Maxim Levoshin

Category: Peru

  • Helicopter flight rankings: the best and worst routes in South America

    Helicopter flight rankings: the best and worst routes in South America

    I really love flying, and if there is an opportunity to see something beautiful, I definitely take it. Here’s my ranking of experiences:

    🤮 Chile, lines in the Nazca Desert – 4/10
    School textbooks say that geoglyphs in the desert are only visible from a bird’s eye view. That’s a lie! Near the highway there are metal towers from which everything is perfectly visible. Above the desert tourists are taken by a shaking corncob, the views are monotonous, you get seasick. I don’t recommend it.

    😎 Brazil, Rio de Janeiro – 10/10
    The most beautiful helicopter tour on the continent! Ocean, beaches, impressive city in the hills, Jesus statue above the city. At the same time – the most careless security system at the airport. Bags are not checked, documents are not even asked. Apparently the aura of the city’s saint keeps everyone safe.

    😁 Brazil, Iguazu Falls – 8/10
    The most powerful waterfall system in the world. The most famous part is the Devil’s Throat, a 270 degree circular space surrounded by waterfalls. Powerful and beautiful: a helicopter flies right up to the Throat itself! I took off two points, because from the bottom, from the boat, you can drive into the waterfall itself, and it is much cooler in impressions! Brazilians are leisurely, both the boat and the helicopter will take half a day. If you have to choose one thing, definitely the boat!

    😎 Argentina, Martina Garcia Island – 9/10
    The exile island of a former president on the border with Uruguay. Perfect location for a date: beautiful flight over the La Plata river delta, interesting architecture of the island (even a theater building has been preserved!), lunch in a small authentic restaurant, crocodiles on the waterfront.

    😁 Argentina, Buenos Aires – 8/10
    It’s just really nice to fly over your city and take a look at your favorite places.

    🥲 Peru, Machu Picchu – 0/10
    A place that doesn’t have a helipad, but would really like one! The ancient Inca temple is protected on all sides by the high Andes Mountains. You can only get here by train, but it would be great to fly in.

  • So, what to tell about Peru?

    So, what to tell about Peru?

    🥘 The most delicious cuisine in all of Latam. Lots of fruits, seafood, finally soups! For those who want exotic – they cook alpacas and guinea pigs in the mountains. Delicious local coffee and chocolate.

    🗿 Ancient culture and traditions. Almost all of Latin America is a melting pot of European migrants and locals from past wars. In Peru beyond the Andes, it’s different: the migrants also had a mining accident at 4500km altitude and no one just crawled into the sacred Inca valley. In the valley you can feel the energy and ancient history from every stone.

    ⛰️ Unique nature. Turquoise lagoons in the mountains, high snowy peaks, archaeological excavations in the valleys, Lake Titicaca, the ocean, mysterious lines in the Nazca Desert – there is something to see!

    ☕️ Do you miss the vibe of Krasnaya Polyana? You’re in Pisac: mountains, river, vegan speshalty cafes, hipsters with laptops, yoga and 40 minutes to all the infrastructure of Cusco.

    🪪 And, of course, the traditional easy legalization of Latin America:

    • 90 days visa-free with a Russian passport;
    • Easy to make a residence permit;
    • After 2 years of residence you can apply for citizenship. Of course, as in Argentina, you should not do it yourself – the case will hang for years;
    • Citizenship is a gift for newborns.

    Continuing to drive up the longest Pan-American highway.

    What do you associate with Peru?

  • How to pass the border quickly by car

    In a year of road-traveling around Latin America, I’ve learned the cardinal rule:

    Never cross the border at a popular place. You will spend three hours in line, they will make you unload all your stuff from the car, take away your bananas (did you know that banana gnats travel only in four-wheel drive cars with air conditioning, and can’t fly across the border because your passport is the wrong color?), and will explain for a long time that you should have bought a special toilet paper with a printed questionnaire for a dollar in advance, and if you don’t have the paper – well, go look for it somewhere in the night yourself.

