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Fascinating Machu Picchu

Complete Inca Trail

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Travel Tips

Visiting Peru

Climate

Weather can fluctuate from 40 degrees to 85 degrees between Cuzco and Machu Picchu. You need to wear layers to add or remove portions depending on weather conditions. A rain poncho is a must (light). Machu Picchu's high season is during the "dry" season that runs from June through October. The low or "wet" season typically runs from November to May. January, February and March are summer months in Peru, while June, July and August fall in the winter. It is recommended to visit the ruins during the dry season (even though it might be a bit cooler). For current conditions in Cuzco click here, or follow this link to check out average temperatures and precipitation..

Time

Cuzco and Machu Picchu are one hour behind US EST (daylight saving) and is five hours behind Greenwich Mean Time.

Inca Trail Closures

Typically, each year some sections of the Inca Trail are closed for maintanance during the month of February. Generally, the following treks are closed: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8. The following paths are usually open: #4 - Km 82 Paiscacucho, Patallacta, O'ente, Pagaymayo Bajo, Chachabamba and Machu Picchu. #5 - Km 104 Chachabamba, Wiñaywayna and Machu Picchu (no overnight at Wiñaywayna). Also, there are alternative paths at Km. 82 Piscacucho, which includes Patallacta, O'ente, Paqaymayo Bajo, Chachabamba, Wiñayhuayna and Machu Picchu. No overnight at Wiñaywayna.

Immunizations

Consult your doctor. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends several vaccines for travelers to Peru, as appropriate for your age, your health status and other factors. The vaccines are: hepatitis A or immune globulin; typhoid; yellow fever; booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles; and, in certain instances, hepatitis B and rabies. The CDC says the tourist areas of Machu Picchu are not a risk for malaria, but risk exists in other areas of Peru. For more information, visit the CDCUs Travelers Health site on the Net at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/.

Altitude Sickness

Allow time for your body to adjust to the high altitudes of the Andes, where the air is thinner and the amount of breathable oxygen decreases. Typical symptoms include headaches, nausea and insomnia. During the first 12 to 24 hours at high altitudes, particularly upon arrival in Cuzco, you should rest and not eat big meals.

What to Bring

A fleece jacket with layers that can be removed if too hot. Long-sleeved shirt and long pants to wear while outside whenever possible, to prevent illnesses carried by insects (e.g., malaria, dengue, filariasis, leishmaniasis, and onchocerciasis) or plants. Insect repellent containing DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide), in 30%–35% strength for adults and 6%–10% for children. Travelers who are not staying in air-conditioned or well-screened housing should purchase a bed net impregnated with the insecticide permethrin. (Bed nets can be purchased in camping or military supply stores.) Over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medicine to take if you have diarrhea. Iodine tablets and water filters to purify water if bottled water is not available. Sunblock, sunglasses, hat. Prescription medications: make sure you have enough to last during your trip, as well as a copy of the prescriptions).

Weights and measures

Kilograms and metric system

Electric current

220 volts. 60 cycles. Major hotels have special 110 volt outlets in bathrooms for their guests; some are marked exclusively for the use of shavers.

Tipping

Most restaurants automatically add a 10% tip (service charge), however, some do not. The total tip should be about 15%. Porters should be tipped US$ 1.00 per bag. Taxi drivers usually do not expect a tip.

Entering Peru

Tourism

A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and depart Peru. Tourists must also provide evidence of return or onward travel. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for a tourist stay of 90 days or less. U.S. citizens remaining in Peru more than 90 days must pay a monthly fee to extend their visa for up to three additional months, for a total of six months. U.S. citizens, including children, who remain in Peru over six months without obtaining a residence visa will have to pay a fine in order to depart Peru. Visitors for other than tourist or family visit purposes must obtain a Peruvian visa in advance. Business visitors should ascertain the tax and exit regulations that apply to the specific visa that they are granted. U.S. citizens whose passports are lost or stolen in Peru must obtain a new passport and present it, together with a police report of the loss or theft, to the main immigration office in the capital city of Lima to obtain permission to depart. An airport tax of $25 per person must be paid in U.S. currency when departing Peru. There is also a small airport fee for domestic flights. For further information regarding entry requirements, travelers should contact the Peruvian Embassy at 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 605, Washington, DC 20036; telephone (202) 462-1084 or 462-1085; Internet http://www.peruemb.org; or the Peruvian Consulate in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Patterson (NJ), San Francisco, or San Juan.

Student/Business/Work Visa

If you come to study, on business, or to live in Peru (working either in the private sector or on government contract), you should apply either to a Business or Working Visa.
You may obtain information at:

Where to go:

To obtain an extension of a tourist visa, to apply for a work visa or a resident visa, you should go to a Peruvian Immigration Office.

