2018 May 29 Archive - EXEIdeas – Let's Your Mind Rock

Peru is a South American country officially known as the Republic of Peru. The country is in western South America to be exact, and to the north are Ecuador and Colombia. To the east is Brazil, and to the south is Chile. To the west of Peru is the Pacific. Peru is an incredible travel destination, and one reason for that is because of the diversity of the habitats. There is a Pacific coastal region, the Andes mountains, and the Amazon Basin rainforest.The area that is now Peru was inhabited by diverse ancient cultures, including the Norte Chico civilization, which was the oldest in the Americas. Much of the culture of Peru is based on Spanish and Amerindian traditions.If you’re planning a trip to Peru, the following are some things you should know and keep in mind.Expenses:When you’re planning a trip anywhere, you probably want to know how much it’s going to cost. However, it’s really difficult to estimate how much a trip to Peru will cost because it’s so dependent on what your plans are and the type of trip you want to have.Of course, if you end up underestimating your costs, you can have someone send money to Peru from back home, but generally, you can expect low-budget travel will cost you anywhere from USD 25 to USD 30 a day.For more high-end travel it can be upwards of USD 50 or more a day.The things you’ll have to think about paying for include hostels and food, as well as transportation within the cities and towns you’re visiting. If you’re going to do various tours and guided hikes, you’ll have to pay for those, and if you plan on drinking alcoholic beverages, that can be pretty expensive in Peru.The cost of a hostel in Peru is usually around USD 7 to USD 10 in the cities, and in smaller towns, accommodations may be cheaper.If you’re going to Machu Pichu, the train to the get there is pretty expensive, but otherwise, transportation isn’t going to cost very much throughout Peru.When Should You Go?:First, before you decide on the time of year to visit Peru, you have to think about how long you plan to go. If you want to give yourself enough time to get a decent feel for the country, you could need around three weeks of travel time. Even if you don’t have that much time, you need at least a week to see all the major sites.Beyond that, the dry season is when most tourists make their way to Peru. This is May to October. While the dry season is great for all of your outdoor activities, major tourist attractions are going to be more crowded during this time.Travel Insurance:Having travel insurance is almost always something you should plan on before you take a trip anywhere, and this includes Peru. When you have travel insurance, it can protect you in the event that something comes up and causes you to change your plans, or if you face a medical emergency. Travel insurance can also be helpful if you are robbed while traveling, or in any number of other situations.Machu Picchu:One of the primary reasons people travel to Peru is for Machu Picchu. So what should you expect? You might want to plan an entire week just for your trip to Machu Picchu. One of the most popular ways to see Machu Picchu is by hiking the Inca Trail Trek, but this can take anywhere from four to 10 days. There is also a 2-day Inca Trail Express option.If you don’t want to hike, there is a train from Cusco to Ollantaytambo. The train can be taken to Machu Picchu in a day, but it’s usually crowded, and you should plan to spend the night and wake up early to see everything before the crowds.There are different train options. The most popular and the least expensive is the Vistadome Train. There’s also the Hiram Bingham train, which is luxurious. Another higher-end train option is the Peru Rail Presidential.Finally, when you are booking your trains and planning for Machu Picchu, do so early. The high season is July through September, and the trains can sell out pretty early on during this time. You also want to get your actual day tickets to Machu Picchu in advance, and if you’re staying in Aguas Calientes, book your hotel early.