We use bed & breakfast style locations or three, four and five star hotels. All of our Peru hotels have private bathrooms, hot water and clean, comfortable rooms. For certain packages, homestays are available as well.
We offer homestays in a variety of areas. Our most popular locations are in the Sacred Valley and Taquile Island in Lake Titicaca. The beauty of the homestay is that you have a chance to spend a day in the life of local people - experiencing their style of life as well as enjoying the food that they prepare.
Homestays offer a great experience to enjoy the daily life of the Andean people. All of the accommodations are very basic, but comfortable. Bedrooms will have single beds with many blankets and a shared bathroom and limited electricity all adding to the romance of experience. While the accommodations are simple, the host families are happy to make you as comfortable as possible, serving you deliciously prepared food all while sharing their lives with you.
All vouchers will be handled by your guide so you never have to worry about keeping up with the documents. Were there to make your vacation relaxing and worry-free. Once at the hotel, your reservation will be waiting for you and you will only need to check-in. The receptionist will ask you for your passport in order to make a copy, which is a requirement by the Peruvian government.
All of our hotels are located in secure, easily accessible areas. You will find yourself within easy walking distance of main attractions as well as restaurants and shopping.
Yes, most primary hotel staff (reception, restaurant, management) will speak English. And remember, your English speaking guide is always available to assist should the need arise.
We have carefully selected our hotels with a number of factors in mind, including your security. We have never had any incidents with our travelers. Regarding your personal items, we do still recommend that you utilize the hotel´s safe deposit box for storing any of your items of value.
B&Bs and 3-star hotels typically offer a standard continental breakfast of breads, jam, juice, coffee, tea and fruit. Four and five star hotels will typically offer a breakfast buffet, including hot items such as eggs and breakfast meats.
For the exception of homestays, all of our hotels offer private baths.
Most of our hotels offer heat or portable heaters in all of the rooms.
While most B&Bs or 3-star hotels only offer fans for ventilation and cooling, all of our 4- and 5-star hotels have air conditioning units in each room.
All hotels with whom Cultural Immersion works only offer non-smoking rooms.
Sanctuary Lodge is the one and only 5-star hotel located at the entrance of the ruins. All other hotels are located at the base in Aguas Calientes.
Check-in and check-out times vary from location to location, but in general you will find these times as follows:
Check-in Check-out
LIMA 2:00pm 11:00am
CUSCO 8:00am 10:00am
SACRED VALLEY 11:00am 11:00am
For other areas within Peru, times vary, and will be noted according to the individual property.
Lockers are near the domestic departure exit. The airport staff will point you in the right direction. Lockers cost 7 soles per hour and 28 soles for the whole day. There is also a left-luggage area where you can leave your suitcase for 3.50 soles per hour per piece or 14 soles for the whole day per piece.
In case you are going to the Amazon, Paracas or Machu Picchu, it is easy to store your excessive luggage at the hotel you are staying at the day before you leave to the above mentioned places. Always confirm this with Cultural Immersion.
All departure taxes are now included in the ticket price. There is no longer a need to pay separately.
A Cultural Immersion representative will be waiting for you with a name sign as you exit customs and will lead you to your transportation. Keep a look out for our logo and your group name.
For your international flight, it is best to email or call us if you know of any delays. However, by using your flight number we can keep track of everything. Our team keeps track of airline changes for you so you can count on our representatives to be there at the correct time, even if your flight is delayed. If one of your domestic flights is delayed or cancelled, you are automatically on the next flight and we will coordinate everything from there. Our team also confirms your flights for you so you dont need to bother with the details. If there are any changes, you will be notified wherever you are by our representative in each destination.
We arrange everything via e-tickets so there is maximum flexibility for you. We will have your boarding passes already printed off for you to make things as easy as possible. In certain instances, you will be able to check-in for your flight 24hrs ahead of time from the comfort of a computer.
If you are registered with any of the airlines we use, please pass us your frequent flyer numbers so we can automatically credit your miles with them. Please, make sure when you check inn, to pass this information to the airliner as well.
We are more than happy to assist you in finding the best flights; however, there are several outlets online, such as orbitz.com where you can find great deals.
All domestic flights are included in the cost of your tour, unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. All internal flight tickets are electronic so you will not receive any physical tickets. We will be able to provide you with your booking reference number and electronic ticket number. You will only need to present your passport at the airline counter in order to check in. We arrange your pre-check inn and during your trip your personal tour guide will hand you the printed boarding passes.
Lima to Puerto Maldonado 2:45
Lima to Cusco 1:15
Lima to Arequipa 1:25
Lima to Juliaca 1:40 direct 2:40 w/ stopover
Lima to Iquitos 3:00
Cusco to Puerto Maldonado 00:55
Cusco to Juliaca 00:50
Cusco to Arequipa 2:10 or 3:30 depending on stopover
We select our airlines based on availability, pricing and schedule. We use all four domestic airlines with great frequency (LAN, TACA, Star Peru and Peruvian Airlines). All are quality airlines that provide great services. Should you have a particular preference as to which airline we use, please feel free to make your request.
