When planning a Tour to Perú, there are many questions that spring to mind. These can vary from; what to wear on the Inca trail? Is it safe? What must I bring? What medical or health precautions should I take? and many more.
The list of Questions & Answers below are some of the more common ones, have a glance through and if you can’t find an answer drop us a line and we will gladly answer the questions you may have about planning your tour to Perú.
Please take into account your travels to high altitude. This is medically defined as anything over 2440 meters (8,000 feet). Most people can travel to 2440 meters with minimal effects (out of breath and a faster heart beat even when doing only very mild exercise). Also you will tire easily and perhaps feel a little “strange”. Lima is at sea level and Arequipa at 2300 meters (7500 feet) so present no problems. But when you travel to Colca Canyon at 3600 meters, Puno at 3800 meters and Cusco at 3300 meters; then you will be aware of the thin air and will need to take some precautions.
It is common to take naps and to go to bed early. A loss of appetite is common and you may even experience vívid dreams when asleep. But in a minority of cases, people might develop Acute Mountain Sickness or AMS, they will suffer from severe headaches, nausea, dizziness and will not be able to sleep. These symptoms of AMS do not appear immediately to arrive at altitude, but normally come on slowly during the first 24 hours. ln order to minimize your chances of developing AMS, then you should follow the guidelines mentioned below
a) Most importantly, when you arrive at altitude take things slowly while you acclimatize. Do not use up the little oxygen you have in your body, so relax, walk slowly and do not over-exert yourself.
b) Try to get plenty fresh air, avoid stuffy restaurants and smoky bars
c) lt is VERY IMPORTANT to keep well hydrated, so drink lots of non carbonated bottled water. Try the local Andean cure of coca tea, containing its mild brew of stimulants. This will help if you drink a few cups a day, but avoid drinking it at night, as it will keep you awake, similar to coffee.
d) On arrival at altitude, try to eat light meals. Large heavy meals can overload your stomach and cause indigestion and nausea. Light meals of soups, chicken and fish are the best.
e) Do not smoke or drink alcohol in excess on your first days at altitude
f) Avoid any sedative medicine, such as sleeping pills and some antihistamines.
lf you have followed these guidelines then you stand a good chance of avoiding AMS, however, everyone reacts to altitude differently and altitude sickness can on set with some people irrespective of fitness and age. For details on how to best prepare and what to do in the unlikely event you are affected on your adventure, please consult your physician.
The check in luggage limits on the regional commercial flights and on the train from Puno to Cusco and vice versa is 20 kg pp (44 lbs per person) plus you are allowed 1 carry on bag about 5 Kg (11 lbs per person). On the trains to Machupicchu the limit is 6 Kg pp (13 lbs per person). The rest of your bags can be stored at the hotel in Cusco under our supervision. If your itinerary includes the visit of The Amazon Rain Forest take a small bag about 8 Kg pp (17 lbs per person) to the lodge and the rest will be stored in the headquarters of our office at Puerto Maldonado city.
Yes, but is very important you are aware that, as a minimum, an ‘average level of fitness and mobility’ is required to undertake our easiest programs. Travelers must be able to walk without the aid of another person, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own luggage at a minimum. Travelers over the age of 70, or travelers with a pre-existing medical condition must let us know of any limitations. This is to ensure that senior travelers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete their chosen trip.
You should ask your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that some of our tours are in remote areas and away from medical facilities, and for legal reasons our guides are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. When selecting your trip please carefully read the itinerary and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel.
a) Proof of Yellow Fever inoculation will be required before you depart for the Amazon. You should be aware that there is a 10 to 15 day period before the inoculation becomes fully effective.
b) Malaria
The lodges in the Amazon rain forest are quite remote and the chances of contracting malaria are low. However, it is definitely worth taking preventative steps. Malaria is transmitted by a very small percentage of female Anopheles mosquitoes. They are generally active in the early evening and throughout the night, usually when one is sleeping or sitting around campfires. Expert opinion differs regarding the best approach to malaria prophylactics. It is important to bear in mind that malaria may be contracted despite taking tablets, especially in areas where chloroquine resistance has been reported.
Please remember that the best insurance against contracting malaria is to try to prevent being bitten, so use mosquito repellents liberally. Wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers/slacks in the evenings. We do suggest you contact your own doctor prior to leaving for your Peruvian holiday, to advise him/her of where you will be travelling and let him/her prescribe the best suited prophylactic. If you become ill on your return, while still on prophylactics or even once you have stopped, make sure that your doctor does everything necessary to establish that your illness is not malaria. Malaria is not a serious problem if people are sensible and take basic precautions. If caught early on the disease can be effectively dealt with.
