Prepare for Peru's Mystery

Jane Trombley's guide to traveling smart in a country that casts an exotic spell—from Amazonian jungle to 20,000-foot peaks.

Why Peru Calls

Peru offers a sense of daring enterprise that is reminiscent of "Indiana Jones." At its center is the real-life academic exploration of lost civilizations. The well-chronicled discovery of Machu Picchu in 1911 by Yale historian Hiram Bingham brought the famed Incan civilization to scholars, adventurers, and now tourists. From the Amazonian basin to 20,000-foot Andean peaks, Peru casts a mysterious, exotic spell. There is unmapped jungle, the world's deepest canyon, sand dunes, 1,500 miles of Pacific coastline—all in a country smaller than Alaska. And the practical advantage: minimal jet lag, with only a one to three-hour time difference from the U.S. mainland.

Why a Travel Professional Matters

The big question, especially in the age of wide-ranging Google searches and transparent Trip Advisor reviews, is whether a travel professional is really necessary. The answer, for a country like Peru with less developed tourist infrastructure, is yes. A knowledgeable tour company handles what you shouldn't have to: train tickets, local guides, time-sensitive admissions like Machu Picchu, hotel vetting, transportation, and on-the-ground support when things go awry. Yampu does all that, and more. What matters most is choosing a company that respects your independence—one that sorts the logistics while leaving you plenty of free time to roam on your own, explore neighborhoods like Barranco, and simply sit with a view. That's the difference between a tour and an experience.

Three Ways to Prepare

Start your Peru trip before you leave home. These strategies will ground you in local knowledge, practical details, and physical readiness.
Three Ways to Prepare

Ask Your Friends

Your own network is the most reliable place to start. Friends know your quirks, your taste, the way you live. When they recommend a restaurant in Lima or counsel you on altitude sickness remedies, you immediately know whether it's right for you. Their suggestions provide insight you won't find in reviews.

Research the Details

The internet answers specific questions: weather forecasts for Machu Picchu, altitude along your itinerary, vaccine requirements from the CDC, even what to expect climbing Huayna Picchu. These details matter. Know what you're walking into before you arrive.

Start Hydrating Now

Hydration must begin beforehand, not once you land in the mountains. If your itinerary winds through the Sacred Valley at elevations above 5,000 feet, start drinking 2 liters of water per day a week before departure. Your body will thank you.
Three Ways to Prepare

Ask Your Friends

Your own network is the most reliable place to start. Friends know your quirks, your taste, the way you live. When they recommend a restaurant in Lima or counsel you on altitude sickness remedies, you immediately know whether it's right for you. Their suggestions provide insight you won't find in reviews.

Research the Details

The internet answers specific questions: weather forecasts for Machu Picchu, altitude along your itinerary, vaccine requirements from the CDC, even what to expect climbing Huayna Picchu. These details matter. Know what you're walking into before you arrive.

Start Hydrating Now

Hydration must begin beforehand, not once you land in the mountains. If your itinerary winds through the Sacred Valley at elevations above 5,000 feet, start drinking 2 liters of water per day a week before departure. Your body will thank you.

Prepare Like a Pro

The tools and destinations that make Peru travel seamless—from altitude prep to Lima's art scene.

Altitude RX

Pedro de Osma Collection

MATE Museum

Barranco District

Before You Go

Essential facts to ground your Peru prep in reality, not assumptions.

  • Lake Titicaca sits at 12,500 feet

  • Check CDC travel health for Peru

  • Huayna Picchu: 1,000 feet straight up

Armchair Preparation: What to Read Before You Go

Begin your Peru journey long before you board the plane. Jane started her prep with literature—Peruvian authors, travel writers, magical stories, and fictional histories of the 1980s Marxist era—to unravel the country's diverse cultural, historic, and political currents. These readings shaped her assumptions about Peru, but travel itself will confirm or dispel them. That's the real education. Check out her full reading recommendations in Part I, and let the stories prepare you for what you'll actually encounter on the ground.

Begin Your Adventure

Peru awaits the prepared traveler

Plan Your Trip