Passport
Each person traveling will need a valid passport. Your passport should have 3 blank pages and valid for 6 months after your return flight.

Visa and Embarkation Card

Citizens of most countries in the Americas and Western Europe do not require a visa to travel to Peru.

When entering Peru you will be asked to fill out an embarkation card. This piece of paper is very important since it has to be given to the migratory authority when you leave the country, do not loose it. We recommend you make various copies of your passport and embarkation card in case the originals are lost.

Airfare Taxes

Unlike the USA, airport departure taxes are not included in the price of your ticket.

In most airports a security tax for intra-Perú flights must be paid. We can not include it in our service costs because it varies. This is approximately US$6.05 for the Lima airport and around $5.00 in regional airports.

In Lima and other airports, the international departure tax is approximately US$58, which must be paid at the airport, prior to departure and immigration, in Nuevos Soles or US Dollars.

Sales tax (IGV) on goods and services in shops and restaurants is 19%, and is generally included in the prices shown. At hotels if you travel on your own or extend your stay, you can omit paying the sales tax by presenting a photocopy of your passport.

Electric voltage

AC 220 volts, 60 cycles. Usually five and four star hotels also offer electric voltage of 110 volts.

Currency

The official currency in Peru is the Nuevo Sol (S/.)

The average exchange rate is US$1.00 = S/.3.00 (although this may vary). It is common to exchange money (US dollars and Euros) in the street but it is recommended to make use of the Money Exchange Offices known as “Casas de Cambio” or banks for safety reasons.

The North American dollar is accepted in most commercial shops at the daily exchange rate.

ATM's & Credit Cards

You will find ATM's in the bigger cities. Most of them are located in airports, near banks or in major shopping malls. The main credit cards are usable in commercial establishments in Peru, although markets, small shops and “bodegas” will most likely not accept credit cards.

Tipping

We only include tipping for porters at airports, train or bus station transfers, where qualified porters certified by the proper authorities are located.

Tips at hotels are usually not included since your contact with the hotel porters is personal at baggage delivery in the rooms, and baggage pick-up at check-out. Passengers are free to tip them once inside the hotel.

Tipping is not included for drivers, guides and/or camp crews, trekking and/or river guides during journeys; the amount depends on the number of days the people accompany you and the size of the party. Camp crews tend to be with you a minimum of 4 days. These are voluntary contributions and if desired, we recommend that the following guidelines be followed (amounts specified are per group and applicable for the length of the trip, not per day):

Chauffeurs US$10-15

Transfer Agents US$10-15

Head Cook US$40

Camp Crew each US$20

Porters/ mule drivers US$10-15

Adventure or Tour Guides US$60-100

Health

If you plan to travel to the rainforest, the administration of a Yellow Fever vaccine 10 days in advance is strongly recommended.

Travelers with heart conditions or high blood pressure should check with their doctors before traveling to high altitudes.

Each traveler should carry a personal first aid kit. A list of items will be supplied.

Altitude Sickness (Soroche)

Altitude sickness begins affecting people who quickly ascend to altitudes over 2,500 m / 8,100 ft . Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, insomnia and loss of appetite. Risk of altitude sickness increases with higher altitudes, faster ascents more physical exertion and severe cases include fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) or swelling of the brain (high-altitude cerebral edema) and can only be treated by descending immediately. Being physically fit does not necessarily mean you are free from risk of altitude sickness.

All our itineraries are designed to take into account the need to acclimatize. Our guides are trained to deal with altitude illness and are prepared with oxygen. In the event that you can’t go higher you’ll be escorted down to a safe elevation and evacuated.

Shopping

Lima 's shops, galleries and markets offer a typical sampling of Peruvian crafts.

The markets are usually less expensive, but unlike the shops, there is no quality guarantee.

Store hours are approx. 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Saturdays. Almost all stores are closed on Sundays.

Outside of Lima, vendors can be found every day of the week in designated areas in main cities, usually around the main squares.

Luggage

Upon arrival in Peru, either into Lima or Cusco (from La Paz ) we tag all luggage for easy identification all over Peru . For cultural and sightseeing travel we recommend you bring luggage that is easy to manipulate for normal worldwide travel. We have no weight limit although many airlines have weight specifications that allow up to 30 kilos (66lbs) for checked in baggage and 5 kilos (11lbs.) for carry on bags. In all the hotels we work with, we are usually allowed to leave luggage for the return journey.

For adventure trips, trekking or rafting, we recommend duffel bags that are waterproof or can be lined with plastic bags to protect your clothes from water. These are easily tied on pack animals and can be carried by porters (we use porters only on the Inca Trail since pack-animals are not allowed). 

The weight limit is (30 pounds) for most routes. Choose a large duffle around 5000 cubic inches. You should be able to pack all your clothing, along with sleeping bag. Use of stuff sacks is recommended and also plastic bags to keep things from getting wet.

** On the Inca Trail weight is an important factor, so we ask you to please pack lightly. The weight limit per person is 8 kilos (20 pounds ) .

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