You do not need to apply in advance for a visa to Peru if you are from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or the EU. Upon arrival you will be processed by immigration and be able to stay in Peru ~90-183 days (depending which country you are from) on a tourist visa; which is essentially issued immediately at the immigration line. If you are from a country not listed, please look to your country’s embassy information on Peru to determine if you need to apply in advance for a visa.

As of August 2019 as a US Citizen – Going through immigrations involved: providing a passport, answering how long of a stay and what was the purpose of the trip, giving fingerprints and letting them take a photo.

If you are just staying in the Cusco Region: Hep A, Typhoid, Tetanus are generally recommended as well as general vaccines such as MMR, Polio etc. We recommend you consult with your local doctor or health clinic and look at the CDC website for information.

The Cusco region is typically described as having two general seasons: a dry season (May – October) and a rainy season (Nov – April); however it is normal for weather to change with little notice, and there can be rain showers at any time of the year. Rainy season is actually warmer at night, and the landscape is lush and green (since it is during the Peruvian summer), but of course you could be trekking in rain and there is a chance of landslides that can delay travel.

Dry season coincides with the peak tourism season, which would be considered mid-May through mid-September – this is when you will see the most tourists and Cusco is at max capacity. This time of the year is colder, especially at night (June is the coldest month and temperatures can go below freezing at night), and the landscape will start to turn brown, but the skies are generally clear and best for picture taking.

The shoulder seasons of May & September are still pleasant – May is probably our favorite month to visit.

Cusco is ~11,150 feet – it is strongly recommended that you acclimatize yourself at least two days in the area before starting on any physically strenuous hikes, even if you are fit, to prevent altitude sickness. Coco leaves are a popular local remedy to assist with the altitude sickness; you’ll be greeted with this everywhere. You can either chew the leaf which is bitter, or try some tea which is quite pleasant and ubiquitous in Cusco hotel lobbies.

Some other common general advice is to not drink alcohol the first day, drink a lot of water and just take it easy for the acclimatization period. Everyone is different – but these precautions can help avoid you being sick on your holiday and not enjoying your trek. If you are worried about it, you can speak to your doctor as there are a few medications that can prevent or assist with altitude sickness. Additionally there are local over the counter options such as  “Alti Vital” that may or may not work.

Peruvian food is delicious and well regarded in the international cuisine scene. There are many five star restaurants in Lima and there is a wide range of options in Cusco to meet your palate and budget. Famous Peruvian dishes include ceviche, lomo saltado, aji de gallina and cuy (guinea pig). In regards to cuy – the tourist sections of town that offer this dish may freeze them which dries them out and makes them chewy and less flavorful.

There are other locations that we can recommend (if you are interested), that specialize in cuy and are a more authentic take if you wish to try it. If you are vegetarian or vegan, don’t worry, there are plenty of options available in both Lima and Cusco. One side note: In touristy areas it is common for a hostess or waiter to stand outside the restaurant and try to convince you enter their restaurant.

Sure! You should not expect that everyone speaks English, and you may have some awkward conversations, but that’s part of the fun of traveling. Pointing at things you want and knowing how to ask how much (Cuànto cuesta) or other basic phrases go a long way. Mid-level and higher restaurants and hotels will frequently have someone on staff that speaks English.

We have prepared a fairly specific walkthrough of the experience here

Unfortunately no, we do not offer this service at this time.

Taxis in Peru do not use a meter and you want to negotiate the price before you get in the car – Most likely the first price they offer will be too high as it’s common to try to upsell tourists. The official taxi’s at the airport are safe and are a fixed fee. 

Some other comments – There is no need to tip taxi drivers and some drivers they may try to steer you to a different location or different tour groups – most likely this is because they receive a commission to do so. Beyond that, it’s good to look around the taxi for some sort of license/documentation just to ensure you are getting a real taxi driver. We generally recommend that you have your hotel/hostel call a cab for you if you need. We can arrange airport pick up for you if you are interested.

Yes – please let us know you are interested and we can arrange this.

