Initial Steps in Planning Peru

I’ve been thinking about this topic a lot. As the type of person that always needs trips planned, adventures to dream about, and something to look forward to, planning travel is just one of the many reels of thought running through my head at any given point, usually at 3am keeping me wide awake.

I’ve been feeling guilty about not having time to plan our Peru adventure, pretty much since we booked an Inca Trail hike for May 2024, last November. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been my top priority. You know when you’re working, you have clear priorities, deadlines, expectations and accountability. When I am responsible to me, myself and I alone, procrastination frequently wins. The good news is, much of our planning process occurs in my head. If I were still working, I’d insert a flow chart or decision tree at this point.

COMMITMENT

Lots of thoughts enter and/or occupy my brain but it’s not until something is booked that I know for certain we are committed to it. So many ideas pop into my head from the multitude of potential sources (see BUCKET LIST in TRAVEL RESOURCES). I ponder, imagine, dream (this is a big one) what would our ideal trip include if money and time were not limitations? I mull the idea over in my head, endlessly, then I jump on the computer and start working.

The first step (this is when my daughter says, "most people don't live according to a spreadsheet") is creating an Excel spreadsheet with multiple tabs to capture recommended sights, transportation options, accommodations, expenses and a time line (if only she knew I had the option of charting a Gantt timeline).

As an example, for our upcoming Peru trip, we heard about Amazonas Explorers, a first-class adventure outfitter, from friends who hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu a few years ago. Last November, I reached out to them to ask about standard hiking dates. After learning they set out every Wednesday on a five-day trek, I cross-referenced their schedule with average rain fall and daily temperatures in the Sacred Valley and booked our trek for May 8. Once I paid the deposit and purchased travel insurance, the basics were covered. We were committed.