PERU

cusco | lima | salkantay trek travel tips | pros + cons |

lima

unsolicited adviceWater is not safe to drink, drink filtered/ bottled water only.Official currency is sol ($1= ~3.77 sols), dollars widely accepted but have local change on hand. Card widely accepted.Use Reddit to find reliable taxi services to and from the airport.Miraflores is the area to stay in.Stay alert and keep your cellphone concealed while in public.Be prepared for insane driving conditions; brace yourself.Culturally, it's considered rude to leave food on your plate.

EAT

Meals

Cala Restaurante & Lounge
Isolina Taberna Peruana
☆Mangos Restaurante
Restaurante La Rosa Nautica

Coffee + Treats

Crem dela Crem
La Bodega Verde
Oakberry Acai Bowls
☆Puku Puku Cafe Larco

SEE

Municipal de Barranco Park
☆Walking path

SHOP

Artesanos Don Bosco
Camu Camu
Larcomar (mall)
☆Wong (fancy grocery)

SLEEP

☆JW Marriot Hotel Lima

cusco

unsolicited adviceAlways wear sunscreen on your hands and reapply all over frequently.Stay hydrated with coca tea and drink plenty of water.Melatonin helped me before bed with sleeping at high elevation.Opt for shoes with good grip, even sandals, to avoid slipping. I did not take this advice and regretted it.Read up on the history of sites before visiting, it makes it more enjoyable.

EAT

☆Green Point Vegan Restaurant
Cappuccino Cusco Cafe (amazing view)
Cicciolina
Cicciolina Cafe
☆Jacks Cafe
☆L'atelier Cafe Concept
La Bom Creperia Backpacker
Morena Peruvian Kitchen
☆Museo del Pisco (6 full drinks for $30)
☆Qura
☆Rucula Peruvian Restaurant

SEE

Mirador desde el Cristo Blanco
Mirador de San Blas
Plaza de Armas
Plaza San Blas
Plaza San Cristobal
Q'enco Archaeological Complex
Rainbow Mountain (day trip)
☆Saqsaywaman (pronouned "sexy woman")

SHOP

Cocla Coffee (reccomended by local)
☆Isa Luna Shop (2 locations)
Kintu Moda
Lorena Pestana
Pushka Manifestacion Creativa
San Pedro Central Market

SLEEP

☆Casa Andina Premuim Cusco (breakfast included, amazing Pisco Sours)

See Machu Picchu:
mini guide (getting there & the town of Aguas Calientes)

Transport: Train or hike (3 hrs) via Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes or train (2 hrs) via Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes

Then local bus or hike from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. If you take the bus (25 min), get there early, and prepare for a line.

Eat: Full House, Machu Pisco Bar

If you hike from Hydroelectrica: Camping and Restaurant La Choza Inca Raqay is a rest/ food stop.

See: Manco Capac Square, Hot Springs Pool and Bar

Stay: Inti Punku, Casa Andina Standard

Hidden Gems:

In Hidroelectrica, just past the train station there is a hidden/ overgrown Incan ceremony site. Its just after one of the first few switch backs off the train track (near 13°10'32.2"S 72°33'26.3"W)

If you hike, at/ near 13°09'22.1"S 72°32'26.2"W you can climb down and see the river up close

salkantay trail

unsolicited adviceAlways wear sunscreen on your hands and reapply all over frequently.Stay hydrated with coca tea and drink plenty of water.Try "Flora Florida" juice to help open up blood vessels and enhance breathing.Consider purchasing altitude pills from a local pharmacy to help with acclimatization.Choose a private group tour for personalized attention and more relaxed wake-up times.May offers the perfect balance between wet and dry seasons for your visit.Avoid the dry season to steer clear of excessive dust and discomfort.

Trek Packing Considerations

Pack light; someone or a donkey will carry your gear sometimes literally risking their lives to do so. Follow their suggested packing list but here are some additional considerations:

Duffel provided, plan to store your empty luggage at the hotel.
Hiking poles are a must.
Bring waterproof shoes for rain and many water crossings.
Carry waterproof gloves for sun protection and rain.
Line your day-use backpack interior with a waterproof bag.
Use dry + compression bags for gear going into their provided duffel.
Bring carabiners or suction cup hooks for drying clothes.
Magnesium to help your muscles.
Clean electrolytes.
Wet wipes for easy clean-up.
100% DEET insect repellent.
Carry coins to pay for trail outhouses.
Have tip money ready for guide, lead chef, and chef.
Bring money to buy coffee on the coffee tour ($5 for a bag) and leave space in your duffle to be able to store it.

The Trek

What Not to Pack

Skip packing snacks; they're provided.
Leave out the rain cover; it's provided.
Skip packing PJs; sleep naked to save space.
Bring only 1-2 extra pairs of socks; don't overpack.
Bug head net unnecessary, season dependent.
Leave toilet paper behind; between your wet wipes and the roll they provide, it's enough.

Souvenirs

Chocolate (If you are going, please bring me back some I beg of you, pictured here. I will pay for as many as humanly possible that you can bring. this is not a drill)
Coffee
Hot Chocolate Bar
Pink Sea Salt
Snake Oil (only buy with a trusted local, or you will get sold basically water)

Food + Drink to Try

Ayahuasca (I'm joking, this is a plant based psychedelic)
Ceviche
Chuta Bread
☆Chichanorata (purple juice)
Choco (white core) with Cheese (do not buy from local street vendor, or risk getting sick)
Cusco Cow Cheese
Guinea Pig
☆Lucuma
Passion Fruit Popsicles (at Hidroelectrica train station, the last shop stand)
☆Pisco shots (different flavors)
☆Pisco Sour
☆Pisco Ice cream
☆Maracuya (passionfruit)
Sangria with Fanta (a local favorite)
Trout-anything
Inka Cola (tastes like bubblegum)

Sayings from Our Trip

this is for mainly for our memories and inside jokes

"no es jugo"- 6 year old serving us pisco sours
"haku the fuck out of here" -Jason after we crossed an active landslide and then witnessed someone run for their life as big rocks were falling while he was crossing
Chachys' Iconic Moments
- Attention
- In- Formation
- Sexy Sexy
- Gracias Pachumama
- ¡Arriba, abajo, al centro, sexy momento, pa' dentro!- right before you take a shot together