The currency of Peru is the Sol – the currency sign is /S and the code is PEN. Each sol is comprised of 100 cents. Outside of the cent coins, there are 1, 2, and 5 sol coins, and the bills come in 10, 20, 50, 100 & 200 soles denominations. The exchange rate to the US dollars fluctuates but was S/3.25 per $1 at the time of this article. Some places will accept US dollars or Euros, but most likely the rate will not be favorable to you so we recommend that you carry soles on you. You’ll also want to hold on to all the change you get in soles for tips and small purchases. It’s very common for vendors to not be able to break large bills. Also please note: If you bring US Dollars to exchange or use, you may find ripped or beat up dollars are not accepted in Peru.

Visa and Mastercard are gaining a larger acceptance in cities such as Lima, Cusco & Aguas Calientes, but you cannot rely on places to accept them and you should watch out as some places will add substantial surcharges if you pay by credit card. At the time of this article, Visa seemed like it had a slightly higher acceptance rate that Mastercard, but both were plentiful in the tourist area’s (You’ll also see some Amex signs sprinkled around as well.) If you pay by credit card and are given the option to pay in your home currency or in soles, it is almost always to your advantage to pay in soles. If you elect to pay in your home currency, there will be an extremely poor exchange rate applied to the transaction. This is a global issue/scam that is easy to research if you are interested (Dynamic currency conversion if you are curious). Lastly, markets, stands and street food most likely will only accept cash. 

Side note: We’ve also experienced some places will ask you to write your passport number on the receipt if you pay by credit card (i.e. grocery store) – so be prepared for that possibility.

Expect the ATM to spit out 50 and 100 sol notes, and it’s common for vendors to have trouble coming up with change for small purchases. We know this is a hassle, and if you let us know in advance – we can arrange a small change kit for you when you are picked up at the airport, or when your guide first meets you.

There are ATMs and money exchange booths at the airport; however you will find better rates in the Cusco ATMs. Aside from the exchange rate, you also have to deal with ATM fees which seem to becoming more and more prolific lately. ATM machines are easy to find in towns such as Cusco, Lima, Ollantaytambo & Aguas Calientes. Villages in remote areas likely do not have ATMs.

ATM Fee Test – August 2019:

We tried every ATM at the airport as a test – BCP had the lowest fee at 13 soles ~$3.75 with some ATM’s charging up to 25 soles ~$7.5. But the fees can also depend on your banks relationship to the ATM’s bank. For example Bank of America customers have reported Scotia Bank does not charge them ATM fees. Additionally there are various products that may give you a better deal that you can research if you like: In the US the Charles Schwab Checking is a great deal (no fx upcharge or fee/unlimited reimbursement of all foreign ATM fees), Transferwise borderless account is nice (We were able to use the GlobalNet atm’s in Cusco & Lima without a fee on our Transferwise debit card), etc.

We recommend not drinking from the tap.  Please buy bottled water, or your hotel may provide some clean water that you can refill your bottle with.

Depending on what city you are staying at – it’s not guaranteed, even in nice hotels.

In Peru and a large portion of South America – you do not flush your toilet paper; it can be like this even in very nice hotels. There is a bin next to the toilet for your toilet paper. Many places may not offer toilet paper, so it’s good practice to always carry some with you. Additionally, please keep some sol coins on hand as some toilets will charge for access.

Most hotels should have Wi-Fi – of course don’t expect Wi-Fi while camping. Generally the Wi-Fi quality is so-so to poor, even in nice hotels.

Peru typically uses a type C adapter (common in Europe) that also accepts type A plugs (common in US), but you can’t trust that every location will take a standard type a plug from the US, and type B plugs (three prong, US) will not work. It’s recommended to bring a cheap small type C adapter just in case, these should only be a few dollars online. 

Keep in mind there is a difference between an adapter and a converter. For example Peru uses 220 volts, while the US usually uses 110-120 – You should look at your power bricks small print to see if it can accept 220 volts or you’ll need to purchase a converter so you don’t fry your electronics (if you are from the US). If you are planning on using a high powered device such as a hair dryers, you’ll also want to research if you need a converter etc.

