House of travel South and Central America Brochure 2017 | Page 7

Hola amigo! The mighty Inca Trail Open yourself to
surprise
Before you travel to South &
Central America, it can pay to
learn a few Spanish basics. An
attempt at the native language,
even if you get it completely
wrong, will be met with a
heartwarming smile. If the Inca Trail is on your bucket
list, start planning well in advance
because permits sell out at least six
months prior, with a limited amount
per day. Book through us though,
for that added reassurance your
permit truly exists. • Hello - hola
• How are you - como esta
• Very good - muy bien
• Yes – si
• No – no
• Thank you very much - muchos
gracias
• Please - por favor The Inca people forged trails
throughout the region, so there
are actually six alternative paths
aside from the Inca Trail, varying in
duration and difficulty. Without doubt, South & Central
America can be a culture shock for
any born and bred Kiwi. Not purely
because of the diverse landscapes
and modified European aesthetics,
but simple things like dining
cultures are totally different (having
your dinner before 8pm will seem
ridiculously early to the average
latino).
And last but definitely not least..
• Uno cervesa por favor!
One beer please.
Once you’ve mastered the lingo,
you’ll find yourself in Brazil –
where they speak Portuguese!
The good news is, most Brazilians
have come to understand Spanish
themselves.
From there on in, preparation
is key. The best preparation for
altitude is to acclimatise as long as
possible in Cuzco and Sacred Valley.
La Paz in Bolivia is the highest city
in the world, so it’s also one of the
best places to acclimatise. Take it
easy, eat light, stay well hydrated
and copy the locals by chewing coca
leaves. However, our special little
secret is chocolate.. Glucose is great
preparation for altitude, so take this
opportunity to indulge!
Go with an open mind and let the
Latin journey surprise you. Step
away from everything familiar and
into a total unknown, for this is
where your greatest discoveries
are made. We can guarantee that
with an open-mind and a relaxed
approach, you will return home
completely refreshed. Everyone
will want to hear about your South
& Central American experience –
while you serve Pisco Sours and a
few empanadas on your NZ deck…
Some Latin traits you just won’t be
able to leave behind.
3