Travel to South America

Backpacking and Trekking in Peru and Bolivia

Format: Paperback
Author: Hilary Bradt
ReleaseDate: 16 April, 1987
Publisher: Bradt Travel Guides
Rating:

Good book, but needs updates
I used Backpacking. Fortunately, the daunting size of the book wasn't a factor. . . in 2000 mainly in Bolivia. I was disconcerted by the lack of updated information, but overall the maps and descriptions are very helpful. I spent three weeks in western Amboro National Park studying river otters and the impact of human presence in the area; I used Bradt's 1995 edition during a reconnaisance into the area two years ago, and found Jon Derksen's descriptions thorough and informative. Two tips--unbuckle your pack while fording rivers, and float your pack during deeper crossings were particularly insightful. What is more, the trip paved the way for the recent otter study. (Mr. Derksen, if you read this, I found the 'message in the bottle' you left in the crack in the 'cave'! Did you ever make it to the headwaters of the Macunucu?).

Buy this guide with a grain of salt...
Sure, some of the details are outdated, but there isn't a travel guide out there where that isn't the case. Although I've read negative reviews about the 1999 edition, over the past ten years I have used "Trekking and Backpacking in Peru and Bolivia" as a reliable source of information both for myself and friends. What I like about the Bradt publication is that it rounds out the hiking experience, offering alternatives and interesting insights. I have found especially valuable the 1995 ed. section on Bolivian National Parks--the information provided a gateway to some amazing adventures I had in the Apolobamba (a must see) and Amboro National Park. I know Bolivia quite well, and can say that this book is an important addition to the Andean travelers backpack.

Erroneus and very outdated description of some hikes
I have found many treks (in Colca Canyon, Cordillera Real for example) to be erroneus and very outdated (15 years at least regarding Colca). I have been using this book when trekking in P&B in 1996. I've checked later editions (but not this one) and they didn't change a thing What's good about this book is that it at least tells you were you can possibly trek, but be very carefull later and don't trust the book to much or you'll be in trouble.

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