- Peru
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This is a great alternative to the Inca trail - high snowy peaks, quieter trekking and stunning.
I went with UK company Andean Trails. www.andeantrails.co.uk
Beginning from Puno on the shore of the magical Lake Titicaca, the Orient Express Company's luxurious train works it's way across high Peru to the historical city of Cusco - fine food and wine, an observation car, and a midway stop for local entertainment - magical.
ViaSpanish Language School is a great Spanish school in Cusco in the San Blas region. I had a fantastic time here - I took two weeks of group classes and one week of private lessons and learned a surprising amount. The school itself is big and airy, the teachers are lovely and they have a nice big sunny terrace. My home stay was perfect and I hope one day to go back and visit everyone - I really miss them all!
A small local-run organisation desperately in need of volunteers, donations and tools to help with reconstruction projects following the devastating earthquake in August 2007. More than a year later, there are still thousands of people without homes so every pair of hands is appreciated, whether you stay for a couple of days or several months. If you can bring anything on their wishlist with you, even better!
Owned and run by an Italian, a little bit hard to find so ask for directions. It's near two very good cevicherias, one called Las Gemilitas and the other Meche, I think. All three worth trying out.
Great alternative trek to Machu Picchu and it takes in it all. Just book when you get there, you can usually go next day. Oh, and please don't take any notice of the Guardian's advertised £3.95 price (do they earn commision from this agent?). It costs around £120 pounds, all meals included with camping.
Any agent in Plaza de Armas
The classic four-day trek, the Inca Trail, to Machu Picchu now has an adventurous alternative. From Cuzco, I went across the scary Abra Malaga pass by local transport to the attractive warm jungle village of Santa Teresa and visited hot warm springs (very few foreign visitors at the present moment) and stayed with a local family in a rustic adobe lodge where fresh coffee beans were roasted in front of my eyes and papaya picked off the trees for morning breakfast!
The journey from Cusco to the jungle on to Machu Picchu with the local Quechua speaking guide involves one night staying by the hot springs in tents, one night with his family (a great experience!), a horse trek, some trekking and the final descent to Aguas Calientes at the foot of Machu Picchu. In the morning, rise early before the other travellers and take in this famous lost Inca citadel.
A more varied experience overall, following a different route to the majority of people and great to get to stay with a local family, even for one night!
Santa Teresa is about a fivehour ride from Cuzco. I travelled with the volunteering and alternative adventure travel organisation, Inka Magik, which works with local schools as well as the Cuzco guide and rustic lodge.
Stay where you like but the Nazca Lines Hotel has a pool which is guests only, but if you buy a sandwich and a beer, you can use it all day.
Small well-run agency. Does extended treks, but we used them for day treks including fabulous trip to Lago Churup (4500m). Great guides, efficient, helpful, fun.
www.huascaran-peru.com
welcome@huascaran-peru.com
We found them through the hostel we were staying in, Churup Albergue
Good quality place to stay, lovely welcome even though we arrived 6.30am off overnight bus. Cheap, good breakfast included, use of kitchen, views of mountains.
5mins walk from town centre www.churup.com
churup-albergue@gmx.net
It's a different restaurant serving innovative dishes and has a fully functional sports bar on the side with four TVs and every sport you can possibly want to watch.
plateros 334 entrance inside a souvenirs market
The places in your article on Peru are great but the one thing not mentioned is the altitude and the fact if you fly into Cusco and move too fast when you get off the plane you could easily collapse!
If you want to travel to Peru and you do not want to pay for luxury tours, you maybe can try send a request to AndesPeru, it's a company that has many kind of alternatives, working tours with tourist bus services safe and comfortable.
They hace also inexpensive hotels and good rates for domestic flights. My first tour in Peru 3 years ago was under AndesPeru and it was good organized
www.andesperu.com
info@andesperu.com
Call to Peru
phone ++51 1 447-2057
fax ++51 1 445-7874
Actually I'm working at Peru Expeditions 3 years ago It's a tour operator company eith 15 years at the market, it's very serious about travel services, If you like to travel to Peru, I recommend send you a request asking first than book any tour.
Tours, hotels, air tickets for all Peru areas, tailored tours from 2 to 30 days, shared and private, inexpensive or deluxe.
We have available organized tours by tourist bus, airplane or private Toyota's Land Cruiser 4wd to Cuzcu and any other place you request for.
www.peru-expeditions.com
asap@peru-expeditions.com
Calle Colina 151 - Miraflores - Lima
Peru - South Amererica
A spectacular nature reserve for sea life, just a short half-day trip by boat from Paracas. We saw many sealions swimming and singing, penguins, pelicans and other birds. They call it the poor man's Galapagos!
Boat trips from the port in Paracas, near Pisco. Local bus to Pisco from Ica, taxi from Pisco to Paracas.
Peruforyou is a tiny volunteer organisation based in Huancayo. They offer Spanish lessons to tourists in exchange for English lessons and health schemes given to local orphans and street kids.
You are placed with a local family to live and experience real Andean life. They also offer superb jungle treks - highly memorable and so rewarding.
I recommend taking a pair of flip flops or sandals to wear after your day of trekking - it's far more pleasant than keeping your sweaty boots on! Additionally, take more money than you think you'll need, as there is water and beer to be bought en route, and you'll want to be generous with your tips for the porters and guides.
If the weather is fine, the convent is a nice place to wander around for a reasonable entrance fee. It is an interesting insight into the past and the living conditions, plus some good photo opportunities.
The Convent is near the main square in the center of Araquipa. It is well advertised and signposted so you can't miss it.
Ten-hour rail journey along the grassy altiplano. The highest point, La Raya pass, is 4321 metres above sea level. An at times bleak but stunning journey that descends along the Vilcanota river to Cuzco. Spoil yourselves and go first class. Memorable train journey among hospitable people.
Train station middle of Puno.
The only apartments that we could find in Mancora for two. All the other places to hire were big houses for 10 people or more. This is a great place with a pool, apartments for two and four, a restaurant if you want it, but kitchens in all the apartments.
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