How and where do i start planning a trip to peru?

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reansm

Hello. I'm from Peru, so I hope I can help you.

The most difficult thing for your kids could be the altitude (above 11000 ft). If you are ok with that, then everything should go o'right.

Your trip should be US - Lima - Arequipa - Puno - Cuzco - Lima - US (so you save Machu Picchu for the big ending).

I'll try to sumarize, because there are tons of things to do. In Lima, you could spend 1 or 2 days. There are different things to do, but it's basically a City Tour. What you should definetely do is tasting peruvian food (sincerely, the best of the world). Cebiche, aji de gallina and papa a la huancaina are dishes you'll love.

Then, Arequipa is a stone made city. It doesn't have big buildings. It's called the white city because of the volcanic stones they used to build their houses. Good food and you could go to the Colca Canyon where you can watch condors flying so close to you (it's amazing and not dangerous).

Puno has the beautiful Titicaca Lake (the highest navigable lake in the World) and those islands you mentioned.

Cuzco has many places to go. You can find tour companies since you get there. There are people since you arrive either from the Airport or the bus, so they can help you to choose where to go.

Some tips:

- TAXIS are never more expensive than 12 soles ($ 4). When you take a taxi they'll notice you are not from Peru and sometimes they will try to take advantage of it. The only taxi that could be $10 or $15 is the first one you take from the airport to your hotel (I recommend you to hire it inside the airport.

- Don't drink the water from the faucet.

Hope you come and have a wonderful time. This is the official tourism website: www.peru.info

Sacred Sorceress

There are a number of sites (I unfortunately can't remember the name of any of them now) that are set up specifically to help travel companions find each other. Try doing a search for "travel companions" or something like that to try and pull one of them up. When I did my Peru trip in 2007, I also posted free ads on Craig's list for "travel companions wanted" and got two women from Canada (I'm in NYC). Obviously you can also try looking for a tour group.

I'm doing another group trip to Peru this August (the Walking with Shamans Vision Quest), however children under 14 aren't allowed. If you decide to go by yourself (or with an older companion) you might want to check out the itinerary (I put the link below).

rhino72032

Start with a guidebook like Peru (Eyewitness Travel Guides). Then start hi-lighting all the things you'd like to see and dog-earring the pages.
Try putting an ad on CraigsList to find a like-minded traveler. I wouldn't hike the Inca Trail with 8 and 13 year-olds--it gets pretty brutal (see the video below).

Siegmar H

Fly to Cuzco. From there you can book a day trip to Machu Picchu ,then stay overnight in Aguas Caliente before returning to Cuzco.I would not recommend to do the 4 day hike with children so young. Your 13 year old might be ok, but I would say the 8 year old could be struggling big time.Should you insist on doing the trek, I suggest you spend 4 days in Cuzco to acclimatise.
In Cuzco you can book a flight to Arequipa for about $ 100 per person. Allow 3 -4 days for sightseeing. In Cuzco you could stay at the "Cuzco Plaza 2"for about $ 50 per room.

Kevin L

i am going in may since i lost my job to spend time with my wife (she lives in Lima). i am from baltimore maryland and i have been to peru many times. if you want my wife and i will go with you neither of us have been there before (Machu Picchu)

theone78

I have been wanting to go to Peru for a long time.. there is a website called Kayak.com that compares and sends you prices weekly ! It's cool.. just plan your trip and try to fly midweek... and comeback midweek --

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