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#76741 - 11/13/06 02:37 AM Trip To Peru, Looking for Advice
Packman Offline
Journeyman

Registered: 10/29/06
Posts: 50
Loc: Southwest Coast, Florida
Coming up this spring, it's going to by my pleasure to travel to Peru, specifically Cuzco/ Macchu Picchu. I'll be there 6 Days. Has anyone ever been there, or, even better, do we have anyone in the forum from Peru? I'm looking for advice on things to bring, any intricacies/gotcha's of the language (I speak passable spanish, but I'm by no means fluent). I plan to bring my bigger first aid kit, as it's not just for me. I'm traveling with a group of my classmates with my history teacher (school sanctioned trip, but not "by the school", if that makes sense.) I've learned that people have an astonishing propensity to hurt themselves in stupid ways, and I'm rather clueless as to the quality of medical care in Peru. Also, does anyone know where I could get reliable information? I'm thinking I need to contact the Peruvian Embassy, but do you good people have other ideas? Thanks in advance for all the help.
-Kyle
_________________________
"The object, gentlemen, is not to cheat death: the object is not to let him play."
-Sgt. Poteen

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#76742 - 11/13/06 04:33 AM Re: Trip To Peru, Looking for Advice
OldBaldGuy Offline
Geezer

Registered: 09/30/01
Posts: 5695
Loc: Former AFB in CA, recouping fr...
Never been there, sorry. Been kindasorta close, Panama and Columbia. Just a wild guess, but I would include a lot of Amonium AD, and maybe a backpackers type of water filter, with my gear. But that kind of depends on what you are going to be doing while there...
_________________________
OBG

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#76743 - 11/13/06 06:05 AM Re: Trip To Peru, Looking for Advice
LED Offline
Veteran

Registered: 09/01/05
Posts: 1474
packman,

i'm probably going to Peru in february for my friend's wedding. never been there, but i'm also curious about what i should bring. i'll be doing some research and finding out exactly where outside of Lima we'll be traveling. i'll post info if i get it and please do the same.

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#76744 - 11/13/06 09:25 AM Re: Trip To Peru, Looking for Advice
redflare Offline
Addict

Registered: 12/25/05
Posts: 647
Loc: SF Bay Area, CA
As far as I know Machu Pichu is very high in the Andes. You may want to consider bringing some Diamox (acetozolomide) capsules to help you with altitude sickness, which you may or may not get - its only 7711feet. But if you will be climbing any other higher peaks, then consider bringing it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machu_Picchu

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#76745 - 11/13/06 02:05 PM Re: Trip To Peru, Looking for Advice
Packman Offline
Journeyman

Registered: 10/29/06
Posts: 50
Loc: Southwest Coast, Florida
You bet. I just got some more information about it today, actually. I'll be gone 8 days, from March 31 to April 7. I plan on bringing some kind of altitude sickness medication, if not for me than someone else can use it. I hope I won't need it, but someone else in my group might. I'm a pilot, so i've gotten over a lot of my sensitivity to altitude, thankfully. Actually, most of the time will be spent in and around Cuzco. I think we only spend one or two days at Macchu Picchu Itself. I'll post anything of interest for you.
-Kyle
_________________________
"The object, gentlemen, is not to cheat death: the object is not to let him play."
-Sgt. Poteen

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#76746 - 11/14/06 12:02 AM Re: Trip To Peru, Looking for Advice
Anonymous
Unregistered


THE BEST ADVICE EVER: Have fun! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

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#76747 - 11/15/06 04:22 PM Re: Trip To Peru, Looking for Advice
Polak187 Offline
Veteran

Registered: 05/23/02
Posts: 1403
Loc: Brooklyn, New York
I been there few years back. Are you doing an inca trail or taking the train into machu pitchu?

Here's a deal... Follow guidlines for the immunizations that is set by WHO. As far as medical care goes. There are clinics but few. Meds are pleanty and everything is available over the counter in dosages that you cant even get in the US. Most people speak English or Spanglish. It is pretty safe and just use common sense. It is Lima that is unsafe but that's like any big city. Either buy bottled water or treat the water. Taps are unsafe since they use river water and few clicks up you have livestock urinating into the source.

Attitude is a problem only if you decide to run around. Common shortness of breath and early exhaustion is normal and will pass or become not noticable as time goes on. I saw some people taking diamox to prevent altitude sickness. Totally not neccessary but good to have in your kit just in case. There is point on the inca trail of about 4200 meters and it is the highest point and it gets little difficult there but than you decent right away so it is all good. Steps on the trail and in general are pretty high so it is pretty good workout for your legs. Landing in Cuzco at high altitude makes some people to experience altitude sickness like symptoms but what you can do is stay hydrated and avoid excecive exercise until you get aclimatized. Good FAK beefed up with anti blister plasters, antibiotic cream, and elastic bandages should be more than enough.

Get a strong antibiotic for upper respiratory infection. Amociclin is great. People cough a lot, germs fly.

Look at some of my pix:
http://brunerdog.tripod.com/peru35mm/index.htm
http://brunerdog.tripod.com/peruxpan/index.htm

I only got a warm reception. I experienced a shady part of Cuzco by going into places that I shouldn't. Common tourist scams are there (non materializing trips, crappy service, latnesses) but if you are planning your trip out of the US or with reputable outfiitter everything should be fine.

