Posted by Diane Valenti on Wed, Apr 17, 2013 @ 06:52 PM
We are honoring Mother’s Day 2013 by donating $100 per person on bookings made in May 2013 for travel in Peru before May 2014.
The donations will go to Living Heart, a non-profit that helps mothers and their children in some of the most disadvantaged highland communities of Peru’s Sacred Valley, a region where malnutrition and disease are painfully rampant.
On itineraries that lead our guests through this region, we always eat at Hearts Café in Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley – the gateway to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. Proceeds from the café go to support Living Heart’s projects that supply vitamins, medicines, dental, medical and school supplies.
To get an idea of the impact a $100 donation can make, check out Living Heart’s Wish List. The list includes the cost of various supplies and services. For example, a $98 donation will give one child a hot breakfast and lunch every school day for a whole year. A $72 donation will give a newborn baby a fighting chance at a healthy life by supplying one pregnant woman with the pre-natal vitamins needed to take her through the full 9 months.
You can participate in the Mother’s Day donation by booking any of the following trips:
As with so many stunning regions of the world, the needs here for the basic sustenance that keeps people alive are profound. Travelers who come with Llama Expeditions to explore Peru always ask how they can help. On each trip, we include a visit to and support for an organization that is helping to alleviate poverty by empowering local people to better their lives.
Check out our Peru guided trips now!
Posted by Diane Valenti on Thu, Mar 28, 2013 @ 07:30 PM
The best time to visit the Amazon in Peru is between June and September. The mosquito population, while ever-present, is smaller. In addition, the months of June through September are considered the “dry season,” although humidity is high all year long.
During the dry season, it is also easier to spot birds and animals as they congregate along the banks of the river to drink. The Amazon is home to more than 1,300 species of birds and thousands of species of animals and plants.
A visit to the Amazon can be a perfect way to begin or end your vacation in Peru. Life in the Amazon moves at a slow pace. And, access to the outside world via technology is not always readily available. “Disappearing” into the Amazon for a few days can be the perfect way to disconnect and decompress.
Interested in decompressing in the Amazon, check out our Amazon to Machu Picchu Tour?
Posted by Diane Valenti on Mon, Mar 25, 2013 @ 07:01 PM
When I first traveled to Peru, I felt this overwhelming desire to help. I wanted to give back to the people who had been so generous to me. In fact, I founded Llama Expeditions as a means to give back.
Below are 10 lessons I’ve learned about giving so that my efforts really make a difference
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Ask. Don't assume that you know what people need or want. I heard a story when I was hiking with llamas in the Lares Valley. About a month before, a trekker had given his fleece jacket to one of the local children along the trail. He thought the child, dressed in his traditional clothing, looked cold. The child’s parents were offended. They saw the gift as a slight, as if the trekker was implying that the traditional clothing in which they had dressed their child was inadequate.
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Patronize businesses that help. We make it a habit to patronize Heart's Cafe in Ollantaytambo. Living Heart is a non-profit organization that provides services to impoverished people living in the Andes. They have projects focused on helping with nutrition, education, health and sustainable agriculture. The profits from the Cafe go to helping fund the projects. You could also check out Pack for a Purpose. Drop off the school or personal hygiene supplies you pack at a participating hotel. We place our travelers at two hotels in Peru that work with Pack for a Purpose – Posada Amazonas and Hotel Antigua Miraflores.
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Support local businesses. This could mean choosing locally owned hotels over international chains and eating in locally owned restaurants. This helps improve the standard of living for the local people as your money stays within the community, doing good for the community. Even better, participate in community tourism by doing a home stay. This benefits local communities directly and it makes for an unforgettable vacation experience as you fully immerse yourself in a different culture.
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Buy handicrafts instead of handing out money. This cultivates a culture of entrepreneurship instead of a culture of begging. Sometimes buying handicrafts from children can be touchy. In some countries, if you buy handicrafts from children, you are encouraging their parents to keep them out of school. In other countries, school is not an option. So, buying handicrafts from children can help put food on the family table. If you are not sure, ask a local.
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Do your research. Make sure that the non-profit you want to support is in the business of empowering the communities with which they work instead of doing it for them. We work with the Center of Traditional Textiles of Cusco. They help communities in the Andes maintain and pass on their weaving traditions. The Center helps these communities to form cooperatives. They teach cooperative members about marketing and finance so in the end the community has a viable weaving business.
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Consider volunteering but carefully vet the organization first. Make sure the organization you volunteer with has a lasting positive impact on the community. Doctors Without Borders is a good example. If you are going to be reading to orphans or building a school, consider the long-term impact. What is the impact to those orphans of having so many people pass through their lives? Are you taking away a local job by building a school that locals could build? If you are considering voluntourism, read the Conde Naste article to learn about the possible unintended consequences of volunteering.
