re: 9 days in Peru - highlights, pics, etc.

quote:

---

The whole bus ride to Ica from Lima feels like you're driving through a Mad Max setting.

---

Welcome to 80% of the planet.

BTW, breaking up with your girl after taking her to Peru? Cold blooded.

Just kidding, its a tough call man. Good luck

quote:

---

I still haven't even looked at rooms yet

---

Ya all I have to book is the train. Had some points to burn so I booked Tambo Del Inka in Urubamba and Palacio Del Inka in Cusco. Maybe I'll regret not staying in Ollantaytambo but we'll see.

Worst thing really was I'm skipping right through Lima and should arrive in Urubamba 6 or so hours before check-in. Since it's high season I paid for a room for the night before. I've ran into this problem before and it's miserable when they can't accommodate you, but sucks paying a good sum for a few hours.

quote:

---

Nice! You're going the Huayna route I see. Probably smarter with your time frame. 

---

Ya, also I figure if time becomes an issue or for some other reason we can't make it up, better to have it booked and not do it than not having the ticket and wanting to do it.

Thankfully it appears the train website is much better on the English and website stability front

quote:

---

You also need a Visa card. 

---

Visa was almost exclusively the most accepted CC over there fyi. I never used my Amex once.

quote:

---

And more importantly do I need to get an adapter for my electronics

---

For "high tech" electronics like digital cameras, phones and laptops, you will not need a voltage converter. Their power cords will do that for you.

For dumb electronics like hairstraighteners and blow dryers, you'll need a converter or just buy a cheap dual voltage off Amazon.

You'll need a plug adapter to match their plugs.

Also, there are travel power strips that will be useful so you only need one plug adapter for the strip, then plug your electronics into he strip. Be careful to note if the strip converts voltage and plug into it accordingly

Solid thread. I actually came across it a few weeks ago, shocked the search function worked.

I'm starting my planning for may of next year. Gonna do most of the month, so hoping to do more hiking than y'all. I really want to see choquequirao as well as MP. Unfortunately my travel companion seems hell bent on doing the classic trail... and no joke having no luck with finding anybody who'll do the any of the alternative treks, but in reverse aka starting near MP and going backwards Who wants to walk to the same damn place twice? I look forward to the arguments, with a chick ~3000 miles away, while planning this.

I've definitely enjoyed seeing y'alls pic and plans, should make this ordeal a little easier.

quote:

---

Leaving tomorrow. What am I forgetting?

---

Didn't realize you were going so soon.

Just don't forget to come back and post about any thing that you run into by accident that is pretty cool.

your Spanish must be terrible.

I think I've used Asian ATMs and just use context clues to get my money out. You can also just have an offline translator on your phone.

Not knowing 3/5 Spanish words shouldn't affect you all that much. You should probably try to learn the basics anyways.

But to your question, I never carry local currency into a country but if you are paranoid and want to be prepared, just convert $20 or $40 to sole. You should be able to get to an ATM with that amount.

quote:

---

I leave Friday at midnight so just got today and tomorrow in Lima. Trying to find stuff to do

---

Word. Looking forward to the report...or just a summary.

quote:

---

mangos in the lacomer shopping center in miraflores. The food was great and the view was amazing

---

Thanks, I'll try this one if I get a chance. I've got a 21 day trip to Peru in July with some serious birders. Most of it is on the Amazon near Iquitos but I'm going two days before everyone else since I've never been to Peru. Miraflores sounds like the place to be in Lima so I'll be there for 2 nights.