Peru Trips & Tours

Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) is Peru’s main airport and offers direct flights from major cities in the USA, Toronto, Paris, Madrid and Amsterdam. Due to Peru’s size, the fastest and most comfortable way to travel is on a domestic flight and the country’s major hubs are within a two-hour flight of Lima, including Cusco, which is the gateway to Machu Picchu. Flights also land at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) in Cusco and Rodríguez Ballón International Airport (AQP), which offers easy access to the Colca Canyon.

However, South America is known for its well-kept road routes, so private transfers work well for getting from place to place. Train journeys are also very popular and make a great way to see the sights in comfort, including the route to Aguas Calientes near Machu Picchu. Using a taxi service is preferred while travelling within a city at night, but expect traffic jams in Lima.

Please consult your personal physician and/or a travel clinic preferably 6 weeks prior to your departure. Vaccine requirements vary based on your country of origin and your travel itinerary, as well as your previous vaccination history. It is best to consult with your physician or the CDC website for guidelines.

It is recommended that you are vaccinated against typhoid, hepatitis A & B, yellow fever and rabies before entering Peru. The relevant documentation must be carried with you at all times. An anti-malarial prophylaxis is also recommended, but you are required to consult your physician. Mosquitoes in Peru may carry a number of diseases so it’s advised to wear insect repellent and avoid bites as much as possible.

The tapwater in Peru isn’t safe to drink so ensure you drink purified or bottled water, and avoid ice in any drinks.

Communication
Peru country code: +51

Calling overseas from Peru:
Dial 00 followed by the country code, area code and cell phone number.

Money
Peru’s official currency is the Neuvo Sol. There are various options when exchanging money on arrival including banks (there are ATMS available in every major city), moneychangers, hotels and casas de cambio (exchange houses). The casas de cambio tend to have the best exchange rates, short queues and a safe environment. Many stalls and shops don’t like giving too much change, so it’s best to hold onto your smaller notes for an easier shopping experience. If you’re travelling in a taxi, be sure to negotiate the fare before departure.


Gratuities
Gratuities are not compulsory or expected; rather it is a reward for excellent service. If you are pleased with the service you receive, you are more than welcome to tip your guide or the staff. Tipping is usually done at the end of your stay. You may tip the staff individually, give the tip to the manager to distribute, or do both.

Gratuities suggestions:
Private guide: $10 per day
Private driver: $3 - $5 per day
Porters: $1 per bag
Lodge staff: $20 per room per night (this can be distributed by the manager)
Restaurants: In most upscale/tourist restaurants, 12% VAT and a 10% service charge is already included. For local restaurants, the service charge may not be included so a 10% tip is appreciated/appropriate (12% VAT is included).

Insurance
It is a condition of booking that you carry the correct comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover yourself, as well as any dependents/travelling companions for the duration of your trip. This insurance should include cover in respect of, but not limited to, the following eventualities:

Compulsory Insurance:
a. Emergency evacuation expenses
b. Medical expenses
c. Repatriation expenses

Recommended Insurance:
a. Cancellation or curtailment of trip
b. Damage/theft/loss of personal luggage, money and goods

Entrance into Peru from the following countries does not require a visa: the USA, Canada, Mexico, all of South America and the EU, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland, Israel, and certain countries in Asia and Central America.

Entrance into Peru receives a single entry stamp and visitors are required to have a passport valid for at least six months with a minimum of two free pages.

Please do contact the embassy or consultant in your home country to reconfirm visa requirements, as they change often. Visa Central is also a good resource for further information.

As a general precaution, we recommend you make several copies of your travel-related documents (passport, credit cards, itinerary, airline tickets, insurance cover, visas, etc). Leave one set at home, and bring another set with you, and place it in a location separate from your originals.

Climate
In basic terms, Peru’s climate comes down to the wet and dry seasons. The months of May to October fall into the latter, and are regarded as the most temperate time to visit, particularly if you’re planning a trip to the Andean foothills, Lake Titicaca or Machu Picchu. Although, this is also the busiest time to visit and booking a year or more in advance is crucial. The rains begin to arrive in late October, but November brings fewer crowds, an abundance of birdlife and higher water levels in the Amazon, making smaller tributaries more accessible. The rainy season starts in earnest from December leaving mountainous areas impassable and the Amazon hot and very wet - although the flora is incredible. The Inca Trail is also closed throughout the entire month of February. This is when Peru’s desert coastline comes into its own, with the Pacific Ocean breeze keeping the cities cool - the perfect time to marvel at Paracas’ desert geoglyphs. April falls in between the seasons, making it quite idyllic across the country and a fantastic time to combine Peru with the Galapagos Islands.

What to pack
Peru is huge with a varied landscape and choice of activities, and your itinerary will affect what to pack (and how much). The following can be used as a guideline:

Layers! Quick-drying T-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, leggings or cargo pants
Warm items including a sweater or fleece, insulated jacket, buffs, scarves, thermal hats, gloves and thick socks (especially if you’re visiting Cusco and the Sacred Valley)
Light, water-resistant jacket (especially in the rainy season)
Hiking boots / sturdy walking shoes (water-resistant is recommended)
Day pack and dry bag
Beach wear
Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen lotion
Toiletries, insect repellent, hand sanitizer, first aid kit and altitude sickness aids.
Any vitamins or medication you may need (always ensure they are allowed on your flight)
Combination padlock, water bottle, portable power pack
Memory cards, batteries, chargers and adapters - Peru uses plug types, A, B and C, at a supply voltage of 220V and 60Hz

Luggage
Most domestic airlines in Peru allow 4 to 10kg of hand luggage and 23kg of checked baggage. When trekking or travelling by train / bus to Machu Picchu, your luggage will be limited to a daypack / backpack and it’s best to check specifications beforehand.

Train to Machu Picchu:

- You are required to submit full passenger information to us at least 30 days before your trip.
- Carry-ons must be a single bag weighing no more than 5kg and a total size of 157cm (length + width + height). However, travellers going on the Inca Trail can present a special permit, which allows for up to 6 additional kilograms in the carriage.

TREKKING

If you are including a trek in your itinerary, there is a number of things to take into consideration.

All travellers must be in fair/good physical condition and an acclimatisation period of 2 - 3 days is recommended.

All treks include:

- A pre-departure briefing
- Private transfers to the start and from the finish points
- First aid kit and oxygen tanks
- Telecommunication system
- Meals as stipulated

Multi-day treks also include:

- Accommodation, excluding the hotel in Aguas Calientes prior to a Machu Picchu trek
- Full camping equipment
- Chef and supporting staff including porters
- Mules and/or llamas as stipulated
- Filtered and boiled water

What to bring on the trek:

- Original passport
- Waterproof (in rainy season) and worn-in hiking boots
- Clothing that can be worn in layers & additional warm items
- Day pack with any essentials
- You can also bring additional snacks, rehydrating products, water bottle, bag for dirty items, cash in Peruvian soles or USD.