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

That's badass, thanks for sharing

So in other news the wife had to go to a Peruvian clinic due to salmonella. Poor decisions were made, so we didn't get to do a lot in Cusco. They pumped her with IV, Cipro, and overnight accommodation (plus doctor visit to hotel room and transport) all for less than $350 US. She's all good now. True champion. We have travel insurance so we'll see what they pay and I can review that process as well.


I made it out to Saskaywaman and walked around the plaza a bit. Heard a brass band playing and moved to the front to get a better picture. Circle around with my cell phone and there is a casket with a big picture on it (as is stereotypical of Latin America) and crying folks. Whoops. As OP stated Saskaywaman is worth a look.

The KFC had riot police around it. I guess because it represents American imperialism or something and it was July 4th? Kinda humorous.

Booked a room earlier today for the Lima airport Wyndham. Not bad. Think I'll head out at 6 towards amaz for dinner in Miraflores. Just have to be back here by midnight-ish. So hopefully I can review that. When I get back I'll probably just review the few things not touched on in the OP.

Eating alone..

Hey y'all, sorry I've been a little lazy. Plus, staring a computer screens has been causing me problems lately and doing these posts can be labor intensive. I'm just going to add a few things here unless for some reason I need to do something separate. Maybe it would be a good idea if admins could do "Top Replies" for posts that are supplemental?

Flights:
Anywho, we flew Austin-Houston on United, Houston-San Salvador-Lima on Avianca, and LIM-CUZ on LATAM roundtrip.

I paid out of pocket for the AUS-IAH RT separately. IAH-SAL-LIM was in business class using United points (I never did see the IAH-LIM nonstop open up on United for biz class), and I booked LIM-CUZ using British Airways Avios since LATAM is a oneworld partner.

The bookend flights are no fuss 1 hour or less flights, so they went as planned. Boarding a LATAM flight has no organization. If you hear them say anything in Spanish and people get up, get your arse in line

Avianca biz class on these flights was similar to domestic first class ie no lie flat. Maybe not the greatest use of points but with how easy everything goes for you in that cabin from airport, lounges, etc, it is nice. The El Salvador Airport is quite literally one not too long hallway so you can't frick it up transferring gates if you ever consider connecting through there.

Project Fi:

I signed up for Project Fi because I'm on wifi a lot and like saving money. Also, their international plan is essentially, everything works like home. I had signal to send texts and snapchats at all the sites, including on top of Machu Picchu. Great in Lima, Cusco, and in any town, spotty out in the country but that's expected.

Backpack Osprey Farpoint 55:
My Osprey Farpoint 55 fit everywhere except the IAH-SAL/SAL-IAH leg due to airplane used, but the great thing about business class is you get to do whatever you want so they just stuck it and my wife's bag in the closet for us.

Hotels:
Lastly, we stayed at Tambo Del Inka in Urubamba and Palacio Del Inka in Cusco. You can google the pics. Tambo Del Inka is just a cool property and I highly recommend it, great staff, good food, etc. We did not use their train station to go to MP though. Ollantaytambo is more historic (and touristy) so there are some advantages to staying there as well. Palacio del Inka is nice, great staff as well, and well located.

We skipped right through Lima landing at 1am or so and taking the 4:30am or so flight to CUZ. Pretty easy to navigate. Upon arrival in CUZ, I had a driver arranged to pick us up to go to Urubamba. I know how to negotiate cabs and stuff but its the last thing I want to do after traveling, and you get a much nicer car to ride in. Plus, Cusco is above 10,000 feet, so I made the decision to acclimate in the Sacred Valley to MP and do Cusco on the backend.

Anywho, just a few pics and I'll add on.

On our way to Urubamba from Cusco.


If you were curious about those sky pods. They are in no man's land between Ollantaytambo and Urubamba. Furthermore, it seems like a real PITA to get in and out of them. I suppose you get some bragging rights. (Spot the people in bottom left middle of photo) We were heading to Olly to see the fortress there, but it was kind of rainy/cold. We hit pretty much the only semi bad weather for 2 weeks of either side of our visit. Oh well. Not sure I got a great shot of the fortress but I'll add on if I find one worth a damn.



The next day we did an ATV tour to Moray and the Salt Mines. The latter is self explanatory. Moray is theorized to have been an Incan experimental crop site. There are 3 terraced "greenhouses" here, but I'm showing the biggest. Some real aliens shite here. You can't enter the site, but as you'll see, some dipshit in blue on the far side did so, and they blew a whistle at them, but it helps give my photo scale so I'll allow it. You can barely see them on last terrace, middle left of photo about to enter the upper flat part.

