What to do in Ollantaytambo, Peru: 5 fun activities
April 26, 2022
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Whether we have travel tips for Peru? Absolutely! Peru is a fantastic travel destination in South America. You will find beautiful places, touring is easy, the locals are friendly and you can eat blissful food. For years, Peru has been a popular vacation destination and this is no doubt due to its insane highlight Machu Picchu. But not only that makes Peru a land of interest. In fact, there are few destinations on our globe as diverse as Peru. Gorgeous beaches, desert, jungle and even snow-capped mountains, Peru has it all! Are you going on a trip to Peru? Then good preparation is half the battle. That's why we share the most useful travel tips so you can get everything out of your tour of Peru!
1. Plan your itinerary through Peru
Our pre-trip fun begins when we set out and plan our itinerary. The distances in Peru are great, so you will definitely spend time in buses during your trip as well. We personally traveled part of the way with PeruHop because in addition to being a convenient mode of transportation, it is also an organization where you can meet other travelers and do activities together. A good alternative is traveling with Cruz del Sur buses, comfortable and very affordable.
Our trip started in Lima after which we explored the south via the coast before flying to Cusco via Arequipa. Here we stayed in the Sacred Valley where we took many unique trips. This was our itinerary through southern Peru.
2. What is the best time to travel to Peru?
Requirements for a nice vacation are generally good weather and few crowds. Many travelers who do not depend on school vacations therefore travel to Peru outside the high season. The advantages of this are that ticket prices are lower and it is less crowded, especially in popular places. But what is really the best travel period to travel to Peru? This definitely has to do with where in Peru you want to travel. After all, there are different climates: coastal, Andean and Amazonian climates.
The best travel time in Peru around the Andes
Most of Peru's highlights are in and around the Andes. The rainy season here runs from November through April, with the months of May through September being the most attractive. These are the winter months in Peru, but unlike our winters, the sky is then clear blue and temperatures are pleasant.
Peru's best travel time on the west coast
Most of Peru's coastline is desert, making it very dry. Therefore, it is often sunny and the temperature is pleasant. The best travel time for Lima in Peru is from December to February, as it is pleasantly warm and has almost no precipitation. The best travel time for Paracas in Peru is from January to June. There is then a pleasant temperature and hardly any precipitation. The highest average temperature in Paracas is in February.
The best travel time for the Amazon
Last but not least, the Amazon. Here you will find the rainforest where tropical rains can occur any day of the year. However, the months of May through October are considered the dry season.
3. What is the easiest way to travel to Peru?
To get to Peru you will need to book a plane ticket, unless you are coming across the border via one of the neighboring South American countries. KLM is the only airline that flies direct to Lima from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport; this flight takes about 12.5 hours. We personally flew with Air Europa with a stopover in Madrid to Lima. The flight is then obviously a bit longer, about 16 hours, but often the tickets with Air Europa cheaper, though. When we book airline tickets we always look at Skyscanner. Ideal for comparing flight times and prices. But if we can give you a tip, we do recommend booking directly with the airline!
4. Book in advance your stay arrival in Lima
After a long flight, you arrive in Lima broken and jet-lagged. We always prefer to take a cab to our hotel to recover and freshen up. This is why we always book our first stay in advance. We stayed in the Miraflores district in Lima, this is one of the nicest districts, in the Pullman Miraflores Lima. A beautiful new hotel with a rooftop pool. A wonderful place to beat jet lag!
5. Choose a unique travel experience with local tour operator Peru Well Served
Despite being adventure travelers, we can also really enjoy it when parts of the trip are organized. For example, our visit to Machu Picchu was pre-arranged by local tour operator Peru Well Served, so we didn't have to worry about buying the entrance tickets on time, as well as booking the trains and bus. In addition, we worked with Peru Well Served done special activities, such as hiking to a still unknown waterfall in Sacred Valley and visiting the local community of Patacancha.
6. Give yourself time to acclimate
Many destinations in Peru are at nice elevations. Especially the places where there is a lot of hiking such as the Colca Canyon, Cusco and around the Sacred Valley. It is very important to acclimate before undertaking activities that require some effort. The thing you want to avoid at all times is altitude sickness. You can take Acetazolamide with you before you leave for Peru, which you can then take when you really get altitude sickness. Locals themselves will advise you to drink muña or coca tea. Muña helps against intestinal pain and coca helps against vomiting and dizziness.
Most travelers travel overland to Cusco via Lima, just like our itinerary through Peru. When you follow this route, you are less likely to get altitude sickness because you keep getting a little higher. This way your body gradually gets used to the altitude. Travelers who fly directly from Lima to Cusco or go hiking upon arrival at high destinations will suffer the most from altitude sickness.
6. Useful tips for packing for a tour of Peru
If there is one destination that requires you to pack a wide variety of garments, it is Peru. After all, you can experience all seasons in one day. For example, you can stand in a top with sunglasses enjoying the view of Machu Picchu, while less than 5 minutes later you are walking around in a raincoat and fleece sweater. In short, the best tip we can give you when it comes to packing is: layers, layers and more layers.
7. Here's where you pin cheaper in Peru
With every Dutch bank, when you pay or withdraw money abroad, you have to pay a few euros per transaction. This is therefore one of the reasons that when we travel, we withdraw as much cash as possible at ATMs. In addition, many foreign countries charge much more contant paid than in the Netherlands. At the BCP bank in Peru, you can withdraw a larger amount per transaction than at other banks. You pay no commission at the BCP bank, so only the costs of your Dutch bank.
It is good to know that in the smaller towns such as Paracas, Huacachina and Nazca, there are few ATMs. Therefore, there is also a fairly good chance that the ATMs will have little to no cash. Therefore, make sure you leave the larger cities with plenty of cash in your pocket.
Travander
At Travander, we’re all about exploring hidden gems, unique destinations, and off-the-beaten-path travel experiences. Our motto, “Let’s Travel and Wander,” reflects our passion for discovering both local treasures and faraway adventures. As experienced travel bloggers and travel consultants, we share insider tips, personal stories, and practical advice to help you make the most of every trip. From city breaks and weekend getaways to tailor-made travel itineraries, we guide you to the most beautiful and inspiring places. Explore the world with Travander and let us spark your next unforgettable adventure!
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