Most internal flights use 727s or similar size jet planes with a capacity of 80-120 passengers. Manu tours use smaller 10-15 passenger propeller planes typically.
On domestic flights within Peru, carry-on luggage is limited to 8kg/18lb and checked baggage is limited to 23kg/50lb.However, Star Peru maintains different regulations, it is allowed to take 4 kilos of carry-on luggage and 23 kilos in total.
Generally, it is best to follow the 3-1-1 rule for liquids and for everything else, you can find the best guidelines on what is permitted and prohibited, by visiting here. In general, flight restrictions in Peru are not as strict as in the USA. Whatever you can bring from the US, you will be able to carry on your flights within Peru.
The straight answer is no. Coca leaves are not permitted, nor is the mate de coca; however, some people have had success in taking the teabags home as long as its only a small amount for personal use.
You may bring 2 liters of alcohol and 400 cigarettes into Peru duty free. Items for personal use including cameras, laptops, and travel gear can be brought in for personal use. It is illegal to take any pre-Columbian art out of Peru and it is usually illegal to enter into most countries with these artifacts. If you are going to buy reproductions, do so from a reputable dealer and obtain documentation from the National Institute of Culture Vendors to show to customs officials. In the jungle vendors also sell live exotic birds and animals. It is illegal to take these endangered species outside of the country. Bags of cocoa leaves are sold in Peru and are legal, but they are not legal in most other countries. Although it would be impossible to produce any significant amount of cocaine from one of these bags, it's not worth the risk in bringing them back home.
Altitude sicknessalso known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), altitude illness, hypobaropathy, or sorocheis a pathological effect of high altitude on humans, caused by acute exposure to low partial pressure of oxygen at high altitude. It commonly occurs above 2,400 meters (8,000 feet). It presents as a collection of nonspecific symptoms, acquired at high altitude or in low air pressure, resembling a case of "flu, carbon monoxide poisoning, or a hangover". It is hard to determine who will be affected by altitude sickness, as there are no specific factors that compare with this susceptibility to altitude sickness. However, most people can climb up to 2,400 meters (8,000 ft) normally.
Yes, absolutely. We design our tours so that you are able to acclimatize gradually. For all of our trips from Lima to Cusco, we will take you to the Sacred Valley first (Altitude: 2900m, 9500ft), then to Machu Picchu (Altitude: 2000m, 6500ft) and finally to Cusco (Altitude: 3400m, 11150ft), giving your body plenty of time to adjust gradually.
While altitude sickness affects everyone differently, the best way to try and prevent altitude sickness, or soroche, is by following the next steps:
Our guides will be evaluating each trekker through the first day and observing any signs of altitude sickness. Generally speaking, once you make it through the first day, most hikers are fine. In the unlikely event that you have a severe case of altitude sickness a porter will carry you back to the closest populated area. Not to worry though, this is extremely rare.
Lima Sea Level Arequipa 2300m, 7500ft Cusco 3400m, 11150ft
Ica 406m, 1340ft Colca Canyon 3600m, 11900ft Sacred Valley 2900m, 9500ft
Nazca 600m, 2000ft Puno 3800m, 12500ft Machu Picchu 2000m, 6500ft
While malaria is present in the Amazon, it is not a serious problem for travelers. Cases of malaria are well confined outside of the touristed areas, so there is no need to worry about any risks. However, it is wise to take repellent with you and to wear long sleeves. It will protect you against the mosquito bites.
All packages allow 10kg of luggage per person, but not to worry, you can take your entire luggage with you. Upon arrival into the jungle, a representative from the lodge will take your extra luggage and securely store it in their main facility. You will want to have your separate pack of 10 kilos with you for the nights you will spend in their lodge. On your final day you will go back to their office to collect your luggage and take your flight.
Here is a packing list that we recommend for your Amazon jungle vacation:
Many of the lodges have electricity, but often times it is limited to the evening during dinnertime. At night, candles or lanterns are used in the rooms and hallways. This creates a beautiful ambiance while conserving energy.
While only Inka Terra provides hot water, after spending a day in the hot and humid jungle, a cool shower is usually a welcome moment.
You will be able to go around and near the hotel, but we do not recommend you going any further because you can easily get lost. There are many trails and they all look the same, so it is always better to be with someone from the area. The guides are always available and they are happy to accompany you to wander around for few minutes or hours.
In order to dial from overseas, please dial 00 then 51 (the Peru country code), then the city code and then finally the phone number. City codes are as follows:
Lima 1 Cusco 84 Puno 51 Arequipa 54
Dialing in Peru:
National calls (from city to city): Add zero before the city code.
Local calls (within the same city): Dial the number only.
Cell phone numbers are always preceded by a 9 and then the number. No other prefix is necessary.
If you need to contact us for any reason, or if a loved one is trying to reach you while traveling, please call our local office, Cultural Immersion S.R.L, in Cusco.
Office Hours:
Mon to Fri: 9 am to 1pm & 2 pm to 6pm local time (GMT -5)
Saturdays: 9 am to 1pm
USA: 1-801-3867247
PERU: 00 + 51 84 794901
NL: 0031-010 230 9900
Local Cusco Emergency 24 Hours Phone: +51 84 984988200 .
Within Peru dial 084-984988200
Within Cusco dial 984988200
There are two major telecommunications companies in Peru: Claro and Movistar. You can buy a prepaid SIM card for about 15 soles then recharge them, depending on your needs, in any store selling Claro or Movistar products, as well as in most supermarkets and gas stations. Before buying a SIM card, make sure that your phone recognizes the local networks (is unlocked), as this is not always the case. Upon arrival it is also possible to buy the SiM cards at the airport of Lima.
Every year we celebrate Christmas in a different Andean village. We go up into the highlands where the people are very poor and have very limited resources. Christmas is very special to us and should be for them, too. On Christmas day we travel to an Andean village and give our time and gifts and to families and children. There is usually only one school in these communities and the children who attend only have the opportunity to attend once or twice a week and even when they do so, they must walk long distances, which for some is over two hours. As the communities are in very high altitudes, the families find it hard to grow any crops and thus find it hard to make a living. This is the reason we choose to celebrate Christmas with them. We would like to welcome anyone who would like to help us brighten up the faces of this community. You will not only be helping this under-resourced community, but you will get to see the real Peruvian Andean life and have an once-in-a-lifetime experience. All is included in our Andean Christmas Day Tours, the only contribution we need from you are some gifts for the children.
Many items are available for purchase once you come to Peru, however, English language books and some household items are easier found before traveling.
Gifts for children:
Household gifts:
We are a sustainable travel operation company that care about our environment and our local people. We are involved in a number of social projects within the communities, we give a percentage of our profits to our social projects, we hire local people for a number of services, and we limit the size of our groups to minimize environmental and social impact and will endeavor to ensure that our traditions and environments are preserved.
The whole electric system of Peru is of 220 volts and 60 cycles. Some hotels of 5 and 4 stars have additionally electric systems of 110 volts. Take the caution of verifying the voltage of hair dryer, razors, sound systems, loaders of batteries of notebook computers, video camera recording, etc. Many of these items are now made with dual-voltage capacity. If it is not, it will require a transformer 220/110 volt for its correct use in Peru. It is very common to find these at the stores in Peru should you forget to bring your own.
Most outlets use two types of plugs:
Flat blade plug Two round pins
Adaptors can be easily found here, if needed. It is rare to find outlets for grounded plugs (those with three pins) or for those that have one blade wider than the other.
Drinking only bottled water is a good idea. There are two types of water you can buy: sin gas meaning un-carbonated, normal water, and con gas which is carbonated. Make sure to eat in good restaurants and buy fruits from quality supermarkets. If you buy fruit from a street market, take extra care to wash it very thoroughly before eating it. Important note: Peruvian tap water is not potable. It is fine to use for teeth-brushing and cooking (provided it is boiled) but should not be ingested directly from the tap.
Staple foods in the highlands include potatoes, corn, rice, and meat dishes, often with a spicy sauce. In jungle areas, fresh fruits, fried plantains, and other vegetables are also common. Though vegetarians can be easily accommodated in all areas, options typically leave out the meat rather than adding vegetarian mainstays such as tofu, beans, or nuts. Vegetarian restaurants are easily found in the larger cities.
To keep from getting gastrointestinal infections, we recommend you do not eat any raw foods, drink only bottled or boiled water and do not eat food from street vendors. Alternatively, you do not need to worry when eating in restaurants specially selected by Cultural Immersion. We use only restaurants of the highest quality for our clients.
For fully private tours, answer: For fully escorted packages we use our own drivers and guides for the entire trip.
When the package includes a shared tour, answer: As noted in your itinerary you do have some shared tours. Cultural Immersion has carefully selected our travel partners and can confidently tell you that they share our high level of service and comfort.
Yes. We have all professional, expert English-speaking guides. We also have guides who speak French and German as well.
Tipping is obviously a personal preference, but we recommend the basic guideline of $10-40USD daily per group. Drivers - $10-30USD daily per group.
If you have booked a private tour, then yes, your guide will be available to you 24hrs a day, through the length of your trip. Should you have some shared portions to your itinerary, you will have guides with you at all locations, but may be on your own during the transportation portions of your trip. We are confident you will always feel cared for and aware of all details of your vacation. In addition, the shared groups consist of a small amount of people, for the reason you will feel more comfortable during your shared tour.
Currently, the only required vaccination or medication is for Yellow Fever and this is only required if planning on traveling to the Amazon area. There are not any other diseases in the areas where you will be visiting. This particular vaccine must be administered at least 10 days before your trip in order for it to be effective.
It is no problem to bring your prescription medicines with you as long as they are in their original prescription bottles and always in your carry-on luggage. As a precaution, you may also want to have an official note from your doctor. Be sure to bring enough with you for the entire trip as well. Be sure to follow security guidelines if the medicines are liquids. We also recommend that you bring some Immodium-AD, or other anti-diarrheal medication with you on the off chance that you experience any digestive discomfort.
To keep from getting gastrointestinal infections, we recommend you do not eat any raw foods, drink only bottled or boiled water and do not eat food from street vendors. Alternatively, you do not need to worry when eating in restaurants specially selected by Cultural Immersion. We use only restaurants of the highest quality for our clients.
Peru generally maintains good health care. Hospitals and clinics provide adequate services, especially in Lima, Cusco, Arequipa and the other main cities. Doctors are also often available to make house calls when necessary.
All hotels we provide will have hot water available. On occasion, for instance homestays and in the Amazon, hot water may not be available, but hygienic services will be adequate and clean.
If the hotel itself does not provide a laundry service, you can usually find one near the hotel. Usually these outside services are quite affordable and require 24 hrs for turnaround.
We offer homestays in a variety of areas. Our most popular locations are in the Sacred Valley and Taquile Island in Lake Titicaca. The beauty of the homestay is that you have a chance to spend a day in the life of local people - experiencing their style of life as well as enjoying the food that they prepare.
Homestays offer a great experience to enjoy the daily life of the Andean people. All of the accommodations are very basic, but comfortable. Bedrooms will have single beds with many blankets and a shared bathroom and limited electricity all adding to the romance of experience. While the accommodations are simple, the host families are happy to make you as comfortable as possible, serving you deliciously prepared food all while sharing their lives with you.
Pencils, coloring books & crayons are great. The kids really appreciate simple things. Most important to them though are staple foods-a nice surprise would be sweets, granolas or cookies. For island stays fruits & vegetables are quite welcome as they dont grow many on the island. Postcards from your home town are all warmly welcomed. Careful not to be over generous because then the locals can grow to depend on the fluctuating generosity of tourists (not all of whom are as generous as you may be).
The Inca Trail is closed during the month of February each year. The last group will depart on 31 January and the next group will start on 01 March. The closure allows conservation projects to take place, gives an opportunity for camping facilities to be improved and allow the vegetation to grow back. February is also the height of the wet season so you shouldn't miss too much. The shorter 2-day trek will remain open since this trek follows a different route. The ruins of Machu Picchu will remain open as normal as will the train services between Cusco and Machu Picchu.
Sort of. Since UNESCO named Machu Picchu a World Heritage Site, plans have been put in place to close the archaeological site to foot traffic. However, they will be building miradores, or overlooks, so that the site can be viewed from above, but not disturbed. All of this is an effort to conserve the ruins at the highest level possible. However, these are still rumours and remain unconfirmed.
All passengers travelling on the train to Machu Picchu only have a limit of 7kgs (15.5 lbs). The morning of your trip to Machu Picchu, you will need to leave your luggage in the hotel as your driver will be sure to transport it for you to your hotel in Cusco, where it will be waiting for you upon your return.
There are a total of 500 passes for the Inca Trail each day. This includes trekkers and all staff (cooks, porters, guides, etc).
Because the numbers of people permitted on the trek has been dramatically reduced it is advisable to make a reservation at least 12 weeks in advance. This is particularly important if you are planning on arriving in Cusco during the peak season (April-September). However, during the quieter months, less time is usually necessary.
You may check the official Machu Picchu website here and then select the Consultas tab. Finally, select your dates.
Yes, not to worry, we can offer you several other options. We offer treks on the Salkantay Trail, the Lares Trek, and a 4-day and 8-day option on the Choquequierao. Your travel advisor will be happy to help you select the right trek for you.
For the first day and a half, you will be able to buy water about every two hours along the trail at around 4 soles per half-litre. After that, the campsites will provide boiled water for everyone to fill their bottles during breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Toilets have improved a lot in the last couple of years and all of the larger campsites have toilet blocks with flush toilets and running water.
Unfortunately no; however, at the last campsite, showers are available for 10 soles per person.
Generally speaking, if you are an active person in your daily life, you will have no problems doing the Inca Trail, especially if you are accustomed to lots of walking and trekking. People of all ages have completed the trail successfully.
Many outdated guide books make out the Inca Trail to be a haven for thieves and bandits. Were glad to say that these are exaggerations and theft is now quite uncommon on the trail provided that you take basic precautions, such as not taking any unnecessary valuables with you that you don't need for the trek. As the number of people allowed on the trail is now quite limited, theft is uncommon, so you are able to relax and enjoy the magnificent views
We provide new, single and double tents as well as camping pads, pillows and all dining ware, tables and chairs. Sleeping bags may be rented for $5 per day, air mattresses may also be rented and you may want to bring your own walking stick or purchase one upon arrival.
We think youll be pleasantly surprised at both the quality and the variety of dishes served. For breakfast, we serve breads, panqueques, jam, coffee and tea. Lunch and dinner will consist of soups followed by a main plate of fresh trout, chicken or beef. Of course, there is no problem accommodating vegetarians.
On average you will hike six to nine hours a day and distance covered will be about 10km.
Hiring a porter is optional, but highly recommended as even though you may be used to carrying a heavy pack, the altitude makes quite a difference in your experience, We want you to enjoy the trek to its fullest. Porters usually cost $180 and is usually split between two people, each person being allowed 7.kg per pack for the porter to carry.
While tipping is a personal preference, we certainly encourage it for great service. A general guideline to consider is:
Tipping guidelines are according to the number of people in your group. The more people, the less you should have to pay as the cost is divided amongst the group.
Our guides will be evaluating each trekker through the first day and observing any signs of altitude sickness. Generally speaking, once you make it through the first day, most hikers are fine. As all of our guides are equipped with oxygen and this will be our first course of action. In the unlikely event that you have a severe case of altitude sickness, the best option is to locate you to a lower elevation, in which case one of our porters will carry you to the best location. Not to worry though, this is extremely rare.
All of our guides are fully equipped with both oxygen and a first aid kit and can easily attend to minor injuries and illnesses. In the unlikely event that you should suffer a more severe injury, a porter will carry you to the closest populated area for attention.
If you are doing the Inca trail, the Salkantay trek or any other trekking excursion; it is important to bring:
Equipment
Clothes
All other camping equipment for the trekking excursions is provided for you and included in the cost of the excursion. Porters can carry the gear, in which case you will only be responsible for carrying your daypack. But please be aware there are weight limits on what the porters can carry, thus every passenger is limited to 7 kg (15.5 lbs), including sleeping bags. All other items may be stored in your hotel in Cusco.
We always highly recommend travel insurance for your own benefit and protection. Life has a habit of throwing us curveballs, and its nice to know youre protected. Should you be interested in purchasing your own travel insurance, we work with Squaremouth and can offer very competitive rates. They can cover you for trip cancellation, medical expenses and other important insurance elements, which in turn, give you peace of mind.
Yes, homestays are available on Uros, Amantani and our personal favorite, Taquile. Homestays offer a great experience to enjoy the daily life of the Andean people. All of the accommodations are very basic, but comfortable. Bedrooms will have single beds with many blankets and a shared bathroom and limited electricity all adding to the romance of experience. While the accommodations are simple, the host families are happy to make you as comfortable as possible, serving you deliciously prepared food all while sharing their lives with you.
No, unfortunately, the only way to travel to Bolivia is by bus or private van for land travel, crossing at the border with Copacabana.
Pencils, coloring books & crayons are great. The kids really appreciate simple things. Most important to them though are staple foods-a nice surprise would be sweets, granolas or cookies- even fruits & vegetables (which dont grow on the island). Postcards from your home town are all warmly welcomed. Careful not to be over generous because then the locals grow to depend on the fluctuating generosity of tourists (not all of whom are as generous as you may be).
During the dry season, April to October, most of the days are sunny and warm, but the nights will get cold. During the rainy season, the days can be warm and have periods of rain but also periods of sunshine. Sunscreen is highly recommended here, even on cloudy days.
The official languages are Spanish (80% of the population), Quechua (Andean and highland regions), and Aymara (in the Puno high plateau). In addition, there are around 50 native languages. All of our guides are expert English speakers, so not to worry; youll always know whats going on.
A sizable amount of the population in Lima speaks passable English, but many Peruvians do not. In other areas of Peru, that amount is much smaller. If you don´t speak Spanish, you can probably get by with gestures and a few common English words. Depending on where you plan to go, it may be a good idea to purchase a phrasebook. Below is a list of common Spanish words and phrases and the English equivalent.
English | Spanish | Quechua |
---|---|---|
Hello/Goodbye | Hola/Adios or Chau | Rimaykullayki/ Rikunakusun |
Good morning/afternoon/evening | Buenos días/ Buenas tardes/ noches | Allin p'unchay/ Wuynas tardis/Allin tuta |
How are you?/Im fine. | Cómo estás?/Bien, gracias. | Allillanchu?/Allillanmi |
Please/Thank you/Youre welcome | Por favor/Gracias/De nada | Allichu/Yusulpayki/Imamanta |
Yes/No | Sí/No | Arí/Mana |
What is your name? | Cómo se llama? | Iman sutiki? |
How are you? | Cómo está? | Ima hinalla? |
Please give me | Dame, por favor | |
How do you say ? | Cómo se dice ? | |
Where is ? | Dónde está ? | |
Is there a bathroom here? | Hay baños aquí? | |
What time is it? | Qué hora es? | |
How much/many? | Cuánto? | |
I dont understand. | No entiendo. | |
Do you speak English? | Habla inglés? | Inlista rimankichu? |
I dont speak Spanish. | No hablo español. | |
Please repeat. | Repite, por favor. | |
I dont know. | No sé. | |
Excuse me. | Perdona. | |
Im sorry. | Lo siento. |
Pronunciation Help: Spanish vowels are much simpler than English vowels, so generally there are no real tricks to pronunciation.
A is pronounced similarly to the "a" in "father" or the "o" in "loft."
E is generally pronounced similarly to the Canadian "eh," kind of a shortened version of the "é" in the
English "café.
I is pronounced similarly to the "ee" in "feet" and the "e" in "me," although usually a little briefer.
O is pronounced like the "oa" in "boat" or the "o" in "bone," although usually a little briefer.
U is generally pronounced like the "oo" in "boot" or the "u" in "tune." Do not pronounce it like the "u" in "uniform." Examples: universo, reunión, unidos. In the combinations gui and gue, as well as after q, the u is silent. Examples: guía, guerra, quizás
Note: Bathrooms in Peru often have the telltale stick figures on the door. If they do not, look for Damas or Mujeres for women, and Caballeros or Hombres for men. Also, SS.HH indicates a restroom. You may sometimes be asked a pay a small charge for using public restrooms.
Whatever you are most comfortable with. Most people do bring big bag packs, or if they are travelling light, they have a small, hard suitcase and a small bag pack. Should you be travelling where luggage is limited, e.g. the Amazon or Machu Picchu, you will be able to leave your larger luggage in a secure location at your hotel and you will want to have a backpack or similar for the shorter overnight journeys.
Your luggage will stay most of the time at your hotel, while your day pack can stay in the van. Our drivers are always there taking care of your belongings and we never had any incidents. So, not to worry, you are in good hands.
All packages allow 10kg of luggage per person, but not to worry, you can take your entire luggage with you. Upon arrival into the jungle, a representative from the lodge will take your extra luggage and securely store it in their main facility. You will want to have your separate pack of 10 kilos with you for the nights you will spend in their lodge. On your final day you will go back to their office to collect your luggage and take your flight.
All passengers travelling on the train to Machu Picchu only have a limit of 7kgs (15.5 lbs), so please leave any unnecessary items in your hotel as your driver will be sure to transport your luggage to your hotel in Cusco where it will be waiting for you upon your return.
On domestic flights within Peru, carry-on luggage is limited to 8kg/18lb and checked baggage is limited to 23kg/50lb.
Sort of. Since UNESCO named Machu Picchu a World Heritage Site, plans have been put in place to close the archaeological site to foot traffic. However, they will be building miradores, or overlooks, so that the site can be viewed from above, but not disturbed. All of this is an effort to conserve the ruins at the highest level possible. However, these are still rumours and remain unconfirmed.
All passengers travelling on the train to Machu Picchu only have a limit of 7kgs (15.5 lbs). The morning of your trip to Machu Picchu, you will need to leave your luggage in the hotel as your driver will be sure to transport it for you to your hotel in Cusco, where it will be waiting for you upon your return.
The official currency of Peru is the Nuevo Sol (S/.). The U.S. Dollar is accepted at most major stores, restaurants and hotels.
The average exchange rates for the Nuevo Soles as of 17 May 2011 were as follows:
USD 2.82
GBP 4.58
EUR 4.00
CAD 2.91
AUD 2.99
Money exchange houses and ATMs are all very accessible throughout the airport, open 24hrs and generally have fair rates.
The most widely accepted credit card in Peru is Visa. Mastercard is also popular, but American Express and Diner's Club are not as widely accepted. We find ATMs the best way to get money. Most of them work on the Plus system, although you can find ATMs that accept Star, Cirrus and Interlink. The downside of credit and debit cards is that stores, hotels and restaurants will often add an 8% commission to the final bill. Your best bet is to take money from the ATM and pay for your purchases in cash. Travelers checks are usually good to take as "insurance, but they are often difficult to change and the exchange rate is not as favorable as if using cash.
While everyone is different regarding personal spending habits, on average you can expect costs such as these:
Please note that here in Peru, the meals at lunch are quite substantial, so often a lighter evening meal is more appropriate, and as such, will cost a bit less as well. Gifts and souvenirs can be obtained for very good prices. Our guides will be more than happy to show you the places to get all your souvenirs depending on what you want and how much you want to spend on each person.
