Real South America Blog

The Top 5 Travel Mistakes In Machu Picchu Peru

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:44:34 +0000

For such a well-worn travel destination, it’s surprisingly easy to make some pretty simple mistakes when planning a a travel to Machu Picchu thanks to confusing transportation schedules, conflicting advice, and what we like to call “Peru time.” There’s also been a lot of misinformation out there after last summer’s devastating floods, but the UNESCO World Heritage Site is now back open for visits from the public, and rest assured that it looks as breathtaking as ever.

Based on our recent visit to the lost city of the Inca, we’ve compiled this handy Jaunted guide of What Not To Do In Machu Picchu: The Top 5 Tourist Mistakes. Buena suerte!.

5. Don’t acclimate in Cusco
Face it, everywhere around Machu Picchu is high-altitude, and the dangers of altitude sickness, or soroche as it’s called in Peru, are real. No matter how good of shape you’re in, you’ll be huffing and puffing as you hike among the ruins, and you might get a slight headache. That’s why a lot of travel guides and tour companies suggest spending a day or two in Cusco acclimating to the thin air. We think that’s a mistake for a few reasons, however.

First, Cusco is at a lung-popping elevation of 3,400 meters, or 11,500 feet, while Machu Picchu is almost a kilometer lower at 2,430 meters, or just under 8,000 feet. They’re both still pretty high, but we’re fans of gradual change, so that’s why after our flight to Cusco, we continued straight on to Machu Picchu and were no worse for wear. Then, when we returned to Cusco a few days later, we acclimated to the even higher altitude much easier. No lightheadedness, no trouble breathing, no headaches.

The story is different if you plan to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu—then you definitely need to acclimate in Cusco. But if you’re just taking the train, one of the reasons people suggest waiting to go to Machu Picchu is the difficulty arranging transport to the ruins immediately from the airport, but there are plenty of options like…

The view from the Backpacker Train of the river that caused all those flooding problems recently

4. Don’t take the train all the way from Cusco
It might seem like the simplest way to go, but it’s a huge mistake to take PeruRail or IncaRail all the way from Cusco. Not only because parts of the tracks still haven’t been repaired from the flood damage from last summer (we hear that getting to and from the town of Poroy on the route is nearly impossible), but because even once the lines are back up and running full steam, it takes a lot longer than hopping on a bus or taxi to the town of Ollytatambo in the Sacred Valley and taking the train from there. The taxi ride costs about $20 (the bus is even less at around $5) and takes just under 90 minutes as opposed to the 2.5 hours we hear the train can run.

3. Don’t take the Vistadome train
Unless you’re dishing out hundreds of dollars for the first-class service on the luxury Hiram Bingham, you’ll be taking either the Vistadome or Backpacker train to the town of Machu Picchu. The Vistadome is nicer in several respects: it has fewer seats, there’s just one intimate car, they serve little snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, and the windows in the roof that give the train its name really do give you great views of the surrounding countryside.

However, it costs almost $50 more than the regular old Backpacker Train, which gets you to Machu Picchu just as fast. The cars (there are usually 4 or so on the train) are all self-contained, so you won’t have to worry about people roaming up and down the aisles. There are plenty of windows for you to snap photos from, and there’s still full luggage service so all your things make it to Machu Picchu with you. The only real drawback is that there are no snacks or drinks for sale, so you need to bring something with you, though the ride is just 90 minutes. And with the $50 you save, you can go out for a nice dinner once you arrive.

Inside the Backpacker Train

2. Don’t think the staying at the Sanctuary Lodge is the only option for catching sunrise at Machu Picchu.
We’re not discouraging you from staying at this gorgeous Orient-Express property if you want to. It is in an unparalleled setting right outside the main gate to Machu Picchu, with beautiful rooms and an excellent restaurant. It’s just that it can be impossible to get a reservation at the small hotel without booking months and months in advance, and when you do, you’ll be paying several hundred dollars a night as a premium. That’s because the hotel, and many guides, bill a stay at the property as essential to getting into Machu Picchu ahead of the crowds. Based on our recent experience, though, that’s not the case.

Instead, we stayed at the newest five-star luxury property in the town of Machu Picchu down at the base of the mountain—the more moderately priced Sumaq Hotel—and the following morning, we were able to catch a bus up to the ruins at 5:30am sharp, and were among the first wandering amongst the ruins.

Inside our room at the Sumaq Hotel

1. Don’t plan on paying by credit card
Luckily we were told before we arrived in Machu Picchu that we’d need to pay for our transportation from Cusco and our entrance tickets to the ruins in cash—either American dollars or Peruvian soles. That rang up to almost $150 in cash, so be sure your checking account is up to the strain, and that you can pull out the money in Cusco before hitting the tracks to Machu Picchu, because once you’re there, there’s no way to take out money to pay for your tickets, and the guards at the gate aren’t exactly friendly or understanding.

We know we’ve already given you five things to think about, but here are a few more quick tips on what not to forget for your time at Machu Picchu:

Cusco might be a high desert, but Machu Picchu is definitely a sub-tropical jungle, meaning it can get very cold at night but downright steamy during the days. So don’t forget to pile on the layers for your day at the ruins. Also, don’t forget: sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and comfortable shoes (the ground is uneven and cobblestoned).

There are no concessions within the park, and the snack stand outside the gate is a rip off, so pack a bottle of water and a little snack if you need one because you don’t want to have to keep hiking back and forth to the entrance.

Perhaps most importantly: remember how we told you to bring cash? That includes to the ruins themselves, because it costs you a sole each time you use the bathroom, and no matter how hard you beg (or how gracefully you do the pee pee dance), the attendants will not let you in without handing over a shiny coin.

[All photos: Eric Rosen for Jaunted]

Eric Rosen traveled to Machu Picchu courtesy of PromPeru, but all opinions expressed are his own.

Source: http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/7/14/04049/6995/travel/What+Not+To+Do+In+Machu+Picchu%3A+The+Top+5+Tourist+Mistakes

Flights from Sydney to Rio de Janeiro via Buenos Aires

admin — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:56:52 +0000

From Sydney to Rio de Janeiro via Buenos Aires

Aerolineas Argentinas has a fare to Rio of about $2090 lowseason return from Sydney, including tax, flying via Auckland to travel Buenos Aires (17hr including transit time), then to Rio (3hr). Melbourne passengers pay about $100 more and fly Qantas to Sydney to connect. Australians require a visa for Brazil, which must be obtained before arrival.

Get a Tailor Made Quote!

Travel South American and Antarctica Cruises

admin — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:38:57 +0000

When most people dream of a cruise travel adventure, they think of an island cruise in some far-off tropical locale. Others, however, have an South America and Antarctica cruises on their minds.

Sailing to Antarctica is perhaps one of the most offbeat travel imaginable. Earth’s southernmost continent is also one of the most inhospitable. In fact no one actually lives on Antarctica, although several thousand scientists visit each year and temporarily reside at various Antarctica research stations.

Instead, it’s the sheer beauty of exclusive Antarctica and the amazing animals – penguins, seals, whales, and sea birds – that live here that lure so many tourists.

When planning an Antarctica cruise, it’s imperative that travelers remember that the seasons are opposite in the southern hemisphere so the summer cruise season is actually from November through March.

Five Reasons You Should Visit Argentina – We love Argentina

admin — Sat, 15 May 2010 18:00:22 +0000

You can find everything that can make you fall in love with a large, elongated country in the southern part of South America.

Argentina, the beautiful country of Gauchos, Mate, Asado, Tango, Pampas, and Dulce de leche. It is one of the beautiful jewels of travel in Latin America.

One of top travel destinations to Travel South America, Argentina is known for its treasures of pleasures, stunning natural marvels, elegant capital offering European-flavored sophistication, fantastic culture, and typical Argentinean cuisine that dishes out big steaks of the best meat of the world. It is the country where both Europeans and North Americans feel home. Certainly, there are numerous reasons to visit Argentina, but here are top 5 reasons for you.

Know Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. Buenos Aires is famous for its cultural & architectural heritage, urban life, shopping centers café society, clubs, vibrant nightlife, and Tango, which was born in the neighborhood of San Telmo and La Boca. The highlights of the city include the old bohemian neighborhood of San Telmo with its cobblestone streets and Recoleta Cemetery with its ornate mausoleums, among which is the burial place of Evita.

See The Devil’s Throat

Iguazu Falls make Niagara look like a spigot leak. The 270 semi-circle of over two hundred individual falls spans the borders of Argentina and Brazil. They have been in Bond movies and more recently took a step down and appeared in Miami Vice (they must need money). Some people are saying that they could run dry within fifty years, so now is definitely a time to be driven under the chutes in a motorboat, as if it there is ever a bad time for that.

Eat the Best Beef in the World.

Maybe Japanese Kobe beef tastes better once in a while. After all, when a cow is getting massaged daily and fed high grade roughage and given beer to drink it is going to be happy and happy things are more delicious than sad. Unfortunately, when cattle are treated like royalty they become quite expensive in the afterlife as well. Argentine beef on the other hand lives the good life, but aren’t spoiled. You don’t enjoy it because you spite them. The fact they are open range combined with the incredible skill of the asadores means you can eat a thick steak at a nice restaurant for the price a warm keg beer at a local Irish pub in States.

Feel Glaciers and Andes Treck

- Glaciers National Park, situated in the Province of Santa Cruz in the Argentina Patagonia, is a UNESCO Natural Heritage site. It has a gorgeous landscape that covers up over 1,482,000 acres of land. Its main attraction is the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier that stands 262 ft tall and is 3.1miles long. Other glaciers include Spegazzini, Upsala and Onelli, surrounded by the Onelli and Bertrand mountains. The park also includes Lake Argentino, Lake Viedma, and the Fitz Roy Mountain.

See Culture and Theatres

Colón Theatre (Spanish: Teatro Colón) in Buenos Aires is one of the most famous opera houses in the world. Located in 9 de Julio Avenue, has hosted some of the most famous performances. Opened in 1908, Teatro Colón has 2,367 seats, standing room for 1,000 and a stage which is 20 m wide, 15 m high and 20 m deep. It houses one of the most extensive costume collections on the planet.

Top 10 Picks for a Tour of South America

admin — Mon, 10 May 2010 00:24:19 +0000

Whether you want a family travel vacation, luxury tour or a honeymoon, Travel South America is one of the favorite and popular aussies tourist destinations. Of course, with its unique culture and wonderful beaches, it is no wonder that people keep coming back. Here are the 10 picks that will give you a good experience.

1.) The Best of Tango and Buenos Aires

If you are travelling in Argentina, be sure to spend the vacation in Buenos Aires. You can get tours of the capital wherein you will get to see the famous Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada, Cabildo, and the City Hall. A visit to the Palermo is also a must-see as well as the Colon Theater, Buenos Aires’ famous opera house.

2.) Copacabana Days and Nights

This is another must-go-to place in Bolivia, South America. Experience what it feels like to be a local of this magical place as you wake up to its wonderful sunrise. Remember to visit the Sun Island also and drink from its Sacred Spring. It is said that this spring is a source of eternal life.

3.) Life and Carnival in Rio de Janeiro

Of course, if you are in Brazil, your top pick will always Rio de Janeiro, a romantic place featured in countless movies and novels. Enjoy its beaches and the wonderful warm sun. At night, you will also get to enjoy its nightlife amidst fun, wine, laughter, and dancing.

4.) Mysterious Easter Island (Chile)

Chile has the mysterious Easter Island to boast of. This is a place full of mysteries because of its huge stone-faced statues that seems to be guarding the island. Get to visit also Ahu Tongariki, the island’s biggest platform, to enjoy the view of the vast openness of the sea.

5.) Tranquility of Galapagos Island

You can explore Galapagos Island of Ecuador by going on a cruise. But, of course, once you arrived at the island, you should explore it first to experience firsthand its culture, people and food. On the cruise, you will be taken to the tiny islands where sea lions bask under the sun.

6.) Asuncion, Paraguay

This is the capital city of Paraguay and offers a lot to the tourists. They can visit the many plazas and parks the city has to offer, enjoying the influence of the Colonial Spanish era. In the city, you can also visit the Botanical Gardens and a small zoo where you can see a lot of its local floras and faunas.

7.) Cartagena’s Allure

Colombia’s Cartagena is one of the popular destination spots of the country and is fast becoming the most popular. What make it attractive to visitors are its majestic beaches like Boca Grande Beach and little islands like Rosario Islands. In this little island, one can go snorkeling and diving or just plain swimming and enjoying the sun.

8.) Lima, The City of the Kinds

True to its name, Lima does seem like the city of the kings with its wonderful Amazon Rain Forest sheltering its varied faunas and floras. Enjoy your walk in Cuzco’s streets and sample its native foods. It is also a wonderful idea to visit the historical and archeological sites like temples of its native inhabitants of long ago.

9.) Caracas of Venezuela

This is a historical Venezuelan city that anybody can be proud of visiting. In this wonderful place, get to visit the Pantheon, the place where Bolivar lies, and enjoy walking through its Spanish-influenced streets. The city also has a museum where you can get to know more about the history of the place, stores where you can buy your souvenirs and wonderful cafes where you can enjoy Venezuela’s cooking style and unique tastes.

10.) Heavenly Punta Del Este

Who is to say that Uruguay’s beaches cannot top that of Hawaii’s? Punta Del Este is one of the beaches that this country boasts of and is its resort city. Here, you can explore Punta Del Este and meet its local citizens and immerse yourself in their culture.

Top 5 Luxury Hotels in South America

admin — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:12:47 +0000

Real South America is your concierge for the best hotels and resorts in Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Central America and Latin America.

In this day and age it’s hard to find a good deal from a hotel. Traveling is supposed to be fun, relaxing and memory-making for you and your family.

Top 5 Luxury Hotels in South America

1- Fasano – Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Designed by the world renowned Philippe Starck and situated on Ipanema Beach, one of Rio and the world’s most desirable locations, this magnificent hotel is the place to be seen in. Everything about this residence from the magnificent Fasano Al-Mare restaurant to the rooms is stunning and Starck’s influence is clear with a blend of modern-retro, stone, wood and light throughout. There is also an amazing fitness centre, rooftop pool and an exclusive bar making this the place to be see in Rio.

2 – Llao Llao Hotel & Resort – Bariloche

The Llao Llao is one of the most respected hotels in Argentina, and is a traditional image of lodging in Bariloche, in the Lake District of Patagonia. Located in the Nahuel Huapi National Park, Llao Llao, Province of Río Negro, Patagonia, the hotel is overlooking the Moreno and Nahuel Huapi Lakes. Designed by famous architect Alejandro Bustillo in 1939, this hotel also has an 18-hole golf course.

As you would imagine, the service is top notch and sets a model to follow for other hotels in the area. The 159-room hotel has a range of activities available, though you might also want to just relax and enjoy the scenery or the comfortable accommodations. The Llao Llao is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, but maintains its traditional style and character.

3- Hotel Paracas Libertador/Luxury Collection – Peru -
The Hotel Paracas is the most luxe of the resorts – with their own boats for trips to spot wildlife on the Islas Ballestas and a private jet to do flyovers of the Nazca Lines – and the most concerned with gastronomy. The hotel (& spa) has a Red Sea vibe with two story-whitewashed bungalows that blend into the desert landscape. While ocean is water is murky and the wind more suitable for kite and wind surfing, the pool scenes are more happening. Seafood and cocktails are free flowing – even poolside – and Rafael Piqueras, one of Lima’s top chefs, designed their restaurant menus. designed by Bernardo Fort-Brescia who designed the E-walk complex in Times Square and dozens of hotels all over the world.

4 -Posada de Mike Rapu - Easter Island, Chile

This Luxury Hotel is located on a hill in the Te Miro Oone area in the center of the island (27º09’ S and 109º 26’ W), and makes an excellent base for exploring this attractive and mysterious island which is home to a culture whose origins and evolution remain unexplained. Volcanic rock, native to the island and always used by the island’s inhabitants in construction, and wood from the mainland, are the principal materials that have been used to build the hotel. The hotel has 30 guestrooms, a pool, massage salon and open-air Jacuzzis.

The Mantra – Punta Del Este

Mediterranean Style Resort In La Barra Nestled On A Hilltop Amongst The Trees, With Views Over The Atlantic Ocean And The Holiday Town Of Punta Del Este. Amenities Include A World Class 2,500 Square meter Spa With The Best Treatments From Around The World To Ensure Personal Balance, Technologically Advanced Conference Center As Well As A Luxurious Casino. With Relaxed And Personal Service, the hotel is Ideal Year-round For Business Or Pleasure.

Travel train to Machu Picchu reopened

admin — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 09:29:49 +0000

USA actress Susan Sarandon joined hundreds of travelers on the train to the Inca site Machu Picchu, Peru’s main tourist attraction, which has been formally reopened after two months of repairs.

A 40-kilometre stretch of the rail system was opened on Monday. But from the nearest city of Cuzco, travelers will have to go some 70 kilometres by bus.

Sarandon was among the many foreign travellers who took part in the reopening day activities.

Machu Picchu was closed for two months in a major blow to the South American nation’s tourism receipts, after a devastating storm that killed seven people.

At the time, some 3500 people had to be evacuated from the ancient citadel by air when rains battered the country in late January.

The 15th-century city perched around 2500 metres above sea level is the most visited site in South America, a pillar of the Cuzco region and the source of 90 percent of Peru’s tourist revenues, according to the country’s finance ministry.

The railway was damaged in hundreds of places by flooding and landslides prompted by the rains.

Travel to Peru with us: Travel South America by Real South America

Inti Raymi Festival 2010 – Footsteps Of The Incas

admin — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:58:46 +0000

Cuzco is considered by many to be the most impressive old city in the South America to travel.

Travel to Machu Picchu is often called the 8th wonder of the world. Cuzco was the center of the Inca Empire, which extended to present day Peru, Andes´s Chile, Ande´s Argentina, Ecuador and Bolivia; and its buildings reflect the power of that great empire. After experiencing the grandeur of Cuzco, you will hike the Inca Trail, a journey that gives hiking a whole new meaning. You do not have to be an expert in order to enjoy this expedition to the lost city. Many hikers consider this trail to be the most beautiful in the world. If you have ever felt like hiking in a heavenly place, this is your chance! Your final destination – Machu Picchu – is not only breathtaking but awe inspiring.

Both Machu Picchu and Cuzco are awe inspiring, and you have the chance to explore them accompanied by an expert guide and your group tour companions! You will also have the opportunity to participate in the Inti Raymi celebration, or the Inca Festival of the Sun.

The Incas would celebrate Inti Raymi on the day of Peru’s winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, as a way of calling the Sun god back to Cuzco. Now, you and your traveling companions can participate in the reenactment of this great Inca ritual.

Download Itinerary Outline - Footsteps of the Incas Inti_Raymi Festival

Tailor Made Travels to South America

admin — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 15:35:06 +0000

The Tailor made Travel to South America making Process

Throughout our brochure and this web, we offer suggestions of itineraries, places to travel and to visit, providing an idea of prices for you to consider as a whole and become acquainted with the routes and the range of possibilities available.

• Preparation

Initially we will analyse your requirements, our Travel Specialists will put forward suggestions to leave “no stone unturned.” They will examine your priorities and interests in order to become acquainted with the kind of journey that you are looking for.

• Our Knowledge & Suggestions

Our Specialist Consultants travel regularly to South America to obtain first hand knowledge of the hotels, infrastructure and destinations that you will be visiting. They can offer invaluable advice and suggestions for things to see and do while you are there.

• Tailor-made Route & Quotation

We will then prepare a detailed itinerary proposal for you to consider together with a total cost for the services listed: hotels, flights, guides, excursions, transport or cruises. Everywhere we provide English Speaking Guides who will collect you at the airport with our Identity Sign, provide local data and support, take you to the hotel, on excursions, to fights.

Tour Operators and Travel Agencies for South American Travel

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:25:12 +0000

Travel Agencias and Tour Operators offer specialized tours, tour operators, discount travel, and related touring resources.

Is important for an agencies offers tours to multiple travel destinations. Be sure to check the touring opportunities for the cities and regions of the country you are planning to travel.

Bon Voyage to South America!