    Change countries through villages in high mountains or impenetrable jungles. There will be a strong wind outside, so they won’t even look in the car, all customs officers and their dogs will take pictures with you, because ruso gringo turisto in such a hole is the main entertainment of the week, maybe even pour coffee. If you don’t get caught in the lunch break of the only migration officer, you will pass everything literally in 10 minutes.

    What was the most epic thing that happened to you at the border?

  • I am often asked: Max, how safe is it to drive in Latin America?

    I am often asked: Max, how safe is it to drive in Latin America?

    I tell you about my experience (Argentina/Paraguay/Uruguay/Brazil/Chile/Peru/Ecuador). During the year I was attacked only once by petty thieves: monkeys in the jungle got into my travel food bag and snatched chips. Be careful, though!

    Basic rules:

    🌃 Drive around the arc of tourist areas in big cities. Locals know there are gringo white tourists with money walking around. Of course, you can see us all from a kilometer away and the risk of your phone/wallet being stolen is quite high. In Brazil, it’s also dangerous in megacities.

    🗻 It’s quiet in villages in the mountains: locals often don’t even close their doors. Fences are immediately low, there are no bars on the windows.

    😎And the obvious: don’t talk on the phone on the street, don’t put valuables on the table in cafes, don’t drive into slums at night, check that your hotel has parking (for example, in Cusco, the streets are so narrow that even five-star hotels without parking, I was shocked😳), when renting a place for a long time – choose gated neighborhoods with security guards.

    I feel like the danger of latam is exaggerated, the chances of something being stolen from you in London/Barcelona/San Fran are about the same.

    What’s the security situation in your city?

  • I was driving along the ocean yesterday and realized that one of my wheels is dead

    I was driving along the ocean yesterday and realized that one of my wheels is dead

    I was driving along the ocean yesterday and realized that one of my wheels is dead. It’s Sunday, and usually everything is closed, but I’m lucky – there’s a garage with an auto mechanic near the highway.

    While the master removes the tire and pulls out the nail, I chat with his ten-year-old son Danilo. Children are, of course, the best tutors for language. It never occurs to them that someone might not understand them, so they chatter at first space speed and of course with all the slang.

    I divert the conversation from questions about how much my iPhone costs to school and geography: Danilo likes school, but he doesn’t know where the exotic country of Russia is.
    “You’re going to Chile, do they have beaches and blue water there too?”

    – Yes

    However, after about 10 minutes, the boy guesses something:
    “You don’t understand everything in Spanish. Is your mother tongue Quechua?”

    Quechua in Peru is spoken by the indigenous population in the mountains, about 13 million speakers. I couldn’t explain what Russian or “another language” in general was😂

    The older kids taught me how to say hello:
    Nuha essence Max – my name is Max.

    And what new things did you learn from the children?

  • 🚘 Checklist: “How to Survive Travel in Remote National Parks”

    After covering 100,000+ kilometers across two Americas and Eurasia, I’ve learned that near stunning natural spots, accommodations can be… let’s say basic (if they exist at all). Here’s a tested checklist of must-ask questions for hotels, especially in Latin America, where reality often diverges from online descriptions.  

    Before Booking: Ask These Questions

    ✔️ Are you open today? (Obvious, but sometimes surprising answers.)  

    ✔️ What time does the reception close?(Arriving at midnight to locked doors isn’t fun.)  

    ✔️ Is the room warm / does the AC work?(Altitude and jungle climates are unpredictable!)  

    ✔️ Do you have hot water? (And no, “lukewarm” doesn’t count.)  

    ✔️ Is there enough hot water for a full shower or bath? (Because trickling water ruins vibes.)  

    ✔️ Is the internet reliable? (If you’re working remotely or just want to Google stuff.)  

    ✔️ What time does the kitchen close? (After a long hike, you’ll want food ready.)  

    ✔️ Is there secure parking on-site? (Especially crucial in areas with sketchy security.)  

    Pro Tips:

    1. Book last minute – Natural beauty often dictates your pace. Don’t lock yourself into a schedule when the best moments are spontaneous.  

