something I would like to do. any recommendations on tour groups to book with/other stuff to do in Peru?
I almost went this year, but opted for Africa instead. I looked at GAP adventures; they have several tours that are fairly inexpensive and for a range of days (some are just for the trail and Machu Picchu and others cover more of Peru). They also have volunteer vacations (I think it's 2-4 days of volunteering and then the hike).
I used GAP for Africa, and they are a great company (they are well established in South American tours, and are newer at African ones, so sounds like it would be a great experience).
I hiked it in 97. But I hear now you need a reservation? Back then you could just show up. It was grueling and worth every minute of pain. The views. The feelings. The ruins. The deep sleep at night. Nothing beats that last dawn when you finally see Machu Pichu too.
I recommend Colca Canyon out of Arequipa. Full of Condors that is a great trip too.
i have a friend who did it as well, within the last two years, so I'm going to pick her brain. I think she did it all for rather cheap as well, which is always a plus for me!
We did the Inca Trail trek in 2005... these days, you are REQUIRED to do it with a tour agency. we did it in late november/early december. We had not planned on doing it, because we had heard that you needed to make reservations months in advance. Apparently this is true in high season, but since we got there in low season, things were a bit different. A lady basically approached us while we were eating breakfast in our guest house and said she had extra places for a trip in three days. so we signed up... got a crazy good deal... i think we paid something like $150 per person... for a four day trek, with all equipment, food, porters to carry tents and food and stuff... in season you pay $400 or something. it was terrific service. food was good and plentiful, and everything was well organized... and our guide was terrific... lots of stories and added knowledge: a few pointers:
1. We used a company called Puma's Treck. they are recommended. HOWEVER, be careful... there are lots of tour companies and agencies, and they tend to combine trips, based on how many people they have. Thus, we signed up with one company and ended up with another company. Fortunately, it worked out... but if you want to go with a specific company, make sure you are very clear with the people at sign up time that you want THAT company and no other. Also, be sure to clarify and get in writing exactly what is included.
2. bring rain gear! we were in the off season, so we had one day walking in the rain... which actually wasn't bad (kind of cool in a way)... if you can go in off season, you will save money, because you can show up and arrange it there. we had people in our SAME group (i.e. same service) who had booked ahead on the internet and were paying three times what we were paying.
3. One catch,.. you have to wait three days to receive your official permit for the trail. but that is no problem, since there is PLENTY to do in Huaraz and it is good acclimatizing time anyway. we did some day tours to the other ruins in the area (with tourist busses and all... not usually our thing, but it was very cheap and simply more efficient than trying to do it on your own.)
4. the second day is tough for some people due to the altitude (we didn't have any problem, because we had been in la paz and other high altitudes for over a month at that time)/... generally, you can pay one of the porters a little extra to carry your stuff on that day (i.e. your clothes and sleeping bag and stuff like that)
5. on the last day, vote to GET UP EARLY and get in line. it is a little absurd, but it ends up being like a huge disney world line of all the people at the final camp waiting for the gate to open so they can start the final leg of the journey that leads to macchu picchu. we were at the front of the line, and we basically RAN (packs and all) that part. it was kind of ludicrous, but ultimately worth it, because we got great views Macchu Picchu from above (the sun gate) as the sun was rising and before the mists set in... and we also got a little time in the actual ruins before the daily fleet of tour buses arrived.
SIDENOTE: If I had it to do over again, I would do the cocoa trail tour... this leads to another ruin that they have recently found... supposed to be equally impressive, and even better because not so overrun with tourists. you can ask at puma's trecks and other companies about this tour... most of them do it... the inca trail is great, but way overcrowded... we were there in LOW season, and we were still walking in a crowd of people the whole time... and the guides kept telling us how lucky were were that it was NOT crowded. Crazy.
I've also heard the Inca trail is getting seriously overcrowded. Still, it's on the list. I was planning a Bolivia trip in '04 to walk the Choro Trail, but cancelled it on the advice of a Bolivian friend. I have a serious itch to see and experience the Andes.
Huaraz, Peru... the huayhuash circuit is amazing. 10 days, 5000 meter passes almost every day. not deserted, but certainly far more remote and less crowded than Inca Trail... of course, you don't have the ruins like in Peru... but then you can do those on day trips from Cusco. If you want proper hiking and mountains, Huaraz is terrific. The Santa Cruz treks is a nice little 3-day warm-up/acclimatizing trip. and there are dozens of walking trails around, proper "climbing" opportunities.
as for bolivia... goto Sorata (few hours by bus form la paz).. there are a variety of treks available there that are far less crowded than the choro trek. (although you should check with the locals about the security situation there, which is sometimes a bit unstable around the villages in the mountains).
or if you want to get some serious altitude, Huayna Potosi is one of the easier 6000 meter peaks in the world. Can be done in three days, with a guide (there are many companies in la paz. Great experience!! Highly recommended.
be sure to spend some time acclimatizing first... good activity for that is a couple days wandering around Isla del Sol in Lake Titicaca. Absolutely beautiful!