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Give goods instead of cash. Unless you are donating directly to a reputable non-profit, it is often better to give goods instead of cash. Toothbrushes, notebooks, pens, books in good condition can all be meaningful contributions. Cash can too easily disappear.
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Don't think you have to give a lot to make a difference. Depending on the country, you can spend $25 or $50 for supplies or equipment to make a real difference to a school or a clinic. Every drop in the bucket adds up.
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Prove your intentions are pure. If your itinerary involves spending time with local children for any length of time, expect to go through a background check. You might be a good person, but not everyone has an agenda that is so pure. Responsible tour operators will ask you to submit a background check for the protection of the children.
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Go on a philanthropic tour. The advantage is that the tour operator has done all the legwork for you and will incorporate many if not all of the suggestions above.
Interested in going philanthropic? Check out our guided tours to Peru.
Posted by Diane Valenti on Wed, Mar 20, 2013 @ 10:34 PM
If you are contemplating a trip to Peru this year, you should definitely consider including the Amazon rainforest on your itinerary. The Amazon is often overshadowed by Machu Picchu. But, it is a worthy destination all on its own.
Here are 7 cool things you can do on your vacation in the Amazon.
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Watch monkeys cavorting in the trees. You’ll need to rise early as much of this cavorting takes place around dawn. The good news is that the howler monkeys will make sure you are awake since they are the roosters of the jungle. In addition to monkeys, keep a look out for brightly colored parrots congregating at natural clay licks, anacondas slithering through the water, and sloths doing what they do best – mostly nothing. These are among the many species that you may encounter on a trip to the Amazon.
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Get a bird’s eye view from atop a canopy tower. Climbing to the top of a canopy tower allows you to see the jungle the way birds do – from the top down. Bring your binoculars for an up close seat to a spectacular show of birds flitting through the treetops.
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Play dentist to a piranha. Fish for piranha using a small hunk of raw meat as bait. Check out its sharp teeth, quite big for such a small fish, before you release it back into the lake.
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Learn about the origin of many of modern day medicines. Visit a garden of medicinal plants to learn about natural remedies that have been used for centuries in the Amazon. You’ll laugh when you see what the natural Viagra plant does.
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Treat your taste buds to succulent, locally grown, fresh-picked jungle fruit that you won't find at the market at home.
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Enjoy the cool breeze on your face as you travel by motorized canoe. This is a primary means of transportation in the jungle, and it is so much more relaxing than traveling by car. Plus, there is no traffic!
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Stretch out on a hammock and let the soothing sounds of nature lull you to sleep. Sometimes there is nothing like indulging in the luxury of an afternoon nap. A visit to the Amazon can be a great way to relax before or after your trip to Machu Picchu.
Want to add the Amazon to your Peru itinerary? Check out our Amazon to Machu Picchu tour!
Posted by Diane Valenti on Mon, Mar 18, 2013 @ 12:14 PM
Those are awfully big teeth for such a small fish, I thought. I was on an oxbow lake in the Peruvian Amazon fishing for piranhas. The fishing expedition was part of a tour to the Amazon and Machu Picchu.
The adventure had begun earlier that morning. My group had gamely risen at 4:00 a.m., the cries of the howler monkeys serving as our wake-up call.
The excursion to the oxbow lake involved a motorized canoe ride up the Madre de Dios River followed by a hike along a narrow path through the still dark rainforest. A flat-bottomed boat awaited us on the shores of the lake.
Once on the lake, we saw caimans lurking in the reeds and a family a playful river otters frolicking in the still water. Then, our tour guide patiently baited our hooks with bloody red meat. We dangled our lines in the water.
Suddenly, Peter, another member of our group, felt a distinct tug on his line. The guide helped him reel in the piranha. It was about the size of a sand dollar.
When she gently removed the hook from the piranha’s mouth, I got a good look at its teeth. They looked like the edge of a very sharp serrated knife, perfectly suited for devouring raw meat.
From that day on I stopped trailing my hand in the water when I canoed in the Amazon.
Want to see a piranha for yourself? Join us on our Amazon to Machu Picchu tour!
Posted by Diane Valenti on Sat, Dec 08, 2012 @ 01:59 PM
The first surprising thing you need to bring to Machu Picchu is a Ziploc bag! Why? The weather at Machu Picchu, as is true in mountains the world over, is quite unpredictable. It may be sunny when you board the bus for Machu Picchu in Aguas Calientes and raining cats and dogs by the time you arrive. A Ziploc bag is perfect for keeping your camera dry.
On one of my trips to Machu Picchu, a friend and I were trapped under a shelter for almost an hour as we waited out a torrential downpour. We were afraid to venture out because we didn’t want to get her video camera wet. Admittedly, a Ziploc bag is not the first thing you would think to pack, but it can be indispensable.
