Tamara is just back from a bucket list trip to Peru with her daughter and she shares all about her lodge-to-lodge trek with Mountain Lodges of Peru and tips for visiting Cusco and Machu Picchu.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Tamara "won" this trip as part of an auction that benefits the Adventure Travel Conservation Fundthat takes place each fall
• When visiting Cusco and the Sacred Valley, it is best to give yourself 3-4 days to get used to the elevation prior to hiking (Cusco is at about 11,000 feet)
• You can take Diamox or acetazolamide (prescription) to help prevent altitude sickness
• Coca tea and coca candies help you with altitude but it also has caffeine so it can disrupt your sleep
• Machu Picchu and Ollantaytambo are at a lower altitude so ideal you would start there and work your way up
• Peruvian food has a lot of rice, quinoa, and potatoes. For proteins there is beef, pork, chicken, alpaca, and a specialty — guinea pig! The portions are also very large.
• You shouldn't drink the water (even to brush your teeth) and consider avoiding salads, veggies, and fruits that are rinsed in water
• Tamara and Hannah took a 5 day trek with a small group of six people and one local guide with Mountain Lodges of Peru.
• The trip was perfect for those that like to hike but don't want to camp. It includes a mix of cultural activities and hikes but you stay at nice lodges.
• Some activities included visiting an alpaca museum, a ceremony with an Incan priest, enjoying dancing and music with locals at a weaving cooperative, visiting local markets, exploring Incan ruins, and having lunch at local homes.
• You need to bring your own hiking poles and need to pack in a light duffel bag or backpack
• The rainy season is typically November – April and they typically close the Inca Trail in February. However, this year was worse than usual because of El Niño.
• For the most part you can use credit cards but it helps to have some Peruvian Soles (or some US Dollars) to tip guides, pay for bathrooms, and purchase from local vendors and markets.
• For the first two nights in Cusco, we stayed at the Andenes Hotel, which was affordable, nice, and great traditional architecture. On our return, we stayed at the Palacio del Inka, which is a part of the Marriott Luxury Collection (which we booked via points.)

RELATED EPISODES:

• Machu Picchu with kids
• Galapagos with kids