Really enjoyed our wonderful tour of Peru, such beautiful landscape scenery and culture which had me very impressed with this country, following a long 12 1/2 hr flight from Amsterdam we arrived in Lima at around six in the evening for a two night stay which was much needed flying from a regional airport rather than from London whereas you arrived in the early hours of the following morning, something to bear in mind, any how the included city tour wasn't till the afternoon so time to recover from that long flight, there were around 37 on the tour including about 8 singles which was quite a large group of which 15 of us went on to the Amazon
[/b] LIMA
was mainly overcast at around 18d, time for a morning stroll down to the seafront which was murky and drizzly and an interesting look round watching the traffic cops and street cleaners at work, in the opposite direction towards Love park there are many cafes where we enjoyed some chocolate churros and a beer, yes and a beer!!!, Lima can get quite cold at night so wrap up it's a bit like Manchester on a summers day lol
next day it was a 8.30 departure as we headed for Paracas passing through many shanty towns on route, spotting our first Llamas and Alpacas, stopping at sites as well as lunch before arriving in the amazing little town of Chincha, tuk tuks paradise where crossing the road is a sight to behold, it's hold hands and run like mad lol, the following morning came one of the highlights the Ballestas Islands departing at 7.30am for the 2 hour boat trip where you have ever seen so many birds, from Penguins, seals to Peruvian boobies they are everywhere, a very enjoyable trip and the water was quite mild really despite the light drizzle so wrap up, thankfully there was no bird muck dropped on us, time left for a wander round this charming pier and purchase a few gifts from the many gift shops before continuing on our journey south as amazingly the weather changed from the murky north to beautiful sunshine as travelled through the dessert oasis for a stop to see the Nazca lines from a viewpoint tower before continuing to our hotel for around half past five
The following morning Day 5 we had our longest day on the coach covering some 400 miles today and an early departure of 7am, some people thought this a bit much but some like myself found thed journey fascinating as we headed along cliff side bendy curvy roads with such stunning ocean views, sit on the right hand side of the coach unless your not keen on heights as some of the turns can turn your stomach, another beautiful morning as a stop was made to dip your feet in the cold pacific ocean, even some dolphins were spotted as we continued along the coastline before heading inland across dessert before stopping for a late lunch before arriving in the city of Arequiba around 7.30pm for our first two night break since leaving Lima
[/b]Arequiba
was probably our favourite city, we loved Arequiba, this is where the altitude starts to kick in but just take it easy and don't rush and you'll be ok I had no problems but many did thoughout the tour with one thing or another but our wonderful Tour Manager Rosario was always there to help us and would not hesitate to call out a doctor always giving us her room number insisting we call her with any problems, the cocoa tea was a great help, please drink it it gets better and may be easier to drink if leave it cool down a bit and it's free and on tap in most places, our city tour the following morning showed us the sights of this lovely city with it's attractive square where some of us stayed down there before getting a taxi back to the hotel, we walked down again later a few of us singles having teamed up as it was close enough to the hotel
the following morning we had another early start 7am, this was the day we headed for Colca Canyon in search of the majestic condor, we had a super included picnic lunch full of all sorts of goodies to munch into as we sat around this beautiful spot waiting and waiting, eventually we did catch a glimpse of the condor or two maybe but was very high, wrong time of day we are told and this really needs to be early morning around b'fast time which I guess could be done though people only then groan at another early rise, you cannot have it all ways, the canyon was around 45mins from the hotel and there was some nice and rare chilling out time this afternoon, here we are at around 13,000 ft, this evening was an included buffet dinner with music and dancers which was nice
another early 7am start followed, no good for you nine o'clockers lol but Peru is pretty big and always lots to see, we had another included picnic today at a beautiful spot overlooking a lake, weather remains nice, tshirt weather but always need that light cardigan and pullover for the early mornings, a interesting stop was made at the site in Sillustani and we were at the eco inn in Puno around five
PUNO 2 nightshooray you nine o'clockers you get a wee lie in, 9.30 depart for one of the highlights of the tour, the floating islands on Lake Titicaca, a lovely gentle cruise out to these colourful islands, get your cameras ready as we visit a couple of them to learn all about their culture and methods and to the visit the school and museum, we return about lunchtime and we have a free afternoon to either chill out around the hotel or get a taxi into Puno for around 5 soles, we were very lucky as the annual parade was on very colourful procession dancing music and as our TM called out girls in mini skirts looking at us men ho ho only happens once a year but our ten minute taxi ride back this evening took us an hour and a half due to the traffic and the parade still going on was amazing
