Sometimes I think I hesitate to write a full article on a trip because I find it nearly impossible to enrapture what I felt on a trip in black characters on a light background on a screen. Peru is an extreme of that. It is hard to think how to describe the beautiful knowledge gaining experience in just a few short words. The truth is I can’t. No one can. You have to go an experience it, feel the love the people have down there. See the cultural differences. Find yourself in a bathroom stall with no paper (because frequently they do not us TP and/or soap) so you pray you have your husband out of earshot with your backpack that has extra in it.

Those moments. Those funny almost embarrassing to talk about moments are the ones that stick out in my mind. The things that slowly are picked out of your comfort zone of the space you thought was guaranteed to surround and comfort you. Those are the things that I miss now, but that I have already felt myself taking for granted again with my two feet planted firmly on the ground.

 

Although I already detailed the best moments of our Peru expedition with The Galileo Foundation I have had a lot of people reaching out with a variety of questions.

Here are answers to some of the FAQ’s

Where to stay on a budget:

• Cusco is filled with great hostels and hotels alike! If you are looking at staying somewhere cheap do a hostel. Expect to pay about $100-$140 soles per night (3 soles equal 1 dollar). Make sure to stay somewhere close to the Plaza.
  • We stayed at San Juan Masias, Awaqpinta which was ranked/priced as a two star hostel but has the accommodations of a three star the only downside is the school it surrounds but if you are waking up early and out and about you won’t even notice! They also provide a simple breakfast of bread, jam and fresh juice (you can trust this juice) snag some avocado, tomatoes, and cheese at the local market and your breakfast will be perfect.

The DREAMIEST hotel: 

• Skylodge Adventure Suites I didn’t discover this place in time for our trip, but if we find ourselves in Peru again we will certainly be spending time here! You rock climb to your room on the side of a mountain in The Sacred Valley!

What to wear:

• Layers layers layers! The change in temperature from Cusco to the surround mountain villages and from day to night so plan for an assortment of layered outfits.

What to do in Cusco:

• San Pedro Market
  • This closes around 6 pm – and is one of the larger/cleaner markets. If you have to go to the restroom their is a coffee shop across the way toward the Plaza – go there – it’s the cleanest bathroom we found! Haha
• Christo Blanco
  • You can take a local taxi/bus up for 1-3 soles per person – which is very worth it, and then hike down past the ruins and fields of Llamas.
• Saqsayhuaman
  • Be sure if you are a student that you get an ID with a date on it. The Highschool students with us got the discount (it’s BIG) but because our university ID’s didn’t have dates they were not valid.
  • If you pay for more than a 1 day pass be sure to visit Pisaq, Tambomachay, and Qenqo ruins as well. But by far and away Machu is the best so I recommend doing the others first!

Where to eat

• Los Todos – can eat their salad bar – it comes with every meal
• Jacks – pizza, burgers etc
• A little restaurant above Jacks I cannot recall the name – this is German cuisine.
• Alfredos – can eat their salad- it’s amazing – this was my favorite restaurant in town. It’s just a few blocks south of the square.
• DO NOT SETTLE FOR KFC or McDonalds you are in a foriegn country and good food is JUST AS CHEAP.
  • We ate ALL over and I only got sick when we were in Agua Claentias (at the base of Machu Picchu from a tomato) I recommend the steak at the restaurants at the base, Zac loved it.
• Always save your leftovers and give them to the beggars. You will see some who’s lips are turning black this is from sucking on Coco leaves to stall hunger pains. They appreciate anything you can give so even if in your home country it would seem offensive to give what you have left we gave a small piece of chicken and a few fries to a lady and she began praising it and blowing kisses at Zac.

What to NOT eat:

• Careful of pre-peeled fruit or juices that have already been poured (sometimes they may have sat out for a while or be in a container that has not been properly cleaned.
• Ensure salad is washed with bottled water.

What to do in Aguas Caliente

• Art shopping
  • If you want some Peruvian art I wouldn’t get anything until you see what they have here. With a broad assortment of small “galleries” you can find the perfect piece for you!
• The food is less than mediocre here so bring some protein bars etc. especially for before you go to Machu Picchu.
• Visit the Hot Springs – They are up above the city a bit and a fun place to go. I recommend taking an old swimsuit or you can buy/rent one down there- although I personally wasn’t sure about renting. We actually bought some one our way in and sold them back on our way out! Some people claim the hot springs discolor your swimsuit so I wouldn’t take the chance.
  • They have lockers and dressing rooms there. And serve drinks to you in the springs.

Which airlines to use:

• Latam is the best airline to use when traveling from Lima to Cusco, because they are more likely to fly if it is raining and have the least likely chance for a delay.
  • You can sometimes find cheaper fares on Peruvian who are also pretty reliable.

How much money to bring:

• Bring plenty of cash! Account for hotel each night, two meals, and whatever souvenirs you plan to buy! We ended up spending about $1100 USD (but that included Machu Picchu which is the largest purchase).
• Do not exchange cash at the airport. the exchange rate is much worse, in-fact we found that we said money by exchanging cash in Cusco rather than pulling money out at the ATM.

Machu Picchu

• Go in the morning if you can! They limit ticket sales to 400 per day so be sure to book these as soon as you know you are going. Going in the morning allows you to watch the sun rise from the sun gate.
  • If you are an avid hiker and the Inca trail isn’t on your list I would recommend putting it now.
• I promise the city in the clouds will NOT disappoint you, and I was a little worried it would not live up to the hype. Wake up early to get on one of the first buses and you will almost have the place to yourself.
• Do the Huayna Picchu hike, it gives you a birds eye view of one of the most spectacular places. The hike is well worth this view!
• Stamp your passport!! Yep! Machu Picchu has it’s own passport stamp. As you exit the gate look to your left and you will see a little table where you can add the stamp yourself.

Who we went with: 

We traveled to Peru with a humanitarian organization, The Galileo Foundation, which allowed us to not only enjoy the beautiful city, the breathtaking ruins but also to see another way of life and be able to provide humanitarian relief to local villages.