Alto Peru Travel Forum

Going to Peru in 4 weeks, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Rain Forest
Any one got any useful info/tips, I'm told it can be a little scary sometimes!!

Hi there, have you read the very interesting member pages here on Machu Picchu. These members have been there personally, and may have some of the answers you want. Punch in Machu Picchu in the search and view the Travelguide page. From there you can see the member pages, tips and forums. Good luck!

If you go to Peru thinking it will be scary, you probably won't have a very good time. Peru is very DIFFERENT to Europe, USA, NZ, Oz etc. but as long as you have common sense it isn't scary at all, it's a beautiful country full of helpful, friendly people.
My tips would be 1. Book the Inca trail in advance as it seems that is what you have to do, I'm sure another member will know of a good agency to do it through. There are lots of other walks involving ruins in the sacred valley near Cusco which are not nearly as crowded as the Inca trail, so they are worth checking out too. 2. If you are gonna do the Inca trail you need ATY LEAST a week in the Cusco/Machu Picchu area. 3. If you want to go to lake Titicaca go to Copacabana on the Bolivian side. Personally I wouldn't even bother going to Puno. 4. Do go see the Nazca lines, Colca Canyon and Islas Ballestas 4. Petty crime in Peru is not uncommon but violent crime is still very rare. At the end of the day you are gonna stand out as a relatively rich person in a poor country, but as long as you are careful and sensible, there's no need to be scared. Remember, the worst that's likely to happen to you is that you lose your plane ticket and passport (which can be reissued), credit card, which can be cancelled and your bank can western union over advance and cash (don't carry too much at once so that if it does happen it's no big deal. What can be scary in Peru is if you see some of the conditions of extreme poverty on the outskirts of Lima, and travelling by truck on dirt tracks in the mountains, both of which can be avoided if you want to avoid them.
Have a fantastic time! I'm sure you trip will be wonderful!

Still, you should be careful at night. Make sure not to be in deserted area. Remember Perú is close to the ecuador : the sun sets pretty fast and early. Better take a taxi than walking late in in deserted streets.
That apart, there is so much to see in this country !