ALTITUDE SICKNESS IN PERU

Many of the most important attractions of Peru are located over the 7,000 feet like Arequipa city (7,600 ft.), Colca Canyon (12,000 ft.), Titicaca Lake (12,560 ft.), Cusco city (10,800 ft.) or Machu Picchu (7,970 ft.) and tourist always hear about  terrible tales of high altitude sickness.

It’s difficult to determine who may be affected by altitude sickness since there are no specific factors such as age, sex, or physical condition that correlate with susceptibility. Some people get it and some people don't because some people are more susceptible than others. 

Most people can ascend to 8,000 feet with little or no effect. If you have been at that altitude before with no problem, you can probably return to that altitude without problems as long as you are properly acclimatized.
If you haven't been to high altitude before and plan a trip to Peru, let us recommend you the following 3 tips:

1. TAKE IT EASY

The main cause of altitude sickness is going too high too quickly. Given enough time, your body will adapt to the decrease in oxygen at a specific altitude. This process is known as acclimatization and generally takes one to three days at any given altitude. Remember that light activity during the day is better than sleeping because respiration decreases during sleep, exacerbating the symptoms. Take time to rest, don’t over exert yourself.

2. HYDRATATE
Acclimatization is often accompanied by fluid loss, so you need to drink lots of fluids to remain properly hydrated (at least four to six liters per day). Water or beverages as Gatorade are the best options.

3. EAT LIGHT

The first day(s) stay away from grease food, sodas and alcohol. Consider eating chicken grill, chicken noodle soup, cooked salads. Eat high calories.

There are some other tips like drink coca tea once you arrive in the high altitude, take a pill named “Soroche pill” the night before your trip, the morning before and the night of your first day in the altitude and eat lemon candies.

We recommend you to follow all these advices but specially relax to enjoy your trip!

PERU TRIP ADVISORS

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SOUVENIRS TO BRING HOME FROM PERU - PUCARA BULLS

See also our post What to bring home from Peru 
Peru has a huge variety of souvenir articles you can bring home for your family, friends or for yourself. These articles are crafted by local artisans; they come from different parts of the country and are inspired in traditions, animals, colonial art, typical textiles, etc.

Toritos de Pucara or Pucara Bulls are souvenir examples that represent part of our cultural heritage. You can find these nice bulls in different sizes and prices in the markets and handicraft shops during your trip to Peru.

As it´s known, they are still made using the original manufacturing techniques, original colors and molded in the traditional clay ovens, although you may find Pucara bulls painted in brighter colors with typically Andean designs. 

Toritos de Pucara or Pucara Bulls

But what are these bulls? What do they represent? 

While you travel in Peru, especially in the countryside of Cusco and Puno, it´s very common to see in the roof of almost all houses two small bulls made of clay placed side by side accompanied by a ladder and a cross.

They are the Puccara Bulls, pottery bulls with brown, green and ochre decorations. 

These bulls were originally made as a ritual element and appeared in the early years of the Spanish colony. The bull figure was also a jar and was used to hold a beverage made of fermented corn (chicha) which was mixed with the blood of cattle and drunk by the high priest conducting the cattle-branding ceremony with the purpose of protect their cattle.

Nowadays, the bulls are still used but with a different purpose. It’s believed by the locals that they keep the house safe with a blessing to the “Apus” (the Inca mountain gods) and ensure health, wealth, and unity for the occupants of the house.

The bulls are combined with a ladder and a cross to allow easy passage to heaven when the final call comes.

They can be an excellent souvenir to take home from Peru!   

Marita Nuñez
PERU TRIP ADVISORS
E-mail: Marita@peru-tripadvisors.com
Website: www.peru-tripadvisors.com
Address: La Paz Av. 676 Office 4, Miraflores, Lima – PERU
Phone number: 51-1 241-7429

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THE MISTERY OF EASTER ISLAND & THE MOAIS

Easter Island, Chile (Rapa Nui) was always on my list of the must see places around the world. The mysteries of Rapa Nui like how did people get there and how did they make the moais always intrigued me. A few months ago I finally had the luck to visit it for 5 days!

This island is the most isolated inhabited place in the world located at the southeastern Pacific Ocean, at the south easternmost point of the Polynesian Triangle.

I booked a direct flight from Lima to Easter Island but LAN Airlines that has the monopoly of that route, changed it for a Lima-Santiago-Easter Island, that means, 5 more hours on the airplane plus an hour at Santiago’s airport. I didn’t care because I was so excited to go to that amazing island.

 

I arrived in Easter Island, Mataveri Airport, around midday with an airplane full of tourists as excited as I was. My guide received me and my boyfriend with a natural flowers necklace and took us to hour hotel that was located in, Hanga Roa town at 8 minutes from the airport and facing the ocean.

Susana at Mataveri´s Airport

We spent the rest of the day just relaxing and wondering around the island that has around Sixty-three square miles in size and with three extinct volcanoes (the tallest rising to 1674 feet).  Once we get into the center of the island we caught our first glimpse of a giant Moai. A Moai is a stone statue carved from rock on the Chilean Polynesian between the years 1250 and 1500.

