PERU - A CULTURAL IMMERSION 6/23-28/2026

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully and adequately insured for the duration of your trip. Please ensure that all activities, excursions and destinations in your itinerary are included in your travel insurance policy, in addition to your regular coverage for

cancellation and medical expenses. You may also want to verify that your insurance will cover you for any issues related to high altitude. We won’t ask to see documentation about this, but we do recommend you keep a copy of your insurance card (containing policy number and the emergency contact number for your insurer) on you at all times, so we can access this information if needed.

Weather

Weather in Peru is pretty consistent all year round with warm days averaging between 70°F to 80°F (21°C to 27°C) and nights averaging around 30°F to 40°F (0°C to 4°C) depending on your altitude. Late January – early March is the Peruvian rainy season which means it is

likely you will see at least one heavy rain per day. Mid May- September is the dry season where it is less likely that you will experience a daily rain. The height of the mountain creates its own weather though, so it is extremely variable and impossible to predict. Therefore, regardless of when you visit, you should always be prepared by carrying a light jacket and a poncho/travel umbrella just in case.

Passport

Please double check that your passport is valid for 6 months beyond the date of arrival in Peru. We recommend that you take a photo or copy of your passport and keep it separate from the original, as this will be useful if the original is lost while you are traveling. It may seem unusual for frequent international travelers, but in Peru it is best to keep your passport with you on your person or in your daypack at all times. Never leave your passport unattended.

Luggage

Our number one tip when traveling to Peru is to wear your walking shoes and pack as many essential items as possible in your carry-onluggage. Luggage delays are much less common than they used to be, but there is still a risk. If your luggage is delayed, we will do our

best to provide items for you, but your comfortable shoes are the one thing we cannot replace.

Food and Drink

All of the areas where you will be traveling throughout Peru are considered to be very safe so you can feel free to wander around to find some authentic, delicious Peruvian cuisine. Please remember though that you are in a foreign country that may not have the same food

regulations as you may be used to in your home country. We recommend that you only eat what’s been cooked or peeled, only drink bottled beverages, and avoid ice.

Currency

The Peruvian Nuevo Sole (known simply as Soles) is an open currency so you may be able to access some before you arrive. Visa, Mastercard, and US Dollars are widely accepted so the need for Soles will not be immediate. We recommend that you check with your bank about international withdrawal fees and simply use the ATMs in Cusco’s Main Plaza to withdraw funds to use at the local markets. 

Please verify the exchange rate for your local currency.

**If you are relying on a credit or debit card, please contact your card issuer before departure to tell them you will be using it abroad. You

do not want them to suspect fraud while you are away and turn off access to your funds.

Valuables

Please keep all money, passport, and valuables on your person at all times. Make sure your hotel room is kept locked, even if you just pop out for a few minutes.

Electrical Sockets

It is possible to rely on US plugs when charging small electronics (phone/kindle) in Peru. However, if you plan to use higher voltage electronics (laptops/hairdryers) they will need to be plugged into an adapter (2 round pins) for 220 volts.

Left Luggage

If you are going on a trek or are just spending one or two nights away from Cusco, you may leave any items you don’t wish to take with you in secure storage at your hotel in Cusco and collect them when you return. Please make sure you have a spare bag for any items you

are storing. We can provide a duffle bag for you, free of charge, if needed.

Water in Peru

Please be aware that Peru is still developing and does not have the same infrastructure as the US in terms of water supply. It is still clean enough to use to wash your face or brush your teeth, but we do not recommend drinking straight from the tap. 

Also because of the infrastructure, we cannot guarantee that hotels will have hot showers throughout the duration of your stay. The hotels will do the best they can to accommodate you, but these outages are usually out of their control.

Aside from the hot water, the other item to note is that Peruvians do NOT flush toilet paper. There are bins in every bathroom for your used supply, but please try to remember not to flush it. The cities are prone to clogs, so they try to keep the paper out of the drains.

Getting Around

Traffic all over Peru is a little bit crazy, and they do not always yield to pedestrians. Please take care when crossing roads and don’t be surprised if traffic signals are disregarded.

If you decide to take a taxi at any time, please confirm the price with the driver BEFORE getting into the vehicle. Also make sure the car has a taxi sign on it or, ideally, ask the hotel or a restaurant employee to get one for you.

Remember, in Peru, it is not a legal requirement to have seat belts fitted in the back of vehicles. We try to only use vehicles that do have rear seat belts, but this cannot always be guaranteed. If you are unhappy about any aspect of the vehicle or the standard of driving, please speak to the driver or your guide immediately.

