By Will Harper, Director - USA

As Editor of the blog I spend a lot of time chasing my colleagues all over the world for blog posts to keep all of you, the visitors, entertained. But I have unfortunately pulled another Mexico. For those too busy to click on the link I visited our programs in Mexico in February 2007 yet wasn’t able to get a blog post up about the trip until three months after. Rest assured I am getting better (and less hypocritical) since this post is only two months after my recent trip to Peru in July. See, I am working on it!

This trip was my second to South America on which I served as the escort on our escorted flights offered to the 2 week volunteers. Here are some observations and advice for those traveling to the beautiful country of Peru.

1. Machu Picchu is a MUST SEE

Iconic view of Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is often the sole reason some people visit Peru and while there is so much more to Peru it certainly does not disappoint. Perched upon a mountain ridge above the Urubumba River valley and at over 8,000 feet above sea level, Machu Picchu is one of the most dramatically located ruins I have ever seen. It is just stunning. I was fortunate enough to visit twice, one time climbing up and down and then taking the bus up my second time. Although at the climb almost gave me a heart attack at the ripe age of 27, it was totally worth it and I would recommend this to anyone with a good ticker and who likes to hike as it really makes you appreciate all the effort the Incas put into creating this place. My second recommendation is to visit in the afternoon just before sunset. By this time the day trippers from Cusco and the large tour groups have cleared out by this time and you feel like you have the place to yourself.

2. Always have change, always. Never get caught without it.

Although I have sometimes encountered this in other countries before, for some reason it became very evident that there is a serious change problem in Peru! It seems every time I ever went to buy something in my first week in Peru no body had any change, ever. So like a good traveler I adapted and hoarded as much change as I could my second week. You have been warned!

Peruvian soles

3.Get your Pachamanca on

Pachamanca is a traditional Peruvian dish usually found in the central Andes. It is essentially a huge feast cooked in an earthen stove. After a hole is dug in the ground, river stones are washed and then heated up by a wood fire. Once they are ready the hot stones are interspersed between different layers of chicken, pork, lamb and beef wrapped in banana leaves and finished off with a layer of potatoes and plantains. After two hours of cooking everything is taken out and the feast begins! I was able to take part in one while visiting our Inca Project. After a heavy carb diet the pachamanca was an amazing bounty of protein!

Step 1. Start with a bucket o’ meat

Step 2. Heat river stones

Step. Dig everything out and enjoy!

4. Do not miss Maracuya

Maracuya

Maracuya or a Peruvian passion fruit was one of my new discoveries from this trip. When in Peru expand your tastes buds by trying any new fruit or vegetable you don’t usually see in your grocery aisles back home and for all of you connecting through the Lima airport I would recommend grabbing a scoop or two of the maracuya gelato at the ice cream place near the food court. You will not regret it.

5. Visit the Jungle

Sunset over the Madre de Dios River

If there was one surprise from this trip it was my three day stint on our Conservation program at the Taricaya Reserve. I am not a big jungle guy but I was blown away by everything there is to do and learn about at Taricaya. In my short visit, I was able to birdwatch amongst the rain forest canopy, help out on the model farm, prepare meals for animals being rehabilitated and watch the sunset over the Madre de Dios river. Even if you are volunteering in the Sacred Valley on the Teaching, Care, Sports, Medicine or Inca programs I highly recommend doing at least the 7 day Conservation Add-On. You might come back with a new favorite animal like I did.

My new favorite animal, the tapir!