Post #1 of 17: Why Peru in the rainy season?

January 28 - February 11, 2011

For years, my husband, Hoyt, has dreamt of visiting Machu Picchu, an old lost Incan city in the Andes Mountains of Peru, South America.  For this trip we also incorporated visits to Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and the Amazon Jungle.  I discovered this would be the most challenging yet of our many travel adventures.  We would be going during the rainy season - not our top choice, but one we enjoyed nonetheless.

Why go in the rainy season?   

Try # 1:  A year ago, March 2010 (supposedly the end of the rains) we were all set to go but the weather nixed it.  Two months prior to departure, terrible floods washed out land around and under the trains that haul adventurers to Machu Picchu. Helicopters airlifted tourists off the mountain.  CNN’s January 28, 2010 report read:

“Heavy rain unleashed mudslides that cut off roads and blocked a rail line between Cusco and Machu Picchu, leaving hundreds who came to visit the ruins trapped in Aguas Calientes [the town at the base of Machu Picchu] or on the nearby Inca Trail.  Helicopter evacuations have been launched. Peruvian officials said nearly 600 people were evacuated Wednesday and they hope to airlift out between 800 and 1,000 more on Thursday.  Authorities have estimated that 10,000 people have been affected by the rain and 2,000 homes were ruined in and around Machu Picchu. News reports said at least seven deaths have been reported.” Machu Picchu report

Try #2:  That first try unnerved us, but several months later the American travel company, Detour Destinations, (not the most reassuring name but they lined us up with Andean Adventures) claimed that all repairs had been made.  Trusting it was safe to go, we rescheduled for June 2010.  But then in June, due to personal reasons at home, we had to postpone again.  Was this meant to be? 

Try #3:  Finally, almost a year later, we left January 28th and safely returned February 7th.  We flew from Orlando to Miami to Lima.  After an overnight there, we flew to Cusco and embarked on our long-awaited adventure.

Tour company: Our tour was conducted by very knowledgeable Andean Adventures guides and daring but safe drivers, boat captains, and canoe rowers (in the jungle). Andean Adventures

Itinerary:  Our detailed 10-day Andean Adventure tour itinerary is nicely described here: 10 Days in Peru: Cusco, Machu Picchu, Tambopata.




Charlene Edge at Cusco's airport - so where is that dependable driver?

  Recommended reading:

1. Discovery Channel Insight Guides, Peru. 2008.
2. The Machu Picchu Guidebook: A Self Guided Tour by Ruth M Wright & Dr. Alfredo Valencia Zegarra. 2004.
3. American Chica by Marie Arana. A touching memoir about cultural identity issues including part of the story about the bygone corrupt rubber industry in Peru.

Travel tip:  For this varied itinerary, pack light.  We each took a small carry-on sized suitcase (in photo) and a backpack.  Layered for cold Cusco.  Unlayered for hot Amazon.

Post #2:  Cusco city tour