US
1 September, 2020
Period 1 Jun 2020
- 31 May 2021
Adult (groups of 4 or more) USD $3,475.00
Adults (groups of 2 or 3) US $3,775.00
Single supplement USD $400.00
Standard Inca Trail (option) USD $250.00
Departs on request for 2 or more people. Maximum of 12.
Standard price is per person for tours open to other bookings.
For private tours please add US$400pp to the standard price - US$4175 pp for private groups of 2 or 3 people, or US$3875 pp for private groups of 4 - 12 people.
On Days 3 to 5 you have the option of taking either the Jungle Trail (no additional cost) or the Standard Inca Trail (US$250 pp additional cost) to Machu Picchu.
Flights to Peru:
There are many international airlines with scheduled arrivals into Lima, Peru (the capital city). The international airport in Lima is known as the Jorge Chávez International Airport. international flights to Lima tend to arrive late in the day, and flights between Lima and Cusco mostly leave early in the morning - this is a short one hour flight.
Direct flights between Puno and Lima take around two hours, or three hours if there’s a stopover in Cusco or Arequipa on the way. Please note, the airport for Puno is actually called “Juliaca”, a small town 30 minutes drive from Puno where the airport is located.
Grade: C
The effects of being at altitude vary from person to person. Altitudes on this trip are significant but far from extreme. You will almost certainly notice shortness of breath when you arrive, particularly when walking uphill – there’s simply less oxygen!
Other typical effects are: • Sleep disruption – strange dreams, insomnia • Headache • Light-headedness • Stomach disruption (caused by slower digestion) • Dehydration These symptoms almost invariably disappear after a couple of days – that’s why we recommend getting here a couple of days before the trip if you can, so you’re acclimatised by the time you start exercising.
The best things you can do to acclimatise are: • Keep hydrated • Avoid alcohol (it dehydrates you) • Eat lightly (digestion slows down at altitude) • Don’t push yourself physically too soon About one percent of people are affected by the altitude, and experience severe headaches and nausea. Again, this generally fades within a few days.
In Cusco and Puno we stay in clean, comfortable hotels of three star standard. In Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes, Santa Teresa and Ayaviri we stay in quirky, interesting, family-run lodgings. The Standard Inca Trail hike entails three nights of camping in tents. In Raqchi we stay in humble family homes. Here, conditions are basic and hygiene may not be what you are used to at home, but any slight discomfort you experience will be well compensated for by this incredible insight into a very different way of life.
Essential items
Optional items
Food is one of the highlights of any trip to Peru – it’s considered one of the world’s greatest cuisines – and we’ll eat in a range of places, from local holes in the wall to fancy theatre restaurants, to give you a taste of it all. Peruvian food tends to be carbohydrate heavy – rice and potatoes on the same plate is nothing unusual. There’s also a lot of meat, but we’re used to catering for vegetarians and will be eating at some vegetarian places. However, on trips where we go more off the beaten track (such as Santa Teresa, Lares Valley, Ccoyllor Ritty) vegetarians may face limited choices.
The plus side is the local produce: jumbo corn, football-sized avocadoes, tomatoes bursting with flavour – and of course, more than 200 kinds of potatoes! Lunch is the main meal of the day, and is huge. Actually, most meals in Peru are pretty large – there is no way you’ll go hungry on this trip!
It is not safe to drink tap water in Peru, not even to brush your teeth. You should always buy water – a 2.5 litre bottle costs less than NZ$2. Water and other drinks are not included in your trip price. Nearly all meals are included in the trip price, but we leave a few up to you, to add to your experiences. On occasions where we’re not including meals, we’ll happily organise a group meal if requested.
Gluten free diet: The gluten free diet is not well known in Peru, and you will find yourself explaining it a lot! Having said that, Peru’s diet is not as wheat-centric as ours; rice, potatoes and quinoa are great carbs and available everywhere. At all group meals, we’ll eat in restaurants with gluten and your trip leader will always be there to help you communicate dietary needs.