The second surprising thing is insect repellent. You might think that it is too cold for mosquitoes and other biting insects at Machu Picchu. Alas, this is not true. There are biting flies and mosquitoes. So, slather on that insect repellent and bring some extra in case you need more.
The third surprising thing is plenty of 1 sol coins. In order to use the bathroom, you need to pay 1 sol.
Other items you might consider adding to your packing list include:
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Sunblock, hat, and sunglasses to protect against the Andean sun. It is stronger than you think!
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Rain poncho. You’ll need this to deal with those unexpected rainstorms.
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Shoes with a non-skid sole. The surface of the paths through Machu Picchu are uneven and can be slippery when wet.
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Your camera.
One thing you can cross off your packing list is hiking poles. Hiking poles are not permitted in Machu Picchu. In fact, when I hiked the Inca Trail, I had to place my poles in a locker before I could go on the tour of Machu Picchu.
Planning to check Machu Picchu off your bucket list next year? Check out our Peru guided tours or contact us about organizing a private tour for you and your family and friends.
Posted by Diane Valenti on Thu, Dec 06, 2012 @ 01:46 PM
So many people have hiked the Inca Trail that it is easy to get lulled into a false sense of complacency. How hard could it possibly be if a 74-year-old grandmother can summit the feared Dead Woman’s Pass?
In spite of the numbers of people who have successfully completed the trek, the Inca Trail is plenty hard. Consider that you will hike a total of 26 miles, summit two mountain passes at nearly 14,000 feet each, and hike for up to 10 hours a day.
Not training properly for the Inca Trail can mean having a miserable experience where every muscle screams at you for the duration of the trek, or worse still, being forced to turn back after the first day.
Even if you hiked Kilimanjaro, you may not be adequately prepared for the challenge of the Inca Trail. Kilimanjaro is gradual. The Inca Trail is steep.
To understand the elevation changes, look at how the Sierra Club would rate the Inca Trail according to their grading system. Here is the Sierra Club system.
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Grade
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Elevation Gain
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1
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Up to 6 miles
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A
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Up to 1000 feet
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2
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6 to 10 miles
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B
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1000 to 2000 feet
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3
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10 to 15 miles
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C
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2000 to 3000 feet
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4
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15 to 20 miles
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D
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Over 3000 feet
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5
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Over 20 miles
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E
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Over 3,500 feet
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Now, here is how that system applies to the four- and five-day versions of the Inca Trail.
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Classic Inca Trail (4 days)
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Extended Inca Trail (5 days)
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1
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2B
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1
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1A
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2
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1E
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2
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1E
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3
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3B
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3
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2C
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4
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1A
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4
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2C
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5
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2A
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To help prepare for your once-in-a-lifetime trek on the Inca Trail, read our article Getting in Shape for the Inca Trai. Then, let us know when you are ready to reserve your space for this unforgettable pilgrimage to Machu Picchu.
See you at the top of Dead Woman’s Pass!
Posted by Diane Valenti on Fri, Nov 30, 2012 @ 12:14 PM
I looked up startled by the sudden sound of an avalanche cascading down the slope of a distant mountain. The shaman smiled. Apparently, the avalanche was a sign that the apus, or mountain gods, were accepting our offering.
I was high in the Peruvian Andes participating in a horseback trek that would cross the Salkantay Pass at over 15,000 feet before descending through a cloud forest and into the Amazon jungle. This was the first horseback trek of the year, so the outfitter had arranged for a shaman to make an offering to the apus to ensure a successful season.
The shaman and his assistant had arrived at our lodge the evening before the trek. They both wore Peruvian style hats and thick alpaca ponchos. I saw the sleeves of a modern Gore-Tex jacket peeking out from under the assistant’s poncho, though. A mix of ancient traditions with modern style is becoming more and more common as an increasing number of international tourists visit the area.
In the morning, we rode our horses to a trail that led to a glacier-fed lake. Since the trail to the lake was too steep and narrow for the horses, we dismounted and hiked the rest of the way.
As we crested the hill, a Caribbean-blue lake came into view surrounded by glacier-iced mountains. The shaman and his assistant waited for us on the shore.
I sat on a flat rock and watched as they prepared the offering. The shaman spread a colorful cloth on the ground to serve as an altar. He then placed a white piece of paper on top of this altar. Both the shaman and his assistant then removed several meticulously wrapped packages from beneath their voluminous ponchos. As they unwrapped each package, I saw several objects such as coca leaves, corn, cookies, shells, and beads. The shaman placed each object precisely on the white paper.
The shaman then circled the individual offerings with cotton that represented clouds and carefully folded the cloth over the entire offering. He rose slowly and went to each of us in turn, bowing low to offer individual blessings.
