A Great Guidebook Made Even Better!

books:


	• Moon Peru (Moon Handbooks) Ross Wehner, Renee del Gaudio, ... Avalon Travel Publishing, 2007 - 600 pages average customer review:based on 8 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Peru Guidebook

Seems to be fairly complete and provides most of the information on what to see and how to see it that I was looking for. Information is presented in sort of a reverse order starting with specific in-country locations with "how to get there" and other practicalities at the end. Seems to be slanted toward backpackers but also mentions mid-range and upscale properties.

A Great Guidebook Made Even Better!

This second edition has managed to improve upon what was already an outstanding guidebook. Ross and the other authors went back to Peru to review and update the information and recommendations from the first edition, and have produced what any traveler should find a most reliable and comprehensive resource. The book provides plenty of information and perspectives on the "classic" destinations, but more importantly includes insights and recommendations on many wonderful locations that are not well recognized and off the beaten tourist paths, and that is what makes this second edition so special.

For any traveler searching for ways to turn a "trip" into a lifetime experience, this book WILL NOT disappoint!

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Went with a winner

After reading reviews of the Peru books I went with Moon and was not disappointed. We had only one week to visit (summer 2008), and focused on Cusco and Machu Picchu. Used this for everything from hotels to place to eat - and had a great vacation!

actually used in Peru before reviewing

I ACTUALLY USED THIS GUIDEBOOK IN PERU BEFORE WRITING THIS REVIEW!

Please keep in mind that this is my opinion and my experience using the book. (I found that much information in the book was also opinion.)

I went to Peru at the end of April (25-May 2).
At the end of April, the weather was absolutely perfect and prices were still cheaper because high season had not fully started.

I do recommend the Moon Peru guidebook, although it is certainly not the best that I have used. As most guidebooks, it lacked some valuable information, but overall it is a good guidebook. On such a short trip, I did not agree with the authors' opinions most of the time, especially concerning which place to begin and how much time to spend there. Both were important to me since my time was limited. But, my own fault; live and learn.

I am a flight attendant; I travel a lot. My trip was short, but here are MY RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH THE BOOK CONTRADICTED OR DID NOT STRESS ENOUGH:

#1 Always book multiple flights through the SAME airline even if using different carriers. Airlines are only responsible for getting you TO a destination, not WHEN. If you book together then the airline will make sure that you get to your FINAL destination, not just the first stop. This will be very important if there are weather or mechanical delays.

#2 ALL prices are negotiable! Here's a good tip: You can pay with American Dollars. Do not change all of your money. Especially in Lima, many Peruvians will quote the price in American Dollars, leaving you to figure out the exchange rate yourself. (If the Peruvian figures it for you, it will not be the best rate for you.) Paying with Dollars lets you know exactly how much you are paying for something and easier for you to negotiate!

#3 One price is given to American tourists and a different one to locals. Ask the locals how much something should cost then offer to pay that amount to the taxi, vendor, etc. If you speak Spanish you can definitely get the best deal. The Airport Information Desk in Cuzco quoted us $20 for a taxi, so did the taxi drivers. We paid $5 after asking the locals.

#4 We followed the book's suggestion of starting in Pisac and ending in Cuzco. We adjusted well to the altitude, but after arriving in Cuzco, I understood why people make it a base then travel around. Cuzco has a lot of information, tours, and rental equipment available. Use your own judgment, not the book's. However, I would stay in Pisac again. It was a nice town with good ruins and fabulous stars at night.

#5 Ollantaytambo's ruins are definitely worth seeing. The book suggests staying there which we did. In my opinion, take a day trip there from Cuzco, see the ruins and then return that night to Cuzco.

#6 Aguas Calientes is the base town of Machu Picchu. Spend TWO days here. (We only spent one as recommended by the guidebook, and it was not enough time for me.) Plus, YOUR TICKET TO MACHU PICCHU IS GOOD FOR TWO DAYS, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT!! Splurge for a guide one of the days. Also, take your student Id card if you have one. Almost all of the tickets are half price with it. They don't check your age and it's a big savings with the card. We took the bus up to Machu Picchu. We climbed Hyuana Picchu that morning. It was worth all the hard effort, and it is hard. You will be scared if you are afraid of heights. Then we climbed down to The Temple of the Moon. It was even harder than Hyuana Picchu, but that could have been because we did it together. I don't really recommend seeing the Temple, but if you want to do it, do the climbs on separate days. Then we returned to tour Machu Picchu. We were so worn out, but we still had a 4 hour train ride to Cuzco that night. We stayed at Gringo Bills which was fabulous, but pricey for Peru. Two days there is worth it. I do not recommend a day trip from Cuzco. I really liked the town, and if you stay, you can enjoy the sun rise, the hot springs, climb Hyuana Picchu, and get the most from your two day ticket.

I found that my opinion differed from the book's, but I didn't know until after I was in the middle of my trip. I would use the book again for most general information though.

Go, and do not be scared. The trip was wonderful, we interacted with locals, and they were nice.

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reviews: page 1, 2

Former residents of Peru, husband and wife Ross Wehner and Renee Del Gaudio offer an insider's view of Peru, from exploring the churches and artisan neighborhoods of Cusco to avoiding the crowds at Machu Picchu and picnicking on the wilderness beach of the Reserva Nacional Paracas. Wehner and Del Gaudio include unique trip ideas like Getting off the Gringo Trail, Archaeological Treasures, and 10 Days in Peru. Packed with information on dining, transportation, and accommodations, Moon Peru has lots of options for a range of travel budgets. Every Moon guidebook includes recommendations for must-see sights and many regional, area, and city-centered maps. Complete with details on trekking the Inca Trail, exploring the Amazon, and surfing in Lima, Moon Peru gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience. With expert writers, first-rate strategic advice, and an essential dose of humor, Moon guidebooks are the cure for the common trip.

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