Is anyone going to Peru in 2008?

[caj0901]

Sorry about my first post. I'm new to this. We just booked the Peru trip for June 2008. Anyone else going?:confused:

[Compte de Yoyo]

We (my husband and I) are, will be there Oct 4 to Oct 12, 2008 tho =) It'll be our second "big" vacation together (the first was to WDW, which was the first time to Disney for both of us too. LOL, I think we're addicted?) and we haven't traveled outside the US since we were kids so *twitch*

[kristilew]

Hi, We're going on the June 3, 2008 departure. Myself, dh, and dd, 10.

[caj0901]

We're going on June 17th departure. Me, dh, ds 14 and ds 11. We're excited about going. Have you been there before? Are you concerned about altitude sickness at all?

[kristilew]

We have not been before. Reading everything we can get our hands on. I don't know if it makes me more or less worried about altitude sickness that the hotels' websites brag about having oxygen in the rooms! We're just trying to get all of us in really good shape, so if we're winded we know it's from the altitude and not from being couch surfers.

[Compte de Yoyo]

We're just trying to get all of us in really good shape, so if we're winded we know it's from the altitude and not from being couch surfers.

LOL, one of the "plus" factors for deciding on Peru was that I need to get in better shape for all the climbing and high altitude. So, am going to start (for the second time) the Couch to 5K program on the elliptical and work on my cardio.

I can't post links yet, but if anybody has the Travel Channel, they've run episodes of Samatha Brown and Anthony Bourdain in Peru several times last year. You can do a search online for them as well for their webpages and there's some clips of Anthony's trip on Youtube. He had some problems with adjusting to the altitude but I found it hilarious instead of worrisome ;)

I'm really excited to see Machu Picchu and hope there's time/I feel up adding a trail ride when we're at the Sol y Luna Lodge!

[KLondon]

We were *this* close to signing up for the Peru trip, but opted for Costa Rica this year. I think Peru could happen in 2009 (fingers crossed).

[caj0901]

Thanks for the tip about Anthony Bourdain and Samantha Brown. I checked the TravelChannel website. Samantha Brown will be on Jan 18th at 8:30 PM at Machu Picchu. Anthony Bourdain will be on in Peru February 7th at 1 PM and again Feb 24th at 5 PM.

Funny, I've started on the same Couch to 5K program, on a treadmill, though.:goodvibes

[kristilew]

Thanks for finding that. I'll set the dvr!

[TinkLLG]

We are going on the June 3 trip to Peru too. Me, DH and DS, 13. We did Costa Rica last year and it was a BLAST. I do want to go back to CR some day. Two years ago we did Adventures to Italy (Rome, Tuscany, Venice).

[kristilew]

So glad to "meet" someone else going on our trip! Especially an ABD veteran. Any words of wisdom?

For anyone going on the Peru adventure: have you thought about vaccines at all? I know Disney says we won't need them. Looking at the guidebooks, however, it does seem like we will be on the edge of some of the zones that require them. I read a book about yellow fever a few months ago, and it scared the mosquitoes out of me! Several guidebooks also suggest the typhoid pills. Any comments?

[MJGirl]

I'm not going to Peru, but I would recommend the Hep A/B shot. Just a precaution. I don't believe it is required though.

[TinkLLG]

So glad to "meet" someone else going on our trip! Especially an ABD veteran. Any words of wisdom?

For anyone going on the Peru adventure: have you thought about vaccines at all? I know Disney says we won't need them. Looking at the guidebooks, however, it does seem like we will be on the edge of some of the zones that require them. I read a book about yellow fever a few months ago, and it scared the mosquitoes out of me! Several guidebooks also suggest the typhoid pills. Any comments?

As the other poster said it doesn't hurt to get Hep A/B shots. Here's some advice I have from prior ABD trips and traveling in general:

Don't assume your luggage will make it even if you are not switching planes. Last year on our way to CR our plane stopped in Miami. We had to get off but got right back on the same one. My luggage didn't make it. Apparently, the airline still takes all the bags off and then puts them back on again, or so I was told ... I ended up wearing my son's clothes for the first two days and some t-shirts I bought at the hotel. This time, I am bringing an extra set of clothes for all of us in our carry on luggage.

Don't bring new shoes that are not "broken in" yet

Bring the ipod, nintendo or books to read on the bus or when just chilling - especially important for my son who can't sit and do nothing ...

Trips are really casual. They always say that one night there is opportunity to dress up a little more but most don't ... some do though so it's whatever you feel comfortable doing.

Bring extra plastic bags for wet clothes/bathing suits.

If prone to altitude sickness, sinus infections etc, get a script from your doctor and fill it.

if you are interested in any kind of spa treatment, it might be worth booking it a head of time at whatever hotel(s) we are staying at that have a spa.

The guides really take care of everything so there's not much to plan for except to get ready for some fun.

Let me know if you have any questions! Look forward to meeting you :goodvibes

[tiggerk]

We are also going June 17 to Peru. Me, DD 15 and DD 13.

