F.A.Q - Common Questions About Tours and Treks in Peru
General Peru Tour FAQs
Booking & Reservations
Travellers come from all over the world to be part of our tours, and as such, it is very difficult to include international flights in our prices. We advise that international airfares are purchased through secure internet companies or through travel agents in your home country.
Maximum 10 people per group. If the group is larger, two official tour guides will lead the trip.
There are no age restrictions on our tours. The average age range of our travellers is 20-50 years old. Children are welcome and should be under the supervision of a parent at all times; the company is not responsible for them.
Yes, simply email us with the category of hotel, the city, the type of room, and the dates you require, and we will assist you with the best options available.
We recommend booking a minimum of 1 month in advance. For the Inca Trail, you should book at least 3 months in advance, especially between June and September when departures are limited and sell out quickly.
Contact us via email at info@peruadventurestours.com or peruadventurestours@hotmail.com, by facsimile, or by telephone at +51-51-221658. Please provide your full name, passport number, nationality, country of residence, and a copy of your passport.
Money & Payments
We recommend you bring some cash with you. US dollars are the most accepted foreign currency. Traveler's checks can be exchanged in banks of major cities. ATMs are available in every city we visit and you can withdraw Peruvian soles or US dollars.
Yes, US dollars, euros and travel checks are accepted in hotels, restaurants, shops, airports, and bus stations throughout Peru. We recommend that money be exchanged at official banks and authorized exchange agencies.
No, tipping is not included. In restaurants, a 10% tip is customary. Tips for tour guides, porters, drivers, and airport staff are voluntary and based on your satisfaction with the service provided.
Included: Accommodation, private and public transportation, camping gear, climbing equipment, tour leaders, local guides, entrance fees to parks and archaeological sites, meals and activities as mentioned in the itinerary. Not included: Personal items, laundry, phone calls, tipping, room service, optional excursions, beverages, international departure taxes, customs, and immigration fees.
Travel Preparation
Travel insurance is highly recommended. We suggest checking your existing coverage and contacting your insurance provider for details on what is included when traveling abroad.
No, we do not offer travel insurance. Clients must obtain their own travel insurance before traveling to Peru.
Vaccinations are not required to enter Peru unless you are traveling to the rainforest. Yellow fever vaccination is suggested if you plan to visit the Peruvian rainforest. We recommend consulting your family physician or a travel health clinic specialist before your trip.
For the coast: light clothing during the day such as shorts, t-shirts and sandals; mornings and nights are cooler (8°C in winter, 12°C in summer). For the Andes: bring warm clothing for the cold and rain, especially from December to April. For the jungle: light clothing is needed.
For adventure trips, we highly recommend bringing a good backpack, because they are very practical to carry and to store. For casual touring, suitcases work fine, but keep in mind that you will carry your items frequently and board and exit buses and trains regularly.
Health & Climate
Yes, a good mosquito repellent is recommended. During the rainy season (December to March), a strong specialized repellent is strongly recommended. Long-sleeve t-shirts are also helpful to protect against mosquito bites.
Starting your trip in Lima at sea level and then moving gradually to the highlands helps your body acclimatize. It is advisable to drink plenty of fluids such as water and take it easy during the first days at altitude without pushing yourself.
Winter (June to November): Very cold, especially in the Andes where temperatures drop to -2°C at night and reach 18°C during sunny days. Summer (December to April): The coast reaches around 30°C during the daytime, the Andes about 8°C. The Amazon climate varies daily from sunny to hard rain. Bring rain gear for the rainy season.
Yes, oxygen bottles are available in our Private VIP Service and Tours and in tourist transports only. The Backpacker Service does not include oxygen bottles.
During Your Tour
Yes, all of our tours include airport pickup in Lima. A Peru Adventure Tours representative will be waiting for you at the international arrivals area holding a sign with your name.
For our comprehensive programs, groups are accompanied by an English-speaking escort and a professional tour guide who is very knowledgeable about the regions visited. Local guides also assist during the trip, offering suggestions and introducing travelers to the local people.
Yes, all internal Peru flights and local airport taxes are included in our tour prices.
Yes, all our hotels feature private bathrooms with hot water available day and night. We use mid-range, standard, and luxury hotels that are centrally located in major cities. For more adventurous itineraries, basic accommodations include family lodgings, bamboo jungle rooms, and camping gear for treks.
Meals are included in remote areas such as the jungle, the Inca Trail, Titicaca Island, and the Colca Canyon as specified in the program. Meals are not included in major cities, where clients are free to choose from the diverse local food options. Note: The meals offered by local families during the home-stay on Amantani Island are very basic, so we suggest bringing along some snacks and fruits.
