Ross Wehner: A lot of folks have asked for recommendations about tour agencies. What I recommend is going through the list we have in Moon Peru and also checking out this excellent and reliable web site: andeantravelweb.co.

Remember that there are lots of small, cheap agencies that frequently mimic the names of the larger more reputable ones. Don't go with these! Also don't negotiate too hard or look for the rock-bottom deals—In Peru, moreso than any other place in the world, you do get what you pay for.

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Ventura, Calif.: Hi Ross, Is it reasonably safe for a woman (I'm 40) to travel solo in Peru? I've traveled solo in Europe and did not feel threatened at all. I want to explore without taking a packaged tour. Thanks!

Ross Wehner: Good question. Yes, I think it is reasonably safe to travel alone in Peru as a 40-year-old woman but know too there is risk. My wife and I traveled through Peru for eight months in a jeep and visited every corner of the country and never got robbed once. We did feel unsafe once when we were stopped in the middle of the night by machete-armed protestors who had blocked a country road in the late evening and demanded payment to pass. We were trying to circumvent a main labor strike on the highway by taking country roads—all in order to get to the beach and take a break from guidebook research! Lesson here: use caution and don't force it! Things have their own time scale in Peru that you must respect if you are doing something different, like traveling alone through seldom-visited areas. The funny part of the story is that, as my heart was beating and my wife huddled in a tarp in the back of the jeep, I struck up a conversation with these masked machete men and tried to be as cheerful as possible. They all took off their masks and we had a great talk about how hard it is to be a farmer! They were such sweet people, just very desperate, as many Peruvians are. I also worked as a journalist in Peru during the early 90s, when Peru was basically closed off by the Shining Path. I traveled extensively and did not have a problem except for a time that I strayed into a jungle village that was controlled by a Colombian drug cartel—but people I met in the town warned me and smuggled me across the river in the middle of the night. Peruvians, on a per capita basis, are probably the sweetest and most caring people you will met on the planet!

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Riverview, Fla.: I have a trip scheduled for the first week in March, 2008. What would be a good travel wardrobe for that time in year in both Lima and Machu Picchu? Thanks!

Ross Wehner: Nothing more than fleece jacket and a light rain shell—I don't think a heavy parka is a good idea. The more layers, the more flexibility you have!

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Houston, Tex.: My husband and I are planning an early May trip to Peru to hike Machu Picchu and see Cusco & the Sacred Valley and we're considering spending the 2nd week relaxing on the beach on the north coast. I've read about Mancora in Budget Travel. What would you suggest and what can I expect of Mancora?

Ross Wehner: Mancora is beautiful, but it ain't the Caribbean. Cold water, tan sand, rough surf. The other author of Moon, Kazia Jankowski, spent a lot of time therea nd knows it well. She did a fabulous job updating that section of the book. But Mancora changes fast as well, so if possible, stay flexible to change plans when you get there. I liked the areas outside of Mancora, like Vichayito and other places.

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San Francisco, Calif.: Hi Ross, My boyfriend and I are planning a trip to Machu Picchu this year, and wondered what's the most reasonable price for airline tickets, and which city do we fly in? Do you have any recommendations on affordable and most comfortable flight plans? Thanks, Jen

Ross Wehner: to find the best airfare in Peru, I suggest you play with dates and use kayak.com—it's a great tool! I buy most of my fares online now, rather than use travel agents. You have to fly into Lima to get anywhere in Peru and you usually either leave from Los Angeles, Miami or one of the Texas airports. There are some cheaper flights that go through Central America or Argentina, but be careful of huge flight times!

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Ross Wehner: Before I end I want to say that Kazia Jankowski, the other author of Moon Peru, has launched a very interesting travel company called Pica Peru, peruculinaryvacations.com.

This company takes people on culinary and cultural tours to Mancora and Cusco. She is a professional food writer and is in good with all the best chefs of Peru, which in turn are some of the most extraordinary chefs in the world. I highly recommend Pica Peru and Kazia in general!

An organization I have recently founded is World Leadership School, worldleadershipschool.com.