The final payment of US$250 per person is required upon arrival into the Cultural Immersion office in Cusco. This should be paid in cash and preferably in US Dollars or with travelers checks.
Unfortunately, the answer to that question is yes; however, if you know what to look for, spotting fake bills is fairly easy. Usually, you can be confident in the bank to give you real bills, though it is still wise to check, especially when taking money from ATMs. The more common culprits are taxi drivers and sometimes street vendors.
Of course we are aware of accidents that have happened in the past; but as the government has put in strict regulations for companies, only fully-licensed companies are now allowed to operate. Not to worry, we use Aeroparacas, a fully licensed company, who has an excellent safety record, so you can feel completely comfortable enjoying this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Five total, On these planes, four people get to sit by the window and one person must sit in the middle.
The flight time is a total of thirty minutes.
No, the taxes for these tours must be paid separately and will cost 25 soles.
Yes, we also offer land tours of the Chauchilla Cemetary, an incredibly interesting burial site and the Cantalloc Aqueducts, a 2000 year old irrigation site that is as beautiful as it is functional.
In this area of Peru, the weather is nice all year around and hardly ever rains. Most of the days are warm and sunny. During the nights it stays warm. However, in the winter, the nights can get a little chillier, so you may want to bring something warm.
A private tour means that it is fully private just for you/your group. This means that you will have your own transport, driver and guide (when applicable) just for you. Of course, for elements such as the domestic flights, you will be sharing with other people.
Generally the earlier you book, the better. Booking early (4 months or more recommended) is especially important for travelers visiting during the height of the dry season, June to August, as many of these departures fill up months in advance. Also, when booking the holiday far in advance, chances increase for us to arrange domestic flights with a better price, within Peru.
Travelers visiting outside of these busy months can often book a bit more last minute, though 2-3 months notice is still recommended. Further, we usually recommend that you wait to book your international flights until after your tour is confirmed. The sooner that we arrange your tour, the sooner that you can take advantage of flight deals as they become available. We are often able to accommodate last minute travelers as well, so give us a call and we will do our best! For last minute bookings, it helps to be flexible and organized. Your first choice Amazon lodge may not be available for your selected dates, but your trip coordinator can probably recommend some other similar options that would be equally interesting!
Yes, absolutely. Every one of our packages is highly customizable to suit your preferences and desires. However, you may also just let us know where you want to visit and for how long and we will create the perfect trip just for you!
Lima 12:00 h London 17:00 h
New York12:00 h Berlin 18:00 h
Buenos Aires14:00 h Paris 18:00 h
Santiago 13:00 h Tokyo 02:00 h (*)
México City 11:00 h Sydney 03:00 h (*)
It is customary in Latin America to tip service providers. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however, here is an average guideline:
A number of the superior hotels include a 10% gratuity in the cost of your room.
All of our clients travel via a new, safe and comfortable van with one of our professional drivers. We trust them 100% and put them through a series of tests before allowing them to become our drivers. We understand safety and security is important and we take it very seriously. Please do not worry about road travel while travelling with us, you will be in safe hands.
When taking a taxi in Peru, it is important to negotiate the price for the ride before getting in as the taxis here do not have meters. You should also make sure the taxi is official before getting in. It is best to always ensure that you take a secure taxi, especially at night by either asking your hotel or restaurant to call you one.
Some registered and reputable taxi companies in Lima include:
Taxi Amigo - Tel. 01/349-0177 Taxi Móvil - Tel. 01/422-6890,
Taxi Line - Tel. 01/330-2795 Taxi Seguro - Tel. 01/275-2020)
Taxi costs in Lima vary from 5 to 50 soles depending on the distance. A taxi from Miraflores to the City Centre should cost around 15 soles. For the other cities, please take taxis with phone numbers on top of the vehicles. In Arequipa, it is a good idea to phone a taxi rather than flag one, simply as it is the safest option. The price of a taxi in Cusco, Arequipa and Puno ranges from 3 to 5 soles.
WARNING: A common type of rip off has been detected for tourists in Lima but can happen in any city. Some taxi drivers may switch a bill you give them for a fake one and then tell you that was your bill. To avoid this situation from happening, use coins for taxis or mark your bills before handing them over.
Citizens from most countries in the Americas and Western Europe do not require visas to enter Peru. Bolivians, Ecuadorians, Brazilians, and Chileans may enter determined regions of the country just by presenting their national identification documents. The maximum authorized length of stay is 183 days. Information on Peruvian consulates and embassies abroad found at www.rree.gob.pe.
Your passport needs to be valid for at least 90 days after your departure date to Peru. However, we recommend travelling with six months validity on your passport. If you are receiving a renewed passport prior to traveling to Peru, it is required that you bring either your old passport or a copy along with your new passport.