Over years guiding and managing small and large tour companies, Steve Wilson and Katy Shorthouse worked out that small is better when it comes to running great trips. You benefit with small groups, flexible itineraries, personalised service, and handpicked adventure guides who are the best in their field.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
A little would be helpful, especially on arrival and for ordering food in restaurants, but it’s certainly not required. Our guides speak fluent English and Spanish, so if you don’t have time to learn a little Spanish before arrival it’s no worries… they’ll be on hand most of the time to translate for you. We also recommend the Lonely Planet language phrasebooks, which have great sections for travel and food, along with help on pronunciation.
What vaccinations do I need?
Yellow Fever: Although we’ve never heard of an outbreak in any of the areas we visit, yellow fever does exist in Peru. With less than 10 confirmed cases in the whole country in 2008, it’s nothing to get too worried about, but some other countries will ask for evidence of this vaccination if you visit them after Peru, as it is considered a Yellow Fever country (this happened to Katy once when entering Australia). So make sure you get a certificate when you get the vaccination done (the doctoradministering the vaccination will know all about this). Tetanus: Is present and you should make sure your booster is up to date. Typhoid: Is present. You should get this vaccine. Cholera: Has been reported in Peru as recently as the 1990s. Tuberculosis: Has also been reported within our lifetime. Malaria: Chances are somebody will tell you that you need to take malaria medication in Peru. We advise against taking anti-malarials as they are unnecessary and can have side effects. Even if you choose to visit the jungle as an extra, malaria is not present at any of the Rainforest Lodge destinations we recommend. Ultimately, the decision is yours, please discuss with your doctor.
What are the visa requirements?
All travellers to Peru will need a passport valid for at least 90 days following your departure date from Peru. However, we strongly recommend travelling with six months validity on your passport at all times. Most destinations, including Peru, require that you have adequate unused pages in your passport, allowing space for any necessary stamps upon arrival and departure. No tourist visa is required for citizens of countries in the EU, North & South America, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the Caribbean, Norway, Switzerland, South Africa, Iceland, Andorra or Liechtenstein. On entry to Peru you will be issued with a tourist visa that is valid from 90 to 180 days. There’s no need to organise anything in advance.
All citizens of countries NOT listed above are required to obtain a travel visa from the appropriate Peruvian consular representative before arrival in Peru.
Is tipping expected?
Tipping is expected in restaurants and so on in Peru, and 10% is an acceptable rate. Your guide will take care of tipping local guides, drivers, and waiters during your trip. You might want to tip a little extra if you feel someone gave really fantastic service, but it’s not necessary. Many of our people also choose to tip their guide at the end of an awesome trip – most people tip around US$100. We’d like to stress though that tipping is very much your call.
Is there a recommended reading list?
We often get requests from guests asking what books are good to read to help get them in the mood for their trip. We reckon it’s a terrific idea to do some background reading, as it will help you to better process your experiences while in Peru, and here’s a few suggestions for you:
Prices includes
• All accommodation (based on twin share. Single supplement is available for US$400)
• All ground transport (private vehicle, train and boat)
• All activities specified in itinerary
• Entrance to all attractions specified in itinerary
• Extra permit to climb Huayna Picchu at Machu Picchu if available at time of booking (with Option 1)
• All meals except lunch and dinner on free day
• All guiding services
• Drinking water during included meals
Payment
For bookings four or more months in advance of the departure a 25% deposit can be paid with the remainder due 65 days prior to your trip. For bookings within four months of the departure, full payment is required.
Cancellations
More than two months before trip start date – cancellation fee of US$750 per person
Between one month and two months before trip start date – 50% refund of the total trip cost
Less than one month before trip start date – no refund
We suggest clients take out a comprehensive travel insurance.
World Nomads Travel Insurance provides online quotes.
Notes
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