Empire of the Incas, March 2016

Anyone going on the March 30, 2016, trip to Peru?
My wife and I are going down a day early to sightsee in Lima. This is our first trip to South America. Has anybody else been to SA and when?

Comments

  • edited January 2016
    My wife and I are scheduled for the March 30 tour as well. We have been to SA before, however, on the eastern coast (Buenos Aires, Uruquay, Falklands, and then Chile) and enjoyed the countries immensely! People are very nice and happy to see you and of course, the food is excellent. Be sure and keep your wallets and any valuables in your front pockets and wear inexpensive jewelry. We were with a couple in Buenos Aires and she had an inexpensive necklace (glittering but not gold) and she was knocked down and had necklace ripped from her neck. Like any large city, one must be alert. I am sure we will all have a wonderful time. Capt Bligh
  • We did Empire of Incas trip in October 2014 and loved every minute of our journey. We spent an extra 2 days on our own in Lima and enjoyed the area walking everywhere. Don't know if trip still uses JWMarriott in Lima, but it was excellent hotel for location and excellent views.
  • TRAVELAM28 wrote:
    We did Empire of Incas trip in October 2014 and loved every minute of our journey. We spent an extra 2 days on our own in Lima and enjoyed the area walking everywhere. Don't know if trip still uses JWMarriott in Lima, but it was excellent hotel for location and excellent views.


    We are going down a day early to sightsee in Lima. What would you recommend we see?
    Also staying an extra day In La Paz.

    Truck uses Belmond Miraflores Park in Lima. It looks within walking distance to a large shopping area by the ocean.

    Do you remember when you took the boat to Taquille Island and the Quechua families were weaving beautiful cloths (noted in Taucks Travel Book) that they wear. Are they selling any garments they weave and if so, do you remember the price? I have watched UTube and the cloths are beautiful.

    Any suggestions where to buy the best souvenirs, Lima or in the small villages.

    Thanks for your help.
    Les
  • My wife and I are scheduled for the March 30 tour as well. We have been to SA before, however, on the eastern coast (Buenos Aires, Uruquay, Falklands, and then Chile) and enjoyed the countries immensely! People are very nice and happy to see you and of course, the food is excellent. Be sure and keep your wallets and any valuables in your front pockets and wear inexpensive jewelry. We were with a couple in Buenos Aires and she had an inexpensive necklace (glittering but not gold) and she was knocked down and had necklace ripped from her neck. Like any large city, one must be alert. I am sure we will all have a wonderful time. Capt Bligh

    My wife and I have traveled to Europe and South Africa and that's when I take my $11.00 Target watch and my wife wears no jewelry. Never look high dollar.

    I've been brushing up on my Spanish so I can speak a little of the lingo. I took Spanish in college but that was 50 years ago. Obviously, we are retired.

    We arrive in Lima on Friday, March 29, at 8:31pm from Miami. Our home is Collierville, TN. Look forward to meeting you. Where do you live?
  • Les1969 wrote:
    Anyone going on the March 30, 2016, trip to Peru?
    My wife and I are going down a day early to sightsee in Lima. This is our first trip to South America. Has anybody else been to SA and when?

    I was in Peru in September 2015. Before leaving for Machu Picchu we stayed on the Pacific Coast in the Miraflores area of Lima for a few days. Beautiful. Must see the Old City and the Catacombs. We went to the Larco Museum (Pre-Columbian) and had lunch there. Also visited MATE Museo Mario Testino in Barranco (near Miraflores). Loved Lima!
  • In answer to where I am from; it is Ohio. Anyone worried about the zika virus even for non-pregnant individuals? Remember to bring permertherin type bug repellant (not deet) since other mosquito-born diseases are prevelant in SA in the Caribbean areas-dengue and chikugunya.
  • edited February 2016
    In answer to where I am from; it is Ohio. Anyone worried about the zika virus even for non-pregnant individuals? Remember to bring permertherin type bug repellant (not deet) since other mosquito-born diseases are prevelant in SA in the Caribbean areas-dengue and chikugunya.

    As far as I am aware, Permethrin is an insecticide that specifically should not be sprayed directly on the skin or inhaled. It is used for spraying onto clothing using precautions like a mask to prevent inhalation and avoiding it going onto the skin. Once the spray is dry, it is considered a more stable and safe form. We often use this spray to treat our clothing before mosquito area trips. This can be done well in advance of the trip as it lasts through several washes. We use deet on exposed skin only on those trips too. Deet should not be sprayed on the skin and then covered with clothing. But why believe me, I am a stranger, that is why Tauck encourages individuals to seek health advice from qualified travel specialist doctors.
    Zika virus. Well for a start, the majority of Tauck female customers are beyond the reproductive age. The male customers, well they may be engaging in intimate relations with far younger women! So maybe condoms should be considered. Also, as I live in a state with very cold winters where there will be no mosquitoes if I travel now during the winter,so even if I contract Zika, there will be no mosquitoes to bite me and then pass it on to others, no I am not worried. The G. Barre syndrome is possibly linked but it is rare and I have only come across it myself once in about fifty years. There was also a famous British MP who had that, Tony Benn, many years ago, but he eventually fully recovered.
  • edited February 2016
    Here is what Tauck Emily posted on 1/29/2016 on the Patagonia Forum:


    "Hi There,

    Like you, we have been closely following the new regarding the Zika virus. From what we know right now, Zika is commanding worldwide attention because of the potential impact to pregnant women and in some cases to babies developing in the womb. In most people, symptoms of the virus are mild, including fever, headache, rash and possible pink eye. In fact, 80% of those infected never know they have the disease.

    The CDC recommends the following precautions when traveling to areas where cases of Zika have been identified.
    o Prevent Zika by avoiding mosquito bites.
    o When used as directed, insect repellents are safe and effective for everyone, including pregnant and nursing women.
    o Most insect repellents can be used on children.
    o Repellents containing DEET, provide long lasting protection.
    o If you use both sunscreen and insect repellent, apply the sunscreen first and then the repellent
    o Do not spray insect repellent on the skin under your clothing.
    o When weather permits, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
    o Use air conditioning or window/door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.

    Additional informational regarding the Zika virus can be found on the CDC website: www.CDC.gov/zika

    The safety and security of our guests and employees remain our highest priorities. At the current time, based on the information we have received, we will operate all upcoming departures as scheduled. We continue to monitor any developments and will provide an immediate update if there are changes.

    Hope this helps,
    Tauck Emily"

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