Life's A Beachy

“Kilometers are shorter than miles. Save gas, take your next trip in kilometers.” – George Carlin

Routing through the Andes is a test of your inner travel agent. The goal: Lima to Machu Picchu Pueblo in both a. an acceptable amount of time and b. on a budget that won’t send Debbie the Debit Card into a 2015 spiral of depression. So logically, it was time for a Google Map date:

Fortunately, Beachy Media recently partnered with Yampu Tours on a few Peruvian travel videos. Yampu was founded by a Peruvian man and his wife to share their passion for traveling around the world. The company has won travel awards the past five years. Suffice to say, they’ve been around the block and offer convenient booking services for the non-organized among us.

There are two primary weather seasons in the Andes, rainy and dry. The rainy season (ie: Low Season) lasts from December to February and is a slower time for tourism which means cheaper travel. Don’t worry Debbie, you’ll only go through a mild crisis. Eat a snickers.

Part One: Lima—>Cusco         Mode: Plane            Time: Approx 1 Hour              Price: $109

Prepping to fly from #Lima to #cusco #travel #plane

A photo posted by Beachy (@lifesabeachy) on Jan 27, 2015 at 5:43am PST

• Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights for flexible days.
• The area around Lima’s airport is not the safest. Make sure to keep all of your money/electronics tucked away in your bag. Be mindful of your surroundings and if at all possible, work with your hostel or hotel on transportation to and from the airport.
• You’re going to need to check your bag. National flights in Peru have minimal space.
• Expect delays and be chill, you’ll get there.
• Prepare for altitude sickness. Lima is at sea level and Cusco hovers around 11,000 feet. I’ll be posting an entire blog on managing altitude sickness next week.
• Enjoy the view. You’re flying over the Andes you lucky bastard.

Flying over the #Andes ain't a bad life choice #peru #travel #plane. Blog: http://bit.ly/1yLcfCJ

A photo posted by Beachy (@lifesabeachy) on Jan 27, 2015 at 6:42am PST

Part Two: Cusco—>Aguas Calientes in the Sacred Valley    Mode: Automobile     Time: Approx 1hr 30 min     Price: Flexes

• The farther into the Sacred Valley you travel, the cheaper the train ticket to Machu Picchu.
• You will pass multiple tiny villages and Incan ruins.
• If you travel by car from Cusco to the Sacred Valley, you hit 13,000 feet and the view is incredible.

13,000 feet in the clouds: Top of the mountain before the Sacred Valley #thatviewthough

A photo posted by Beachy (@lifesabeachy) on Jan 18, 2015 at 1:02pm PST

Part Three: Sacred Valley—> Aguas Calients (Machu Picchu Pueblo)       Mode: Train     Time: 1hr 30 min     Price: $55-$75

• Trains to Machu Picchu are incredibly luxurious and cater to tourists. The seats? Plush leather. The tray tables? Gorgeous wood.
• Stewards/Stewardesses serve drinks and snacks on Peruvian-designed mats.
• The train route cuts through the Andes following the Urubamba River, Quechua for “sacred river.”
• If you are interested in a high-end experience (and are Donald Trump) check out the Hiram Bingham Train into Machu Picchu

#perurail: you done good champ #peru #train #travel

A photo posted by Beachy (@lifesabeachy) on Jan 27, 2015 at 6:11am PST

Arrival: Machu Picchu Pueblo