Peru Vacations, Initial Planning
This is second of several publications discussing everything you need to know to create the perfect Peru vacation. This article will cover pre-planning of your tour, and everything you need to consider before you travel to Peru.
What should I see in Peru
Peru is full of great things to see and do. However, the majority of tourists stay in the Cusco region as much of what visitors want to see is located here. Use the internet as a research tool, use online an online Peru guide or head down to your local book store and purchase one of the many published book guides. Here are some things to consider in order of popularity!
- Machu Picchu
- Cusco
- The Sacred Valley (Valley Sagrado)
- Ollantaytambo
- Pisac
- Inca Trail
- Lake Titicaca
- Arequipa
- The Colca Canyon
- Nazca
- Chan Chan
- Lima
Think about vaccinations for travel to Peru.
There are no official vaccination requirements for entry into Peru. However, for any Peru vacation I always recommend that you seek information from a professional travel doctor before you travel. Remember that some vaccinations require more than one dose, so it is best to seek advice a few months before you are thinking of travelling.
Common vaccinations for Peru vacations
- Hepatitis A, for all travelers.
- Hepatitis B, for all travelers.
- Typhoid, for all travelers
- Yellow fever, for travel into the Amazon Jungle region. Not required for travel to Lima, coastal regions, Cusco or Machu Picchu.
- Rabies, for travellers spending a lot of time outdoors, or at high risk for animal bites, or involved in any activities that might bring them into direct contact with bats or monkeys.
- Tetanus / Diphtheria, Revaccination recommended every 10 years
How long do I need in Peru?
A common problem that I see time and time again when people approach me to organize their Peru vacation is the amount of time they allocate. I often hear – “I would like to see Lima, Cusco the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and then Lake Titicaca at the end, but I only have 7 days.” It is just about possible, but you will spend half of your vacation in airports, on busses or travelling from place to place. It doesn’t make for a memorable or enjoyable vacation, so it is vitally important to think about what you want to achieve in the time frame that you have available. Check out travel agents websites to see how they arrange tours, and the time frames they allocate for specific tourist attractions.
What time of the year should you travel to Peru?
Peru has essentially two seasons throughout the year, the dry season from Mid April – September, and the wet season October – Mid April. Most people when planning their Peru vacation will tend to avoid the wet season and travel in the drier months. It is important to know that wet season doesn’t mean that it rains every day or that it rains all day, it simply means that there is more chance of rain, and when it comes it is usually heavy and in short bursts.
So when is the ideal time to travel to Peru? The answer is after the wet season in May, as the landscapes and mountains are lush and green from the recent rains. During May the days are bright and sunny reaching average daily temperatures of 17 Deg C (62 F). Remember that this climate is representative of the Andean region of Peru near to Machu Picchu. Other regions of Peru like the coast and the jungle are vastly different.
Should I plan my own Peru vacation or use a travel agent?
It is often difficult to plan a vacation in country you know very little about. However with the power if the internet, nowadays it is much easier to find information about Peru from the comfort of your own home. Travel agents on the other hand, especially those based in Peru (and not just your high street travel agent), know much more about Peru and can make the planning process much easier and quicker.
There are pros and cons to using a travel agent and this is a judgement you must make for yourself. I have listed a few points for you to consider.
Peru travel agent pros:
- Local knowledge,
- Discounted hotels and flight tickets,
- Local representation, convenience.
Peru travel agent cons:
- Stability,
- Limited flexibility,
- Hidden fees (hidden costs).
Always shop around for your travel agent, don’t book with the cheapest one and always read your itinerary well; understand what costs are and are not included.
Think about Travel Insurance for your Peru vacation.
It is a good time to start talking to a few companies about trip insurance that will cover you should you have any complications with your trip. I always recommend that you consider comprehensive travel insurance cover, as you never know what the future may bring. Talk to some local agents or surf the web for more options. Insuremytrip.com is a good comparison website.
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