If you know of a high school, middle school or college that may be interested—let me know! ross@worldleadershipschool.com

Thank you and good luck in your travels—

Ross and Renee (my wife) and Kazia (dearest friend)

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Brooklyn, N.Y.: I am planning to visit Peru in April. We originally planned to visit Puno (Lake Titica) first and then head over to Cusco and the Sacred Valley. I read that altitude sickness can be a real problem starting out at the high elevation around Puno. We cancelled our tickets and are now searching for a fare starting out in Cusco and ending the trip in Puno. Is starting out in a high elevation like in Puno a true problem etc...? We are planning to depart NY on April 16 and then leave from Peru on April 27. How do you think we can best spend our limited time? Thank you, Michael

Ross Wehner: I'm going to keep answering questions as long as I can in the interests of getting the important points addressed.

Altitude sickness is a major problem in Cusco and especially Puno (nearly 14,000 feet!). There are suggestions on how to deal with altitude sickness in the Cusco section of the book. Short version: upon arrival in Cusco, descend to the lower Sacred Valley, then go to Machu Picchu and then go to Cusco. Go to Lake Titicaca last—do not stay there or you will get sick most likely.

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Lenoir City, Tenn.: We are just starting to research the Machu Picchu/Aguas Caliente/Cuzco area of Peru for a trip in May 2009. I have some physical limitations and need to be as conveniently located as possible as well as hopefully find first floor accommodations in hotel with private bath. I am interested in the local culture, others in the party need info on reliable hiking/trekking guides for Machu Picchu. Any suggestions of locations, guide books, travel agencies which specialize in this region would be most appreciated.

Ross Wehner: Hmmm. I respect your determination to visit Peru and Machu Picchu! I would start with Moon Peru and look at the agencies mentioned there and then look at their websites. There are lots of great organizations. I would suggest Arequipa as a nice place for strolls and great food and a Europe-like atmosphere, Ollantaytambo for walking, Cusco and Machu Picchu. Good luck!

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Baltimore, Md.: My partner and I would love to see machu picchu, however she has a heart condition and would not be able to make the strenuous hike up. Are there any individualized touring options, that are reasonably priced, to "ride" up on a mule (similar to the grand canyon)? Thanks so much for your time! Kind regards, Sharon

Ross Wehner: check out the horse tours of Manu Expeditions, contact there is Barry Walker.

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Sheldon, Iowa: My son (16) will be traveling to Peru May 26th-June 5th with his high school Spanish club--a group of approximately 10-13. Appropriate clothing for this time of year is a question to avoid overpacking. They will be visiting Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca along with other sites. They will be staying with host families in groups of 2. Do you have any "be sure not to miss" advice for these young students while visiting these sites or Peru in general? Food is also a concern they have. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Ross Wehner: I'm so excited for your son! I would suggest he bring lots of light layers (fleece and a rain jacket, one pair of long underwear and sturdy hiking pants). Without knowing specifically where they are going, I would certainly suggest he spend time in Ollantaytambo if he could in the Sacred Valley. He should be careful about food, and there are good recommendations in the Health and Safety section of Moon Peru on avoiding sickness and medicines to bring. Mostly he should keep his eyes open, look out for chances to connect meaningfully with local people and remember that he can sleep (and listen to his iPod) when he is back state-side!

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Nashville, Tenn.: My husband and I travel with some close friends for a week in early March each year, and there is great interest in Macchu Pichu. We are in our mid-60s and definitely felt the effects of altitude (not sick; just weak and a bit light-headed) when visiting Colorado this past summer. How can one visit Macchu Pichu affordably and have sufficient "adjustment time?" Any advice appreciated.

Ross Wehner: please see note above about altitude and also in the cusco chapter of Moon Peru. This is a really important factor to plan your trip around—though remember that Peru is in an southern latitude where the partial pressure of oxygen is denser than it is in our more northerly altitude. So a 14er in Colorado is much harder than a 14,000 foot pass in Peru.

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Cedarhurst, N.Y.: Going to Peru Feb 18 via Miami-Lima-Cuzco. Any suggestions for restaurants in these 2 places?

Ross Wehner: check out Moon Peru, filled with Kazia Jankowski's suggestions. She is probably the foremost US-based expert on Peruvian cuisine after visiting every decent recent in Peru over an 8-month period last year—and then writing about it in the book.

