Fantastic Experiences, Great Value

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Choosing the right book that can be the difference between a great holiday and a truly memorable one. A good travel book provides context for the things you see, and knits your experience into a wider story about the country. And it’s a reciprocal relationship. A book is so much better when you have a reference point for what author is describing – such as the comforting smell of palo santo wood, or the turquoise glow of Pacific reefs.

When researching books for my recent trip to the Galapagos, I had two criteria. Firstly, I wanted something that made me feel like an explorer: the best travel books haven’t just taught me things; they’ve given me tools to discover new things for myself. Secondly, they had to be short, or easy to read. I’m not a fast reader and I pack light, so I didn’t want any thousand-page tomes. 

Of the titles I settled on; one is fiction, one historical and one scientific, giving three very different view of the country. Ecuador is a diverse and wonderful place, with plenty of history, culture and personal stories to discover. These books helped me to dive into that world; I hope they do the same for you.

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of interviewing Grant Reed, co-founder of Letaka Safaris and star of National Geogarphic's Safari Brothers alongside his brother Brent. He is widely considered one of Botswana’s top guides, and when you meet him in person, you can see why. At 6'4, Grant cuts a lean figure, with the well-worn hands of naturalist and a voice that imparts a reassuring sense of authority. If you try to imagine an expert safari guide, you're probably picturing Grant Reed. But his path to becoming a guide wasn't always so clear cut.

I talked with Grant about how he came to be where he is today, from his colourful childhood collecting lizards in the Magaliesburg Mountains to the surprise turn of events that led him to move to Botswana.

Costa Rica is one of the world's great ecological wonders, home to all colours of birds, reptiles and mammals. The country's verdant jungles house hidden waterfalls, smoking volcanoes and secluded thermal hotsprings, which you can bathe in whilst surrounded by nature. Here's what Otto, our Senior Travel Consultant, thought of his time in Costa Rica.

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  • 15 December 2022

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In November 2022, I visited Mexico for the first time. I arrived just after the Day of the Dead, and just before the start of the 2022 World Cup, making it a very exciting time to visit Mexico.

The best time to visit Peru varies by region, but in general, March to November is best if you’re visiting Cusco, Machu Picchu or Lake Titicaca. On the other hand, if you only want to visit coastal regions such as Lima or Paracas, December to March is best.

Peru's Climate

In the highlands, including Cusco, Arequipa and Lake Titicaca, the dry season lasts from April to October, when it is usually warm and sunny, although nights can be cold. In March and November the weather is more changeable, and rain is more common; however, temperatures are higher. The rainy season is at its heaviest from December to February.

In coastal cities, such as Lima and Paracas, it is warm and humid for much of the year, with overcast skies broken by occasional sunshine from April to November. December to March is usually sunny. Rain is rare at any time of the year.

In Amazon areas, such as Puerto Maldonado, it is hot and humid all year round although there is a little less rain from May to September. The dry season is the best time of year for wildlife watching as animals come out to drink by the shrinking rivers, and the mosquitoes are less active.

 Destination Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Lima

Temp (°c)         Max        26 27 26 24 22 20 19 18 19 20 22 24
Min 19 20 19 18 16 15 15 15 15 15 16 18
Rainfall (cm) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Cusco

Temp (°c)  Max 19 19 19 20 20 20 19 20 20 21 21 21
Min 7  7 6 5 3  0 0 2 4 6  6 6
Rainfall (cm) 16 13 11 4 1 1 1 1 1 5 8 12

Puerto Maldonado

Temp (°c)  Max 30 30 30 30 29 29 30 31 32 32 31 31
Min 23 23 23 22 20 19 18 19  20 22 22 23
Rainfall (cm) 29 28 21 13 8 5 4 4 8 14 18 23

 

VISITING PERU IN THE RAINY SEASON

If you are planning on visiting Peru during the rainy season, be aware that the Inca Trail closes for annual maintenance throughout February. Other routes, such as the Salkantay Trail, remain open, but anticipate delays if you are taking the train from Aguas Calientes, as the heavy rains cause frequent disruptions.

Please note that we don’t offer Peru holidays during the rainy season. (December to February)

 

Inca trail permits

If you are looking to hike the Inca Trail, you may want to consider the availability of permits when planning your trip. The Peruvian government limits the number of permits to 500 each day to prevent overcrowding, including guides, porters, cooks and other support staff. This leaves around 200 permits for trekkers each day.

Permits for the trail are released each October, and some dates sell out quickly, often in days. The most popular months are April (Easter dates), May, June, July, August and September. No matter when you are planning your trip for, we recommend booking well in advance (at least six months) to ensure yourself a place.

  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Popularity Low Closed Med High High High High High High Med Low Low

 

May is the month that sells out the quickest, followed by Easter dates and June.

 

Browse all of our Peru holidays here

 

 

 

 

 

 

(17/10/2022) Update: face masks no longer required indoors, on trains, or on flights. The only times you'll need a face mask are if you're experiencing Covid-19 symptoms, taking public transport, or visiting a hospital. Additionally, you no longer have to fill out an online health form before departure.

 

In summer I made my first trip to Peru since 2019, and I thought it would be useful to share my experience of travelling post-covid. I've gone into some detail regarding covid requirements for flights, visits, and hotel stays within Peru, and in particular mask wearing, as I know that many people have questions about this. As an overview, the experience was pretty similar to travelling pre-pandemic, but with the requirement to wear face masks when indoors. Overall, it was great to be travelling in Peru again and Peruvians were as welcoming as ever.

IPP Protection


  • 11 July 2022

IPP Logo

For UK Operators selling Packages in the UK only

In accordance with the UK Package Travel & Linked Travel Regulations 2018 all passengers booking with Llama Travel Ltd are fully protected for the initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all monies received by us, including repatriation costs and arrangements, arising from cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Llama Travel Ltd.

There is no requirement for Financial Protection of day trips or single elements, and none is provided. 

Llama Travel Ltd has taken out an insurance provided by International Passenger Protection Ltd (IPP) with Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe SE (LMIE) trading as Liberty Specialty Markets, a member of the Liberty Mutual Insurance Group. LMIE's registered office: 5-7 rue Leon Laval, L-3372, Leudelange, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Registered Number B232280 (Registre de Commerce et des Sociétés).  LMIE is a European public limited liability company and is supervised by the Commissariat aux Assurances and licensed by the Luxembourg Minister of Finance as an insurance and reinsurance company. This insurance is only valid for passengers who book and pay directly with/to Llama Travel Ltd

In the event of our insolvency please make contact as soon as practically possible giving full details of what has happened quoting the name of your Travel Operator:

IPP Claims at Sedgwick

Telephone: +44 (0)345 266 1872

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.         

or online at http://www.ipplondon.co.uk/claims.asp

It’s tricky to sum up such a diverse continent in a few words, and equally difficult to select one of the endless destinations to visit. From pristine mountain ranges and glacial lakes to medieval streetscapes and hilltop castles, each country in Europe has something new and exciting to uncover - whether it’s a different culture, cuisine, landscape or experience. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of a few of our favourite European locations for 2022. Have a read to get some inspiration and start planning your next adventure.

Perhaps one of the most famous and iconic of all sites in Latin America is the fabled Lost City of the Incas Machu Picchu. The citadel which was the final bastion of the Incas and remained hidden atop an Andean peak shrouded in dense jungle foliage from the ground and thick clouds from above. Because of the tactical positioning of the city it was never discovered by the invading European conquistadors and, as such, remained intact for centuries until its ‘rediscovery’ by Hiram Bingham in 1911.

Unsurprisingly, the ancient city of the Incas has become a key focal point for those travelling to Peru with various possibilities of reaching the site open to tourists ranging from luxurious train journeys to five day trekking options. Arguably the most adventurous way of visiting Machu Picchu is by foot and this blog will discuss the differences between two options; the famous Inca Trail and the alternative Salkantay Trail.