Entered on 12 June 2003 at 9:34 a.m..

Becca's Next Adventure

So Becca has decided that in September 2004 we should all go hike the Incan Trail from Cusco (11,000ft) to Machu Picchu (8,000ft). Now I'm not sure if I should be excited about the trip or horrified. Here are a few interesting exerpts from the State Department's assessment of Peru.

CRIME:In Cusco, "choke and grab" muggings are common, particularly on streets leading off the main square and in the area around the train station. There have been recent cases of gang rapes and robberies of foreign tourists in Cuzco during both daylight hours and at night.

SPECIFIC HEALTH RISKS:All people, even healthy and fit persons, will feel symptoms of hypoxia (lack of oxygen) upon arrival at high-altitude. Most people will have increased respiration and increased heart rate. Many people will have headaches, difficulty sleeping, lack of appetite, minor gastric and intestinal upsets, and mood changes.

ADVENTURE TRAVEL SAFETY: Inca Trail hikers are significantly safer if they are part of a guided group trail hike. Visitors should always register when entering national parks. Hikers should exercise extreme caution in steep or slippery areas, which are neither fenced nor marked. Several climbers have died or suffered serious injuries after falling while climbing Huayna Picchu, a peak near Machu Picchu. Only very basic medical assistance is available at Machu Picchu.

Adventure travelers should be aware that rescue capabilities are limited. Most rescues are carried out on foot because helicopters cannot fly to the high-altitude areas where hikers are stranded.

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: Safety of Public Transportation: Poor

Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor

Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor

Availability of Roadside Assistance: Poor

Road travel at night is extremely dangerous due to poor road markings and frequent unmarked road hazards. Drivers should not travel alone on rural roads, even in daylight. Convoy travel is preferable.

What worries me however is that in comparison the UK's roads are said to be:

Safety of Public Transportation: Excellent

Urban Road Condition/Maintenance: Excellent

Rural Road Condition/Maintenance: Excellent

Availability of Roadside Assistance: Excellent

I think that the Rural status should really be more like Fair...So if in comparison Peru is poor, I'm not sure we'll make it from Lima airport to the trail or back again.

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