Each year I take 2-5 small group tours to Peru and Machu Picchu. The Traveling Professor has been doing that for about 3 years now. I often speak at travel shows and with civic organization about traveling to Peru. People call me with questions about Peru regarding altitude sickness, the safety of Peru, hotel quality, and well, they wonder if Peru is a "third-world" country. In this blog post I will tell you more about Peru and what you can expect if you are traveling solo to Peru or on one of my small group tours to Peru and Machu Picchu.
Travelers on my small group tours to Peru and Machu Picchu are often surprised what a modern, progressive, and exciting city Lima, Peru is. It is also a culinary destination that is getting more and more noticed. I like it for the terrific food, great prices, and variety of selection. Peruvian food is very dynamic but retains traditional tones and exciting new fusion concepts. Contrary to what a lot of people anticipate on my small group tours to Peru and Machu Picchu, it is very unlike Mexican food. Read my blog post to find out two of my favorite food spots in Lima, Peru.
We take about 4 small group tours to Peru and Machu Picchu each year. Every time our group is surprised how modern, up-to-date and in some ways, how favorable the services, hotels, transportation, and especially food is compared to other places they have traveled in Europe and other parts of the world, including the United States. Peru has some terrific hotels, great restaurants, and other features that make it one of the most interesting and exciting places to visit in the world, while it still retains its cultural charm.
When the euro hit a high of $1.50 against the dollar a few years ago, The Traveling Professor decided to develop small group tours to Peru and Machu Picchu. Not only is Peru and Machu Picchu a spectacular place to visit, it offers travelers a fantastic value without sacrificing luxury or comfort. In my opinion the overall quality of hotels and services exceeds those I experience in Italy, Paris or Spain. I can also tell you that the culinary reputation of Peru is top-notch and I would rate Peruvian restaurants right up there with those in Europe. Take a look at my blog post and see why you might want to consider holding off on a trip to Paris or Italy, and look at Peru now.
Most people don't think of Peru as being a culinary capital, but it is. On our small group tours to Peru and Machu Picchu we make it a point to stop in some of the best (and most affordable) restaurants that can be found. Primarily, the best dining can be found in Lima and in Cusco. There are traditional dishes such as cuy and alpaca, but Peru chefs have strong skills in creating some of the best fusion dishes that can be found. Read the blog post and find out where to dine before your next tour to Peru and Machu Picchu.
I was exhibiting at the Philadelphia Inquirer Travel Show this weekend and one of the most common concerns brought up by people interested in a tour to Peru and Machu Picchu was the issue of altitude sickness, also known as soroche or AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness). No matter how you slice it, 10% of all travelers to Peru and Machu Picchu will get it, but in this blog post I will give my tips on how to avoid it and how to handle altitude sickness if you do indeed get it while on a tour to Peru.
Without a doubt, one of the most dazzling and memorable trips one can go on is a tour to Peru including Machu Picchu, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and the Amazon Jungle. When I planned my small group tour to Peru, I did it the right way, spending ample time at Machu Picchu, with guided tours not only of the major sights, but a view of Machu Picchu few travelers see. We stay in top-notch hotels, including the Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica, one of the top eco-resorts in the word. To get the details on my small group tour to Peru, see the blog post.
On our small group tours to Peru and Machu Picchu, we stay in modern, full-service hotels that have all the amenities you would expect in a US-based hotel. Many people I meet (incorrectly) perceive Peru as being a "third-world" country with sub-par accommodations. However, those who have traveled on one of The Traveling Professor's small group tours to Peru and Machu Picchu wil tell you, the hotels we stay in are first-rate, and are still bargains and superior quality to those found in Europe.
When on a tour to Peru and Machu Picchu, the majority of travelers make the mistake of visiting Machu Picchu for only one day, arriving on the train in the morning and then departing later that day. For me, this is the biggest mistake someone can make when taking a trip to Machu Picchu. There is plenty to see and do at Machu Picchu and in this blog post I will talk about two spectacular hikes, one to Huaynu Picchu and the other to The Sun Gate.