Hello Peruvians, or USCs of Peruvians.....

Hubster and I are thinking of travelling to Peru later this year. With the airmiles I've racked up over the past few years, we could both get flights practically free so we are looking at options and Lima has come up as a real possibility. We are looking to travel in July, are NOT looking for hot temperatures, so Central America and Carribean are out of the question. We are not looking to do Machu Picchu, but rather maybe flying to Lima, spending a few days there and then travelling to a nearby province (forgive my ignorance if they are called something other than provinces) and seeing some of the Andes. We aren't looking for this to be a budget busting trip, but something a bit relaxing, seeing some local sites and eating like the locals (and hubster having some Pisco...hehehe). So does anyone have any advice based on what I've kind of laid out here? My primary goal for a vacation is to experience different cultures, relax, see some extraordinary local sites, but not run ragged and enjoy the local foods and customs (oh, I'd want to buy some nice alpaca sweaters too...heeheehee)....we'd be looking to stay at least a week.

The only thing expensive about a trip to Peru is usually the airfare. Food and hotels are generally very inexpensive for travelers. Forgive me for not taking the time to check your profile but do either of you speak Spanish? In the areas I have been, I have experienced almost no English speaking (aside from the airport). Use a reputable taxi company (one called from the airport) and not the ones waithing outside for the next customer. As an American you will usually pay a bit more than others but it is not bank breaking by any means.

The prices you see on Internet type tours and such are not representative of the prices you can pay in Lima (and for travel to other areas of Peru) They are much cheaper if purchased in Peru. It is more of an adventure not planning everything out before leaving but if the idea makes you uncomfortable it's better to pay a little more....

Let us know if you decide to go. Peru is my favorite plave to travel and the people there are amazing (not to say I am biased, hehe) Good Luck

Thanks for the info and we aren't that good with our Spanish... I was pretty sure that would be an issue, but if we at least take the time to learn some basics, hopefully we'd be ok. Otherwise, we'd have even more of an adventure.... LOL

I would suggest to take a trip to AREQUIPA
There you will see alot and enjoy yourselves.
Another place to visit is the North, maybe Trujillo or Chiclayo. I am traveling there soon. Maybe i could be your guide! :-)

www.lan.com is the best source for national trips in peru

Beautiful places I too have a friend from church in Lima that does tours. He speakes pretty good English. I talked to my love today about our friend and if you would like more info PM me, I would be happy to share hs email and number.....If nothing else he could give you ideas on costs....

We are going to Peru in exactly 50 days!

Lima and Cuzco, with Macchu Picchu is where we are going. My husband says a lot of people there don't speak much English, so you should know some basics. Even if you have to buy a phrasebook from Borders

A trip up to Puno and then a day trip on Lake Titicaca is great. My wife and I did a trip there March 2007 and had a great time. The others I've been to and anjoyed is Arequipa or down to Ica / Nazca and seeing the Nazca lines.

2 to 3 days in Lima should give you time to see the sights in Lima.

If you have miles on One World or Advantage, try flying down there on LAN instead of American.

I would however try and get an english speaking guide to take you places. If your flights are paid for with air miles I would suggest booking a tour with english speaking guides etc. for your trip down there.

Thanks for all of the information everyone. It looks like either Spanish lessons through Rosetta Stone (hehehehe) or some English speaking guides...

I DO have one more question about this LAN Airlines. I went on their website and I can't figure how I would use American Advantage airmiles....MandR, is that what you are saying??? I see that LAN flights out of Chicago are operated by American, but would I actually be able to book through LAN's site and use my AA miles? That would be fantastic.

I'm trying to avoid another flight once we get there and I think the only way to get to Arequipa would be to fly, no? But the Colcon (spelling?) Canyon is not to far from Arequipa, correct? Hmmm, decisions, decisions... I'd rather find places in the provinces near Lima that we wouldn't have to fly to. But options are still on the table....so... all advice is welcome.

Thanks!!!

The way a flight would work booking on LAN from Chicago is that you would fly from Chicago to Miami on American and then you would transfer to LAN onto Peru.

To use AAdvantage miles on LAN. The only way is to call AAdvantage at 800-882-8880 and tell them you want to use your advantage miles but wanting to fly LAN. You can't book flights using Advantage miles on LAN's web sight.

Regarding a trip to Arequipa. It's best to fly, but there are tour bus companies that go there. It's about a 15 hour trip by bus overnight. I must say I've traveled on the tour buses in Peru and they are very nice. One company I've used is Cruz Del Sur www.cruzdelsur.com.pe

Canyon del coca is also a great side overnight trip from Arequipa.