FacePeru Tour operator, its agents, operators, suppliers and its associates cannot be held responsible or liable for loss, damage, or theft of personal luggage and belongings, nor can they be held liable for personal injury, accident or illness. Please ensure that you have yourself and your belongings adequately insured before you depart for your Peru Tour. Insurance is compulsory for all our trips. If you do not possess a policy, we can issue insurance at competitive rates. It is, however, better to purchase your policy locally as this will cover you for repatriation back to your home country. We cannot be held liable for any losses or damages incurred during your peruvian holiday.
a) Health Insurance
It is very important to have full medical, emergency evacuation and repatriation cover for the period of time you are away.
b) Cancellation and Curtailment
You might have to cancel or curtail your Peru Tour due to unforeseen circumstances. If you cancel a trip close to departure date for any reason you could lose all that the tour was going to cost you. Should you have to leave the tour early, we cannot refund you the portion of the Peru Tour you do not complete. Dependant on the reason for cancellation and curtailment, insurance may cover you for this eventuality. In such an event we do try our utmost to get the various suppliers to waiver cancellation fees, but this is something that we cannot guarantee, as each supplier will have different views on the issue.
c) Baggage & Money Insurance
It is advisable to take out insurance to cover you for damaged or lost baggage or cash, especially if you are carrying a large amount of cash or expensive and valuable camera equipment. You should always carry such equipment as “carry-on” luggage. Do not put anything of value in your checked baggage! On some Peru Tours, you may travel in canoes or motorized boats. It is rare that these overturn, but it is possible. So have insurance and also bring waterproof bags for your cameras.
Passport
Well before travelling, please ensure that you have a current passport, with an accurate photo, that is valid for at least six months after your scheduled return home. Also check that your airline tickets are in exactly the same name as your passport.
If you change your passport after you booked the tour with us, let us know it to change all the arrangements to the new passport number as they have to coincide with the train tickets and entrance tickets.
Visas
Depending on your nationality, Australians, Americans, Canadians, British and New Zealanders do not currently require a visa for Peru. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements.
You are responsible for obtaining all necessary visas prior to the departure of your trip.
The Sol is the national currency of Peru although the US$ is widely accepted and operates as a second currency. We recommend taking a couple of hundred US$ in cash that can be exchanged at money chargers and Banks when you arrive and then, as cashpoint machines are available across the country, withdrawing additional cash as and when you require it. Essentially, lower value items are priced up in Soles and higher value items in US$. If you pay for something in dollars you will almost certainly receive the change in Soles.
Please avoid taking US$100 bills in the first place, as there is currently a problem with forgeries across Latin America meaning that many Banks will not change them. Visa, MasterCard and AMEX are also widely accepted across the country and represents a sound option for secure payment. Travelers’ cheques often receive poor rates and many places charge a commission for changing them.
Please note that in Peru VAT of 18% will be added to your bill; this often appears as IGV and is applicable to both Peruvian nationals and visitors.
Most people automatically assume that the weather is hot in South America, but because of the higher altitude in the Andes, the temperature can feel quite cold, especially at night. A good size daypack is also very useful.
Suggested checklist: (to be selected from for trekking or non-trekking needs)
•Passport (with photocopies)
•Travel insurance (with photocopies)
•Airline tickets (with photocopies)
•USD cash and travelers cheques (Note: Travelers cheques can only be changed on working days)
•Credit or debit cards
•Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
•Camera and film
•Reading/writing material
•Binoculars
•Fleece top
•Windproof/waterproof jacket
•Small towel and swim wear
•Shirts/t-shirts
•Sun hat
•1 pair of shorts
•2 pairs of long trousers
•1 pair hiking pants/track pants
•Hiking boots/ sturdy walking shoes
•Sport sandals
•Sun-block
•Sunglasses
•Toiletries (biodegradable)
•Watch or alarm clock
•Water bottle
•First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, re-hydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking). Anti-inflammatory tablets (e.g. Ibuprofen)
Tipping (gratuities) is not compulsory at all, however, if you want to tip because you have received good service, we have enclosed a brief guideline to assist you.
In restaurants, it is Peruvian custom to leave about 5-10% tip if you have received good service and enjoyed the evening. You might also want to tip staff involved in the organization of the trip that have performed well and enhanced your enjoyment. These tips are not compulsory but should be given at your discretion if a member of staff has performed beyond their normal job requirements.
We recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while traveling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travelers’ cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home – you won’t need it while traveling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. Although the cities visited on tour are generally very safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night, especially if you have had a few drinks! It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants.
Care should be taken when wandering around on your own in central Lima, as some areas can be dangerous and pickpockets are daring.
What type of accomodation does Faceperu use?
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.
What locations are homestays available?
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 way of life as well as enjoying the food that they prepare.
What to expect from a Homestay?
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.
How do I check in the hotel? Will I get the hotel vouchers?
All vouchers will be handled by your guide so you never have to worry about keeping up with the documents. 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.
Where are the hotels located?
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.
What type of breakfast will be served?
B&Bs and some 3-star hotels offer a standard continental breakfast of bread, jam, juice, coffee, tea and fruit. Some three, all Four and five star hotels will offer a breakfast buffet, including hot items such as eggs and breakfast meats.
Will I have a private bathroom?
All of our hotels offer private baths. Homestay is the exception
Will I have a heater in my room?
Most of our hotels offer heat or portable heaters in all of the rooms.
Will I have air conditioning in my room?
We want our passengers to be as comfortable as possible so when you are headed to a hot climate, it is likely that you will either have a fan or air-con. Of course, if you are staying in remote areas or at homestays, you will need to expect the facilities to be a little more basic.
Transportation
We insist on using high standards of vehicles and, where applicable, drivers. If you are unhappy about any aspect of the vehicle or the standard of driving, please advise the driver or local agent or Faceperu immediately.
If you are traveling by hire car ask about the local speed limits and traffic laws before setting off if you are not informed as a matter of course. Always obey the speed limits. Never drink and drive. Drive in the daytime where possible.
Recommendation: In more remote places there can be large distances between roadside service areas. In these areas ensure you have all that you need to complete your journey in comfort each day.