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Grand Junction, Colo.: We want to plan a trip to Peru between Jan. 2-18, 2009 from Denver, CO that will include Machu Picchu, Lake Titticaca, and the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador. So far there are 5 adults ranging in age from 48 to 77, all English-speaking. What small group tour would be best to cover all that with English-speaking guides? We'd like to stay at the base of Machu Picchu and on a boat when visiting the Galapagos. Thanks, Karen

Ross Wehner: That sounds like a lot to squeeze in in 16 days—and remember that January is the height of the rainy season in Machu Picch and Lake Titicaca, the latter being particularly miserable and cold (icy) this time of year. I would reconsider your dates and also spend those two weeks all in Peru—the Galapagos, in my mind, is a seperate trip all together and I think you will come back feeling quite rushed and perhaps that you did not get all your money's worth. The best agencies that I nkow of are in Moon Peru and also on andeantravelweb.com.

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Portland, Ore.: I will be traveling to Peru and Argentina for two weeks on February 8th. I was disappointed to find out that the Inca Trail is closed during the month of February for trail maintenance. Can you recommend other options for hiking and interesting excursions in the Cuzco and/or Machu Picchu area? Thanks!

Ross Wehner: yes—check out perusurnativa.com and other trekking agencies in the book. For pure trekking, the Huaraz (Cordillera Blanca and Huayhuash ranges) area of Peru cannot be beat—just see the movie Touching the Void to see what I mean!

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Layton, Utah: Hi Ross, We're a group of six baby boomers planning a two-week trip to Peru on June 7, 2008 which will include a couple of days on the Amazon. We're coming from Connecticut and Utah. We'll be on a tour with Latin America 4 Less. What is your recommendation regarding yellow fever shots & malaria pills before the trip? Also, could you please offer some advice on weather at that time of year, any special events going on, and other "don't miss" tips? Thanks for your help!

Ross Wehner: Yellow fever definitely. Regarding malaria, I have never taken those pills and have spent months in the Peruvian amazon but I would speak with your local travel clinic and consult the CDC website, which has up-to-date recommendations. There are no particular holidays that I know of on June 7, but the PromPeru website often has holidays lifted for different areas of Peru. Good luck!

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Orlando, Fla.: I will be going to Machu Picchu in late March this year. What kind of weather can we expect? How do you deal with the altitude at Cuzco? How bad is Travelers Diarrhea in that area? Thanks

Ross Wehner: Thank you for brining this up. Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu, where most people stay has a terrible reputation for food sickness. Every member of my family has gotten sick there. Please splurge and treat yourself to a nice restaurant while you are there and order something safe—grilled meat or potatoes, no salads!

see other above comments about altitude.

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Annandale, Va.: What is the cheapest mode of transportation from Lima to Cuzco?

Ross Wehner: Burro. Seriously, people have done it.

I love your spirit! there are so many great ways to get to Cuzco from Lima and my favorite is going through Huancayo, Ayacucho and then onto Cusco. A huge adventure. Take individual buses from each city and enjoy the adventure you are about to embark upon. Do not take buses at night and, if you take cheap buses, do not put things in the overhead storage section. Ever. YOu can also take buses from Lima to Huarochiri, and cross the snow-covered range on foot, and then hitch hike or take buses onto to the highway that leadst to Huancayo. I did that and it was one of my best adventures ever—think outside the highways but be sensible and safe!

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New York, N.Y.: My girlfriends and I (a group of four 28 year olds) are going to be hiking the Inca Trail in early May. In an attempt to minimize altitude sickness, we'll be spending three days in the Cuzco area. Can you recommend some things to do that will not be energy-intensive (we want to save our energy for the Inca Trail) and is not your typical boring museum? Are there some interesting day trips we should try?

Ross Wehner: Ok this is the last question I can answer as they are shutting this webcast down.... I wasn't able to answer all questions but I think that I addressed them all with at least other responses.

I would recommend you go to Ollantaytambo and spend a few days there horseback riding, hiking up and down the trails, exploring, visiting communities , etc. This will be a great prep for the Inka Trail.

Have fun and thank you everyone for tuning in!

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Lenoir City, Tenn.: I am just beginning to plan a trip for May of 2009 to Cuzco/MP area. There will be myself (55), who can't walk for very long at all, and 2 young hikers in their 20s who want to hike to MP. Any suggestions for the best location for us to stay, local transportation for me, and reliable tour guides for them?

Ross Wehner: ok one last question—I could not resist.

Follow the altitude suggestions made earlier—start in Sacred Valley (especially Ollantaytambo), then proceed to MP and finish in Cusco. Maybe you can lounge in Ollanta for a few days while the younger hikers do the Inka Trail. Then you can meet at Machu Picchu.

One hotel that I highly recommend in Peru, and somehow did not make it into the edition of Moon Peru, is El Balcon Inn.

Good luck!