Here is a list if findings during our current trip about
I will update as we go.
1. Always take a phrase book for the language you are in.
2. Take a tourist map of your current location. These are usually free.
3. Always have toilet paper in your backpack
4. Take hand sanitizer for use after the loo or before eating.
5. Take at least $100 USD in your backpack.
6. Take at least the equivalent currency of the country you are in to the value of 50 USD.
7. Have 10 copies of your passport in your luggage and 1 copy in your backpack as you may be asked when buying goods by credit card.
8. Watch each other closely as getting lost is a panic moment. Especially true when you don't have cash or a map on you.
9. When taking photos with your expensive phone just be aware of who is around. Phones have been snatched.
10. Check if the loo paper is flushed in your location. In some parts of S America the paper goes into a bin beside the toilet.
11. Book accommodation using AIRBNB
12. Find bus connections using CLICKBUS...an online tool for S America.
13. Have the Google translate app with languages loaded for offline use. Use the "phase" tool. Very handy for those moments.
14. Avoid drinking from taps...use mineral water where possible. This will reduce upset stomachs.
15. When your booking a ticket for a bus ferry or plane be careful to have your facts written before approaching the service agent. Usually they do not speak english. On a clean sheet write, date of departure, destination, full name, time you want to depart, seat number you want, approx price in local currency. That should lessen the chance of a cockup. Have your passport copy ready to slip under their nose when they say documents. Have your real passport ready when boarding.
16. Getting to Incallatja. This can be a long trip although the distance is relatively short.
Go east from Cochabamba heading to Santa Cruz.
Follow road until Monte Punta. Small town. Turn right onto cobbled road. Follow until a large blue lettered sign appears for Incallajta. Turn right up hill. (follow arrows). Follow until end. There are two ford's to cross. At the second ford, park car and walk over footbridge. Just a 100 metres to the tourist building where a small entry fee is payable. $Bv 2.00.
Very cheap.
Follow track to site of ruins..2-300 metres.
3 of us hired a taxi and cost us $Bv 750 return.
Take plenty of water and take enough food for whole day.
Trip took 11 hours. Car broke down so we had some delays and we stopped for dinner.
Goodluck.
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