Yes – Cusco sells a pass that offers a bundled price on a variety of activities in Cusco and the Sacred Valley. It is good value if you are going to visit multiple locations. It’s called the Cusco Tourist Ticket, or Boleto Turistica if you want to read up on it more. Some of our packages include this ticket as part of the tour price.

As soon as you show up at the airport and throughout each city, expect to see very cheap versions of certain treks offered. Yes, there is always cheaper versions of everything if you want and if price point is your main concern – some of these may be a good deal for do-it-yourselfers. In fact, many of these sites (outside of the Inca Trail) can be backpacked too if you are on a budget and willing. But consider that everyone is trying to make a profit, so these types of tours will be cheaper for a reason, something is cut out. We recommend looking at the total loaded cost of what you are trying to do (it’s common to charge for renting sleeping bags etc.)

No matter where you stay in Cusco, don’t expect to escape these sounds at night. There are stray dogs all over Cusco, and taxi drivers constantly honk.

It is recommended to ask locals for their permission before taking photos of them. Some of them – for example those dressed up in traditional garb and holding alpaca’s will ask you for a tip before or after the photo – That’s how they make their living. You should tip them 1-3 soles no more than 5. Outside of that, have a good time!

Some general guidelines: at nice restaurants a 10% or so tip is expected and will sometimes be added as a service charge. Small restaurants and street food stalls don’t expect a tip. Bellhops are expecting $1 or 2-3 soles a bag. 1-3 soles a night for housekeeping at nice hotels is appreciated. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip. Guides and porters will tell you should tip them and it is common practice – but if they aren’t doing a good job, don’t tip.

Unless specified – virtually all our treks are at least moderate in nature, and can involve inclines and declines over mountainous terrain. Additionally the altitude effects people differently, and may cause extra duress. If you are not physically active, and expect to do a four day hike with elevation, you may have a tough time. That said, since we are offering private treks, we will be able to match the pace with the group level and we note that it is normal to see people of all various fitness levels on the trail every day; people in their 70’s or 80’s, in good shape, complete the Inca Trail every year. If you’re not that active, we recommend you start hiking elevation in advance of your trip to prepare yourself. If you have leg or ankle injuries, we can discuss it, but it is generally not recommended that you do the treks. 

Additional options that may help are renting hiking poles (we can facilitate) or hiring an extra porter to carry your day pack if you like.

We do not impose a specific age limit, but the guide reserves the right to make the judgement of the physical capability of any participant. If the fitness level of any participant is considered to create a danger or a hindrance to the group, the guide will work with them to find alternate arrangements or arrange for their transport back to Cusco. Seven years old to late 60’s are commonly seen on the trail, and fit 70 or 80 year olds completed the Inca Trail every year. The success and enjoyment of the trek really depends on the physical ability of the individual.

Each of our treks has a specific section that describes what to bring, but we also have put together a general overview as well. You can learn more about that here.

Some tour companies require that you bring your own sleeping bag, or rent one in town. We provide sleeping bags in our package price, but if you are bringing your own, let us know and we can give you a small discount.

For our treks that include hotels, we aim for three star hotels. (Keep in mind that three star hotels in Peru may not mean the same thing as your home country). If you want to stay in a higher rated lodging, please let us know and we can arrange. All hotels will include a breakfast.

Yes all our tour prices – whether it is tent or hotels rooms – are based on double occupancy. Couples and those that request to be together are fine, otherwise the occupancy will be allocated based on same-gender. If you have concerns or questions on this, please contact us.

No problem – this is called a single supplement. Let us know at booking and for an additional charge ($40 for tent, ask on the hotel – prices can vary) this can be arranged.

We require that you have travel insurance that at least covers medical & medical evacuation for any of our treks. This is for your safety – and the prices for travel insurance are quite reasonable. If you are budget minded, most general travel insurance will bundle in trip cancellation and various other items that you may not need or want; you can lower your premium by just purchasing a medical only policy. If you do not know where to start, you can look at Squaremouth (an online travel insurance broker that lets you search policies from numerous companies).

All our trekking guides will have an oxygen tank and a basic first aid kit on hand which should suffice for minor injuries or issues. For more serious matters, many of the treks are in remote areas and it is unlikely that you will be able to receive prompt medical attention due to the remoteness. Typically you will have to ride a horse or walk out of most locations.

If any serious issues occur, the guide will work with you and the rest of our team to find the best available way to get you to the clinic. In your home country, it may be expected that the authorities will summon a helicopter or ambulance for medical emergencies, but that is not generally the case in Peru.

This will result in the entire trek being canceled and non-refundable. Depending on the travel insurance policy that you purchase, none, some or all of this loss may be recoverable. We are happy to provide whatever documentation is requested for you to pursue any travel insurance claims.

We accept payment from all major credits cards, Paypal, Venmo, Zelle, TransferWise or wire/bank transfers. We can offer you a 2% discount if you pay by Venmo, Zelle, Transferwise, or wire/bank transfer. Our primary currency is US dollars, (this is what your payments will be converted too if that is not your main currency) however we are happy to accept payments in Euro’s, British Pounds and Australian or New Zealand dollars at the mid-market rate via wire, bank transfer or Transferwise.

Upon booking, we require a non-refundable deposit of 45% of your trip cost to secure your spot. The balance of your trip needs to be paid in full two weeks before the trip departs. If you have not paid the balance in full by two weeks before the trip, we will cancel your trek. We do this to ensure that the porters and guides have enough time to line up replacement work.

The deposit is non-refundable because as soon as you book, we must immediately take that money and reserve the permits, tickets and staff for your trek, some of which cannot be changed or canceled. Depending on the travel insurance policy that you purchase, none, some or all of this loss may be recoverable. We are happy to provide whatever documentation is requested for you to pursue any travel insurance claims.

If you have a valid active university card there is a discount available on some treks (check the individual tour pages) – However you will need to provide a photo of the university card and let us know about it at the time of booking as well as bring it with you on the trek. If you do not bring it on the trek, the discount will not be valid.

You must bring your passport with you on treks that have entrance fees or tickets – The rangers will check your passport against their records before letting you in. If your passport doesn’t match (we require you send us a copy when you book) your booking or if you do not bring your passport, you will not be allowed to enter. Even if your trek doesn’t require a passport, we still recommend you bring it with you as a precaution in case something happens.

If your passport has changed since you booked (not just an error) i.e. you have changed your last name, please bring your current passport and the old one. If you are planning on renewing your passport around the time of the trip, we recommend renewing before booking with us. Also do not forget that most countries will not let you travel on a passport that will expire in less than six months.

Yup! – There is a place at the exit where you can stamp your passport.

Aside from the Inca trail – Machu Picchu is reachable by walking or by bus from Aguas Calientes, a town at the base of the hill. There are bus rides between the two locations constantly throughout the day. The entrance to Machu Picchu itself is pretty regulated with the rules changing constantly. In its current iteration, depending on your ticket, you will have access at one of nine different hour slots – once you enter, you have about four hours allowed in the site (this works differently if you come via the Inca Trial). Additionally, depending on your ticket time, certain portions of Machu Picchu may be restricted as well, with the site closing at 5:30. 

There are two additional hikes offered in Machu Picchu: Huayna Picchu & Machu Picchu Mountain – which you can buy permits for (400 slots are offered per day at time of this post). Each of them offers three different entrance times (6, 7 & 8 am) For Huayna Picchu – the first two slots also let you explore the Great Cave – Temple of the Moon, while the last one does not allow that due to time restriction. If you have one of these permits – you are allowed an extra 3 hours – so about 7 hours total in the site. It’s common for both of these hikes to sell out well in advance. You can check the current ticket status to Machu Picchu on the official website here.

