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INFORMACIÓN AL VIAJERO
Información sobre Cusco |
Información sobre Perú
Preguntas Frecuentes
1. What
are the accommodations like?
In each
location, we use charming accommodations that are
locally owned and characteristic of the area. They can
best be compared to small, family run bed and breakfasts
rather than international chain hotels. All of our Peru
hotels have private baths, hot water and clean,
comfortable rooms. They are located within walking
distance of the town center and the reception generally
speaks English. For more information, check out our
Lodging page or click on the bed icons next to each day
of the tour itinerary to view pictures of our standard
hotels.
2. Are
meals included?
We have
tried to balance flexibility and convenience regarding
meal options. For this reason, we include meals on any
of our tour days when you are traveling off the beaten
path where restaurant choices are limited. For example,
tours visiting Lake Titicaca and the Amazon will have
meals included on these days. In the major cities, where
there are a wide variety of restaurants, we generally do
not include meals, to allow our travelers the
flexibility of choosing their own food preferences. Your
tour leader will always recommend some great restaurant
options and will usually offer to join any group members
who would like to go out to eat together. Your hotel
will also provide a light continental breakfast on these
days.
3. What
are the tour leaders like?
All of our
tour leaders are exceptional! They are fluent in English
and Spanish. Most also speak the local language of
Quechua. Our tour leaders are from the local areas where
they guide and are among the very best guides available
in each region. All of our tour leaders treat our
travelers like friends, showing visitors both the major
highlights and the local treasures. For instance, in the
past, we have had tour leaders take visiting teachers to
visit a local school or doctors to visit a local clinic.
Who knows, you may even be asked to visit the tour
leader's home for a family birthday party or other
celebration!
4. What
type of transportation is used?
Our Peru
tours utilize a variety of transportation including
private vans/ cars, comfortable tourist buses, flights,
canoes, etc. We use a mix of private/ public
transportation to provide travelers with the safest and
most efficient transportation in each area. Occasionally,
we may include non-typical transportation modes (rickshaw,
bicycle taxi, "chicken bus", etc.) for short distances
to give travelers a sense of local flavor. Each tour
itinerary page has a description of the transportation
included on that tour. If you have additional questions,
just ask!
5. What
type of food is typical of Peru?
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.
6. What
types of planes are used for internal flights?
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.
Planning
Your Trip
7. When is
the best time to go?
Travelers
can visit Peru any time of the year. Dry season runs
from May to November and this is typically the time that
is most recommended. However, this is also the cooler
time of year. Nighttime temperatures can drop to below
freezing at the height of the dry season. June, July and
August are the most popular months to visit so you will
tend to encounter much larger crowds during these months.
In the wet
season (December to April), you can expect showers three
to four afternoons a week. For travelers that don't mind
a little drizzle and muddy trails, this time of year
offers smaller crowds and greener hillsides, with
wildflowers and orchids often in bloom.
The
shoulder seasons, April to June or September to November
can often provide the best of both worlds. They
typically have fewer crowds and warmer temperatures than
the height of the dry season, but still tend to have
relatively little rain. For more information, check out
our Peru Weather page.
8. Are
these trips suitable for kids?
It depends.
We have received rave reviews from families visiting the
Amazon, Machu Picchu, and even hiking the Inca trail. If
your children enjoy wildlife, learning about other
cultures, and meeting new people, Peru may be a great
choice. Our Family Travel Supplement has some helpful
hints for making the most of your family vacation and
also has some minimum age recommendations for each tour.
Keep in
mind that US food, Nintendo, television, etc. may not be
readily available so prepare your kids ahead of time so
that they will have reasonable expectations. We realize
that you know your kids best so we will be happy to
answer all of your questions and try to give you the
most accurate impression of what to expect. However,
please remember that these are adventure tours and
flexibility is essential!
To make
family tours easier, we often recommend having a private
group and guide, though families with well-behaved
children are welcome on our group departures as well. We
have special private tour rates for families- please ask
your trip coordinator if you are interested.
9. What is
the typical age range for these tours?