We use private transportation to show you more scenery and make stops at points of interest along the way. Luxury public buses are used to connect major cities. For local tours, we use private vans or 4x4 vehicles.
Inca Trail Frequently Asked Questions
Answers prepared by our local tour guides based on the most common questions from our clients.
This is a list of Frequently-Asked Questions about the Inca Trail Trek or Inka Route Trek to Machu Picchu Citadel. The answers have been prepared by our local tour guides based on the most common questions from our clients.
The Inca Trail is the name for the walking route that partially follows the course of an old Inca route leading to Machu Picchu citadel. The trek typically begins at Km 82 or Km 88 on the railway line between Cusco and Machu Picchu, and ends at the ruins of Machu Picchu.
The Inca Trail is approximately 33 to 39 kilometers (20-24 miles) long. Starting from Km 82 offers more scenery on the first day of the trek.
Generally this trek is strenuous, but there is no glacier walking or rock-climbing involved. The difficulty comes from repeated steep ascents and descents and the high altitude. On Day 2, you climb from 3,000m to 4,200m (9,750-13,650 ft), then descend to 3,600m (11,700 ft).
Yes, porters are included in the trek price. They carry all the food, cooking gear, tents, and mattresses. Personal porters to carry your individual backpack are not included in the price.
Yes, personal porters can be hired to carry your personal items. According to the new regulations, porters can carry a maximum of 12 kilograms. They move quickly between campsites, so you should bring your own daypack with essentials such as your camera, rain jacket, water, and snacks.
Trekking poles are accepted on the Inca Trail only with rubber covers, as metal spikes damage the trail stones. Peru Adventure Tours can hire you a pair of trekking poles for $3 USD per day. Bamboo poles are also available locally for around $3.
A personal porter costs $35 USD per day, or $140 USD for the full 4 days. The cost includes the porter's transportation, entrance fees, meals, and camping gear.
No, solo hiking on the Inca Trail is not permitted. According to the new regulation, it is mandatory to join a group through a local tour operator. The operator organizes guides, cooks, porters, entrance fees, and all equipment. UGM (government authorities) coordinates the campsites along the trail.
The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy the trek. Hiking is the most appropriate preparation, though running or swimming will also build useful stamina. Extreme unfitness could result in the inability to complete the trek.
Some people do have problems with the altitude on the second day at the Huarmy Wañusca Pass (also called Dead Woman's Pass), which is the highest point at 4,200m (13,650 ft). Shortness of breath is common at this altitude and is not cause for concern. However, severe symptoms such as dizziness, loss of coordination, and irregular breathing require immediate descent and medical attention. We recommend spending a minimum of 2 nights in Cusco before starting the trek for proper acclimatization.
We recommend the dry season from May to November, though some rain is possible even during the dry months. The rainy season (December to May) brings heavy afternoon rains and difficult walking conditions; streams along the trail may become impassable. Dry Season (April-November): Day 20-25°C, Night -1 to 7°C. Wet Season (December-March): Day 17-22°C, Night 4-7°C.
Peru Adventure Tours strongly recommends that you book your permit as far in advance as possible. We recommend 3-4 months prior to your arrival in Peru. The UGM limits the trail to 500 hikers per day, and high season books up very quickly.
Concern about overuse leading to erosion has led the Peruvian government to place a limit on the number of people permitted on the trail. A maximum of 500 people per day are allowed (including guides and porters). Advance booking 3-4 months ahead is mandatory. The new regulations, effective since January 1, 2001, increased fees, limited walker numbers, and made guided groups mandatory. Per Resolution #002-2004-UGM, permits require the full names, nationalities, and passport numbers of all participants and staff, along with payment confirmation.
The Inca Trail is closed every February to clean and maintain the trail, the toilets, the campsites and the bridges along the Inca Route.
No, the Inca Trail trek is the most safe route for hikers. There have been no reports of robbery on the trail. The trail is monitored by local authorities, and government staff equipped with radios are ready to report any injuries, losses, accidents, or emergencies.
Groups must not exceed 12 people maximum, plus guides, porters, and cooks. Two guides are employed for groups of 12 participants; one guide leads smaller groups of 6-8 participants.
The Inca Trail is part of Machu Picchu National Park, so this trip offers many possibilities to encounter wild animals. Over 400 bird species exist in the area, including the cock-of-the-rocks (Peru's national bird), plus orchids and tree-born ferns. The park hosts spectacled bears, rare dwarf deer (sachacabra), Huemal deer, and over 300 bird species. Serious bird watchers can book our special 5-6 day treks for remote wildlife viewing.