    2. Pack backup food & essentials – Some places lack restaurants or have kitchens with weird hours.  

    3. Bring a power bank and flashlight – Electricity outages in remote areas are common.  

    Trust me, double-checking these small details will save you from big headaches. What’s your go-to travel tip? 🌍✨

  • 🚘 Peru by Car: Adventures, Altitudes, and Absolute Chaos

    🚘 Peru by Car: Adventures, Altitudes, and Absolute Chaos

    Peru might be a small, mountainous gem of South America, but exploring it by car? That’s where the real adventure begins. As someone who’s spent over a month navigating its roads (and a fair share of near-heart attacks), here’s what you need to know.  

    🚦 The Driving Experience

    Ever driven in Indonesia? Imagine that, but three times worse. If you haven’t, let me set the scene: chaotic lanes, zero adherence to traffic laws, and drivers who seem to thrive on close calls. Peru is not for the faint of heart—or the faint of brakes. Unless you’re a stunt driver, you might want to reconsider.  

    By contrast, neighboring Chile has the most polite and cautious drivers in South America. How can two countries be so close yet so drastically different on the road? Mystery of the Andes.  

    🌋 Altitude Adventures

    From the coastal plains of Lima (0 meters) to Cusco (2,700 meters) and the towering Andes (5,000 meters), Peru is a land of dramatic altitude shifts. This means two things:  

    1. Mountain serpentine roads — long, winding, and occasionally terrifying.  

    2. Altitude sickness —i t’s real.  

    My advice: 

    – Spend a few days acclimating at 2,500 meters (Arequipa is a great spot).  

    – Carry portable oxygen tanks. If you run out, medical centers in high-altitude towns can provide oxygen.  

    🛤️ Not All Roads Lead to Wonders

    Two must-see places in Peru are off-limits to cars:  

    1. Machu Picchu – Nestled in the mountains, reachable only by train or a multi-day hike. Pro tip: Book tickets months in advance. Not a planner? Same.  

    2. Quitos – Deep in the Amazon, accessible only by boat or plane.  

    Both are worth the effort, but Peru will throw some logistical curveballs your way.  

    Peru is wild, breathtaking, and full of surprises—both on the roads and beyond. Have a favorite Peruvian spot? Let me know while I prep my next post about the must-visit places you can’t miss. 🌄

  • 🗻 How to Conquer the 5000-Meter Rainbow Mountains of Peru (Without Breaking a Sweat)

    🗻 How to Conquer the 5000-Meter Rainbow Mountains of Peru (Without Breaking a Sweat)

    Natural beauty is my weakness—especially when it’s not buried under a swarm of tourists. But let’s be real: anything above 3,500 meters? My lungs file for resignation. That’s why the Rainbow Mountains, or Vinikunka, presented a special challenge. Here’s how to soak up the magic with minimal effort and stress.  

    When to Go & How to Dodge Crowds

    Morning? Overrated. That’s when every tour bus in Peru unloads its cargo. By 3 PM, though, the mountains start to reclaim their peace. My golden advice? Hit the turnoff around noon. This way, you’ll avoid minibuses weaving through hairpin curves and find the Rainbow Mountains blissfully uncrowded.  

    To Climb or Ride?

    At 5,000 meters, every step feels like a marathon. Thankfully, horses are on standby to save your sanity. Or so you think. Here’s the plot twist: they’ll take you close to the summit but stop short because, apparently, mountain sheriffs hand out fines for equine overachievement. Conservation goals, they say.  

    Cue a heated exchange in Spanish. Spoiler: the horses stayed below, and I hoofed it the rest of the way. (Pro tip: bring snacks for your sherpas—they’re good allies when things get “negotiable.”)  

    Drones, Fines & Spanish Lessons

    Planning to launch a drone? The Andean air might carry it high, but sheriffs here are eagle-eyed and fine-friendly. Half an hour of flying could cost you a small fortune. Moral of the story? Learn Spanish. It’s not just a language—it’s your passport to understanding and outsmarting local quirks.  

    Latin America isn’t just about breathtaking landscapes; it’s an adventure where rules shift with the wind. Roll with it, laugh at the absurdity, and soak in the views. Trust me—they’re worth every lung-burning step.  

    Would you tackle the Rainbow Mountains or keep your adventures closer to sea level? 🌈✨