We have
had travelers age 6-90 on our Peru tours. However, we
often encourage families traveling with young children
to book private departures so our most common travelers
are age 20s-60s. We tend to get a wide variety of ages
on most of our departures.
10. Are
these trips a good choice for solo travelers?
Absolutely!!
Our Peru tours tend to attract a great mix of solo
travelers, families, friends, etc. We can often match
you with a roommate if desired, to save on single
supplement costs or you can request a private room if
you prefer.
11. Do
tour rates include international flights?
Tour rates
do not include international flights. We find that it is
usually less expensive for travelers to book these
separately and this also allows you the flexibility to
choose the schedule and routing that is most convenient
for you. You can purchase international flights directly
through our on-line flight engine. Alternatively, we can
help you arrange these flights with an airfare
consolidator.
12. How do
I get to the hotel from the airport when I arrive?
We can
arrange an airport transfer for you or you can take a
local taxi. There is a transportation desk inside the
airport that can help you arrange an official taxi when
you arrive if desired.
13. Are
there any discounts available?
Absolutely!
We offer select trip discounts periodically throughout
the year. Check out our Specials page for the latest
offers and on-going discounts.
14. How
much should I budget for tips?
Tips are
not required on any of our tours. However, it is
customary in Latin America to offer a small tip for
exceptional service. Tipping amounts vary widely, though
some travelers report that ~$2-$10/ day for your guide
and ~$1-$3/ day for your driver is common. Other
travelers opt to bring small gifts from their home to
give to service providers along the way.
15. How
far in advance should I book?
You can
book your Peru tour at any time and 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. 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
(some even departing in less than one week!!), 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! Since Peruvian airlines usually
require a passport number to book internal flights, have
this number ready to speed up the booking process.
16. Are
tour dates flexible?
YES.
Please contact us if you are not able to travel on the
set departure dates listed on-line. Most tours can be
arranged on alternative departure dates for a minimum of
two travelers as long as lodges/ hotels are available.
17. Can I
extend or change my stay?
Absolutely!
Check out our Peru Extensions for ideas. Extra days can
also be arranged in Cusco, the Amazon, Lima, or other
areas if desired. Let us know how you would like to
customize your trip and we will do our best to
accommodate you.
Before You
Go
18. What
should I pack?
You will
receive a detailed packing list after you book your
tour. Since the Peruvian climate varies dramatically
depending upon elevation and season, it is difficult to
offer many generalizations. Comfort is the rule and
fancy clothes are not necessary for any of our Peru
tours. Peruvians are used to seeing travelers so shorts,
sandals, and jeans are perfectly acceptable.
19. How
concerned should I be about the altitude?
Altitude
affects each traveler differently and until you have
visited an area with high altitude, it is impossible to
predict how your body will react. For this reason, all
of our Peru hiking tours include at least 3 days at high
altitude with mild activities before travelers begin
hiking. This time allows your body to begin
acclimatizing (though full acclimatization would take
several months) and provides travelers a good indication
of how they will feel once they begin hiking (as
altitude symptoms are generally the worst on the first
day or two at elevation).
Commonly,
our travelers report mild altitude symptoms such as
fatigue, headache, or light-headedness during their
first day or two at elevation. Many of our hotels at
altitude have oxygen available for travelers feeling the
effects of the elevation.
Severe
altitude sickness is rare. In this case, the best
treatment is to go down in elevation as soon as possible.
We have never had a traveler that had to be evacuated to
low altitude. Many severe cases of altitude sickness are
the result of a pre-existing condition that is
aggravated by the altitude. It is important to ask your
doctor whether or not travel to high altitude is advised,
especially if you have a pre-existing heart or lung
condition such as high blood pressure, asthma, angina,
etc. You might also want to ask your doctor about
prescription Diamox, a diuretic that many travelers
swear by to help them adjust to the altitude more
readily.
20. How
safe is Peru?
Peru has a
stable government and tourism has boomed in recent years.
