May 2, 2016 | Leave a comment It’s hard to summarize something that offers so much. Definitely start with Machu Picchu, and from there you’ll find lakes, beaches, jungles, and deserts. Some say Peruvian cuisine is the most underrated in the world. The rich indigenous culture is still evident all over the country. Still trying to grasp this beautiful land myself, I’ll keep updating this page as the whenever the winds take me there! Photo credit- @wcoburn_ BUDGET: Airfare to Lima- $200-300 Airfare Lima to Cusco, roundtrip- $114 Machu Picchu admission- $46 Food per day- $3 Lodging per night- $8 Surf lesson, 90 minutes- $17 Short distance public busses- under $1 Regional busses/minivans, or combis- $2-5 Long distance busses- $10-30 Lima taxi to airport, per person- $4 TRANSPORTATION: Getting around is cheap. Tuk-tuks and shared taxis are the best way to go short distances, such as from the bus station to lodging or the airport, especially if it’s dark out. Busses and combis, or minivans, are good for longer distances and cost a few dollars a ride. Overnight busses are more direct and are popular for connecting to Bolivia or Chile, and prices can go really high depending on the services provided. In Lima, the Metro connects the many districts and tickets are sold on a refillable card. The cheapest airline I found was LCPeru. When we actually departed was inconsistent with the itinerary we booked for, but the flights existed nonetheless, serving us to and from Cusco. Many prefer LAN Airlines for the level up in comfort. Connecting to Chile is done by bussing to Tacna in the far south, before taking a colectivo taxi to Arica, Chile’s northernmost city. WHAT TO DO: Machu Picchu Don’t hesitate, just go. The Wonder of the World is a favorite for all because there’s so much hiking offered within the complex. The entire day will be breathtaking and unforgettable. If you don’t have hundreds to drop on a guided trek such as the Inca Trail, or on an overpriced train system whose existence is an abomination, bussing (totals ~$15 one way) and taking a two hour hike is a good way to go. Book tickets in advance ($46), the rest of my advice is detailed here. Sacred Valley Chinchero This highlands village is wrongfully skipped by too many travelers. With ruins and alleys to explore and a fantastic traditional market held each Sunday, I have a feeling the magic of my favorite stop will soon attract the attention of the masses and lose half its charm. Catch it on your way to Machu Picchu or replace a night spent in Cusco. I cannot convey what a superior alternative Chinchero is to Pisac. Salinas Chunky salt pans cut into the side of the valley are a highlight of the area. Used to make cattle licks these days, allow yourself 2-3 hours to relax and wander the site that has been in use since Incan times. Accessible by colectivos from any of the towns in the map below, entry is $3 (10 soles). Nearby are the very iconic, concentric agricultural terraces of Moray but entry requires the purchase of the Cusco Tourist Ticket, $25 for one day and $47 for one week (we skipped it). Cusco Chances are you’ll have to spend some quality time in the hub of the Sacred Valley. I enjoyed this pretty city by doing the walking tour from Lonely Planet and stuffing my face in the San Pedro Market. If I were to make a scavenger hunt, I’d say look for 12-sided Incan stones, pretty details of street signs, and skinned halves of alpaca faces (inside San Pedro), and roasted guinea pig by the skewer in the streets. If time allows, another free activity is hiking to Cristo Blanco for a panoramic view and possibly a street musician playing his charango. Cotahuasi Canyon Perfect for bragging rights and escaping the crowds, the deepest canyon in the world is barely on the radar of backpackers and full of adventure. Play in waterfalls and thermal baths, awe at the landscape from countless lookouts, and feel small among forests of cacti and rock formations. Lima The rest of Peru has so many destinations that are far more interesting than the urban scene, so I would spend as much time as possibleout there. If you have a day in Lima, pick a few districts to prioritize, because it’s the sixth largest city in all of Latin America. Popular activities include visiting museums, and surfing, though the best breaks are utterly crowded with beginners receiving poor-quality lessons. There are several fountain shows each night in Parque de La Reserva, admission is a dollar or two. Idling away in the nightlife of the tourist-filled upscale Miraflores or bohemian Barranco may be most tempting, but my favorite area was by far Central Lima and its Plaza de Armas. The colonial buildings mesmerized me, and I’ve seen a lot of colonial buildings. Other notable destinations: Lake Titicaca Colca Canyon Huacachina oasis Nazca Lines Manu National Park The Amazon in general WHERE TO STAY: Hospedaje Mi Piuray, Chinchero Munay Punku, if staying for a day or more in Ollantaytambo Mama Simona, if briefly passing through Ollantaytambo Backpacker La Bo’M, Cusco Supertramp, Aguascalientes Hostal Alcara, Cotahuasi WHAT TO EAT: Ceviche Choclo con queso, fat Incan corn with cheese and cilantro sauce Alpaca Anticuchos, grilled beef heart on skewers Trucha Frita, fried trout Lomo saltado, beef strips fried with vegetables Chirimoya fruit Lucuma fruit Cuy, guinea pig Pisco sour Ponchi, egg-white dessert Homemade popsicles Helados de queso, homemade milky ice cream with cinnamon Batidos, smoothies Tres leches, because you can never have enough Puffed grains, i.e. Peruvian granolas and snacks SAFETY: I felt very safe in the Sacred Valley which was full of tourists on all budget levels. Cotahuasi was so rural and secure the hotel left their doors open all night long. Central Lima at night requires the most caution, but is no different from other big cities. Beware of pickpockets, keep all valuables with you at all times and sit on busses with your bags if you can. Don’t flaunt smartphones and cameras, stay in at night, and hike with a buddy. The main thing I encountered were scams on prices and transportation, so it is particularly important that you negotiate a fare before getting in vehicles and only pay after sound arrival at your destination. Title image photo credit- Will A map that I intensively labored to create from how I saw the Sacred Valley in my mind: