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The Travel Guides Go To Peru

15th July 2024

The peaks of Peru are on the itinerary this week! Travel Money Oz are joining the Travel Guides for the adventure as their Official Currency Card. This trip couldn’t be more different to their beachside vacay in the Cook Islands. They’ll be hitting high altitudes in the ancient city of Machu Picchu and exploring the amazing Amazon rainforest.

If you’re thinking of heading to Peru like the Guides, the best time to travel is in the dryer months from April to November. For active adventurers who want to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, the temperatures are also cooler for the climb during these months. FYI: the trail is typically closed each February for maintenance, although Machu Picchu itself remains open.

The currency in Peru is the Sol (PEN), but US Dollars are widely accepted, too. You can also load our Currency Pass with Aussie dollars and use it just like you would a regular bank card, always selecting to pay in local currency when prompted - that's how the Travel Guides did it when they went shopping in the Peruvian Markets!"

Want to see what Peru has in store? Here’s exactly where the Guides went this week.

Your Complete Travel Guides Itinerary for Peru

 

Stop one: Cusco

The Guides are flying to the city of Cusco via Peru’s capital Lima from Sydney International Airport. As an animal lover and Amazon aficionado, it’s Karly’s dream destination. However, Matt’s knowledge of Peru is solely limited to Machu Picchu and Paddington Bear.

Cusco is the former capital of the ancient Inca Empire and sits almost 3.5km above sea level. On arrival, the Guides get straight into exploring this history-rich city. First stop is the central square, Plaza de Armas. There they join in on a traditional Wallata dance, which depicts the mating ritual of the native Wallata birds. Mark Fren gets into the spirit, but Jono prefers to stick to the sidelines. Then they head to the San Pedro Market to browse its colourful stalls. Matt and Brett use their Currency Pass to pay for a Peruvian mask and ponder what the mask is actually made of.

After all that exploring, it’s time to refuel with some traditional Peruvian cuisine at one of Cusco’s most popular restaurants, Pachapapa. Alpaca skewers are served up as the entrée, but it’s the main course of guinea pig that divides the Guides. It’s too much for Teng, who had a beloved pet guinea pig called Larry as a child, but Dorian says it’s delicious.

Costs

  • LATAM Airlines: Sydney to Cusco from $2749
  • Pachapapa Restaurant: Entrees from $10, Mains from $18

Stop two: The Sacred Valley

 

Next up on their Peruvian adventure is the Sacred Valley, which is nestled in the Andes Mountains. On route, they stop at Awana Kancha to learn more about Peru’s textile industry. 80% of the world’s Alpaca wool comes from Peru and at Awana Kancha, you can see how it is spun into yarn by hand, then dyed in a range of colours. Here, Matt and Brett finally learn the difference between a llama and alpaca – basically the small and fluffy ones are alpacas.

After their textile education, the Guides make it to the Sacred Valley. This gateway to Machu Picchu is a paradise for hikers and the Guides need to trek to get to their accommodation. The Vertical Sky Suites are quite literally perched on the side of a mountain and some of the Guides need to harness up just to get to their rooms. Turns out, the effort to get there has a huge pay off – truly spectacular views across the Andes. Vic Fren does point out, however, that it’s unlikely Uber Eats will deliver to the room.

Their unique hotel is near the town of Ollantaytambo. From there, you can catch a train towards Machu Picchu. This spectacular two-hour journey through the mountains is a more relaxing alternative to the popular 4-day Inca Trail to the ancient city. It’s one of many experiences on this journey that brings Karly to tears. Dorian reckons it’s much better than any Melbourne train, which feels like a relatively low bar.

However, the train doesn’t pull up right at Machu Picchu – it stops at the town of Aguas Calientes. From here, the Guides prepare for a 30-minute hike to the ruins. It may sound brief, but the altitude turns it into a real challenge. Luckily, Teng is overprepared with a mini tank of oxygen that he offers to fellow hikers on route.

Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known as one of the Wonders of the World. It’s thought to have been built in the 15th century for the rulers of the Inca Empire, but it was only “rediscovered” around a century ago. The Guides are all blown away by the ruins with Janetta saying it’s like nothing she’s ever seen. Definitely worth the hike.

Costs
Awana Kancha: Free, but suggested to leave a tip for the community
Vertical Sky Suites: Domes from $960 per night, Capsules from $2388 per night for 4 people, meals included

Stop three: Puerto Maldonado

 

The Guides travel from the Andean highlands to Puerto Maldonado in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Vic Fren isn’t thrilled with the latest destination – in fact, she calls it her worst nightmare. Anacondas, alligators and piranhas are not her thing. On the flipside, Karly is crying tears of joy again – she’s watched every Amazon documentary and has dreamed of visiting since she was a little girl.

