Frequent
Asked Questions
1. What are
the accommodations like?
In our
adventures hikes we use igloo water proof
tents with mosquito net, light mattress,
camping chairs, tables, dinning tent,
kitchen tent, and toilet tent.Hostel
for tour with hostel accommodation we
provide basic hostel (private bath and hot
water, clean, comfortable rooms. They are
located within walking distance of the town
center and the reception generally speaks
English. For more information, contact us.
2. Are meals
included?
We have tried to
balance flexibility and convenience
regarding meal options. For this reason, we
include meals on any of our tour days when
you are traveling off the beaten path where
restaurant choices are limited. For example,
tours visiting Lake Titicaca and the Amazon
will have meals included on these days. In
the major cities, where there are a wide
variety of restaurants, we generally do not
include meals, to allow our travelers the
flexibility of choosing their own food
preferences. Your tour guide will always
recommend some great restaurant options and
will usually offer to join any group members
who would like to go out to eat together.
Your hotel will also provide a light
continental breakfast on these days.
3. What are
the tour guides like?
All of our tour
guides are exceptional and professional!
They are fluent in English and Spanish. They
also speak our mother language “Quechua”.
Our tour leaders are from the local areas
where they guide and are among the very best
guides available in each region. All of our
tour guides treat our travelers like friends,
showing visitors both the major highlights
and the local treasures. For instance, in
the past, we have had tour leaders take
visiting teachers to visit a local school or
doctors to visit a local clinic. Who knows,
you may even be asked to visit the tour
leader's home for a family birthday party or
other celebration!
4. What type
of transportation is used?
For our tours we
use a variety of transportation including
private vans / cars, comfortable tourist
buses, flights, canoes, etc depending tour.
We use a mix of private / public
transportation to provide travelers with the
safest and most efficient transportation in
each area. Occasionally, we may include non-typical
transportation modes (rickshaw, bicycle
taxi, "chicken bus", etc.) for short
distances to give travelers a sense of local
flavor. Each tour itinerary page has a
description of the transportation included
on that tour. If you have additional
questions, just ask!
5. What type
of food is typical of Peru?
Staple foods in
the highlands include potatoes, corn, rice,
and meat dishes, often with a spicy sauce.
In jungle areas, fresh fruits, fried
plantains, and other vegetables are also
common. Though vegetarians can be easily
accommodated in all areas, options typically
leave out the meat rather than adding
vegetarian mainstays, beans, or nuts.
6. What types
of planes are used for internal flights?
Most internal
flights use 727s or similar size jet planes
with a capacity of 80-120 passengers. Manu
tours use smaller 10-15 passenger propeller
planes typically.
PLANNING YOUR
TRIP
7. When is
the best time to go?
Travelers can
visit Peru any time of the year. Dry season
runs from mid April to November and this is
typically the time that is most recommended.
However, this is also the cooler time of
year. Nighttime temperatures can drop to
below freezing at the height of the dry
season. June, July and August are the most
popular months to visit; you will tend to
encounter much larger crowds during these
months.
In the wet
season (December to mid April), you can
expect showers three to four afternoons a
week. For travelers that don’t mind a little
drizzle, this time of year offers smaller
crowds and greener hillsides, with
wildflowers and orchids often in bloom.
The shoulder
seasons, April to June or September to
November can often provide the best of both
worlds. They typically have fewer crowds and
warmer temperatures than the height of the
dry season, but still tend to have
relatively little rain.
8. Are these
trips suitable for kids?
It depends. We
have received rave reviews from families
visiting the Amazon, Machu Picchu, and even
hiking the Inca trail. If your children
enjoy wildlife, learning about other
cultures, and meeting new people, Peru may
be a great choice. Our Family Travel
Supplement has some helpful hints for making
the most of your family vacation and also
has some minimum age recommendations for
each tour.
Keep in mind
that US food, Nintendo, television, etc. may
not be readily available so prepare your
kids ahead of time so that they will have
reasonable expectations. We realize that you
know your kids best so we will be happy to
answer all of your questions and try to give
you the most accurate impression of what to
expect. However, please remember that these
are adventure tours and flexibility is
essential!
To make family
tours easier, we often recommend having a
private group and guide, though families
with well-behaved children are welcome on
our group departures as well. We have
special private tour rates for families-
please ask your trip coordinator if you are
interested.
9. What is
the typical age range for these tours?