As the shaman finished the blessings, our guide pointed to three Andean condors circling above. Shamans believe birds are messengers. So, hopefully the birds’ presence boded well for the success of the season.
The shaman and his assistant gathered the cloth-wrapped offering and made their way to a stack of brittle kindling beside a large rock. They quickly started a fire and reverently placed the offering in the flames.
As we rode back to the lodge, I reflected at how deeply connected to nature the offering made me feel.
Interested in arranging a ceremony (pago a la tierra) in the Andes? Contact us at info@llamaexpeditions.com for more information.
Posted by Diane Valenti on Tue, Nov 27, 2012 @ 01:38 PM
Shamanism goes back thousands of years in Peru. Shamans serve as mediators between the spiritual and material worlds. They use their abilities to predict the future, heal physical or emotional illnesses, interpret dreams, seek good fortune, or avert bad luck.
Objects used in offerings are particular to each shaman. Shamans usually collect these objects over their lifetime. The objects have both a personal and cultural meaning. They often combine both Christian symbols and Peruvian symbols, such as the coca leaf, food, and nature.
Coca, in particular, has deep spiritual significance—it is thought to bring men and women into harmony and promote solidarity with the self, others, and the natural spiritual world. So, shamans commonly use it in offerings.
Stones also have special significance. The elements have uniquely shaped stones, so shamans believe stones have accrued power through their experiences and relationships. Stones work to gather wisdom, strength, and action towards the goal of the ceremony.
In Peruvian shamanism, each object is not directly tied to a specific meaning. Rather each object is a kind of touchstone to the spiritual side of reality. In fact, the meaning of objects can even change over time.
The placement of objects on the altar, or mesa, usually follows a specific pattern. The right side is considered the “field of justice.” The shaman places objects that symbolize divine will here. The left side represents the “field of will.” The shaman places objects that symbolize individual desires here. The middle is the “area of healing.” The shaman places objects that represent the nature of the healing here.
Shamanic ceremonies may take place inside or outside. Sometimes the ceremonies are done at special locations. Other times they are done at the client’s house.
Shamanic offerings also differ based on local customs. Some may involve hallucinogenic plants such as ayahuasca (an ancient recipe of plant liquids) or the San Pedro cactus. In these rituals, the person who wants to be healed drinks the hallucinogenic substance. The shaman then guides him or her through a spiritual journey that may include visions and vomiting of bad spirits, energies, or burdens.
Machu Picchu is one of the most powerful places to make a shamanic offering. Llama Expeditions can include a shamanic offering as a part of your custom Peru tour.
Posted by Diane Valenti on Fri, Nov 23, 2012 @ 12:04 PM
I recently met a friend for tea who I hadn’t seen in a number of years. When I suggested she travel with us at Llama Expeditions to Peru, she was worried. Like many people, she wondered if it was safe to vacation in Peru.
It seems like everyone thinks everyone else’s country is dangerous. It makes sense. When we travel to a foreign country, we lack the cultural awareness to instinctively recognize signs of danger.
This doesn’t mean you have to stay home, though. Here are 10 tips that I’ve used to stay safe on my numerous scouting trips to Peru:
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Watch your things. Don’t hang your purse or backpack on the back of your chair or place it on the floor under your seat no matter how nice the restaurant.
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Don’t dress for success. Leave expensive jewelry and other signs of wealth at home.
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Use caution when crossing the street. In Peru, drivers have the right of way, not pedestrians.
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Use registered taxis whenever possible. At the airport in Lima, registered taxi drivers wear a green placard around their necks. On the street, look for taxis with a fixed sign on the roof and/or a sticker in the window from Setame. Setame is the authority that regulates taxis. Your hotel can also help you flag down registered taxis.
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Leave anything you don’t need during the day in your hotel room’s safe. This includes cash, credit and debit cards, and ATM cards.
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Place cash and other valuables in various inside pockets. You can also stuff a wad of Kleenex in your pocket on top of your cash to thwart pickpockets.
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Avoid changing money on the street. During my last trip to Peru, a Peruvian friend did this and ended up with a fistful of counterfeit Peruvian soles.
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Don’t party to oblivion in nightclubs. Do I need to say more?
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If you need to travel by bus, research bus companies. The Peruvian Ministry of Transportation publishes bus company safety rankings and the US State Department lists approved bus companies.
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Stay away from strikes and protests. Peruvians have protested about the price of food, mining pollution, and the proposed move of a popular market. It is not unusual for these protests to turn violent. If your tour operator rearranges your itinerary, this is because your safety is a priority. If you are not on a tour, ask hotel staff for advice on where the hot spots are likely to be so you can steer clear.
To learn more about safety in Peru, review:
Ready to explore what Peru has to offer? Check out our tours to Machu Picchu, one of the seven wonders of the world!