In what has become a trend for the trip, the journey to the Guides’ accommodation isn’t simple. They take an hour-long boat trip up the Tambopata River to get to their eco-lodge, Posada Amazonas. This 30-room lodge sits on a communal reserve of the indigenous Ese Eja people.

Kevin and Janetta are pleased with the luxury lodge – it’s a significant step up from camping. Pitching a tent was their worst-case scenario. However, Vic Fren is basically ready to check out when she sees a bug settling in on her bed for the night.

The creepy crawly encounters continue when the Guides set out on a guided night jungle walk. Matt won’t even take the bins out at night at home in case he encounters a possum, so this was never going to be his thing. Likewise, when the guide starts luring huge tarantulas out of their burrows, Kev is ready to bolt. Janetta and Kevin just want to see something more impressive than a frog. Safe to say the night walk isn’t a huge hit.

The nature adventures continue the next day at Tres Chimbadas Lake. The Peruvian Amazon has over 700 species of fish, including the famous Piranha. Some of the Guides get a chance to see them up close with a spot of catch-and-release Piranha fishing. Kevin and Janetta aren’t lured in by the slow pace of the activity. The Boys are enthused by the idea of creating a whole piranha pit with the hungry fish, but don’t quite get the numbers.

The Guides also attempt some raft-building with very mixed results. Jono Fren is entirely unhelpful during the raft building, as is Karly, who prefers to supervise. Brett also doesn’t like the idea of building a raft while knee-deep in Piranha-ridden waters. The activity ends abruptly when the Fren Family discover they have an extra passenger on their raft – a huge spider. Mark throws himself overboard to try get the raft ashore.

The Guides wrap up their adventure at the Amazon Shelter. The team here helps injured wildlife from the Amazon rainforest and aims to reintroduce them to the wild. The Fren Family meet a macaw who only likes men, Kevin and Janetta learn more about the native Tapir, Matt and Brett hand feed a baby monkey and The Boys dream of having 17 hours of sleep like a sloth. In the ultimate end to the trip, Karly cries yet again when she meets a sloth, saying it’s the “best day of my life”.

Costs

  • Posada Amazonas: Suites from $1256 per night
  • Night Jungle Walk: Activity included in Posada Amazonas room rate
  • Piranha Fishing (Catch and Release): Activity included in Posada Amazonas room rate
  • Jungle Raft Building: Activity included in Posada Amazonas room rate
  • Amazon Animal Shelter: Guided tours from $35 per person

It’s been a truly wild week and the Guides’ ratings are in for Peru. They’ve scored their trip…

Kevin and Janetta: 5/5
Bri and Karly: 5/5
The Fren Family: 4/5
Brett and Matt: 4.5/5
Dorian, Kev and Teng: 5/5

Top Travel Money Oz Tips for Peru

Off to Peru for your own adventure? There’s a few things to know before you go:

  • You’ll want to take some cash for your travels. The currency in Peru is the Sol (PEN), which can be hard to come by. Availability depends on stock, so drop by your local Travel Money Oz store to check availability and pre-order PEN. Currently you're in luck – we have plenty of Peruvian Sols available to order!
  • US Dollars are widely accepted in Peru, so it’s worth taking some USD on your trip as well. You can use it in most tourist areas and also exchange it for local currency while you’re there. Get USD at our Travel Money stores, click and collect cash or opt for same day delivery.
  • Our Currency Pass is a useful way to pay for those everyday purchases, just load Aussie dollars onto the card and select to pay in local currency. You can use it wherever Mastercard is accepted.
  • Check out our money smart tips for Latin America – they’re an essential pre-departure read.

Win your dream holiday!

Don’t miss your chance to enter our $20,000 holiday comp! The lucky winner will score a $10,000 Flight Centre gift card and a $10,000 Travel Money Oz Currency Pass. Get all the info here!

 

Travel Guides airs Sunday at 7pm on Channel Nine and 9Now.

This blog is provided for information only and does not take into consideration your objectives, financial situation or needs. Travel Money Oz has sought to ensure that the information is true and correct at the time of publication (First Published July 15th, 2024). Prices, details and services are subject to change without notice, and Travel Money Oz accepts no responsibility or liability for any such changes, including any loss resulting from any action taken or reliance made by you on any information provided. You should consider whether the information and suggestions contained in any blog entry are appropriate for you, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs. While we take reasonable care in providing the blog, we give no warranties or representations that it is complete or accurate or is appropriate for you. We are not liable for any loss caused, whether due to negligence or otherwise, arising from use of, or reliance on, the information and/or suggestions contained in this blog. Daily Cost: All prices are approximations. Your costs may differ depending on where you go, where you shop, and their individual factors. Daily Budget: Costs are estimated per person and do not include accommodation. Terms and conditions apply to Best Price Guarantee, Rate Guard and Cash Commitment. See travelmoneyoz.com for more details.

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