Questions: I'll be in Peru December 20- Jan 20, looking for a travel partner.

Alright well here goes. First of all this is an amazing site! I have already been reading about people previous trips. Awesome. I am from Alaska, solo blond 25 year old.
Questions:
1. Is it safe to travel alone, and not only travel but Camp as a solo female? I am not trying to be naive, but want to just hike and camp.
2. I understand it will be the rainy season this time of the year in the mountains, but how rainy? (Ie does it typically rain all day or just for a few hours? Is it foggy? Please keep in mind that I am from Alaska and we had two days of sunshine this summer lol)
3. I am trying to figure out if I should bring my Jet Boil stove or get an MSR one, because I understand we are not allowed to bring fuel canisters on to airplanes. Given that the jet boil canisters are usually short it would be hard to operate the jet boil on a tall canister. So are you able to get jet boil canisters or the equivalent anywhere in Lima?
4. Any suggestions of places that are amazing for the camper/hiker to visit?
5. Also I haven't done much hiking at high altitudes. All of my hikes have usually started at sea level and ascended up to at most 7000', as long as I allowed sufficient time to acclimatize is it smart to hike in without a guide? Or should I look into hiring a guide? And what is usual rate for this?

Thank you to all! Good luck in your own travels. Also I would love if anyone could join me for all or parts of my time. If anyone is interested please let me know.

Brit

Brit,
I'll be traveling thru Peru/Chile/Argentina between Dec 8 to Dec 22, this might not help you out, but if your plans change let me know. Currently planning a motorcycle excursion beginning in Cusco, to Machu Picchu, down the coast to Chile to sandboard, and back. Then probably hopping a flight to Buenos Aires/ Montevideo.
Best of luck,
Mike

it will usually rain for a couple of hours, if not more.. kind of a heavy drizzle. and it'll be foggy in the mornings. if you're planning to do the inca trail to machu picchu, it'll get pretty warm (but still be rainy). also, remember that the sun will be more intense because of the elevation, so pack extra sunblock!

everyone adjusts to altitude differently, and even adjusts differently at different times. in peru, you can get coca tea everywhere (yes, it's the same tea that cocaine is derived from but don't worry, it's just like a cup of coffee!). if you're worried about altitude sickness, get a prescription for diamox. it'll make you pee a lot, but it increases your rate of breathing, which will increase your oxygen levels, which will make you feel less/no altitude sickness.

i went with two other females.. we always felt fine, but then again we never hiked/camped around. we stuck to hostels. also, a little spanish goes a long way.

i don't know about getting camping gear in lima, but i know you definitely can in aguas calientes, the town you would be departing from for the incan trail hike. i didn't do that hike (didn't have time-- took the train up), but i think you need to get a guide.. something about permits and stuff. in general though, i personally would never hike somewhere by myself in unfamiliar territory in another country, especially if i could get altitude sickness.. i'd be too worried that something would happen to me and no one would be able to help me. but if you feel comfortable doing it, then more power to you!

good luck!

Diamox is probably a good thing to have and to get before you arrive in cuzco. We didn't exhuast every possibility, but no pharmacy we went to in cusco,had it. luckily my friend brought some down and gave it to my daughters, i didn't take as it thickens your blood, which your body will do eventually anyway, but that was just cause i have a functional heart murmer ete, ete, and i only got a few slight headaches, even at 15000', but my oldest daughter got sick for awhile till the diamox kicked in.

We went on the long hike to Choquequirao, Yanama, Totora, ectc eventually to AC and it was perfectly dry, but going down hill was slippery then, i'd hate to see what it would be like when it's wet, i'm afraid i would have been on my kiester all the time, but maybe not.

i don't know what that other person was talking about, but you don't start out on the Inca trail at AC, unless you are doing a reverse trek or something, most start at Cuzco or probably ollantaytambo, which by the way, is a few 1000 feet lower than Cuzco, so a good place to mellow out and acclimaitize, rather than Cuzco.

For good guides and stuff, if going too Choquequirao, try Los tres Balcones in Cachora, they also have a web site.

guides and mules are relatively cheap, the elevation makes the hike strenuous enough without lugging a heavy pack, and you will help the natives make a little dough. Check the SAExplorers web site also for tips and such. They also have an office in Lima and Cuzco.

rgds

charlie

Hi Brit-
I will be in Peru Dec 1 - Dec 26. I have no plans at all and I am going with one other person. I am 23 from Florida.
I would not mind meeting up or keeping in touch with email to let you know what we went through for the first couple of weeks.

Mike-
I have been thinking of hopping over to Montevideo/Buenos Aires. Any inexpensive tips to getting there?
Also, if you would like to meet up while you are there, shoot me a message as well.

Also, anyone know of a good place to stay in coastal Lima?

Happy Travels!
Alex

I wouldn't bring a jetboil. They are great but an MSR international whisper lite is so much more versatile with fuel options. By the way, fuel canisters and stoves aren't allowed on planes, even in checked luggage, but it's a stupid rule and you should have no qualms with packing one in your checked luggage.

Don't hike the Inca trail.

Go to Huaraz and hike into the mountains there! Amazing!!! Go stay at Casa de Alex, or something like that, it's up in the mountains, should be easy enough to find, it's an awesome place!

I wouldn't worry much about the altitude, just take it easy for the first few days and drink lots of water. Lots.

The weather will be a breeze compared to this summer in Alaska!

By the way, do you know a girl named Eli? She's in New York as well. That sounds funny huh? She's an AK girl going to school in NYC, just wondering.

Have a great trip! Hike in the mountians outside of Huaraz, so amazing!