The tour operator was kind of slapdick "Maras Adventures" so I wouldn't really recommend them, but we had a good time. Unfortunately, we were with only two other Spanish speaking dudes who weren't very social. I'd still recommend doing an ATV tour though if you want to see these sites because its just fun to get out into the fields and drive an ATV.

Moray



A viewpoint between Moray and Salt Mines to the valley below.


Salt Mines - this place had a real Mad Max feel to it. There's a few tin roofed structures straddling the hillside above these. You'd never think salt could be so pretty.


Ah, Machu Picchu. I was going to spare you pics since the OPs are pretty good and nice and sunny. I post this to give you a heads up. When we arrived we had all these clouds that were just floating all around. Gave the place a real Jurassic Park spooky vibe. If you hang on though, it will eventually lift out in the afternoon. I bought our tickets before they split visitors into a morning and afternoon session, so I would probably recommend booking the afternoon session if possible to avoid crowds and to allow the clouds to burn off.

TIPS: Book Peru Rail for your travel to Machu Picchu Pueblo.

If you want to do any extra hike that are within MP, they only allow a few hundred to do each so decide and book those early.

You CAN book the bus ticket up MP online here: LINK

This will save you time. Once you get out of the train station maze and cross the bridge, just head for the short busses on the road in front of you. I heard horror stories of wait times. No wait to get on, just waiting for it to fill up.

First view of the site upon entry:


I ended up doing the climb of the mountain that's cloaked in clouds. Unfortunately, when I reached the top the clouds didn't lift so I only got some glimpses of the site from above. As OP stated, the climb will mess you up, but you're in no real rush and I saw older people (>50) who took their time that were coming down as I went up. I have a very boring 45 minute video of the walk up on Youtube if you're interested

Getting artsy fartsy:


I'll add some stuff in the next day or so.

I'll just say, this trip was kind of a last minute cram it in sort of deal, so it was a bit sight seeing heavy on the short time frame.

Bottom line: A good destination to visit. The Sacred Valley is very family friendly so if you have kids this is very doable. Plus, flights out of Houston can be had for $500 to Lima. Lima to Cusco is inexpensive as well. The most expensive part is Peru Rail tickets to Machu Picchu.

I’m at LAX waiting on my connecting flight home after visiting Peru for the past 12 days. We did a g adventure trip that included LIma, the Amazon, and machu pichu. Lima was an amazing city as long as you stay in the safer areas of town (we stayed in mireflores). The Amazon was super remote and extremely beautiful. There was no electricity at the lodge, so the heat for real. Overall it was an incredible experience with some great food.

Cusco and the sacred valley, were rich in history and Incan ruins. The last part of the trip we hiked the Incan trail to machu pichu. I cannot say enough about how amazing that experience is. The trek is difficult with it being at high elevation. There are many ruins that you would otherwise never see unless you were doing the trek. The climb up to dead woman’s pass was no joke, but was a great bonding experience with the group helping each other. The third days descent through the cloud forest was surreal and seemed almost like a dream. Machu pichu is fantastic. The food that they feed you on the trek is insane, especially since it is cooked on a small gas burner inside a tent. The real heroes are the porters who fly past you on the trail with 60+ lbs of packs on their backs just to set up the camps and wait on you hand and foot, all with an amazing attitude.

I spent 17 days in Peru in 2016. Here's what you need to know about the altitude:

* Machu Picchu is at a much lower elevation (7972 ft) than Cusco (11,152 ft).

* For most people, there is a very low risk of altitude sickness at 7972 feet.

* The main ruins at Machu Picchu do not require strenuous climbing to access. The bus takes you there.

* There are several spectacular (but optional) climbs that you can do from there, including Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain, the latter of which I did and thoroughly enjoyed, though it was a rigorous 90 minutes up.

* There are other fascinating ruins closer to Cusco than Machu Picchu, but again, they are higher up than Machu Picchu, so if you are afraid of altitude, you are better off at Machu Picchu.

* Machu Picchu is totally worth it. It absolutely lives up to the hype, and you shouldn't miss it if at all possible.

Many people suffer badly from altitude sickness because they fly into Cusco from Lima and then spend the night there. I strongly suggest spending your first night further down the Sacred Valley at a lower altitude, in Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, or at Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town).

Of the 17 days that I spent in Peru, only two of them were in Lima. I found Lima to be fascinating, but it would be a shame not to see more of the country if you have time. Other highlights for me:

* The Museum of the Tombs of the Lords of Sipan, near Chiclayo -- a breathtaking museum

* The Moche Temple of the Moon near Trujillo

* Swimming with pink river dolphins in the Amazon near Iquitos

* Spending a night on a floating island (made of reeds) on Lake Titicaca

Why are the picture crap?

EDT: Didn't realize the original pot was 4 years old!