It is very important to keep this paper until you cross the border again to go back to your home country. Preferably, keep this paper safe together with your passport. All the hotels where you will be staying at make copies of this small document, and upon return you have to show this document at the border in order to leave the country. Therefore,a strongly advice not to lose it.
Currently, the only required vaccination or medication is for Yellow Fever and this is only required if planning on traveling to the jungle. There are not any other diseases in the areas where you will be visiting. This particular vaccine must be administered at least 10 days before your trip in order for it to be effective.
It is no problem to bring your prescription medicines with you as long as they are in their original prescription bottles and always in your carry-on luggage. As a precaution, you may also want to have an official note from your doctor. Be sure to bring enough with you for the entire trip as well. Be sure to follow security guidelines if the medicines are liquids. We also recommend that you bring some Immodium-AD, or other anti-diarrheal medication with you on the off chance that you experience any digestive discomfort.
CLOTHING - GENERAL
Because of the diversity of weather of Peru your best plan is to dress in layers. Due to the diverse activities we always recommend that our passengers bring light clothes such as shirts, short pants, sandals and swim suits but also bring warm clothes, such as a warm jacket, raincoat (in the rainy season Nov to Mar) and comfortable shoes for hiking. Please see our weather information for details.
OTHER IMPORTANT ITEMS
TREKKING CLOTHING & ITEMS
If you are doing the Inca trail, the Salkantay trek or any other trekking excursion; it is important to bring:
Equipment
Clothes
All other camping equipment for the trekking excursions is provided for you and included in the cost of the excursion. Porters carry the gear, so you will only be responsible for carrying your daypack. But please be aware there are weight limits on what the porters can carry, thus every passenger is limited to 7 kg (15.5 lbs), including sleeping bags. All other items may be stored in your hotel in Cusco.
While traveling with Cultural Immersion you are always in good hands; however, we realize we cant be with you 100% of the time. With this in mind, we know that visitors will probably have seen on the news, read on websites or in the newspapers about terrorism, crime and political and economic instability in Peru in recent years. But we also know that several years ago Peru managed to put down terrorism and today the country is at peace. The country is now working hard to build a stable democracy. All travelers have to do is to take the same normal precautions as when traveling to any tourist destination
In the cities:
Prohibitions:
It is terminally prohibited to photograph airports, military bases, areas near electricity pylons and police stations.
Lima is temperate all year, so other destinations are often the determining factor. On the other hand, the Amazon is hot and humid all year, with the heaviest rains falling December through April. Cuzco, at 11,600 feet altitude, and Machu Picchu (at only 8,000 feet) are generally cool to cooler, depending on cloud cover, winds and seasons: on a cloudless day in July, the coldest month, shirt sleeves may well suffice but on a cloudy windy day in January, a light jacket might be needed. The weather in Peru varies from region to region. Please see below of a short description of what you can expect in the different tourist areas:
Lima tends to be rather humid and warm all year round. For travelers staying in Lima, they should pack loose, cotton clothing if travelling during January to March. Between March and April, travelers may need something a little warmer to wear at night. During December and April is the best time to visit Lima, as the weather is mild and the sun is out. It hardly ever rains in Lima, so travelers wanting to visit need not worry about an umbrella.
The area of Cusco also includes weather information about Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. The rainy season is between November to March, thus the dry season is between April until October. However, do not be put off from coming to Cusco in the rainy season as it does not rain all day but usually only an average of 3-4 hours per day and you will often get to see some sun. The average temperature fluctuates between 11°C and 13°C and during sunny days the temperature can reach up to 20°C. During the night in May, June and July, the temperatures can drop down to 7°C.
During the dry season between April to October, most of the days are sunny and warm, but the nights will get cold. During the rainy season, the days can be warm and have periods of rain but also periods of sunshine. Sunscreen is highly recommended here, even on cloudy days.
The weather in Arequipa is generally nice all year round. It is sunny during the day and is warm during the night. Even during the rainy of November to March, it hardly ever rains, thus is a good tourist destination all year round.
All year round, the Peruvian Amazon has temperature betweens 15°C to 30°C, but rains heavily during the rainy season. During the rainy season, the Amazon features some heavy periods of rain but then may be dry for a few days before continuing the cycle. If you are going to the Peruvian Amazon during the rainy season, make sure you take waterproof clothes with you.
In this area of Peru, there is nice weather all year around and hardly ever rains. Most of the days are warm and sunny and stay warm during the nights. During the winter, the nights can get a little chillier, so you may want to bring something warm.
In this region of Peru, it is warm all year round (between 18°C to 28°C) and hardly ever rains. During the summer, it can reach temperatures of between 25°C to 35°C. We advise you to dress lightly for this region of Peru and make sure you take sunscreen with you.