You cannot traverse the Inca trail without a licensed guide/tour operator (mandated by the Peruvian government). The Inca Trail currently allows a maximum 500 people on it per day, with it being split by approximately 200 tourist, and 300 porters and guides. The Inca trail sells out all the time and if you are interested, it is recommended to book months in advance. We offer many alternative routes to Machu Picchu that are just as interesting and provide more flexibility in difficulty, duration and scenery – but we must admit that hiking straight into Machu Picchu is a wonderful experience, one of the reasons this trail is so popular (the Inca Trail is the only way to trek straight into Machu Picchu – We do not consider walking from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu scenic or a trek). One more note, the camp ground that you will stay on during the last night of the classic or extended Inca Trail is allocated by the park rangers, so it is random which site you will end up at (Some sites are more popular than others). Depending on which site your group is allocated, can affect how early you get to Machu Picchu the next day.

Environmental concerns (Trail):

As the tourist influx grows year after year, there is invariably more and more trash left on the trails. We’ve launched a pilot program where some of our guides are issued an extender claw and a reusable bag to grab trash during the hike. One guide with a small bag can only pick up so much weight, but we are hoping that this example will catch on with other tour groups and eventually the tourism industry can/will self-police their own territory. If you’d like to be a part of this and pick up trash yourself let us know.

Environmental concerns (Water Bottle):

Machu Picchu has banned single use water bottles, which is a good thing for the local environment. Please ensure that you bring a reusable water bottle, or purchase one in Cusco. Additionally, we will provide you with reusable sacks for you to hold your snacks and lunch leftovers in an effort to limit plastic waste. Please note that metal tipped hiking sticks are also not allowed on the Inca Trail.

Depending on where your trek is, you may be able to purchase drinks or water along the way, but we will provide boiled water at lunch and our camp sites for you to refill your water bottle. Single use plastic water bottles are not encouraged for trekking and are in fact banned on Machu Picchu due to the environmental effect. Please bring a reusable water bottle.

Porters are locals who will carry your packs, the tents and gear. Sometimes they will run ahead and setup your camp site and cook your food. On treks that indicate that there are porters, you are only expected to carry your daypack. Various trekking sites discuss porter welfare as part of their marketing campaign. We have no special porter welfare programs to advertise – we have long term relationships with our porters, and pay and treat them fairly. 

Generally we can arrange to have your luggage stored at your hotel or at our local office in Cusco. Porters can carry up to fifteen pounds of your gear (we will provide a duffel to put things in) so you can just carry your day pack. We mention that as a way to explain that you are only supposed to bring things that you need for the trek, not all of your luggage. Your welcome packet will have more details.

We do offer some treks that do not involve camping, but primarily all the treks all camp based. You will not need to carry or set up camp on any trek, but facilities could be remote/dirty or non-existent depending on the trek. We will provide a portable toilet if we are camping at locations without facilities.

Tipping for treks are not mandatory, but a common custom on the trekking routes. We pay the guides and porters a fair wage, but of course tips are always appreciated. We cannot tell you how much to tip, and you should not tip if you are unhappy with the service – a quick search of the internet will indicate a wide range of different tipping recommendation amounts most are based on a certain amount per day. If you do wish to tip, you can either tip the guides and staff individually, or give tips the guide, who can allocate tips amongst the staff. 

You’ll see these phrases a lot on tour sites. That’s because there is a lot of people coming here! Both Cusco and Peru have a lot to offer, but if you have dreams of hiking alone in the mountains fully immersed in nature like the ancient Inca – you may be disappointed. There are treks that have less overall utilization, and we point that out, but how many people you see will be based on a combination of what time of the year you are coming, what trek you are doing and luck.

Bring it! Even if you don’t normally burn – There is a hole in the ozone over Peru and the UV is much harsher here than in other areas. 

Our treks that provide food do come with snacks between breakfast and lunch, but it never hurts to have some extra bars or nuts on hand. 

Don’t worry! We’ll send you a personalized itinerary when you book and highlight all the things you need to do to have a successful flight.