Peru! So excited! Who has been?

[~Jessie~]

We booked our initial flight last night, so there's no turning back now!

Peru has been on my "trip list" since I was a little kid. We've gone back and forth on the idea over the past few years, but it's a difficult trip to plan so we've always said "maybe next year."

This year we decided we're just going to do it. We have to fly to Lima, then get a small flight to Cuzco, and then there's Peru Rail- the train that runs through the Sacred Valley towards Machu Picchu.

We're piecing together everything this week, and then we just have to fill in the spaces with hotels and of course our Machu Picchu tickets.

I'm SO excited. I'm nervous about the altitude, but I've hiked at 9,000 feet elevation before, so I'm hoping I won't have any issues.

Has anyone here been to Peru before? Did you love it? Was it worth it?

[AdrianneIsabel]

Never been but that's exciting!

[release the hounds]

Originally Posted by ~Jessie~

Has anyone here been to Peru before? Did you love it? Was it worth it?

Yes, and yes.

Was there in Oct of 2002. Spent a few days in Cusco, did the sacred valley day tour, then did the 4 day hike to Machu Picchu .

We were in Bolivia for about 3 weeks before hand though in the high plains at about 8K feet, so that helped. When we flew in to La Paz that was abotu 10 or 12K and waking up with a hangover wasn't fun there as soon as the plane depressurized, some passed out. Everybody's lips were blue. Matches wouldn't even stay lit. You could still carry matches and lighters on planes at that time.

by the time we got to Peru, altitude was nothing, the hike was awesome, the history and scenery were amazing. I keep telling myself I'm going back to do a 10 or 12 day hike, but so far haven't.

You guys should have a lot of fun

[~Jessie~]

Originally Posted by release the hounds

Yes, and yes.

Was there in Oct of 2002. Spent a few days in Cusco, did the sacred valley day tour, then did the 4 day hike to Machu Picchu .

We were in Bolivia for about 3 weeks before hand though in the high plains at about 8K feet, so that helped. When we flew in to La Paz that was abotu 10 or 12K and waking up with a hangover wasn't fun there as soon as the plane depressurized, some passed out. Everybody's lips were blue. Matches wouldn't even stay lit. You could still carry matches and lighters on planes at that time.

by the time we got to Peru, altitude was nothing, the hike was awesome, the history and scenery were amazing. I keep telling myself I'm going back to do a 10 or 12 day hike, but so far haven't.

You guys should have a lot of fun

Awesome! I would've loved to hike the Inca Trail... but I'm too afraid of the elevation and my asthma. I'm comforted by the fact that hotels have oxygen machines if needed

Bolivia is also on my "to do" list someday. I'd LOVE to see the salt flats and the scenery is amazing. The elevation and the difficulty of planning/traveling (and getting a Visa) keeps me from doing it. If we can make it through Peru, though, Bolivia won't see as difficult as it does now!

[milos_mommy]

I've never been, but my cousin and Aunt are going in May and I think my Mom and brother might go next year, so I'm very curious to hear about it! All of them are going for volunteer work though, and I'm not sure where...cousin and Aunt are building a school, Mom and brother will go for Doctors without Borders...I think they typically hit really rural areas.

[Tortilla]

That's so exciting! I've never gone, but my mum has and said it was amazing. I'm sure you'll have an AWESOME time and I fully expect lots of pictures.

[~Jessie~]

I'm beyond excited!

And I'll fully admit that I'm looking forward to bringing home one of these!


Little llama souvenir by taniacavenecia, on Flickr

Haha. It will go on my shelf in between my Baby Nessie, woolen sheep, and Mexican cat stuffie

[RedHotDobe]

I have one of those!! Well, I did. I brought it back from San Diego for my sister. She has a big alpaca, so I figured she needed a little llama to keep him company, lol. I got the smallest one I could find - he's only about two inches tall. And completely adorable.

I've never been to Peru, but have fun!

[Beanie]

You take the coolest trips, Jessie. I... go to Chicago? LOL.

[release the hounds]

Here's a few pictures from that trip


One of my friends in a market on the way to Ollantayatambo


Some of us at the start of the hike, about 20 minutes of hiking later, it was sunny and hot and dry.



This was taken not long after the previous



Some of the trail got a little narrow



At the end of the hike, waiting to get into Machu Picchu and I made a new friend Just came up and layed down. Lots of strays down there, way more than you could imagine. Everywhere there were stray dogs.



On top of Huayna Picchu, that's Machu Picchu below.