We have had
travelers age 6-90 on our tours. However, we
often encourage families traveling with
young children to book private departures so
our most common travelers are age 20s-60s.
We tend to get a wide variety of ages on
most of our departures.
10. Are these
trips a good choice for solo travelers?
Absolutely!!
Inka Challenge Peru tends to attract a great
mix of solo travelers, families, friends,
etc. We can often match you with a Tent mate
if desired, to save on single supplement
costs or you can request a private Tent or
hostel accommodations if you prefer.
11. Do tour
rates include Internal and international
flights?
Tour rates do
not include internal or International
flights. We find that it is usually less
expensive for travelers to book these
separately and this also allows you the
flexibility to choose the schedule and
routing that is most convenient for you. You
can purchase international flights directly
through our on-line flight engine.
Alternatively, we can help you arrange
internal flights with an airfare
consolidator.
12. How do I
get to the hotel from the airport when I
arrive?
We can arrange
an airport transfer for you or you can take
a local taxi. There is a transportation desk
inside the airport that can help you arrange
an official taxi when you arrive if desired.
13. Are there
any discounts available?
Absolutely! We offer select trip
discounts periodically throughout the year.
We have special discounts for alone
travelers, groups, students, travel agents.
14. How much
should I budget for tips?
Tipping
questions are the most difficult to answer,
all our team are well paid, But these late
years tipping is becoming so popular.Since
In Peru there is no tipping rules is
difficult to advice how much to tip. However,
it is customary in Peru to offer a small tip
for exceptional service. Tipping amounts
vary widely, though some travelers report
that ~$2-$10/, day for your guide and
~$1-$3/ day for your Porters, other
travelers much more of curse. Other
travelers opt to bring small gifts from
their home to give to service providers
along the way.
15. How far
in advance should I book?
You can book
your tour at any time and generally the
earlier you book, the better. Booking early
(4 months or more recommended) is especially
important for travelers visiting during the
height of the dry season, June to August, as
many of these departures fill up months in
advance. Travelers visiting outside of these
busy months can often book a bit more last
minute, though 2-3 months notice is still
recommended.
Further, we
usually recommend that you wait to book your
international flights until after your tour
is confirmed. The sooner that we arrange
your tour, the sooner that you can take
advantage of flight deals as they become
available.
We are often
able to accommodate last minute travelers as
well (some even departing in less than one
week!!), so give us a call and we will do
our best! For last minute bookings, it helps
to be flexible and organized. Your first
choice Jungle lodge may not be available for
your selected dates, but your trip
coordinator can probably recommend some
other similar options that would be equally
interesting! Since Peruvian airlines usually
require a passport number to book internal
flights, have this number ready to speed up
the booking process.
16. Are tour
dates flexible?
YES.
Please contact us if you are not able to
travel on the set departure dates listed on-line.
Most tours can be arranged on alternative
departure dates for a minimum of three
travelers as long as lodges/ hotels are
available.
17. Can I
extend or change my stay?
Absolutely! E-mail us for ideas.
Extra days can also be arranged in Cusco,
the Amazon, Puno, Arequipa, Lima, or other
areas if desired. Let us know how you would
like to customize your trip and we will do
our best to accommodate you.
Before You Go.
18. What
should I pack?
You will receive
a detailed packing list after you book your
tour. Since the Peruvian climate varies
dramatically depending upon elevation and
season, it is difficult to offer many
generalizations. Comfort is the rule and
fancy clothes are not necessary for any of
our Peru tours. Peruvians are used to seeing
travelers so shorts, sandals, and jeans are
perfectly acceptable.
19. How
concerned should I be about the altitude?.
Altitude affects
each traveler differently and until you have
visited an area with high altitude, it is
impossible to predict how your body will
react. For this reason, all of our Peru
hiking tours include at least 3 days at high
altitude with mild activities before
travelers begin hiking. This time allows
your body to begin acclimatizing (though
full acclimatization would take several
months) and provides travelers a good
indication of how they will feel once they
begin hiking (as altitude symptoms are
generally the worst on the first day or two
at elevation).
Commonly, our
travelers report mild altitude symptoms such
as fatigue, headache, or light-headedness
during their first day or two at elevation.
Many of our hotels at altitude have oxygen
available for travelers feeling the effects
of the elevation.
Severe altitude
sickness is rare. In this case, the best
treatment is to go down in elevation as soon
as possible. We have never had a traveler
that had to be evacuated to low altitude.