Vaccinations

Cusco, Lima, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca are not currently marked for Malaria or Yellow Fever, so those vaccinations are not required for entry. They are highly recommended if you plan to visit the Amazon region. That being said, you will still encounter bugs

that bite, so do not forget to bring bug spray with at least 25% DEET.

COVID-19

The Peruvian government updates the COVID-19 guidelines every two weeks. We encourage you to review the latest requirements for entry to Peru and your return to your home country on your embassy’s website. For US citizens, you can review the requirements here:

https://pe.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

Altitude sickness

Altitude sickness, also called Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), hypobaropathy and soroche, is an illness caused by exposure to low air pressure, especially low partial pressure of oxygen, which many people experience at high altitudes. Exerting yourself at high altitudes,

especially if you have not been properly acclimated, can cause AMS. It is most common at altitudes above 2400 meters (8000ft). Your itinerary has been designed to aid your acclimation wherever possible, but the following will also help your body adjust:

     o Slow and steady - You need to keep your pace slow enough to maintain a normal conversation. If you are panting or breathing hard, you must slow down. There is no pressure on you to keep up with other members of your group;

     o Drink much more water than you think you need - Proper hydration helps acclimation dramatically. You should aim to drink at least three liters each day;

     o Diamox - There has been a lot of research on Diamox that shows that it has been reasonably well proven to be helpful in avoiding AMS by speeding up the acclimation process. Diamox is a prescription drug in the US, so talk to your doctor if

you think it might be right for you.

     o Stay on the look-out for signs of dehydration in yourself and your fellow travelers. The most common symptoms include thirst, dry lips, nose, or mouth, headache, and feeling fatigued or lethargic.

During Your Tours and Trek

Once you are out and about, you should speak to your guide about any problem, whether it relates to food, equipment, or health. We would much prefer you to sort out any problems with them on the spot, rather than allow them to spoil your trip. Your guide will get in

contact with us if further assistance is required.

The Guide’s Word is Final

Once you set foot in the mountains, your guide has overall responsibility for your health and welfare. Rest assured that they have been very well trained, and you must listen carefully to all of their instructions and follow them. The guide’s ruling on any matter is final,

especially in relation to your health and well-being. They have the authority to remove you if they feel you are endangering yourself, your fellow climbers, or our crew by remaining at high-altitude.

Pre-Trek Briefing

If you do not have any other tours scheduled with us prior to your trek, your guide will meet you the evening before your trek begins and will review the plans for the duration of the trip with you. They will also make sure you have all the right gear, arrange any additional

equipment rental and answer any questions you may have. Please bring your passport to the briefing so we can confirm we have the correct information for your Machu Picchu tickets and train tickets.

Equipment and Clothing

Please double check that you have everything that you need before beginning your climb. If you think you have forgotten a vital piece of equipment, please let your guide know as soon possible so they can help you source a replacement.

Gear Rental

If you have elected to rent any equipment for your trek, it will be provided at the start of the trek. The sleeping bags do not have to be packed into your duffle bags with your clothing, but they do count towards the weight limit restrictions. Each sleeping bag counts for 2kg

(about 4.5lbs) and the maximum a porter can carry per person is 7kg (about 15lbs). Please keep the weight restrictions in mind as you pack for your trek. Significant weight overages will result in the need to hire an additional porter at the traveler’s expense.

Temperature

Throughout the trek, temperatures vary considerably with the altitude and time of day. At the beginning of the trek and in the parts with heavy vegetation, the average temperature is around 70°F to 80°F (21°C to 27°C) during the day. At the highest point, the nighttime

temperatures can range between 20°F to 0°F (-7°C to -17°C). The height of the mountain creates its own weather though, so it is extremely variable and impossible to predict. Therefore, regardless of when you climb, you should always be prepared for wet days and

cold nights.

Drinking water

During the trek, we will provide fresh, purified water every day. At each stop, we will fill up your water bottles or hydration bladder with at least 2 liters of water.

Hygiene

It is important to maintain a high standard of hygiene on the trail to try to reduce stomach upsets. We recommend bringing anti-bacterial hand gel and wet wipes to last for the duration of your trek.

If you are planning to visit Machu Picchu, please note that the regulations at Machu Picchu have changed dramatically over the last few years. You are no longer permitted to wander about the site freely or spend an extended period of time there. 

Each entry permit will have a time and route on it to indicate when you will be permitted to enter and where you will be permitted to walk. You must enter the site within 60 minutes of the time listed on your permit.