With the added tourist dollars, the government has made
a concerted effort to keep travelers and their valuables
safe. There have been no terrorist attacks in Peruvian
tourist areas in over a decade and the activities of the
Shining Path are generally assumed to be isolated to a
remote area of the Department of Ayacucho that most
travelers would never visit.
Travelers
should take the same precautions that they would in a
major city in the US. Pay attention to the advice of
your tour leader and hotel reception and take common-sense
precautions such as not going into unfamiliar areas
alone, especially at night.
Petty
theft is common in busy tourist areas such as airports,
markets, and other tourist sites so be aware of your
valuables and don't leave them unattended. Monetary
scams also sprout up occasionally so beware of any
offers that sound too good to be true. Your tour leader
is from the local area and is an excellent source of
information and advice. Check out the US State
Department travel advisories for the latest information
at:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_998.html
21. What
time zone is Peru?
Peru is
five hours behind GMT (same as EST). They do not observe
daylight-savings time so during these months (April-October),
Peru is on CST.
22. Do I
need a converter/ adaptor for the electricity?
Peru uses
220 volt, 60 cycle electricity. Travelers will require a
voltage converter for 110 volt devices. Plugs are
typically the 2 pronged flat type found in the US,
though some facilities have been noted to use the 2
rounded prongs instead.
23. Is the
water safe to drink?
The tap
water is generally not safe to drink in Peru. Bottled
water is readily available at tourist sites, hotels, and
restaurants. Don't forget to use bottled water when
brushing your teeth as well! Ice is not always made with
boiled/ bottled water. Order your beverages without ice
("sin hielo") or ask your tour leader if the ice is safe
in a particular restaurant.
24. Can I
use US dollars, or do I need local currency? What is the
local currency, exchange rate, etc.?
Most
restaurants, markets, and other service providers
readily accept US dollars as long as they don't have any
rips. They will generally give you change in local
currency. The local currency is the Sol. It is handy to
use local currency in markets as you will have smaller
denominations to bargain/ tip with and don't need to
worry about your currency looking pristine (ripped Soles
are common and readily accepted). Check out our Currency
Converter for the latest exchange rates.
25. Should
I bring cash or Traveler's checks? Are ATMs available?
Can I use credit cards?
Most
travelers bring a small amount of US cash with them and
withdraw from ATMs as they need it along they way. ATMs
are readily available in the larger towns and cities.
Travelers can withdraw US dollars or local currency at
fair exchange rates. Traveler's checks are fine, but
they can be more difficult to exchange and you will
usually receive a poorer rate or be charged an
additional fee. Credit cards are accepted only in the
larger restaurants and stores. Although it is helpful to
bring a credit card along for emergencies, don't count
on using it for most purchases.
26. Can I
use my cell phone?
Check with
your cell phone provider. Each company is different and
they can give you the most up-to-date information.
27. What
immunizations are recommended/ required?
No
immunizations are currently required for visiting Peru.
Hepatitis A and Typhoid are recommended on most of our
Peru excursions. Yellow fever and malaria preventatives
are also recommended on our Amazon journeys. For the
most current information, please consult your doctor and/or
check out the Center for Disease Control web-site at
www.cdc.gov.
28. Do I
need a visa/passport?
Travelers
will all need a passport valid for at least 6 months
after they depart. Currently, citizens from the US,
Canada, Scandinavia, Western Europe, Japan, Latin
America, South Africa, South Korea, and the Caribbean (except
Cuba) do not need a visa. Australians and New Zealanders
do need a visa. Travelers from other nationalities
should check with the Peruvian Embassy for visa
information. Entry requirements change with surprising
frequency. It is each traveler's responsibility to check
with the consulate for the most up-to-date visa
information.
29. Is
travel insurance recommended?
Absolutely!!!
We work with a company called TravelGuard that provides
reasonably priced insurance for trip cancellation,
medical expenses, medical evacuation, lost bags, etc.
They have two different types of insurance available,
depending upon whether or not you will need the
cancellation coverage. Check out our Once You're Booked
page for more information.
Información sobre Cusco |
Información sobre Perú
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