The rich beautiful landscapes and snow peaked mountains makes Peru one of the best places to trek and hike. But there are a few things which you would wish you had known earlier would have made those tough moments easy and let you concentrate on the beauty. People usually make some common mistakes on their first solo trekking trip.
The 5 mistakes
- Not getting adapted to altitude
If you are trekking in Peru, the first and foremost thing you should consider is to get your system accustomed to high altitudes. People often tend to suffer from altitude sickness when they trek for the first time and should take medications and precautions.
- Not dressing in layers
Since the sun is stronger there, high SPF sunscreen is a necessity. As you go high up the mountain, you will face extreme temperatures. It is said that one may experience all the four seasons on a single day. For instance, freezing chill when you wake up, scorching sun and sweating during the day, sometimes rain, wind and cold nights. So it is best to dress in layers. One should take thermal base layers, Alpaca gloves, and hat, t-shirts, fleece and rain jacket for rain and wind while leaving the Llanganuco Mountain Lodge for trekking. During Trekking in Peru broken-in walking boots are must and light flip-flops for the evenings.
- Not staying hydrated and well fed
As you go exploring the mountain peaks, you sweat and your body loses a lot of fluid which leads to altitude sickness. Drinking lots of water and carrying sachets of hydration salts is the only solution to make up such fluid loss. Therefore, you should carry reusable bottles and oral hydration salts and should not forget to take snacks which provide energy and satisfy your hunger.
- Not carrying enough US dollars
You should be aware of the fact that credit cards are not accepted everywhere in Peru and ATMs may not be accessible. Even if it is accessible it is not advisable to use ATMs located on streets. ATMs inside buildings with guards are safe. Many outlets there only accept cash which has to be either US dollars or Peruvian soles. Before starting with your day’s adventure trip, carry cash sufficient for a day. Also, check exchange rates when you change US dollars to PEN to avoid getting scammed.
- Not using local buses and official transportation from the airport
If you avail local buses, it will be reasonable as compared to tourist buses. Though at the airport taxi and bus companies are available, some might not be reputable and some may overcharge. Therefore, it is good to use the safe service Taxi Green inside the airport to get to your hotel. While inside the taxi you should get hold of your belongings well.
Endnote
If this is your solo trekking trip to Peru, these tips will surely prove to be helpful. Apart from this, taking care of the basics, being aware of the surroundings and having an understanding of the local language will be an added advantage.