When touring Machu Picchu, you must do so with a guide who will lead you on the permitted route and explain the history of each

landmark. You will have time to take pictures, but you will not be permitted to linger in one area for too long.

Each permit allows you to enter Machu Picchu ONCE. You will not be permitted to repeat the tour loop or go back to any particular

spot. Once you reach the exit, your time will be up.

THERE ARE NO RESTROOMS WITHIN THE PARK. Please make sure you use the restroom at your hotel in Aguas Calientes or

the public restroom outside the park entrance. You cannot exit the park to use the restroom and come back in.

No backpacks are permitted in Machu Picchu. You can bring water and a small bag (purse/fanny pack) for your passport and camera.

Please plan to leave your backpacks at the hotel.

We know tipping can be uncomfortable, but Peru is a country that relies heavily on tourism and the culture here engrains an ideal that a worker in the tourism industry hasn’t fully demonstrated their job to the best of their ability unless a customer feels compelled to directly provide a little something more.

That being said, there are some circumstances where tipping is not expected at all (we couldn’t make it that easy!). So, to help you navigate, we created the guide below.

Please remember – no matter where you go -tipping is always optional! Only do it if you feel like you’ve received excellent service.

As you go through this guide, keep in mind:

     • Peruvian tipping amounts will not be equal to what you might expect to pay in your home country. Two to five soles will be more than enough. No need to focus on leaving 10% or 15%.

     • Feel free to tip in either Soles or US Dollars. Peruvians are using US Dollars more and more these days and, in some cases, it is the preferred currency.

     • While there are some industries where tips are more “expected,” please do not ever feel obligated to leave a tip if you have had poor service.

     • Remember -these amounts are strictly meant to be used as guidelines. These teams work incredibly hard during the hikes and if you feel they deserve more, please show them your appreciation.

Tipping Tour Guides – Full Day Tours

     • This is one area where tipping will generally always be expected, but again, please only tip if you feel your tour guide has done a good job.

     • As a general rule of thumb, a tour guide will anticipate getting S/. 35.00 – S/. 40.00 or $10-$15 dollars per person for a full day tour. If the guide is only leading one or two people, the hope would be that the small group would provide a little more in tips for

the “private” tour.

     • The tour guides in Peru are very well trained, so you should anticipate that service will be outstanding, and you may want to tip above the amount listed. Please feel free to do so.

     • Please remember to tip the driver if you are on a tour that requires bus or van service. The traffic in Peru is crazy and requires a lot of focus, so it never hurts to show some appreciation. About S/. 30.00 or $10 from the group would be great.

Tipping at Museums and Cultural Sites (1-3 hour guided tours)

• Guides in Museums and cultural sites do generally expect tips and, depending on the duration of the tour, size of your group, and of course the quality of the tour, costs may vary. Generally for one person, a good tip would be S/. 5.00 ($2) for 1– 1 ½ hours, or up to S/. 10.00 ($4) for 2 – 3 hours.

• Once again only tip if the guide has been very interesting and enthusiastic.

Tipping Taxi drivers

• YOU MUST ALWAYS AGREE ON A PRICE BEFORE YOU GET INTO A TAXI IN PERU. Taxis here do not have meters, so do not get in unless you have agreed on a price before you begin.

     • Taxi drivers do not expect tips and will take you for only the negotiated price. It is a rule that there is no re-negotiation on price once the ride has started, so even if there is terrible traffic, do not feel obligated to pay more for their time.

     • If the driver has been extremely friendly or has managed to take a route that avoided a ton of traffic, you can consider giving a tip or S/. 2.00 or S/. 3.00 ($1-$2) if you really want to, but normally taxi drivers never get tips.

Tipping in Restaurants

     • It is not common to tip in most restaurants. If you feel you have had fantastic service or a really great meal, you can leave one, two, or even five Soles on the table.

     • One exception to this rule is for high-end restaurants. In these establishments, it is expected that you will leave a minimum of 10% tip, or more if you have had amazing service.

Tipping in Hotels

     • There is a service fee already added to your bill that goes directly to paying the employees, so there is no need to tip.

     • Depending on the type of hotel, you may have a doorman or concierge. It is usually customary to tip this person if they have helped you with your luggage or they have been particularly helpful during your stay by accommodating requests or making recommendations. A tip of S/.5.00 or $2 would be common.

     • It is not necessary to leave a tip for housekeeping. In fact, any money “left” in the room will likely be placed in a lost and found area for up to 90 days.

If you have any questions about this information or about your trip in general, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time. 

Thank you so much for traveling with us and we hope you have a great trip!