Backpacking in Peru
Backpacking in Peru is something everyone who’s in to backpacking should absolutely do. Peru is one of the most beautiful and amazing countries you could visit on a gap year. Students have visited Peru for decades because of all the sites to see here. The people of Peru are of a very diverse background but mainly Spanish or of indigenous heritage. One of the most amazing things about the people of Peru is the many different styles of clothing you will find from the European influenced to pre-Hispanic. It really has to be seen to be believed.
So what is there to see if backpacking in Peru? How about the ancient Incan capital of Cusco? Or the Peruvian Andes which is home to many highland Indians who still speak the ancient native tongue. Machu Picchu is also a popular destination but I have heard that it is getting quite touristy these days and so it might be best to avoid Cusco and Machu Picchu if you’re looking for something a bit more adventurous! Cusco and Machu Pichu are also known for being expensive destinations because they have become so popular with tourists so this is something to take in to consideration if you’re backpacking on a budget. Cusco is best seen by a guided tour. There are lots of them to be found in Cusco as tourism is big business in the city these days. Cusco also celebrates the second biggest festival in Latin America after Rio which is called Inti Raymi. This festival was once celebrated by the Incas as the Festival of the Sun where the Sun God Wiracocha is honoured. On June 24 they celebrate the winter solstice, or the beginning of the Sun’s New Year. You won’t feel out of place at this festival as the locals of Cusco are always welcoming of tourists and try to get them involved in the celebrations as much as possible. This is something you absolutely must do if visiting Peru or backpacking in South America!
Safety in Peru is the same as most countries! Don’t carry valuables around with you if you can avoid it. To be honest there’s no reason to bring valuables with you any if you’re backpacking! Do you really need the laptop? No! Then leave it at home. The same goes for your Ipod. Phones have their uses but it’s worth checking out the area you’re traveling to in order to find out if you’ll get network coverage for your cell phone in that particular place. Anyway back to backpacking in Peru! I know they’re not exactly fashionable but it’s worth investing in a money wallet or bum bag to keep your cash safe. Make sure it’s tucked in under your clothes so it can’t be seen by any potential muggers. Try not to look like the typical tourist walking around with the big camera on show. You’re screaming out “mug me!”. I covered some safety tips in my backpacking in Italy post.
The thing to remember about being in Peru on you’re gap year is that you can haggle for just about anything. If you’re planning to stay in a hostel in Peru, try haggling with the owner to get the price down. Don’t accept the first price the person says haggle down the cost of your Hostel in Peru and you’ll be able to use the money saved to visit another wonderful city. I’m sure a lot of you will be wondering how much does it cost to go backpacking in Peru and how much money to take with you. It really depends on what you plan to do. As any of you who have backpacked before will know, staying in a hostel is a great way to meet other backpackers. This lets you share your experiences and get valuable tips for those who have been here a bit longer and could recommend places to visit or what to eat. There a lot of hostels in Peru and they’re reasonably priced. Tourists towns such as Lima, Cusco or Arequipa will cost a bit more. Make sure you get a good look at the room before you hand over any cash this way you know exactly what you’re getting for your money.
Remember that transport in Peru can also be haggled down. This goes for the local buses which are the most common way to travel around Peru. Cruz del Sur is probably the most well known and is regarded as the safest and most comfortable. All this adds up to a bit more in the expense side but it will be worth it for the peace of mind you get. Cruz del Sur covers most of the main towns and cities in Peru, connecting Lima to main cities and tourist areas such as: Arequipa, Cuzco, Puno, Paracas, Ica, Nazca Lines, Tacna, Chiclayo, Trujillo, Cajamarca, Huaraz, Máncora, Piura, Ayacucho and Huancayo and more. For these kinds of journeys its better traveling at night where you can get some sleep due to the shear duration of the trips. You can of course get various different types of ticket when traveling around in Peru including an expensive VIP ticket to travel in total comfort! Inka Express also run bus trips from Cuzco to Puno which includes 5 stopped to guided visit to Andahuaylillas, Raqchi and Wiracocha Temple, Sicuani, La Raya and Pucara.
Eating out while backpacking in Peru can be a bit hit and miss with excellent local restaurants and some not so great. There’s also a large selection of Western style restaurants in Cusco and Machu Picchu. The thing to remember is make sure you order meals which have been cooked to kill the germs. Most ingredients in Peruvian restaurants will have been washed in the local tap-water which is not clean. So I’m afraid you salad lovers will have to find something else to eat unless you want to spend a day in the Peruvian toilet!
You won’t be stuck for things to do in Peru however as the Amazon Basin is an area which is rich in rare species of tropical rain forests. Wonderful if you want to be at one with nature. There are numerous festivals in Peru throughout the year to celebrate the Peruvian love of music and dance. These are usually very lively colourful events which will no doubt get you in the mood for a good time. Lima is another popular destination for backpackers in Peru which lies in the Pacific coastal region and is the capital of Peru. Lima offers great food, dining and nightlife for the night owls out there! The Museo de Arte exhibits over 400 years of Peruvian art while the Museo Nacional de Antropologia y Arquelogia gives you a wonderful insight into prehistoric Peru. The South of Peru is the Nasca Lines and Ballestas Islands which is known as the ‘Peru Galapagos.
I hope this has given you a brief guide for backpacking in Peru, it’s a place you really should visit!
