One country that has captivated many travelers with its one of a kind history, adventure, and mystery is Peru. From the iconic Machu Picchu to the otherworldly Rainbow Mountain, the sites can be so unique that one gets distracted from everything else about traveling to this area. With that in mind, here are 6 things that I have learned about traveling to Peru that you should take note of before visiting this stunning country.
The Language Barrier
While it may seem like an idea that’s common sense, it is always important to know a good amount of the country’s language so that you can get around. In Peru, knowing a decent amount of Spanish is especially important, since many Peruvians outside of big cities like Lima and Cusco don’t speak English. Some travelers are talented enough to learn the language rapidly while they’re on their trip (for instance my mother spoke really good Spanish after just a week in Mexico). Most of us however will have to learn some of the language a few weeks before their trip, and I find Duolingo to be a decent tool in teaching you the basics in getting around the area. While I understood Spanish easily enough to not need extra help, I recommend using Rosetta Stone in order to learn a lot of a language quickly and thoroughly. I used this website when I went to France and when I went to Hungary, and it helped me to wrap my brain around some of the more difficult concepts and it made learning more fun!
2. Weather and Clothing
When my parents first went to Peru when I was very young, they told me that they underestimated the unpredictability of the weather and that they had to buy many new items of clothing on their trip. Peru is a country that, due to its location, is assumed to be very hot most of the time with little to no rain. In reality, the Amazon Rainforest and the Andes Mountains make it to where it can be really hot and dry one minute to soaking wet and freezing the next. In order to avoid having the same problem that my parents had, my strategy for the weather was to bring multiple layers within my backpack so that I wouldn’t have to worry about being too hot or too cold. For Peru, I brought a waterproof jacket and boots in case Mother Nature decided to give me a random mid-afternoon monsoon in the middle of my hike.
3. Underrated Cities
A lot of the focus on the sights has been centered on Incan ruins and the natural wonders, but I would recommend putting as much attention towards the cities as well. My father told me that although the traffic is absolutely terrifying to go through, Lima and Cusco were great places that you could get lost in very easily, and upon further discovery, I found that that the food within Cusco was some of the best that I have ever had, including the best hot chocolate in the world! There is also a surprising amount of European influence in the area, with beautiful cobblestone streets and stunning palaces that showcase the Spanish colonial history. Even with this European influence, these cities still maintain their individuality and their heritage, which small Incan shrines within Cusco and architecture build from white volcanic stone in Arequipa. In short, visiting the large and historical cities in Peru would add all the variety that one could desire in this ancient area, and they are equally as exciting as the sights that are far away from the cities.
4. Friendly Locals
An important lesson that I have learned over the years is one shouldn’t assume that the people you meet will be hospitable (especially those in Paris). However, there are few people that are more kind than those I met in Peru. A few used their limited knowledge of English to help my family find our hotel, and one woman even allowed us to have dinner at her family home (which was absolutely sensational)! I found that their kindness was even more of a reason for me to sharpen my Spanish-speaking skills, as I was able to bond and learn great stories once I understood enough of what they were saying. The same woman who invited my family for dinner also gave us a hidden route to get to Rainbow Mountain that was much shorter, and I’m truly impressed by that kindness!
5. Unforgettable Tour Guides
A main worry that I’ve had when I’m on a tour to see major locations is that I’ll be overly annoyed by the tour guide. Thankfully, this was not a concern while I was in Peru, as we managed to have a tour guide to Machu Picchu was very engaging, with a great sense of humor as well! When my family and I were going up the steep steps to get to the ruins, our guide mentioned that there would be a point of the trail that was “mostly flat”. Being from an area that was very flat, we were very much looking forward to this “mostly flat” area, but no matter how far up the mountain we went, there was no such incline. At one point, I caught the guard chuckling to himself about this situation, and that’s when I realized he was playing a prank on us. That gave me the drive to finish the hike, and I found myself in the understanding that no other tour guide had a sense of humor at all, let alone one like that. All of that is to say that having a local tour guide in Peru is truly an unforgettable experience that more people should partake in.
6. Altitude Sickness
As you can probably tell by this point, the climate in Peru is highly varied, from the Amazon to the Andes to the beaches and everything in between. One thing that is consistent is that the altitude is far above what many in the United States are used to, and it’s highly important that you prevent getting altitude sickness. There are many ways of accomplishing this, but the main goal should be to keep oxygen circulating through your system. One way of doing this is remaining hydrated and even slightly over-hydrated at all times; the high altitudes make your body lose moisture at a rapid pace, and dehydration can mimic the symptoms of altitude sickness. Water is also responsible for carrying oxygen through the bloodstream, so the more water you drink, the more oxygen you will be able to retain. Another way of doing this is to stay within the cities for at least 3 days before you go up to Machu Picchu or Rainbow Mountain; this way, you will be acclimated to the difference in altitude, which will help to maintain the oxygen in your body.
Conclusion
My family and I enjoyed many surprises during our trips to Peru, and I am proud to say that this country is the most exciting that I have ever seen. The people are really a delight to hang out around, and the tours are experiences that give you a good laugh to remember for years to come. The weather is extremely spontaneous, and somehow it’s the cities that are the true hidden gems. So as long as you show up to the Land of Clouds with a rested body and a sharpened mind, your trip will be as much of a blast as mine was?