Many severe cases of altitude sickness are
the result of a pre-existing condition that
is aggravated by the altitude. It is
important to ask your doctor whether or not
travel to high altitude is advised,
especially if you have a pre-existing heart
or lung condition such as high blood
pressure, asthma, angina, etc. You might
also want to ask your doctor about
prescription Diamox, a diuretic that many
travelers swear by to help them adjust to
the altitude more readily.
20. How safe
is Peru?
Peru has a
stable government and tourism has boomed in
recent years. With the added tourist dollars,
the government has made a concerted effort
to keep travelers and their valuables safe.
There have been no terrorist attacks in
Peruvian tourist areas in over a decade and
the activities of the Shining Path are
generally assumed to be isolated to a remote
area of the Department of Ayacucho that most
travelers would never visit.
Travelers should
take the same precautions that they would in
a major city in the US. Pay attention to the
advice of your tour leader and hotel
reception and take common-sense precautions
such as not going into unfamiliar areas
alone, especially at night.
Petty theft is
common in busy tourist areas such as
airports, markets, and other tourist sites
so be aware of your valuables and don't
leave them unattended. Monetary scams also
sprout up occasionally so beware of any
offers that sound too good to be true. Your
tour leader is from the local area and is an
excellent source of information and advice.
Check out the US State Department travel
advisories for the latest information at:
21. What time
zone is Peru?
Peru is five
hours behind GMT (same as EST). They do not
observe daylight-savings time so during
these months (April-October), Peru is on
CST.
22. Do I need
a converter/ adaptor for the electricity?
Peru uses 220
volt, 60 cycle electricity. Travelers will
require a voltage converter for 110 volt
devices. Plugs are typically the 2 pronged
flat type found in the US, though some
facilities have been noted to use the 2
rounded prongs instead.
23. Is the
water safe to drink?
The tap water is
generally not safe to drink in Peru. Bottled
water is readily available at tourist sites,
hotels, and restaurants. Don't forget to use
bottled water when brushing your teeth as
well! Ice is not always made with boiled/
bottled water. Order your beverages without
ice ("sin hielo") or ask your tour guide if
the ice is safe in a particular restaurant.
24. Can I use
US dollars, or do I need local currency?
What is the local currency, exchange rate,
etc.?
Most restaurants,
markets, and other service providers readily
accept US dollars as long as they don't have
any rips. They will generally give you
change in local currency. The local currency
is the Sol. It is handy to use local
currency in markets as you will have smaller
denominations / tip with and don't need to
worry about your currency looking pristine (ripped
us dollars are not accepted), ripped Soles
are common and readily accepted).
25. Should I
bring cash or Traveler's checks? Are ATMs
available? Can I use credit cards?
Most travelers
bring a small amount of US cash with them
and withdraw from ATMs as they need it along
they way. ATMs are readily available in the
larger towns and cities. Travelers can
withdraw US dollars or local currency at
fair exchange rates. Traveler's checks are
fine, but they can be more difficult to
exchange and you will usually receive a
poorer rate or be charged an additional fee.
Credit cards are accepted only in the larger
restaurants and stores. Although it is
helpful to bring a credit card along for
emergencies, don't count on using it for
most purchases.
26. Can I use
my cell phone?
Check with your
cell phone provider. Each company is
different and they can give you the most up-to-date
information.
27. What
immunizations are recommended/ required?
No immunizations
are currently required for visiting Peru.
Hepatitis A and Typhoid are recommended on
most of our Peru excursions. Yellow fever
and malaria preventatives are also
recommended on our Amazon journeys. For the
most current information, please consult
your doctor and/or check out the Center for
Disease Control web-site at
www.cdc.gov.
28. Do I need
a visa/passport?
Travelers will
all need a passport valid for at least 6
months after they depart. Currently,
citizens from the US, Canada, Scandinavia,
Western Europe, Japan, Latin America, South
Africa, South Korea, and the Caribbean (except
Cuba) do not need a visa. Australians and
New Zealanders do need a visa. Travelers
from other nationalities should check with
the Peruvian Embassy for visa information.
Entry requirements change with surprising
frequency. It is each traveler's
responsibility to check with the consulate
for the most up-to-date visa information.
29. Is travel
insurance recommended?
Absolutely!!! Medical expenses,
medical evacuation, lost bags, etc. They
have two different types of insurance
available, depending upon whether or not you
will need the cancellation coverage.
