-
When is the best time to go on a Peru tour?
Peru is a diverse country with beaches, mountains, rainforest and desert. For this reason, there is no off-season in Peru. One can travel to Peru any time of year and find good weather in certain areas. [Back to Top]
-
How far in advance should I book a Peru tour?
When booking a Inca Trail Trek, we recommend that you book your tour 6 to 9 months in advance. For other Peru tours, we recommend 3 to 6 We recommend booking your tour before your international flight. [Back to Top]
-
Are these Peru tours suitable for children?
It depends on the trip. Our Peru tours have received rave reviews from families visiting the Amazon, Machu Picchu and even hiking the Inca trail. If children enjoy wildlife, learning about other cultures and meeting new people, Peru may be a great choice. To make family tours more flexible, we often recommend putting together a private group instead of booking one of our pre-set group trips. This works especially well with younger children. We are happy to answer all of your questions to give you the most accurate impression we can of what to expect. [Back to Top]
-
Can I extend my stay?
Yes. We offer many exciting extensions to suit the individual needs and interests of our passengers both in Lima and other areas from paragliding in the Sacred Valley to archeological tours. These trip extensions are described on our website. If you would like to discuss the options or arrange a trip extension on either end of your trip, please contact us. [Back to Top]
-
What airport do your passengers fly to?
Passengers fly into Lima's Jorge Chavez International Airport. Our Peru tours all begin in Cusco. [Back to Top]
-
How do passengers get from one tour destination to another?
In Peru, we use a mix of private and public transportation to get travelers to their destinations safely and efficiently. This includes local air carriers, trains, private vans/cars, comfortable tourist buses and canoes, etc. For short distances, we may get around in unusual ways such as rickshaw, bicycle taxi, "chicken bus" etc. to give travelers the local flavor. [Back to Top]
-
What types of aircraft is used on domestic flights?
Most domestic carriers in Peru use Boeing 727s or similar jets with a capacity of 80-120 passengers. [Back to Top]
-
What are the accommodations like in Peru?
All of our Peru accommodations have private baths and hot water. They are located within walking distance of the town center, and most of the reception staff speaks English. Our standard adventures feature 3-star accommodations. If desired, 4 and 5-star accommodations are available upon request. We personally inspect the rooms and amenities of all potential hotels and lodges in each tour location and select only those that meet our rigorous standards for cleanliness, comfort, convenient location, safety, customer service and ambiance. We support lodges and hotels that employ sustainability practices and are owned and operated locally. [Back to Top]
-
What are the meals like?
Meals served during all of our Peru adventures are nutritious and plentiful. Hotel breakfasts usually include fresh fruit, breads and eggs, as well as coffee, tea and juices. On the hiking portion of our trekking tours, our guests are awakened with a fresh cup brought to the tent and are served breakfast, lunch and dinner daily prepared by expert trail cooks with years of experience. Dinners usually consist of fresh vegetables and beef or chicken. During our Amazon adventures, the lodge menus generally include a variety of seafood, fish, beef, fresh salads and soups, as well as dessert and hot drinks. [Back to Top]
-
How concerned should I be about the altitude?
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and much of the Inca Trail are at high altitudes (at 11,600 ft, 6,000 ft, 12,600 ft and an average of 10,000 ft respectively). The highest altitude reached on the Inca Trail is the pass at (13,780 ft/4200 m). We sleep at approximately (11,811 ft/3600 m) for one or two nights. In planning trips to these destinations, we include sufficient days at the outset to allow the body to begin acclimatizing. We start with mild activities prior to hiking to give travelers a good indication of how they will feel on the hike since symptoms usually subside. We have never had a traveler who had to be evacuated to low altitude. Please see the "Safety Tips for South and Central America" article on our Home Page for more information about altitude. [Back to Top]
-
Is it possible to leave the Inca Trail in case of an emergency?
Any exiting of the Inca Trail due to emergency is by foot or horse (if available). No airlift options are available. In the event of a debilitating injury, two porters would carry the injured person to the nearest train station where they would then board the train to Ollantaytambo. A vehicle would be waiting to drive the injured person to the Cusco Hospital or other location.
Please note that throughout the Inca Trail there are park rangers with walkie-talkies. Also, all Southern Explorations will have satellite phones with them while on the Inca Trail. [Back to Top]
-
How much should I budget for a Peru trip beyond the tour fee and international airfare?
Meals/beverages not included in trip price $20US - $25US per day
Airport taxes $30US
Tips, depending on activities and length of trip $60US - $150US
The markets can be a shopper's paradise. Budget according to your tastes. [Back to Top]
-
What bathing and toilet facilities are there at the Inca Trail camp sites?
There are some toilet facilities, depending on the campsite. Where there are no facilities, a toilet tent is set up for temporary use. Bowls of warm water are often provided for a quick wash in the morning and evening, but no showers are available while on the trek. The first warm shower comes on day four upon the arrival at your hotel in Aguas Calientes day four of the trek. [Back to Top]
|
