In March I had the opportunity to join one of our suppliers, Latin Routes, for their agent academy in Peru.
This gave me the chance to visit South America for the first time, and after all I experienced, it certainly won’t be my last visit to this vibrant continent.
My whistlestop trip started with the LATAM flight to Lima via Madrid. This overnight service meant an early arrival into Lima, and we hit the ground running immediately.
My hotel in Lima was the Iberostar Miraflores located in the Miraflores district, an area with some great restaurants and yet just under 10 minutes’ walk from the Pacific Ocean.
After dropping off my luggage and a quick freshen up, it was time to explore the city.
Lima is home to many historical landmarks and attractions, including the Plaza Mayor (Main Square), and is surrounded by colonial-era buildings such as the Government Palace and the Cathedral of Lima. My personal favourite was the Barranco area known for its bohemian atmosphere, an excellent hotel to consider in this area is the Relais & Châteaux Hotel B.
My second day in Lima was spent networking with some amazing & niche providers from across South America before dinner at the Country Club Lima, a historic property with rooms featuring traditional Andean textiles. The hotel was originally opened in 1927 and has since been declared an official Peruvian Cultural Monument.
A concern for many when visiting Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu is the high altitude and the symptoms it can bring. This was something I shared, particularly as our filled itinerary did not leave much time to acclimatise.
The local guides are great, they monitored us, if anyone felt unwell, they would give guidance and, in the unlikely event it was needed, additional oxygen could be arranged. There really is no rule to say who may suffer from the altitude, and across our group, we saw a real range of symptoms, from people who had no symptoms or a slight headache to those who had to spend the first few hours relaxing in the hotel and keeping hydrated.
Things to consider before arriving at the high altitude and whilst there:
- Eat light.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Stay hydrated. In addition to water, have sports drinks such as Gatorade every so often.
- Muña tea is also available within hotels and helps to alleviate symptoms.
After a short exploration of Cusco, it was time for an early night before we experienced the highlight of our trip, Machu Picchu.
Due to the time of year, we travelled by road in the early morning to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley to board the Peru Rail vistadome train to Machu Picchu.
The ancient Incan citadel is believed to have been built in the 15th century yet despite its significance, Machu Picchu was unknown to the outside world until it was brought to international attention by American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911.
Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, daily visitor numbers are capped to avoid over tourism and to protect the site for future generations.
Thinking of travelling to Peru yourself? Get in touch to start discussions about options on 01904 623444 or visit 88 Main Street, Fulford.
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