Things To know before traveling to Perú - Big Foot Machu Picchu
Though Peru and its people are really kind and welcoming to visitors, some of Peru’s top experiences require you to adopt a type A travel personality and plan ahead. Unfortunately, you cannot just show up and hike the Inca Trail or score a table at one of Latin America’s top restaurants. In addition, if you do not plan ahead for altitude sickness, it will spoil your trip.
YOU MAY GET ALTITUDE SICKNESS
Even if you are very fit, if you climb to altitudes higher than 2,500 meters 8,200 feet, which includes areas such as Cusco, Machu Picchu, Puno, the Colca Canyon, and lake Titicaca, you risk getting altitude sickness, which is life-threatening. If you plan to travel to areas at high altitudes, see your doctor beforehand to discuss if a prescription for Diamox is advised. The best way to prevent altitude sickness is to ascend slowly, allowing your body to acclimatize. Allow time a few days preferably in your travel plans to adapt to the change in altitude, especially if you fly directly from Lima to Cusco.
DON’T DRINK THE WATER
Wherever you are in Peru, do not drink tap water. Buy bottled water or, at a minimum, boil your water or use a filter. You should also avoid ice. One of the main issues while traveling is stomachal infections caused by local bacteria typical of the area. If you get sick you may spend weeks really ill, in this case, please attend a local Doctor or in the best-case scenario get an antibacterial treatment from a local pharmacy that is effective in 3 days.
PLAN IN ADVANCE FOR MACHU PICCHU
For many travelers, Machu Picchu is the reason to visit Peru and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With this in mind, you will want to plan ahead to avoid disappointment. Reserve train tickets for the trip to Aguas Calientes from Cusco or Ollantaytambo, do this as priority train tickets sell out fast. Then you will need tickets to Machu Picchu, sold in hourly entry slots, and a tour guide as you cannot enter the site without a guide. There are only 400 tickets available each day to visit the ruins and hike Huayna Picchu so you should book this type of ticket as far in advance as possible.
Note: you must have your passport with you in order to enter Machu Picchu. There are no toilets inside the site so pee before you enter.
CARRY CASH WITH YOU
Credit cards are not widely accepted outside of the main cities in Peru, so you will want to carry cash. U.S. dollars are accepted and are preferred for tipping tour guides and the like. If you buy something using USD, the cost may be more than if you pay in local currency. Also, your dollars will need to be in perfect condition, or they may be rejected. Another reason to carry cash: credit card transaction fees can add up to 15% to your bill. It’s best to withdraw money as you go rather than having a lot of cash.
PACK FOR THREE KINDS OF WEATHER
Peru has three main climates zone: a desert coastal strip where winters are mild, cloudy, and foggy and summers are warm; the Andean highlands zone, which tends to be colder regardless of the season; and the Amazonian rainforest which is hot and humid throughout the year. Pack layers. If you are trekking to Machu Picchu bring comfortable clothes and shoes. While it can be hot, make sure a light jacket or sweater with you, as it can get chilly in the evenings. Cusco’s rainy season falls between November and March, and while days may be warm, you will need a raincoat or waterproof jacket and waterproof shoes.
JUST ACCEPT KINDLY THE COCA TEA
Locals swear by mate de Coca and herbal teas brewed from coca leaves help with altitude acclimatization. The Peruvian people have chewed the leaves of the coca plant for centuries to cope with Andean elevations. But the brewing of the leaves in an herbal tea is considered a more refined and completely legal way to ingest the substance in Andean nations at least. Most restaurants and virtually all hotels have leaves and hot water available constantly. Leaves are also sold at most markets for a few soles, but you can’t transport them outside of Peru. They are also illegal in most other countries, while the coca leaf in its natural form is a harmless and mild stimulant comparable to coffee, there is no doubt that cocaine can be extracted from the Coca leaf (it takes over 800 pounds of coca leaves to make just 1 kg of cocaine) so if there is a possibility you might have a drug test when you return home, be careful with any of coca consumption while in our country.
PLAN AHEAD FOR THE INCA TRAIL
If you want to hike to Machu Picchu via the Classic Inca Trail, you must plan for about four days of moderate to demanding trekking. To hike the trail, you will need a government permit, which you can get through an official operator approved by La Dirección Desconcentrada de Cultura de Cusco government department. You cannot do the trek on your own, you must do it on a guided expedition. Only 500 people (300 guides and porters, 200 tourists) are allowed to start the Inca Trail per day, so you will need to book permit months in advance. You can check how many are left on a particular day.
STAY IN LIMA
For many, Lima is just the entrance and departure point and a temporary stop on the way to ancient sites. The Capital is not the prettiest, and it can take some time to get used to its hustle and traffic. That said, it’s a mistake not to stay at least a couple of days to indulge in Lima’s excellent dining scene.
RESPECT THE CULTURE
Outside of Lima, Cusco and Arequipa, most Peruvians live in simple, rural existences bound by century-old traditions. In most villages, you will see men and women still wearing traditional Andean attire. Most of these people are fervent Catholics who live obedient existences of prayer. For this reason, be aware of local codes of conduct, values, and expectations: dress modestly, and avoid drinking excessively in public.