Time to head for Cusco, 7.30am start with 300 miles to cover but many stops today including another buffet lunch on route and we reached our hotel around 6.30pm, most the hotels you could get light meals at the bar toasted sandwiches chips omelettes etc or you can use the restaurant, the hotel in Cusco was a proper hotel with a proper bar, well situated with markets across the road and a fifteen min stroll up to the square, visit paddys irish bar for a free poster, we particulary liked the cross keys slightly hidden away and upstairs, there were election campaigns in many of the town throughout peru with music and marches etc which slowed the traffic down at times but this added to the excitement
CUSCO
we took our optional tour to the sacred valley on Sunday as the market at Pisac brings all the locals out more where we had about an hour to browse round before continuing for lunch passing through many interesting villages, the site itself was an interesting experience but it's a long way up if you want to reach the top, I only managed two levels and that was enough for me whilst many less mobile than myself made it all the way to the top, back at the hotel around 5.30 we dined there though I hear Vallentinos across the road is very good, well it looked busy when we passed so that's usually a good sign
Macchu Picchu was an early start at 6.30am, a three and a half hour train ride and then a 25 min journey by bus to reach the site but very well worth it, a two hour tour with our guide was followed by a super buffet lunch amidst the odd shower before our long journey back, the 57 miles taking almost 4 hrs as it trundles along and it was something like twenty past nine when we arrived back at the hotel, a long long day which passed quite quickly really
ok a nice lie in for all as had our city tour at 2pm which took up the whole afternoon, some of us went up into town tonight for a meal, a place that specialises in guinea pig which one of us tried whilst we stuck with the more traditional chicken dish, good value restaurant opposite the willy market shop ho ho, have absolutely no idea what they well there though
on Departure day those going home were leaving around twelve whilst us Amazon adventurers left at nine am for the 11.30am half hour flight to the amazon, the heat was stifling as we left the plane was like going to another country after the cold or rather chilly Cusco, you just sweated immediately, a short ride round the corner to the office lodges where our main suitcases were stored, we had a cold drink and a cold towel to cool down before getting to our cases to remove anything we needed for the amazon, we just packed a bag inside with toiletries etc in clothes for 3 days and grab anything else you think you may need
the boat ride to the lodge took around half an hour and pretty much straight in for lunch, all meals included here, lunch and bfast buffet style and dinner which was very good a la carte, bottle beer was 17sol here as only ten in most hotels on tour and pay at end of stay they will drop you an itemised bill on last evening, the huts at the conception were very spacious and had torches in them which you will need for night excursion and back and forth the restaurant though there are path lights
AMAZONthe night excursion in search of the black and the white cayman was interesting and the guides were very good in spotting them for us
the early morning visit to the parrott clay lick proved a non event as they didn't come down but just our bad luck with being up at 4am, the jungle walks were just spotting plants really and at times monkeys high up in the trees putting on a show for us and throwing things at us, we also had a visit to a farm and to lake sanoval but be warned it's a long gruelling walk, takes lots of water and insist you do this early morning, we got lumbered with a 2pm start when it was hot, still we did it and were proud of it, a nice leisurely canoe ride round the lake followed spotting wildlife including giant otters on the lake
the canopy walkway was good as we had to reach a 150 foot tower to trundle across the seven hanging and swaying bridges over the top of the rain forrest, all rather dicey but worth it, watch out for bridge no 4 which is by far the longest and dips in the middle, mind you don't have to do them but once you have started there is no turning back, on the final evening dinner we all grouped up together on one table to bid farewell to our time in the jungle
I loved PERU and the jungle though only a little taster was an experience, as for money well I took £500 worth of Peru currency and returned with what I changed back at the airport with over £40, I bought loads of gifts, left lots of tips for guides housekeeping TM etc as well as spent on food and drink so I am sure for most people £400 would be ample and atm's are readily available throughout peru
any questions just ask and i'll try and answer them
hope you have enjoyed my review of wonderful peru
