We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
Custom regulations in Peru mean that you may be charged up to 30USD for bringing a second (or third or fourth etc) camera into the country. You are currently allowed to bring in one camera, and one video camera, without paying any duty. If you declare a second camera or if the customs authorities see a second camera on you, then you may be charged.
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
Accordingly, you should allow US$30 for tipping.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
Peru |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
$2.00 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
$2.00 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
$1.60 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
$2.50 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
$13.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
$20.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
$13.00 |
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
|
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Visa Requirements
All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Please note: Please note that flights on the tour may transit through the USA. According to US law, passengers will have to disembark, collect luggage and clear immigration before re-boarding for the onward flight.
Holders of the UK, AUS, NZ, CAN and several EU country passports can enter the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if they hold a machine readable passport. They must also be entering the country by sea or air on a carrier participating in the visa waiver scheme, holding a return/onward ticket. As well as being machine readable, if your passport was issued on or after 26 October 2005, it must contain both a digital photograph of the holder and also an integrated circuit chip that stores biographic information.
All passengers travelling to the USA under the Visa Waiver Programme must provide their details online no later than 72 hours prior to travel. British travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely to be detained and sent home. In addition to passport information, you must also supply the full address of your first night’s accommodation in the USA. This information can be obtained from your joining instructions which are sent out approximately 3 weeks before travel.
Anyone applying for ESTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) to travel under the Visa Waiver system will be charged a fee of 14USD (9GBP).
For more information, and to apply online, please visit the following website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Once obtained, the application will be valid for a period of two years, or for the validity of your passport (whichever is shorter).
For more information about who is eligible for the VWP, or any other questions you may have regarding your eligibility, or machine readable passports, please contact your local consular office, or visit www.usembassy.org.uk
Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
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Peru: No visa is required for citizens of UK, CAN, USA, AUS and NZ. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
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Vaccinations & Protection
We recommend protection against Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio, Infectious Hepatitis and Malaria. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against Malaria. There have also been reports of cases of canine rabies in the Puno area. We strongly advise a course of anti-rabies injections if you plan to travel to these areas.
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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Lone Parents
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentation confirming that the individual has authority to travel with the minor. It is crucial that you contact the relevant country embassy for further information on exactly what may be required. These details can be found on the Foreign & Commonwealth Website under the appropriate country www.fco.gov.uk/travel
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Altitude
Parts of this trip are undertaken at a high altitude – the realm of thin, cold, dry air. Whilst this is unlikely to be a problem it is wise to be aware of how it may affect you.
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Climate
On the coast it rarely rains. Jun-Oct is damp and misty, but temps never drops below 10°C. The highlands experience sunny days and cold evenings all year and there is a rainy period from Dec-Mar. Bear in mind that at high altitudes temperatures can drop dramatically, and conditions can change suddenly.
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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
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One main piece of baggage and a daysac. Total allowance: 44lbs/20kgs. Bring a small overnight bag for essentials at Machu – main luggage will be stored at Cusco.
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Trek Kit Bag
For an exclusively designed Explore Trek Bag, follow the relevant link at www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Clothing
Pack essentially for ‘All tours’. Select your clothing carefully: loose fitting and lightweight clothing with long sleeves and a sunhat are essential for Aguas Calientes. A complete set of clothes which can get grubby and muddy are useful. Bring warm clothing such as a warm fleece, thermal underwear, warm hat and gloves for cooler nights in the mountains when temps drop dramatically. Lightweight waterproofs are useful. A swimsuit for the hot springs.
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Footwear
Comfortable shoes and lightweight walking shoes and sandals. If participating in the rafting old trainers (as they will get wet).
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Equipment
A good insect repellent is essential. Also bring a small torch, sunhat and sunscreen.
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Personal First Aid Kit
For an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
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General Information
Trip Summary
A chance to experience the highlights of Peru without any strenuous trekking element found in many tours to Peru. During the tour we use a variety of transport to reach our destinations, and take internal flights to minimise travel time. Flying into the beautiful town of Arequipa, nestled in a valley between two mountains at the foot of snow capped El Misti volcano, we marvel at the colonial architecture. On Lake Titicaca we take a boat to the floating Uros islands. A scenic train journey from the fascinating Inca capital of Cusco brings us to one of the highlights of any visit to Peru, the ‘Lost City’ of Machu Picchu set high upon a mountain amid green terraced slopes. We spend time re-tracing the rich tapestry of history left behind by the Incas, which is locked away in the many places we visit. An exciting 2 week tour for those wishing to explore some of the cultural and natural highlights of South America.
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Please note:
Please note that for all Peru tours, we require full passport details 6 weeks prior to departure. Failure to provide this information at this time may prevent you from getting a place on the tour.
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Strikes, rallies and road-blocks are quite common forms of protest in Peru. While we have excellent resources in place to minimise any disruption to the tour, occasionally we have to make changes to our planned route and/or itinerary.
Please note that rail strikes are common in Peru and so there is the possibility that the train may not always be running. In the event that you have chosen the optional train ride and it is not operating, then we will make the journey from Puno to Cusco by bus, which will include a stop at the impressive Inca temple at Raqchi. Lunch is not included on the bus journey.
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Water-based activities: Participation in canoeing, kayaking, or rafting (including whitewater) requires that you are able to swim 25 metres unaided.
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Electric Supply & Plugs
For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Toll Free USA - 1 800 715 1746 
Toll Free Canada – 1 888 216 3401
This is the North American website