Since the 2004 regulations limiting the trail to 500 hikers per day, the trail looks more clear and less erosion is happening. A maximum of 500 people can hike the trail daily during both high and low seasons. Typically, there are about 25 groups per day on the trail, including tourists, guides, porters, and cooks.
Yes, there are many built toilets along the Inca Trail that are clearly marked, especially at the major campsites. We recommend bringing your own toilet paper.
There are no shops along the trail, but water can be purchased at the campsites on days 1, 3, and 4. On day 2, there are no options to buy water, so you should bring extra bottles. Our cooks offer boiled water at breakfast and dinner. Purification tablets (Micropur) can be used to treat mountain spring water, which is available approximately every 2 hours along the trail.
Yes, a student discount is available with a valid International Student Card (ISIC) only. The student discount is $43 USD. Permit prices are: Adult $89 USD, Student $46 USD. You must present your student card via email when booking and physically at the trail checkpoint. Expired cards will be rejected.
Yes, a double-capacity single tent is available for an additional $30 USD for the 4-day trek. Alternatively, you can share a tent with a same-sex partner to save money.
Yes, you can store your luggage at our Cusco office. Hotels in Cusco also typically offer free luggage storage. We recommend leaving your items at your hotel for convenient retrieval after the trek.
No, a photocopy of your passport is required to purchase the Inca Trail permit. You must obtain your passport first before making a booking.
No, Inca Trail permits are valid for one date and one person only. Transfers to another person are not possible. Deposits (50%) are non-refundable. If you need to change the date, a new deposit and re-booking are required, subject to permit availability.
Yes, you can book with your old passport. You must present both your old and new passports to the park authorities before the trek starts.
Every visitor must obey park regulations prohibiting littering, cutting or damaging trees, removing or damaging stones of the ruins and the Trail, removing plants, killing animals, lighting open fires, or camping at the archaeological sites. Only authorized campsites are permitted.
Cold showers are available at campsites on days 1 through 3. A hot shower is available at Wiñay Wayna on the third night for an additional $2.50 USD per person.
1. Original passport (required at park control). 2. Original valid International Student Card (ISIC, if booked as student). 3. Waterproof hiking boots — sneakers are acceptable but uncomfortable in rain. 4. Sleeping bag rated to -15°C (rental available at $5 USD/day with prior notice). 5. Long pants or slacks. 6. Long-sleeved shirts for sunburn prevention. 7. T-shirts. 8. Sweaters and a warm jacket for the nights. 9. Rain wear or poncho for the rainy season (December-April), but it can rain during the dry season too. 10. Camera with extra batteries. 11. Water bottle — water is purchasable at campsites; purification tablets (Micropur) are available. 12. Snacks such as dried fruits and chocolates. 13. Insect repellent for mosquitoes. 14. Hat and sunblock. 15. Personal toilet items. 16. Flashlight or headlamp with batteries. 17. First aid kit (band-aids, cotton, bandages, alcohol, aspirin, altitude sickness medicine). 18. A 50+ liter backpack for personal items including your sleeping bag. 19. A day pack for camera, water, and rain jacket (recommended if hiring a personal porter). 20. A complete change of clothing (if hiring a personal porter for 12kg capacity). 21. Change of underwear. 22. Gloves, scarf, and wool socks. 23. Toiletries, towel, and toilet paper. 24. Swimsuit (there may be an opportunity to swim at hot springs on the final day, time permitting). Optional: Trekking poles with rubber covers (no metal spikes allowed). Optional: Binoculars for bird appreciation. Optional: GPS for mapping campsites and ruins.
After reading these FAQs and accepting our terms and conditions, email us at info@peruadventurestours.com, peruadventurestours@hotmail.com, or peruadventuretours@gmail.com to receive a BOOKING FORM. Download it, fill it out, and return it to us so we can confirm space availability.
We require a 50% deposit per person, payable via bank transfer, Western Union, or PayPal. After the first payment is received, your permits are guaranteed for the requested dates. The final balance is due in Cusco one day before the trek starts, in cash (US dollars or local currency). Traveler's checks are accepted with a 5% surcharge.
Permit availability can be checked on the official government website. We recommend contacting us immediately with your completed booking form and 50% payment to secure your permits for your requested dates.
Still Have Questions?
For more information about our tours or to request a new departure date, please contact us.