In Lima:

Dirección General de Migraciones
Av. España, cuadra 7
Lima
Tel: 330-4111/433-0787/330-4020/330-4025
Fax: 330-4030

In Cuzco:

Av. El Sol s/n (Edificio de la Prefectura),
Cuzco
Tel: (084) 22-2741

In Puno:

Jr. Grau 365, 2do. piso,
Puno.
Tel: (054) 35-7103.

In Arequipa:

Urbanización Quinta Tristan, 2do. parque,
José Luis Bustamante y Rivero,
Arequipa,
Tel: (054) 42-1759.

Exiting Peru

Make sure not to loose the Immigration form you were given at the time you entered Peru as you need it when you leave the country.

A departure tax of US$ 25.00 is required to exit Peru.

Driving in Peru

Tourists entering Peru with a Tourist Visa and who plan to drive in Peru should obtain an International Driver's Licence at any office of AAA. Failure to have an International Driver's Licence could result in problems for the driver.

Foreign citizens on other than a tourist visa must obtain a Peruvian Driver's Licence at: the Touring & Automovil Club del Peru, Av. Cesar Vallejo 699, Lince, Tel: 221-2432.

Fuel in Peru: leaded gasoline is sold by U.S. gallon in 84 octane. Unleaded gasoline is sold in 90, 95 and 97 octane.

Currency

The national currency is the Nuevo Sol and its abbreviation is the S/. sign.
It is recommended to carry US dollars while in Peru. Check current rates at www.oanda.com.

US$ may be exchanged by Soles at any "cambista" (money changer) identified with a photo id. You will find several money exchange offices around the main plaza in Cuzco. Be prepare to pay up to 10% commission for Travelers Checks. Your best choice is to carry an ATM card and withdraw money as needed.

Banking

Banks are open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.. Most banks have Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).

Credit Cards

American Express, MasterCard, Visa and Diners Club are accepted almost everywhere in Peru.

Transfer of Funds

Western Union: Tel: 1-800-235-0000

A person who wants to wire funds from the USA has to call or go to the nearest Western Union office. Transfer of funds could be done by phone with a Visa card. The sender should mention the country and the city where the money has to be transferred.

The receiver in Peru should phone 0-800-1-2080 to obtain the address of the Western Union office where the money will be sent. The receiver will have to present a valid ID and the Western Union transfer number provided by the sender. Payment of transfer will take place within 20 minutes after the transfer has been done in the US.

Following an assault, aggression, robbery

In Peru you can file a police report in any Police Station (Delegación Policial), but the Tourist Police is specialized in foreigners and will provide translation services at the time of filing a report.

In Lima, the Tourist Police is located at:
Jirón More 268
Magdalena
Tel: 460-0965 / 460-0921
Fax: 460-1060

In Cuzco,
Sapi 510, 2do. piso
Cuzco
Tel: (084) 22-1961

In Arequipa,
Jerusalem 315,
Cercado, Arequipa,
Tel: (054) 23-9888

In Puno,
Jr. Deustua 538
Puno
Tel: (054) 71-4141

Medical Care and Medical Travel Insurance

Your US medical insurance might not cover you during your stay in Peru. The cost of private physicians and clinics are higher than in the US and the clinics will request a guarantee of payment before you can be seen. Therefore, you will not be released until the bill has been fully settled. Clinics in Lima are equipped to cope with serious emergencies.

Marriage and birth in Peru

If I marry a Peruvian will I automatically become Peruvian?
No. You still have to comply with the Peruvian immigration requirements to reside in Peru. For information regarding the grant of Peruvian citizenship, you should contact:
Direccion General de Migraciones
Av. España, cdra. 7
Lima
Tel: 330-4020

Useful Telephone Numbers

Airlines:

American Airlines 211-7000
Lan Peru 215-1818
Delta Airlines 211-9211
Continental Airlines 221-6987
Aerocontinente 242-4260
Lloyd Aero Boliviano 241-5210
Lan Chile 241-5522

INDECOPI - Government's Agency of Consumer Affairs

There is a Peruvian government agency (INDECOPI) which operates a 24 hour complaint line for tourists. INDECOPI will forward complaints to the appropriate Peruvian institutions.
Call/fax from Lima: 224-7888
Call/fax from outside Lima: (01) 0-800-4-2579 - This number does not work if used from a pay phone.

Highland Adventures, LLC
220 Fernly Park Drive, Suite 101, Alpharetta, GA 30022 - Tel: 678-935-0582 Fax: 678-935-0585 - tours@highlandadventures.com