Huaraz, Peru... the huayhuash circuit is amazing. 10 days, 5000 meter passes almost every day. not deserted, but certainly far more remote and less crowded than Inca Trail... of course, you don't have the ruins like in Peru... but then you can do those on day trips from Cusco. If you want proper hiking and mountains, Huaraz is terrific. The Santa Cruz treks is a nice little 3-day warm-up/acclimatizing trip. and there are dozens of walking trails around, proper "climbing" opportunities.
as for bolivia... goto Sorata (few hours by bus form la paz).. there are a variety of treks available there that are far less crowded than the choro trek. (although you should check with the locals about the security situation there, which is sometimes a bit unstable around the villages in the mountains).
or if you want to get some serious altitude, Huayna Potosi is one of the easier 6000 meter peaks in the world. Can be done in three days, with a guide (there are many companies in la paz. Great experience!! Highly recommended.
be sure to spend some time acclimatizing first... good activity for that is a couple days wandering around Isla del Sol in Lake Titicaca. Absolutely beautiful!
Huaraz, Peru... the huayhuash circuit is amazing. 10 days, 5000 meter passes almost every day. not deserted, but certainly far more remote and less crowded than Inca Trail... of course, you don't have the ruins like in Peru... but then you can do those on day trips from Cusco. If you want proper hiking and mountains, Huaraz is terrific. The Santa Cruz treks is a nice little 3-day warm-up/acclimatizing trip. and there are dozens of walking trails around, proper "climbing" opportunities.
as for bolivia... goto Sorata (few hours by bus form la paz).. there are a variety of treks available there that are far less crowded than the choro trek. (although you should check with the locals about the security situation there, which is sometimes a bit unstable around the villages in the mountains).
or if you want to get some serious altitude, Huayna Potosi is one of the easier 6000 meter peaks in the world. Can be done in three days, with a guide (there are many companies in la paz. Great experience!! Highly recommended.
be sure to spend some time acclimatizing first... good activity for that is a couple days wandering around Isla del Sol in Lake Titicaca. Absolutely beautiful!
| 
DaniD
tript member
anyone ever hiked the Inca trail?
something I would like to do. any recommendations on tour groups to book with/other stuff to do in Peru?
I almost went this year, but opted for Africa instead. I looked at GAP adventures; they have several tours that are fairly inexpensive and for a range of days (some are just for the trail and Machu Picchu and others cover more of Peru). They also have volunteer vacations (I think it's 2-4 days of volunteering and then the hike).
I used GAP for Africa, and they are a great company (they are well established in South American tours, and are newer at African ones, so sounds like it would be a great experience).
Bluto11
tript member
excellent!
thanks for the info. now I have something to look at when I'm bored at work!
Huss
tript member
I hiked it in 97. But I hear now you need a reservation? Back then you could just show up. It was grueling and worth every minute of pain. The views. The feelings. The ruins. The deep sleep at night. Nothing beats that last dawn when you finally see Machu Pichu too.
I recommend Colca Canyon out of Arequipa. Full of Condors that is a great trip too.
Why do I....keep launching new websites?
Bluto11
tript member
cool!
i have a friend who did it as well, within the last two years, so I'm going to pick her brain. I think she did it all for rather cheap as well, which is always a plus for me!
Mike
tript member
We did the Inca Trail trek in 2005... these days, you are REQUIRED to do it with a tour agency. we did it in late november/early december. We had not planned on doing it, because we had heard that you needed to make reservations months in advance. Apparently this is true in high season, but since we got there in low season, things were a bit different. A lady basically approached us while we were eating breakfast in our guest house and said she had extra places for a trip in three days. so we signed up... got a crazy good deal... i think we paid something like $150 per person... for a four day trek, with all equipment, food, porters to carry tents and food and stuff... in season you pay $400 or something. it was terrific service. food was good and plentiful, and everything was well organized... and our guide was terrific... lots of stories and added knowledge: a few pointers:
1. We used a company called Puma's Treck. they are recommended. HOWEVER, be careful... there are lots of tour companies and agencies, and they tend to combine trips, based on how many people they have. Thus, we signed up with one company and ended up with another company. Fortunately, it worked out... but if you want to go with a specific company, make sure you are very clear with the people at sign up time that you want THAT company and no other. Also, be sure to clarify and get in writing exactly what is included.
2. bring rain gear! we were in the off season, so we had one day walking in the rain... which actually wasn't bad (kind of cool in a way)... if you can go in off season, you will save money, because you can show up and arrange it there. we had people in our SAME group (i.e. same service) who had booked ahead on the internet and were paying three times what we were paying.
