General Peru Travel?

Question

Hey,

I am looking to go to Peru in May. I was wondering if it would be easier to go w/a tour or just explore myself. I am going w/a friend for about 7-10 days and was wondering what are some places I should try to visit. Also what is the weather like there in May?

Answer 1

Great place.

I was just there in December for 11 days.

Machu Pichu is a must.

Pachacamac is very cool. Be sure to go on a sunny day. It gets windy up there. And be sure to bring a camera.

In Lima, Larcomar and the area of Central Lima (the historic district) is nice. The changing of the guard is neat, but a little on the boring side. Especially with armored personnel carriers with 50 cal guns on either side of the gates.

The Cathedral is breathtaking (and I'm not religious). Be sure to pay the 5 solez for the self guided tour. Be sure to have your camera set to have the flash off. They don't allow flash pictures inside.

If you rent a car (I don't recommend it. Traffic laws are more of a suggestion than a rule) be sure to go along the Costa Verde Highway.

Sorry, I'm babbling.

Enjoy the trip.

Answer 2

hey it looks like you are getting a lot of information here, but i would say go by your self, because then you'll get to experience the things you want to experience, not what anyone tells you to. But i would be careful with your passports and belongings. Just saying.

Answer 3

I could help you but I dont speak very well english:'(

Answer 4

hi,,  im peruvian :),,   could be more nice  and  amazing if u go  by  urself :), and  the weather in may depends  where u want to go or visit :)..... peru got  many  and diferents  -places, and 3 natural regions . costa, sierra, jungle :).... north,  ceenter, south, east :),,,,, but inmay  nots bad weather,, december and january sometimes  its bad :P.

check this oficial site and  choice   where u  would like to visit :) : www.peru.com.pe

good luck :P

Answer 5

try looking at

www.theultimateperulist.blogspot.com

www.expatperu.com

www.livinginperu.com

www.lonelyplanet.com

Answer 6

Peru offers great trips in both the Andes region

http://www.peruandes.com

and the Amazon region

http://www.perujungle.com

Answer 7

Hi Marsha,

Yep definitely Machu Picchu!!!  And have a look at doing a few nights on the Peruvian Amazon for an amazing jungle experience.  I work for an adventure travel company and our Machu Picchu trip is our number one seller right now.  Have a look at our website to see some great itineraries.  Feel free to contact me with any questions.  Enjoy!!!  

www.iexplore.com/dmap/Peru/Overview

Answer 8

Let's start with the simple stuff:

Summer in Peru is from december to late march, so May should be a little colder, but nothing a light jacket can't cope with in Lima. However, Cuzco is a different matter as it is high in the mountains (3,200 mts or 9,600 feet above sea level) so heavier jackets would be needed.

As to the visits, the obvious ones are Cuzco and Machu Picchu. When in Cuzco try also the Coricancha and Sacsahuaman. Don't forget the San Blas Church (with its very baroque pulpit) and the Catherdal (with its solid silver altar).

If you have extra time and ase of movement try the following.

In Lima, Try to visit Pachacamac (ruins of an old temple that pre dates the incas. It used to have an oracle similar to the one in Delphos, Greece). Visit the main square to see the palace of government, the cathedral and the Church of San Francisco). If you make it by 11 am you'll gwet to see the changing of the guards.

Visit the Museo de Oro. Maybe have luch at a restaurant in Larco Mar.

If you can make it to Lambayeque, visit the Royal tombs of Sipan (Tumbas Reales de Sipan). It is probably the best museum in Peru.

Now the difficult part. Should you go alone or with a tour? First of all, you CAN do it alone. The question is: would you want to? If you want hassle free, it is best to go with a tour. If you are willing to pay,  both in time and effort, for the learning curve, then go alone. You get the liberty to do anything or change any part of your trip when you go alone, but you also risk missing something.

By the way, if you go alone, your top priority is getting the railroad tickets to Machu Picchu. That's usually the bottleneck in that particular tour.

Answer 9

Did you know that there's a Presidential Summit between Latin American & Caribean countries and the European Union scheduled for the 16th and 17th of May in Lima? So you better program your travel so you won't be in Lima on those days, because I know for a fact that President Putin (Russia) is taking a whole Hotel for himself and party. Not that you're going to sleep at those luxury hotels but since they are going to be unavailable there's going to be few choices for the tourist at the time.

10 days are kind of short for all there's to see. You will need at least 4-5 days for Cuzco & Macchu Picchu.

I would suggest that you visit Lima (1 day) then go southbound to Paracas-ICA  (2 days) where you can still see what happened on the Earthquake last August then go up to Arequipa (2,700 meters) and visit the COLCA CANYON (see the condors)  you can do it in 3 days and finish your journey at Cuzco for the climax! Then take a plane to Lima and back home.

take a tour, so you don't have to worry on been rip off or have to bargain for every service.

Good Luck! And by the way I'm peruvian!

Answer 10

Hi.... I don't know how to initiate a new question... so hope it will be OK to ask for advice here.

I am going to Lima this Thursday... arriving 11 PM.

I see from other posts it would be OK to overnight it in the airport and catch an early AM flight to Cuzco.

I cannot tell which is the best deal to get a flight from LIM to CUZ.

I am looking at this site (in Portugese)  and cannot tell if they have an English version?  Any suggestion... it LOOKS like they have the cheapest flights to CUZ

http://www.pe.despegar.com

This is my first trip to Peru, so I am a newbie to everything here.

Many Thanks for any suggestions, ideas, etc.

Answer 11

Hi

some suggestions..

try a 3-4 day trek to machu picchu or another trek

do a one day sacred valley tour

do a one day cusco tour

spend 1 day in the tourist zone in lima..

all the tours and treks do with a tour..

we like www.sunriseperu.com

weather will be good then.. no rain..

it doesnt get real hot in the cusco area.

db.