Peru and Bolivia, 8th; The Bradt Trekking Guide

by Hilary Bradt

• ISBN13: 9781841620336
• ISBN10: 1841620335
• Edition: 8th
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2002-09-01
• Publisher: Bradt Travel Guides

Summary

An eighth edition of the classic travelers' guide co Peru and Bolivia that has been a bible to trekking the Andes for 27 years. Peru and Bolivia are at the heart of the former Inca Empire, and the Inca trails running through superb scenery provide some of the very best hiking in the world. Cusco, named by the Incas as the "navel of the earth, " is the center for trekking among the remains of the great Inca Empire, including the stunning Machu Picchu, most famous site in Latin America. Routes around Lake Titicaca and through the Cordilleras mountain ranges and cloud forests of Peru and Bolivia are described in inspiring detail, supplemented by information on the gateway cities of Lima and La Paz. Each of the graded walks are presented against a background of cultural, historical, and environmental information: village life, festivals, natural history and, importantly, low-impact ethical travel Information on what to take, health and safety, local guides, and pack animals, along with many other topics, make this guide indispensable.

Author Biography

Hilary Bradt, founder and publisher of Bradt Travel Guides, has been writing about South America since her first trip there in 1969 when she fulfilled her dream of seeing the land of the Incas. For 13 years she led treks to Peru and Bolivia, and now lectures on aspects of travel and low impact tourism. She lives in Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire. This new edition of Peru and Bolivia has been updated by two travellers with an intimate knowledge of the region.

Table of Contents

Introduction	x
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION	1	(94)
Background Information	3	(32)
Geography	3	(1)
Geology	3	(2)
Natural history	5	(14)
The people: past and present	19	(16)
Practical Information	35	(40)
Preparations	35	(12)
Travel in Peru and Bolivia	47	(12)
Backpacking and trekking in the Andes	59	(16)
Health and Safety	75	(20)
Health	75	(14)
Safety	89	(6)
PART TWO PERU	95	(216)
General Information	97	(18)
The country	97	(2)
History	99	(3)
Getting there	102	(1)
Currency	103	(1)
Tourist information	103	(1)
Communications	104	(2)
Miscellaneous	106	(1)
Protected areas of Peru	107	(5)
Giving something back	112	(3)
Lima	115	(12)
Transport	115	(3)
Sleeping and eating	118	(3)
Useful addresses in Lima	121	(3)
An excursion from Lima	124	(3)
Cajamarca and Chachapoyas Regions	127	(18)
The Cajamarca region	127	(6)
The Chachapoyas region	133	(12)
The Cordilleras Blanca, Negra and Huayhuash	145	(56)
The Cordilleras	145	(2)
Parque Nacional Huascaran	147	(1)
Huaraz	148	(7)
Outside Huaraz	155	(1)
Hiking	156	(3)
Hiking routes in the Cordillera Blanca	159	(29)
The Cordillera Huayhuash	188	(13)
The Central Andes	201	(14)
Huancayo	201	(3)
Places of interest near Huancayo	204	(1)
The Cordillera Central	204	(3)
Other places of interest in the region	207	(1)
The Inca Royal Road	208	(7)
Cusco and Vicinity	215	(40)
History of the Incas	215	(2)
Festivals	217	(1)
Cusco	218	(14)
Hiking information	232	(1)
Hiking routes around Cusco	233	(12)
The valley of Lares	245	(6)
Ollantaytambo and region	251	(4)
The Cordilleras Vilcabamba and Vilcanota	255	(42)
The Vilcabamba region	255	(2)
The Inca Trail	257	(9)
Salkantay hikes	266	(6)
Vilcabamba hikes	272	(8)
The Vilcanota resign	280	(17)
The Arequipa Area	297	(14)
Arequipa	297	(3)
Climbing the volcanoes	300	(3)
The Colca Canyon	303	(2)
Hiking in the Colca Canyon	305	(6)
PART THREE BOLIVIA	311	(86)
General Information	313	(16)
The country	313	(2)
Getting there	315	(1)
Currency	316	(1)
Communications	316	(2)
Miscellaneous	318	(2)
Protected areas of Bolivia	320	(7)
Giving something back	327	(2)
La Paz	329	(12)
Getting there	329	(1)
Sleeping and eating	330	(3)
Maps, equipment and guides	333	(3)
Useful addresses	336	(1)
Excursions and day hikes from La Paz	336	(5)
Lake Titicaca	341	(6)
Getting there	341	(1)
Copacabana	342	(2)
The Inca road to Yampupata	344	(1)
The Island of the Sun (Isla del Sol)	344	(3)
The Cordillera Real	347	(32)
Condoriri circuit	347	(2)
The Zongo Valley	349	(3)
Zongo to La Cumbre or Coroico	352	(2)
La Cumbre to Coroico	354	(5)
The llama trail to Coroico	359	(5)
The Taquesi Trail	364	(4)
Choquekota to Tres Rios	368	(1)
Illimani to Chulumani	369	(7)
The Condor's Nest: Illimani base camp	376	(3)
Sorata, Illampu and the Tipuani Valley	379	(10)
Hiking in the region	382	(1)
Short hikes in the Sorata area	383	(1)
The Illampu circuit	383	(6)
The Cordillera Apolobamba	389	(8)
Getting there	389	(1)
Pelechuco to Charazani	390	(4)
Ulla Ulla National Park	394	(1)
Hiking the road to Apolo	395	(2)
Appendix 1 Language	397	(2)
Appendix 2 Further Reading	399	(3)
Index	402

Excerpts

Broadly speaking, trekking differs from backpacking in that your gear is carried by pack animals or porters and that a local company is involved in supplying tents, food, transport etc. In effect, a trek is a package tour which leaves you free to enjoy the mountains without worrying about any of the logistics...There are many advantages of trekking over backpacking, not least that all the complications of travel in rural Peru and Bolivia are taken out of your hands. In spite of this, the ultimate hiking experience, for most people, will be with one or two chosen companions, and all the effort and hassle of backpacking. For this is what exploring the wilderness is all about. You are open to serendipitous events, you can stop when you are tired, go as far as you want, and choose the route that most appeals to you.

---

Excerpted from Peru and Bolivia by Hilary Bradt, A. Jarvis
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.