Ep 7. Peru

In An Idiot Abroad season 1 episode 7, Karl Pilkington makes his way to Peru. After visiting many beautiful but uncomfortable places in South America, Karl is in for some more challenges. Karl starts his journey in Lima, the capital of Peru. He is shocked as soon as he arrives at the airport, as taxi drivers try to scam him into paying more for their services. Despite being in Spanish-speaking territory, Karl decides to take a rickshaw to his hotel instead of a taxi.

While in Lima, Karl visits the Plaza Mayor, which is one of the most important tourist destinations in the city. Additionally, he tries a local dish called ceviche, which is raw fish marinated in citrus juices. Although Karl enjoys the taste, he seems to struggle with the texture being somewhat slimy. Karl also visits "La Huaca Pucllana," an archeological site in the middle of Lima. The site was used as a sacred place for sacrifice by the ancient Lima people. Karl is surprised by the site's history and couldn't handle the thought of human sacrifice.

His journey then takes him to the city of Cusco, which is known for its rich history and unique architecture. Karl visits the Saqsaywaman ruins, which date back to the Inca Empire. Karl couldn't help but say that these ruins looked more like a 17th-century car park than a historical attraction. However, Karl's trip to Cusco was not all fun and games. He decided to try a traditional Inca remedy for altitude sickness, chicha. The drink is a fermented corn beer, and Karl is not a fan of the flavor. He describes it as sweet, sour, and like petrol.

Moving forward in his journey, Karl then goes to Machu Picchu, Peru's most iconic and replicated tourist destination. Karl takes a train to the city of Aguas Calientes before departing on a bus to Machu Picchu. Karl describes the train ride as comfortable and enjoyable. He was taken back by the beauty of Machu Picchu. The scenery looked like something out of a cartoon and was," everything it promised to be."

Karl takes a guided tour of Machu Picchu, which doesn't fascinate him much. He said that it seemed like ruins with no context. However, it did not prevent Karl from taking a few unforgettable pictures on this ancient Inca site. Karl also tries some coca leaves, known to be a natural remedy for altitude sickness.

Finally, Karl's visit to Peru concludes with an unusual adventure, a treacherous climb up the remote Andes Mountains. Karl meets a group of people who he will travel with, and they embark on the hike together. Karl thought the climb was a way more challenging than he was prepared for. He describes the high altitude and airlessness as the worst thing he ever experienced. Although the climb was hard, Karl enjoyed some breathtaking panoramas as they hiked through the Andes Mountains.

In conclusion, An Idiot Abroad season 1 episode 7 showcases Karl Pilkington's trekking journey to Peru, including visits to different places of interest and cultural significance. The episode encapsulated Peru and showcased the beautiful destinations this country offered. Furthermore, it showed Karl's sense of humor and stubbornness when faced with difficult challenges.