Skip to main content

How to Plan a Soft Adventure Trip to Peru

By U.S. News & World Report

Peru is a country of contrasts. High deserts, glacier-covered peaks and colorful, bustling cities vie for your attention. In a single vacation, it’s possible to hike in the Andes, climb 250 steps to the top of an Incan temple and explore a vibrant city marketplace filled with grains, spices, fruits and vegetables. But you don’t need to be an avid outdoor enthusiast or an adrenaline junkie to enjoy Peru’s natural wonders. You only need a sense of adventure, an open mind and a desire to explore as the Andean people have before you. Whether you want to absorb the local culture, check out Machu Picchu’s famed ruins or explore the Inca Empire’s capital city, here are six tricks for mapping out successful soft adventure activities on your next trip to Peru.

[See: 10 Bucket-List Destinations That Don’t Cost a Fortune.]

Choose Your Tour Guide Carefully

Who you decide to travel with in Peru can make or break your vacation. Most travelers don’t want to drive themselves in Peru (that’s an entirely different sort of adventure), and most use a cultural guide. For a soft adventure vacation that is equal part exploration and cultural immersion, rely on a reputable outfitter like Vantage Adventures. This travel operator requires that all guests be able to actively explore their surroundings, and contains an itinerary packed with hikes, city excursions and rural adventures. However, Vantage also puts an emphasis on visiting artisans, breaking bread with local community members and getting to know the real people of the place you’re visiting. This translates to everything from talking to children at a local school as a part of Vantage Cares (Vantage’s foundation giving back to the community), meeting a 12-year-old boy who works for a living in addition to attending school, communicating with a young woman who has been taught the art of Andean weaving from her mother and grandmother and more opportunities for cultural exchanges. In addition to hiking Machu Picchu and admiring its beauty, you can get enlightened on the local perspective, along with unique architectural and historical details with a knowledgeable guide.

Remember: Soft Adventure Trips Offer a Mix of Activity and Culture

Soft adventure isn’t just about engaging in stimulating and safe adventures. It’s also about meeting the people of the country you’re visiting, and gaining an understanding of their culture and history. While soft adventure may not inspire you to push your physical limits with risky activities, it does offer plenty of opportunitities to embrace exciting new perspectives and landscapes and break out of your comfort zone.

[See: 6 Family-Friendly Adventure Trips You Can Afford.]

Take the Altitude Seriously

Cusco and Machu Picchu are notorious for their high altitudes, at 11,000 feet (in Cusco) and 8,000 feet (in Machu Picchu), respectively. While it’s daunting to fly to high elevations, it’s possible to make the journey without any issues. Be sure to take it easy on your arrival day. Do as the locals do, and drink coca tea and rest if you’re suffering headaches or nausea. Also make sure to drink plenty of water.

Give Yourself Multiple Days to Experience the Wonders of Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is one of the wonders of the world, and for good reason. Machu Picchu is magical, historical, mystical and often shrouded in clouds. By planning to visit for two days instead of one, you can better your chances of seeing its grandeur without fog or rain. Be sure to book your tickets well in advance to beat the crowds at the ticket booth, and book Inca Rail tickets at least six months ahead of your trip. Soft adventurers will want to check out a portion of the trail, which can be accessed from the Machu Picchu historic site. Follow the signage to the Sun Gate: you’ll walk a one mile portion of the historic trail, which is about 2 miles round-trip, in a difficult but rewarding trek to the temple overlooking Machu Picchu. The hike is worth the effort for the views and photo opportunities alone.

Explore Other Ancient Ruins

Machu Picchu isn’t the only show in town. The Sacred Valley has additional wonders perfect for a leisurely half-day adventure. In Ollantaytambo, a small village in the Sacred Valley, make sure to climb the more than 250 steps to the Sun Temple. Once you’ve seen how the ancient Inca lived, check out the modern town surrounding the historic site, where you can barter for goods and enjoy a chicha (a fermented corn drink). In nearby Chinchero, walking along the narrow streets and checking out the many weaving operations or practicing your Spanish in this isolated town can be its own kind of unique adventure.

[See: Best Trips for Adventure Junkies.]

Carve Out Some Time for Cusco

Soft adventures can be as much about soaking up your surroundings and unfamiliar cultures and perspectives as it is about embracing the outdoors. Head to Cusco’s San Pedro Market at sunrise to interact with locals selling everything from quinoa flour to bouquets of roses to roasted coy (guinea pig). A friendly hello and a smile will likely yield an explanation of each vendor’s booth and wares. And make sure to see the Temple of the Sun, where Spanish architecture and Catholicism collide peacefully with Incan construction and worship. Afterward, head to the hillsides outside town to climb among the ruins of Sacsayhuamán, where you can see an Incan fortress at its best, and take photos with local llamas.

Consider your soft adventure trip to Peru to be equal parts outdoor activity and cultural immersion, and you’ll come home well satisfied.

More from U.S. News

How to Do Adventure Travel Trips on the Cheap

How to Plan a Trip to Machu Picchu Before It’s Too Late

10 Tips for Visiting South America

How to Plan a Soft Adventure Trip to Peru originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote