The friends from Toronto who visited Peru for 8 days were generally very satisfied. What are some things to be aware of?
➡️ Book your Machu Picchu tickets as early as possible. If you’re joining a local Cusco tour, make sure the ticket is included in the package. Some tours require you to purchase your own ticket once you reach Aguas Calientes. If you end up with a ticket for Line 1 but prefer Line 2, ask your tour guide if a switch is possible, or try negotiating with the staff at the fork in the road.
➡️ There’s a humorous rumor online that you must have a leader for Machu Picchu, but even a guide isn’t mandatory, let alone a leader. This is just a sales tactic used by some people promoting their services.
➡️ For those eager to try alpaca meat or cuy (guinea pig), it’s wise to order one portion for two people initially. The friends from Toronto ordered cuy and couldn’t finish it over two days. On another occasion, friends from China found themselves struggling to eat a large amount of alpaca meat while drinking, and still had plenty left over.
➡️ When entering or leaving the airport area in Lima, avoid looking down at your phone if the car window is open. Stay alert and aware of your surroundings.
➡️ To prevent altitude sickness, if friends from the US and Canada don’t have prescription medication, they can buy acetazolamide at a pharmacy in Peru. Sorojchi pills are now hard to find, but there’s an alternative called Alti Vital. If flying to Cusco, consider going directly to Aguas Calientes or Urubamba, as these places are much lower in altitude and can help with gradual acclimatization. If staying in Cusco, don’t rush the itinerary, especially for those from Europe, America, and well-off friends from China. It’s not recommended to book tours that start at 4-5 AM. If traveling in a group, consider renting a car; a regular vehicle costs around $100 per day. Many pharmacies in Cusco also sell oxygen tanks for additional support.
➡️ For the Amazon rainforest, if you want to see the Amazon River, only Iquitos has it, as the river does not flow through Puerto Maldonado. If possible, book a place like Ceiba Tops; the difference in experience is significant, and if you can afford it, there’s no need to suffer unnecessarily.
➡️ For the train to and from Aguas Calientes, if taking the PeruRail Observatory one-way, it’s recommended to go from Ollantaytambo/Cusco to Aguas Calientes. This route offers breathtaking views and a more enjoyable journey.