3. One catch,.. you have to wait three days to receive your official permit for the trail. but that is no problem, since there is PLENTY to do in Huaraz and it is good acclimatizing time anyway. we did some day tours to the other ruins in the area (with tourist busses and all... not usually our thing, but it was very cheap and simply more efficient than trying to do it on your own.)
4. the second day is tough for some people due to the altitude (we didn't have any problem, because we had been in la paz and other high altitudes for over a month at that time)/... generally, you can pay one of the porters a little extra to carry your stuff on that day (i.e. your clothes and sleeping bag and stuff like that)
5. on the last day, vote to GET UP EARLY and get in line. it is a little absurd, but it ends up being like a huge disney world line of all the people at the final camp waiting for the gate to open so they can start the final leg of the journey that leads to macchu picchu. we were at the front of the line, and we basically RAN (packs and all) that part. it was kind of ludicrous, but ultimately worth it, because we got great views Macchu Picchu from above (the sun gate) as the sun was rising and before the mists set in... and we also got a little time in the actual ruins before the daily fleet of tour buses arrived.
SIDENOTE: If I had it to do over again, I would do the cocoa trail tour... this leads to another ruin that they have recently found... supposed to be equally impressive, and even better because not so overrun with tourists. you can ask at puma's trecks and other companies about this tour... most of them do it... the inca trail is great, but way overcrowded... we were there in LOW season, and we were still walking in a crowd of people the whole time... and the guides kept telling us how lucky were were that it was NOT crowded. Crazy.
Enjoy!
i travel, therefore i am.
YankHibee
tript member
Mike
tript member
If you want to see the Andes, might I suggest:
Huaraz, Peru... the huayhuash circuit is amazing. 10 days, 5000 meter passes almost every day. not deserted, but certainly far more remote and less crowded than Inca Trail... of course, you don't have the ruins like in Peru... but then you can do those on day trips from Cusco. If you want proper hiking and mountains, Huaraz is terrific. The Santa Cruz treks is a nice little 3-day warm-up/acclimatizing trip. and there are dozens of walking trails around, proper "climbing" opportunities.
as for bolivia... goto Sorata (few hours by bus form la paz).. there are a variety of treks available there that are far less crowded than the choro trek. (although you should check with the locals about the security situation there, which is sometimes a bit unstable around the villages in the mountains).
or if you want to get some serious altitude, Huayna Potosi is one of the easier 6000 meter peaks in the world. Can be done in three days, with a guide (there are many companies in la paz. Great experience!! Highly recommended.
be sure to spend some time acclimatizing first... good activity for that is a couple days wandering around Isla del Sol in Lake Titicaca. Absolutely beautiful!
Happy hiking!
i travel, therefore i am.
YankHibee
tript member
If you want to see the Andes, might I suggest:
Huaraz, Peru... the huayhuash circuit is amazing. 10 days, 5000 meter passes almost every day. not deserted, but certainly far more remote and less crowded than Inca Trail... of course, you don't have the ruins like in Peru... but then you can do those on day trips from Cusco. If you want proper hiking and mountains, Huaraz is terrific. The Santa Cruz treks is a nice little 3-day warm-up/acclimatizing trip. and there are dozens of walking trails around, proper "climbing" opportunities.
as for bolivia... goto Sorata (few hours by bus form la paz).. there are a variety of treks available there that are far less crowded than the choro trek. (although you should check with the locals about the security situation there, which is sometimes a bit unstable around the villages in the mountains).
or if you want to get some serious altitude, Huayna Potosi is one of the easier 6000 meter peaks in the world. Can be done in three days, with a guide (there are many companies in la paz. Great experience!! Highly recommended.
be sure to spend some time acclimatizing first... good activity for that is a couple days wandering around Isla del Sol in Lake Titicaca. Absolutely beautiful!
Happy hiking!
Great stuff, thanks.
summersnow
tript member
If you want to see the Andes, might I suggest:
Huaraz, Peru... the huayhuash circuit is amazing. 10 days, 5000 meter passes almost every day. not deserted, but certainly far more remote and less crowded than Inca Trail... of course, you don't have the ruins like in Peru... but then you can do those on day trips from Cusco. If you want proper hiking and mountains, Huaraz is terrific. The Santa Cruz treks is a nice little 3-day warm-up/acclimatizing trip. and there are dozens of walking trails around, proper "climbing" opportunities.
as for bolivia... goto Sorata (few hours by bus form la paz).. there are a variety of treks available there that are far less crowded than the choro trek. (although you should check with the locals about the security situation there, which is sometimes a bit unstable around the villages in the mountains).
or if you want to get some serious altitude, Huayna Potosi is one of the easier 6000 meter peaks in the world. Can be done in three days, with a guide (there are many companies in la paz. Great experience!! Highly recommended.
be sure to spend some time acclimatizing first... good activity for that is a couple days wandering around Isla del Sol in Lake Titicaca. Absolutely beautiful!
Happy hiking!
if summersnow is truth.....