Hotel Club Discount Hotel Reservation System. |
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At
Travelocity, not only can you find
the lowest fare or best schedule on over 400 airlines, but you can also
find
Great
Car Rental Deals, Low hotel rates when you click on |
Dining
in Peru
Dining can be an experience in Peru. Try some of the local cooking and have fun.
The food is good and plentiful. Here is what you might expect to pay for restaurant
meals:
- Budget: US$2-5
- Mid-range: US$5-10
- Top-end: US$10 and upwards
Costs in Peru are lower, on average, than those in developed countries, but higher than those in many neighboring countries. Lima and Cuzco are the most expensive places in the country. If you're on a tight budget, you can scrape by on around US$15-20 per day, but if you want to stay in modest hotels and eat out at restaurants, you'll have a better time on around US$50 a day.
A combination of taxes and service charges are added to bills in the best hotels and restaurants and can total as much as 28%. The cheaper hotels and restaurants don't add taxes. Tipping is not expected in budget restaurants. A tip of 10-15% is fine in up market restaurants if a service charge has not already been added to the bill.
Taxi drivers are not tipped - bargain hard beforehand and stick to your price. Local guides should be tipped US$3-5 per day. Bargaining is a way of life in markets.
Things
to See and Do
Trekking and mountaineering are popular during the May to September dry
season in the Andes. The most popular hike on the continent is the 33km
(20mi) Inca Trail, west of Cuzco. Equipment can be rented in Cuzco and the trek
takes three days. Huaraz, north of Lima, is the climbing and trekking
center of Peru and the site of Huascará, at 6768m (22,199ft) the highest
mountain in the country. Equipment, drivers and guides are readily available;
the best time for hiking is June to August.
Enjoy Peru is an interesting site about Peru Travel which has more than 6000 pages including, at the present time, 4 languages, 1500 photographs, 15 destinations, 11adventure sports, 8 nature activities, and a lot of useful information for travelers. On their site you can find all the information you will need to travel by yourself. Or, if you like, they can arrange all of your travel needs for you. I think you will like this site. Jim. The also have similar sites for Ecuador and Bolivia.
Jungle treks can be arranged at Iquitos. Guides will probably approach you but their quality and reliability varies considerably so try to get a recommendation or a reference, and proceed with caution. The better companies that run jungle lodges can provide reputable guides. Treks can last anywhere from a day to over a week; bring plenty of mosquito repellent.
The Río Urubamba, near Cuzco, has white-water rafting possibilities. Yarinacocha has pleasant canoeing. The Peninsula de Paracs and nearby Islas Ballestas have the best-known bird and marine sanctuaries on the Peruvian coast, plus there's great swimming from secluded beaches from January to March. Tours to the sanctuaries are available daily and are relatively cheap. There are bodegas (wineries) to visit in the city of Ica, on the south coast, and guided tours to Colca Canyon, near the city of Arequipa.
PERU BERGSPORT e.i.r.l. is an international adventure tour operators for the Cordillera Blanca and Huayhuash in Ancash, Macchupichcu Inka Trail, Ausangate Llama Trek, Salkantay Llamatrek in Cuzco and in the Lake Titikaka Floating Islands Uros, Amantani, Taquile, and Necropolis of Sillustani in Puno. This company has gained a preferential place by international tourists with its special and new product of llama trekking in the Andes ancient routes of Incas. We work with different companies from the world from America and Europe offering our passengers a special quality services. PERU BERGSPORT e.i.r.l. is based in Canrey Chico (trail head from Canrey Chico – Chavin Pre-Inka Trail Trek) and also has a local office in Cuzco and Puno. GAP Peru Adventure Travel and Eco-Tours is a small group grass roots adventure travel & eco tours of Peru and all its sites. Experience Machu Picchu. Hike the Inca Trail. Discover the mysterious Nazca Lines, and much more. 600 itineraries, 100 countries. Memories to last a lifetime!
PYRAMID
ADVENTURES
Pyramid Adventures is one of the best trekking and climbing specialists in
Huaraz offering a wide range of adventure activities to individuals and groups.
Run by the well known "Morales Family". Recommended by Lonely Planet Guide to
Peru 2004 as well as several visitors to Andean Travel Web. We are an
experienced and qualified family operated agency, offering trekking and climbing
adventures in Peru - la Cordillera de los Andes - the Peruvian Andes. We
specialize in Cordillera Blanca trekking and climbing and Cordillera Huayhuash
trekking and climbing with professional, friendly
guides and staff. You can visit their website at
www.peruvianandes.com, or email them
at
info@peruvianandes.com.