We got Hep A/B. And are going to get Typhoid shots.
From what I read yellow fever and malaria is spread my mosquitoes. The trip is supposedly at a higher elevation than mosquitoes live.
But Hep A and Typhoid can be spread by bad hygeine.

[kristilew]

CDC specifically says we don't need yellow fever for going to Cuzco and Macchu Picchu. So that's a relief! I think the typhus is now available in a couple of pills rather than a shot, so at least that's one less jab. I hate shots!

Of course, I was cracking up looking at the CDC maps. The only place as bad as tropical South America for the aedes aegypti mosquito - which is what spreads yellow fever and dengue fever - is my own coastal NC! (Maybe I should get the vaccine anyway, for gardening this summer:laughing: )

TinkLLG, thanks for all the tips! Especially helpful about how casual it it. I always over pack.

[Compte de Yoyo]

"Walking the World" Peru: The Inca Trail" is on the Travel Channel on March 5th, it seems to be a touch more informative than the other two I mentioned before and focuses more on the hike. There's a bit on Cusco and Sacsayhuaman, quite a bit on culture and history, a teensie bit on Machu Picchu at the end plus ..y'know, lots and lots of gorgeous scenery!

Has anybody gotten their flights yet or will be going a day early? I've been poking around, we're not going until Oct, and the choices seem to be arriving at 11pm or 1am on the first day. One will mess up our sleepy schedule and Disney can't send a driver to pick us up on the second choice even though it's better and will give us some time to settle down.

RE : Vaccines, I was going to check with my dr when I go in for my annual checkup but am not too concerned overall. I'll probably be renewing my tetnus shot for sure.

RE: Altitude sickness, I was just up at Lake Tahoe/the Sierra for three days. Our room was around 7,000+ ft (Machu Picchu is at 7,875 ft) and strolling around wasn't bad.

We really felt it (lots of huffing and puffing plus a little sharp pain from wheezing in the freezing cold air) the first thing in the morning going up and down three flights of stairs to get to the car. Resting for several minutes helped a lot and we felt just fine after we got our breath back, so it's more annoying than anything else. Relax and don't stress out when it happens, your body'll figure it out eventually :D

I was a little dizzy and nauseated the first night, although that might have been due to being in the back seat during the windy roads up and around the mountain(s) and did feel very thirsty throughout our stay.

[kristilew]

That's crazy about them not picking you up. Our flight gets in at 10:49 pm and they are picking us up.

When I booked the flights - through ABD - the guy who helped me told me that Disney knew going into it that most of the flights would be arriving late on the first night, which is why the welcome isn't until the next day.

Also, going out we are on a red eye that leaves just past midnight. They are taking us to the airport then.

[crashbb]

I've never been to Peru but I was in Ecuador earlier this year. Coming from a city that is basically sea level (105M) and flying directly into Quito (2,800M) I was worried about altitude sickness (I knew from previous experience that I don't deal well with high altitude).

My travel doctor prescribed some medication that I filled and took (you start it 24 hours before you arrive and continue for the first 48 hours at altitude) and I had no problems. Two notes though: 1. Do not drink anything with carbonation while on the drugs - they will taste nasty (you really taste the carbon dioxide in them); 2. If you are going down to (or near) sea level and then back up, you may want to consider getting two sets of the pills - we spent time in Quito, then went to the Galapagos Islands (obviously sea level) and then spent another 2 weeks at high elevations, so the doctor prescribed two sets of the altitude sickness meds.

[tbdey]

We currently booked the Peru trip for July but am now wondering if the weather may be too cold during that time since it is winter. Anyone have experience with Peru in July?

[SweetMeg]

HI everyone! I am not going on the Peru trip, but I did study abroad there 2 summers ago so I thought maybe I could offer some advice?

A PP mentioned not being worried about altitude sickness in Machu Piccu. MP isn't the problem, trust me. The problem is when you first get into Cuzco. My student group was about 30 strong, and after the first night in Cuzco about 10 of us (myself included) woke up with what seemed like a terrible case of food poisioning, but it was actually what the locals call "suroche"...altitude sickness. And this was after spending a few days down in the Sacred Valley trying to acclimate. HA! I don't say this to scare you, but to enforce the recommendation of pills that others mentioned.

Secondly, WATCH YOUR SURROUNDINGS. I was part of a group who all speak Spanish pretty well, but we were still singled out. More than one friend was pickpocketed. An "Adventures By Disney" nametag will only attract the wrong kind of attention if you're out at night. Watch out for the kids, they are experts because you can't feel their little hands. Again not to scare you, just to make you aware. I'm sure the guides will prep you with all this when you arrive.

Peru is an amazing country with a really interesting history. I hope you all really enjoy your trip. If you go up to Sacsayhuaman (Sexywoman!) be sure to try and make it down the rock slides, they are so much fun!

Are you hiking to MP or taking the train? The hike is so AMAZING but it is strenuous. I would do it again though.

Ten un buen viaje!

[theroseofbelle]

Hello everyone! My DH and I are booked for the Oct. 4-12 Peru Adventure. We are so excited and can't wait to go. I have been reading everything I can find on Peru, but I really haven't been able to find that much information. Does anyone have any suggestions on reading material?