During the following days we visited all the attractions that are a must of Island and learn about the Rapa Nui Culture. 

Moai

We started with a visit to Ahu Tahai, a temple restored in the late 60s by North American archaeologist William Mulloy. This 7th-century ceremonial compound, which is the oldest on the island, is made up of three different AHUS: Ahu Ko Te Riku, a large (weighing some 20 tons) solitary moai, complete with topknot, circa 690 A.D.; Ahu Vai Uri, a cluster of five moais; and Ahu Tahai, another single moai, this one without a topnot, in the center.

Susana at Ahu Tahai

Our adventure continues with a  stop in Ahu Akivi, seven spectacular moais, the only ones that face the sea that date back to 1460 A.D., and finishes at Puna a Pau hill, a red stone quarry that was most likely the source for the moais’ topknots and ornamental hairpieces.

Ahu Akivi

I think the visit to Ahu Tongariki, the most important ceremonial site of Easter Island, with 15 figures, is the one that every tourist anxiously expects.  The landscape is breathtaking and in the morning you could see turquoise water behind the moais.

Ahu Tongariki

After visiting these unique archeological sites, a half or complete day at Anakena Beach is perfect! White sand, turquoise water, palm trees waving in the breeze and two moais center are part of the amazing landscape of this typical Pacific Island.  You can swim, sunbath or just relax.

Anakena Beach

Anakena Beach

                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
We also visited visit the Moai quarr, the volcano of Rano Raraku where hundreds of moai may be seen in various states of completion. The largest moai ever carved is here, at 71 feet in height. The outer slopes of Rano Raraku are also home to Tukuturi, the kneeling moai.

The largest moai ever carved

Finally, in our last afternoon, we went to Orongo Ceremonial Center, a sacred place where the most important ceremony of the secondary period of the island took place. This was the election of the Tangata Manu (birdman), king of the year.

Orongo Ceremonial Center

 After tours or if there’s a free day, I recommend to stroll the streets of town, visit the artisan's market, go diving, take surf lessons, go biking,  return to the museum, or just shared with the Rapa Nui people who are pretty friendly.
 

Susana and Cesar having a fun time with a friendly local

Regardless of your age, you can enjoy a unique travel experience on the tiny land of the moai monoliths and spend some days far away from the continent in the South Pacific.

If you are looking to visit Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador or Argentina, feel free to contact us! We will be happy to help you with your travel plans.

Susana Sanchez

Peru Trip Advisors

Susana@peru-tripadvisors.com 

www.peru-tripadvisors.com

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La Casona Inkaterra Hotel

During my last visit to Cusco, the hotel that was more memorable for me was without doubt La Casona Inkaterra.

I was so much looking forward to stay there since I received great comments from my clients.

The first day was pretty much like arriving home!!! The hotel’s door is closed most of the time, they don’t have a front desk, check in is quick and easy and it’s done at the sitting room next to the entry or at your suite but you can find the hotel’s staff anywhere and at any time, ready to help you in anything you need.

The hotel's front door. The door is closed most of the time but if you ring the bell, they open it in a few seconds!

It’s an old mansion that it hasn’t been modified much to become a hotel, you really have the feeling of the old times in Cusco but within a charm environment. There is soft music playing in the common areas that makes you feel relaxed and cozy. I loved spending time reading a book in the living room, I really felt like at home.

A cozy living room

The hotel offers a free tea time available since around 5 PM, it was great having a cup of tea and a muffin after a long and tiring day without having to wait until dinner.

Tea time!

Rooms were perfectly decorated. I would say the style was simple but warm, everything was perfectly placed. It was great to find hot water bottles in the evening.  I was impressed by size of the bathroom and I loved all the available amenities.

Spacious and comfortable rooms

Location couldn’t be better! Next to a great restaurant (Fallen Angel) and a few steps away from the main square.  

This hotel can be included in any of the tours we offer, take a look of our suggested programs, click here! or contact us telling us your preferences and we will prepared a personalized itinerary.

Susana Sanchez

Peru Trip Advisors
Susana@peru-tripadvisors.com
www.peru-tripadvisors.com

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Aranwa Cusco Boutique Hotel

Last March we visited Cusco I believed for the 8^th time.

This was kind of a business trip with some meetings and site inspection to new hotels.

I had the great opportunity to stay overnight at the Aranwa Cusco Boutique hotel.

I had previously stay at the Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness and it became my favorite one in that location so I had high expectations for the one in Cusco…they were exceeded!

A cozy room near the lobby

I absolutely love the hotel’s decoration with a strong religious-colonial influence that makes you feel in a luxury colonial mansion in Cusco but with all the modern facilities that are perfectly blended with the style. Paintings, sculptures and carvings are everywhere. The colors used on the walls, doors, some of the furniture can be all different but really well combined.

The table we took breakfast!

Rooms are all enhanced with oxygen. The moment you check in, they turn on the oxygen from the Front Desk so when you enter to the room you feel like if you were at sea level again! I helps you a lot to sleep without troubles and the risk of having the altitude sickness’ symptoms is small.

Our Deluxe Superior room

The location is good, a short walking distance from the main square, a little uphill if you are going to the hotel but many streets in Cusco are uphill so it can’t be avoided.

I didn’t have any chance to try the restaurant’s food other than the breakfast but I’ve heard really good comments about it.

This hotel can be included in any of the tours we offer, take a look of our suggested programs, click here!

Enjoy!

Marita Nuñez
marita@peru-tripadvisors.com

Peru Trip Advisors

www.peru-tripadvisors.com

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CASA CARTAGENA BOUTIQUE HOTEL CUSCO

Our last trip to Cusco was enhanced by a pleasant stay in wonderful hotels.

We were invited by our local partners to experience the quality of service at great luxury boutique hotels; hopefully one of them was Casa Cartagena, located near Plaza Nazarenas and just steps away from Cusco’s main square.

I was so much looking forward to stay in this hotel since a while ago so I was really happy when I knew I will have the chance to finally stay there.

View of the courtyard from my room

The service was neat and personalized. The moment I arrived I felt like at home! I actually felt I was the only guest there but I was surprised to see other guests having breakfast the next morning.

The room’s decoration is unusual, really modern and trendy but keeping a little of Andean flavor with details such us big black and white pictures of Andean landscape or people or the typical embroidered cushions on the beds.

One of the rooms

I visited the spa and looks like a little piece of heaven inside of the city! Regretfully, I didn’t have much time to enjoy of it but comments from other guests were really good.

The jacuzzi at the hotel's spa

I will definitely recommend it, especially for couples!

This hotel can be included in any of the tours we offer during your stay in Cusco, click here to see the available options.

Enjoy!

Peru Trip Advisors
info@peru-tripadvisors.com
www.peru-tripadvisors.com

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THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS - FUN IN THE SUN

Last summer, as part of our constant capacitation in the destinations we offer to our customers, we travelled to the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador.

We took different ways so we could experience as much as possible and share experiences later. 

While Maria Isabel and Susana took a 4 days land based program at the Finch Bay hotel, me (Marita) and our former coworker and good friend Tatiana took a 5 days cruise on board of the Isabela Yacht.

Finch Bay Hotel:

Garden View room at Finch Bay Hotel at Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island

 

Maria Isabel and Susana explore Santa Cruz Island plus other nearby islands taking daily full day excursions on board of the Sea Lion Yacht. Every day, early in the morning they started a new adventure that took them to paradisiac beaches to the top of dormant volcanoes.

Maria Isabel absolutely loved to snorkel on the ocean, swimming close to sea lions and looking at star fishes sea turtles!

Susana enjoyed a lot the delicious meals served on board and at the hotel and hiking at the islands.

They both agreed that a land based experience is suitable for people that suffer sea sickness because it’s always reassuring to return to firm land every afternoon to overnight in a hotel instead of continue shaking on board of the yacht while sleeping.

Susana and Maria Isabel at Galapagos Islands

Isabela Yacht:

The Isabela Yacht

I chose the 5 days cruise on this wonderful and exclusive yacht. I’ve been in other cruises before so I know that the sea sickness wouldn’t be a trouble for me.

At first, I felt 5 days was too much but I didn’t expected I will fall in love with those islands that seems to be lifeless but that are full of life everywhere (land and ocean). At the end of the 5^th day it was hard to say good bye and return to the mainland.

Every morning the landing was in a different island, a new place to be discovered by my eyes and my camera! I must confess that neither Tatiana nor me are nature lovers and we don’t enjoy hiking too much but we felt really conformable with every excursion, even with the ones that involve hiking.

I realized a visit to Galapagos is suitable for all ages. There were kinds on board that had the trip of their life as well as older people that manage really well to walk around the islands.

Marita and Tatiana posing with other passengers at Genovesa Island

Besides, for the lazy ones (like us sometimes), there was the option to take boat tours on board of the glass bottom boat which was fun! We were able to see sharks, all kind of fishes, start fishes, turtles, etc. from the comfort of our boat instead of snorkel (we don’t know how to swim!!!!)

Life on board is not like on those huge cruises at the Caribbean, however, having a quiet time after the tiring excursions is just perfect.

The yacht counts with an open Jacuzzi at the sun deck where is possible to relax and with only 48 passengers on board, you are most likely to find it available only for you by the time you want to spend some time there.

The food was fantastic with different buffet’s themes every day and the lectures every evening were good and informative.

We all conclude that Galapagos is a wonderful destination, not only for nature lovers! And we are very much looking forward to go back again for a longer stay!

If you are looking to visit Peru and Ecuador, see our suggested Machu Picchu & Galapagos Islands program here:

http://www.peru-tripadvisors.com/suggestedtours.html 

Contact us, fill the form with your request or chat with us if we are available!

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Marita and Tatiana at Bartolome

Marita Nuñez

Peru Trip Advisors

www.peru-tripadvisors.com

marita@peru-tripadvisors.com

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