Hope this helps

That helps a lot MandR!

We still haven't made our decision, but I'm itching to get a summer holiday planned...I like to have something really great to look forward to and I love doing all of the planning for trips. That bus/tour company site looks great too. I've got some ideas that would be shorter bus trips in the 6-7 hour range and I see that some of them are overnight....that might be an option too. Now I really gotta get hubster totally 100% on board. hehehehe

Don't worry about your spanish! I recently got back from Cuzco and to tell you the truth A LOT OF PEOPLE speak english...even the one you less expect will speak english! Hehehe! There are a lot of people from everywhere and to tell you the truth, I didn't feel like being in Peru! I'm sure people in Arequipa will speak enligsh too. If you go on a tour, don't worry!
I recommend Arequipa too!
And if you come too Lima, don't worry about your spanish, you will always find some people who speak at least a bit of english!

Check this website out www.cruzdelsur.com.pe Very good service, good prices, you can buy the tickets online and reliable company. If I have to travel by bus, I will only pick them. Well, it is just my experience you know.

If you are not wanting to do the Cusco Rat trap, and want to see the Andes, Huaraz is always a good place. I was stationed near here for 2 years during Peace Corps. IF you decide for Huaraz I would recommend Hotel La Colmena, located near Plaza Belen, a few blocks from the main plaza, about $8 a night, Sandro's email is sberrocalc@yahoo.com. We all stayed here during our service and they take care of you like no other. (Once they went to the bus station to exchange my bus ticket when I did not make it back to town in time). The trip from Lima to Huaraz is about 7 hours on a bus. I would recommend Movil Tours, there station is located in the center of Lima across from the National Stadium. The price is about $15-25 one way depending on the level of service, I recommend the lower level, more comfortable and less swaying. You will get some unbelievable views of the Andes here, and the people are genuinely friendly. A bit touristy but nothing like the gringo trail.

I would also recommend areas around Trujillo, they have Chan Chan there if you like ruins. The weather is great, but don't stay in the city, there are several beach communities around. Great Cerviche, just never eat it after lunch.

Remember when you are in Peru to take extra precautions. Do flaunt your affluence (walking around with your camera swing, etc.) Make sure to stash your cash and cards in multiple places incase you have unfortunate luck of running into a thief. If you feel uncomfortable while being in a crowded area, change the scenery, your intuition is often right. Never travel alone at night. And remember saving a few dollars is not worth your saftey, take secure forms of transportation.

Peru is a great place, don't let the worms ruins this great fruit. You could spend your life there and never see it all.

Let me know if you need any additional advice.

Suerte.

WOW, you all are giving such great advice. Hey, one other question...how is altitude sickness??

I know I keep saying "one more question". You guys are great with the info though!

Altitude sickness is when you get either Pulmonary Edema (fluid build-up in the lungs) OR Cerebral Edema (swelling of the brain) caused by a lower air pressure at a higher altitude. Symptoms are severe dizziness, severe headache, upset stomach, very short of breath and just feeling SICK.

Suggestion when at high altitide is drink plenty of fluids and I mean plenty. Don't drink alchohol for at least the 1st night you are there if you are a drinker.

You will probably get a slight headache, feel light headed and some shortness of breath but thats normal at a high altitude.

I didn't really think about it until I was reading something about a tour into the Andes and I was like...eeeee...I don't want to feel sick for maybe a few days....

You can take pills before getting there or if you begin to feel sick. The name of a good pill is Gravol. You can get it at any drugstores here. Make sure you don't eat any sweets or sodas!!! Buy some mate de coca (they come in tea bags and leaves) and it will help a lot. You can put it on a coffee container and keep it warm!!! With no sugar!!!
You might feel bad the first day, that's why you have to rest the first night and eat something light.
Like MandR said, NO ALCOHOL!!! You don't wanna do that, believe me.
I went to Huancayo once by train and I was drinking on the way there when the train stopped at the highest point there, 15.681 feet, I went out running from the train, jumping, taking pictures, went back inside and couldn't drink anymore. I fell asleep and woke up a couple hours later with a severe headache! When we got to Huancayo, I couldn't eat anything and went straight to bed! The next day I was fine again!!!
So no!! DON'T DRINK!!! Hahaha!

Huancayo was where I was looking at taking a bus trip....because it's a relatively short bus trip compared to going anywhere else by bus (from Lima). I'll strongly have to convince hubster NO CERVEZA or PISCO for at least one day!!! That might be the hardest sell of the whole trip! LOL heh...I drink mate tea now anyway.