Watch out for the train. You will know what I'm talking about when you get there <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I learned over the years that I answer better to direct questions so shoot my man and i do my best to answer them...
_________________________
Matt
http://brunerdog.tripod.com/survival/index.html

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#76748 - 11/15/06 08:03 PM Re: Trip To Peru, Looking for Advice
DaveT Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 08/15/03
Posts: 208
Loc: NE Ohio
The altitude of Macchu Picchu/Cuzco hits different people differently. I've been a couple times, and both times I've been hit with headaches within about an hour or so of landing, and started feeling a bit sluggish within about 15 or 20 minutes of being feet on the ground (off the plane).

Last time, I remember being REALLY glad I'd taken care of all my hotel, etc. accomodations prior to landing. There were several different representatives of hotels/tour groups with tables inside the airport, and I recall feeling that if I hadn't had plans already set, all their offers would have sounded really good. Basically, by the time I got my bags, I was not on top of my game.

The local advice of drinking mate de coca (coca leaf tea) worked very well for me as far as alleviating some of the discomforts of altitude and stopping or decreasing headache symptoms. I even tried chewing the leaves when I walked the Inca Trail going up to Macchu Picchu, but that was basically just nasty tasting and I really didn't find it was terribly effective (I've heard there's also a lime substance you're supposed to chew at the same time to make it more effective? I never had that with it).

When walking the trail, I went with a tour group, and I think that's probably the best way to go unless you're a fairly ambitious hiker. They'll provide porters to carry the majority of the gear, including provided tents, etc., and set up camp and tear it down and cook the meals for you.

I had a new pack and a new tent, and was determined to carry that stuff, but by the second day (I think), in the hours before we hit the highest point on the trail (Winay Wayna), I was ready to burn my pack. Several hours of walk about 5-10 steps, catch a couple breaths, repeat.

Were I to do it again, I'd only bring a daypack, filled mainly with chocolate bars and canteens/botas filled with very sweet coca leaf tea. As with anything, YMMV. My sister took a trip with her daughter, and did the trail while suffering from bronchitis. She was about 50, not an outdoorswoman, and she complained about her discomforts a lot less than I did.

However, my experience was also that once I crested the highest peak, dropping perhaps 100 or 150 yards down the other side of the trail, I felt a LOT better, and it improved because that's where our tour guides set up and cooked our lunch...sitting just a bit lower down the trail and eating a nice spaghetti meal with tea was a huge boost to body and spirit, and I never felt bad the rest of the hike.

On the last or second-to-last day of the trip, there was a long series of steps down - and the steps were narrow and LONG, like stepping down from a low tabletop, step after step. A walking stick would be good for that portion, and one of the members of our group had his knees and hips killing him from that portion of the walk.

The final night, we stopped at a "rest house" on the trail. I think it was originally meant to be a place for people to sleep, and they had food there, but it was incredibly overcrowded and loud...our group (and several others) camped outside, but it was still loud, crowded, and not terribly pleasant. Earplugs would have been good for the night's sleep. This was back in '97, so I can imagine it being way more crowded...but then again, I'd also heard there were efforts being made to limit the number of people traveling the trail at any time.

Oh, and on that final night, a few teens from another group were late coming into the final stop, and of course they had no flashlight...several guides went back to find them, but that's definitely not a situation I'd want to be in. I don't know exactly why they were so far behind. The pace set by the general group was not very difficult to keep with, but a small nagging injury might be enough to slow you down a lot, so as always a flashlight or two would be a good idea.

Good luck, and enjoy yourself.

Oh, and when in Lima, if you get the chance to get to the nearby neighborhood of Barranco, check out the "Puente de Suspiros" (Bridge of Sighs)...right along the steps fo the bridge, there is (OK, was) a stand/tiny restaurant with wonderful anticuchos (marinated cow's heart, grilled and served on skewers). I can almost taste them now.

Dave


Edited by DaveT (11/16/06 12:12 AM)

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#76749 - 11/16/06 01:16 AM Re: Trip To Peru, Looking for Advice
Packman Offline
Journeyman

Registered: 10/29/06
Posts: 50
Loc: Southwest Coast, Florida
Cool, lots of info. We're taking the train to Macchu Picchu. I've been lobbying for the trail, but I'm about the most fit member of the group, so I've been outvoted every time. Doesn't look like I'm going to win that one, so I'm stuck on the Train.

Is an upper respiratory infection really something to be very wary of, or just kind of an occaisional tourist horror story? If it's a strong anti-biotic, I'm betting you need a perscription for Amociclin? Also, is that the correct spelling and a different drug, or is that a typo for Amoxicilin?

Great Pics, by the way. I'm just about jumping out of my skin to get there. If you prefer, I could PM you with any other questions I think of, to keep the Forum from getting tied up. Either way.

Thanks a Bunch!
-Kyle
_________________________
"The object, gentlemen, is not to cheat death: the object is not to let him play."
-Sgt. Poteen

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#76750 - 11/16/06 04:02 AM Re: Trip To Peru, Looking for Advice
Polak187 Offline
Veteran

Registered: 05/23/02
Posts: 1403
Loc: Brooklyn, New York
It is Amoxicilin my keys got messed up during type. You dont need prescription to buy it there and it is mad cheap...

High altitude means dry air and a lot of gasping for air. Dry air means coughing and not everyone is polite enough to cover their mouth. Also since you have a tendency to breathe faster and deeper you take in proportionaly that much extra junk. So it really takes few sick to spread it around. Also you are stuck in tight spaces: train, plane, small resteurants and buses.

High altitude pill is called Diamox. It works I saw it used in Nepal on my buddies. I took half a pill one night to help me sleep.

SHoot away. Either thru PM or here <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
Matt
http://brunerdog.tripod.com/survival/index.html

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