[Compte de Yoyo]

Does anyone have any suggestions on reading material?

GLEE. My husband and I are on the 10/4-10/12 trip as well! Although, technically, we're flying in on the 3rd though to give ourselves some time to adjust (and sleep in). It's our first international trip so we don't know what we're doing, lol! I've been checking out Peru travel books from the library but the information hasn't really been sinking in.. but I basically went to Amazon.com and typed in "travel Peru" and plugged them into the library search to see what they had.

My latest thing has been searching for pictures and reviews online. Flickr has some wonderful sets and Trip Advisor has reviews on the Sol y Luna Lodge :) I can't post links but if anybody wants to send me a PM, maybe I'll be able to link in there?

[kristilew]

Yay - our box from ABD came today for our June 3 trip! :cool1: So exciting. Two of those bulky messenger bags for the grown ups, and a cute Jr. Adventurer bag for dd.

There was a little countdown calendar for the fridge too - dd got so excited by the pictures of llamas on it. We'd better be able to love on these llamas, as focused as she's become on them!:rotfl:

How is everyone's couch to 5k program going? The thud you may have heard last month was me falling off the exercise wagon. I guess I need to get back on with only 43 days left!!!

[CVAN]

I posted down below But here goes.
We are also booked on the June 3rd trip It will be the Wife and I, leaving the kids home this time, it is our 20th year of wedded bliss :thumbsup2
Send us a PM(if you want to) if you are going on this trip also it will be good to know some of the people going before we actually get there. Cameron

[kristilew]

Yay! Another June 3-er!:cool1:

Congrats on 20 years - we are hitting 15 this summer.

DD10 is also coming on trip with us. Can't wait to meet you!

[tiggerk]

caj0901 did you get your box?
We got ours today for the June 17 departure. :yay:

[caj0901]

Haven't got it yet....still waiting!

[caj0901]

Finally got our box! The countdown begins.
We're arriving in Lima the night of 6/16/08..... we didn't want to arrive too late on 6/17/08. We're going to get our Hep A shots this week...
Looking forward to meeting tiggerk and family :)

[kristilew]

Ok, getting slightly concerned about this Peru trip! I've called several times to try to make reservations for the extra activities (horse riding, mountain biking at Sol Y Luna). First I'm told I must speak to Tina the "Peru expert", who is mysteriously never there. Today she is there, but they won't put her on the phone and Patricia (I think they all just say their name is Patricia!) says Tina doesn't know anyway -despite telling me last week to call and ask for Tina this week because she was the only one does know!:confused3

Patricia suggested I call the hotel directly to book. I said I'd love to, but the schedule is so nebulous, I'm not sure exactly when to reserve. At this point she admits no one at ABD knows the schedule either, as this is a new trip!

She finishes with "will you please call me when you get back so I will know what to tell other guests?"

I'm praying to heaven and Walt that we don't get stranded somewhere in the Andes!;)

[tiggerk]

cajo901, we don't fly till the 17th. I was a little worried about finding our own way to the hotel and keeping busy for a day if we got in on the 16th. Now I am worried about all the airline troubles. I just hope there are no problems getting there. Once the plane takes off to peru, then I will breath a sigh of relief. Since we didn't book any extra days it will probably turn out to be someplace my kids love and want to explore more and I'll be kicking myself for flying all that way and not planning a few extra days.

[katze]

we are heading to peru the june 11 until the 29th and going to cuzco the 17 to the 22 june so if somebody goes please let us know, we want to have fun!!!

[tiggerk]

to all of you going on the June 3 trip
Bon Voyage!
Have a great time! :)

[sayhello]

to all of you going on the June 3 trip
Bon Voyage!
Have a great time! :)Don't know whether or not you guys will get Chris as one of your guides; it's one of the tours he's doing this year, and he seemed VERY enthusiastic about it. If you do, you're in for a treat. Chris is great!

sayhello

[TinkLLG]

to all of you going on the June 3 trip
Bon Voyage!
Have a great time! :)

Thanks a lot. We are looking forward to it.

For those going on any of the Peru trips, here are some tips:

Definitely bring both warm weather and cool weather clothes. It's pleasant during the day but can be brisk at night and I hear at least one dinner is outside. So I'm bringing a sweater, sweatshirt and a fleece.

Bring a bathing suit or something that you will want to wear underneath a wet suit ... which we need to wear for whitewater rafting (water is chilly).

Bring a hat so you don't get sunburned at M-P.

Bring some of your packed clothes on board just in case your luggage arrives late (which happened to me going to Costa Rica). Also, mix up the suitcases so every person traveling has clothes in each, again in case one or more suitcases get lost and no one will be stuck without clothes.

Adios,
Lori

[kristilew]

to all of you going on the June 3 trip
Bon Voyage!
Have a great time! :)

Thanks, Tiggerk!

Our bags are packed and we are counting down the hours until we leave :hyper: We can't wait!

[caj0901]

Bon voyage to the June 3rd Peru trip!
Thanks for all of the packing tips!!!
:cool1: