We're considering taking Trafalgar's Land of the Inca tour. Has anyone taken it? If so, how was it?

I've been asking, but no response from anyone. I want to do the tour next March/April.

I have taken a similar trip excluding the Nazca Lines and Ballestas Islands excursion and was very satisfied with the 17 day Highlights of South America trip back in 2007.

I have commented on the altitude sickness that I had at Lake Titicaca but the trip was beautiful. You will love seeing Macnu Picchu.

Ohai!

I was wondering what your impression was of Lima. I would travel there solo (female) and I always go a day early. Do you think I'd have any problems spending a day in Lima by myself? Is it safe to walk around, shop near the hotel etc? Anything you found particularly unsafe?

I'm not worried about after the tour begins. Just that first day.

Oh...and did you find a common thread among those who suffered altitude sickness or did it hit all sorts?

Thanks! So nice to hear from someone who has been there with Trafalgar.

B. Hogan,

I hope you do a Tour Tale once you return.
There is very little info available from people who have done these trips.

Enjoy!!

I am guilty of not writing tour tales yet at the same time deriving benefits from reading those of other BBers.

I traveled as a solo female and was terrified of flying into Lima by myself as my flight was scheduled to land around 11pm.
Fortunately a former supervisor had just taken the same flight arriving from Miami on offical US Business with a special passport identified as an employee of the federal government.

She told me not to worry that all the individuals apparently that were going to Lima were all coming from the US on the same flight. When I arrived in Miami I asked just about every one that looked like a tourist if they might be on my Trafalgar tour.

It turned out that none of the 26 other mates were on my flight.

I had a spanish speaking friend call the company providing the transfer from the airport to the hotel and confirm that someone would be waiting for me at that hour. It was dark outside and my former supervisor said she would take one of the taxis available inside the airport as opposed to going outside to find a taxi. I had Traralgar's rep pick me up and as we left the airport I really felt that I had just come to visit an impoverished country.

I have traveled to Mexico before and China back in 1985 but I was always with a group at all times. China has changed much since 1985.

I visited Jordan and Israel back in 2005 and felt more at ease in these countries than my initial impression of Peru from the airport.

It got better the further we got into the actual city of Lima. I believe Lima to be safer than walking around Rio de Janero.

As far as altitude sickness. I guess it affects all a little differntly. I wish I had received an RX from my doc prior to my visit to Bolivia.

Hope this helps. My time is limited and I am sorry about not writing a trip tale from my 2007 trip.

Yeah, any choices of flights for me all arrive after midnight as well, so it's good to know the transfer is reliable. Also good to know I can walk around Lima no problem. I've heard a lot of not-so-good things about Rio. Have to wonder how the Olympics will affect it.

Thanks for taking the time to answer the questions. The safety of Lima itself is my biggest concern, so if I can keep myself safely occupied for that first day, the rest of the trip should go like clockwork. I will most certainly ask my doc for an Rx for the altitude as well!

Chech,

You shouldn't have to worry about walking around at all near the hotel area. I have read on this BB that in some other country's one had to be extra careful but Peru, although I don't know their crime stats seemed safe within the city limits.

It might even be safe outside of the limits. It was just the lower economic standard of living was hard for me to take. Again, I had travelled to third world countries earlier in my travels but this just awoke me as I was leaving that airport.

Thanks! Anything outside the city will be with the tour. Looking forward to seeing it sometime next year!

Oh, South America, wishing I was back.