Miscellaneous

Airport Departure Tax
In most airports a security tax for intra-Peru flights must be paid. We can not include it in our service costs because it varies. This is approximately US$6.05 for the Lima airport and around $5.00 in regional airports. In Lima and other airports the international departure tax is approximately US$30.25, which must be paid at the airport, prior to departure and immigration, in Nuevos Soles or US Dollars.

Sales tax (IGV) on goods and services in shops and restaurants is 19%, and is generally included in the prices shown. At hotels if you travel on your own or extend your stay, you can omit paying the sales tax by presenting a photocopy of your passport.

Communication
Peru’s code is 51. In order to receive phone calls from abroad you must dial (00) + (51) + (Department Code) + (Phone number) . The area code for Lima is 1 and Cusco is 84.

There are several internet cafes around each main city. Prices are around US$ 1 or S/. 3 an hour, though you are charged upon time spent.
Most of the 3 star and above hotels have WiFi internet access or may provide PC’s with internet access for free.

Luggage
Upon arrival in Peru, either into Lima or Cusco (from La Paz) we tag all luggages for easy identification all over Peru.

For cultural and sightseeing travel we recommend you bring luggage that is easy to manipulate for normal worldwide travel.

We have no weight limit although many airlines have weight specifications that allow up to 30 kilos (66lbs) for checked in baggage and 5 kilos (11lbs.) for carry on bags.

In all the hotels we work with, we are usually allowed to leave luggage for the return journey.

For adventure trips, trekking or rafting, we recommend duffel bags that are waterproof or can be lined with plastic bags to protect your clothes from water. These are easily tied on pack-animals and can be carried by porters (we use porters only on the Inca Trail since pack-animals are not allowed). The weight limit is 20 Kilos (44 pounds) for most routes. This weight includes duffel and sleeping bag and one extra piece. Sometimes couples choose to share a duffel bag.

**On the Inca Trail weight is an important factor, so we ask you to please pack lightly. The weight limit per person is 8 kilos (20 pounds). On Fixed Departures we can supply duffel bags on request the night before departure during the briefing session. **

On the train journey to Machu Picchu, there are weight and size restrictions on luggage. (There is more info regarding this matter available)

Transportation and Connectivity

Air transport
There are airlines that operate nationally as well as various regional and charter companies. We can sell you national intra-Peru flights, often providing this service at comparable prices since we can monitor the bookings and reconfirmation of flights to improve schedules and connections. When our passengers arrive we automatically ask for their ongoing international connection on their way out of

Rail transport
In 1995 the state railroad which ran the railways all over Peru was privatized and a company called Peru Rail S.A., owned by Orient Express from the United Kingdom, won the concession to operate the Arequipa – Puno, Puno – Cusco and Cusco – Machu Picchu section of the railroad. Since then the tracks have been refurbished and there are now excellent schedules and alternatives available between mostly Cusco and Machu Picchu.

Buses and vehicles
Ground transportation terminals in the big cities offer secure areas and services to connect to other Peruvian regions. In the nineties many highways were improved while others were extended so now it is possible to travel by land counting with public transportation of international standards. Most routes that have paved highways, such as the Pan-American Highway to Nazca and Arequipa, and the road to Huaraz, have reliable scheduled bus service available. The overnight service is specially designed to include lounge seats comfortable for sleeping with TV and refreshments available. On some of our fixed departures and on longer routes we travel on these buses since they tend to be less expensive and more comfortable than minivans or small vehicles.

On group departures we provide 20-40 seat buses for tours and longer journeys.
For individual or small groups we provide comfortable minivans and sometimes station wagons for short transfers and tours within a city. This is applicable to transportation and guided tours all over Peru.

Electric voltage

Ac 220 volts, 60 cycles. Usually five and four star hotels also offer electric voltage of 110 volts.

Tipping

We only include tipping for porters at airports, train or bus station transfers, where qualified porters certified by the proper authorities are located.

Tips at hotels are usually not included since your contact with the hotel porters is personal at baggage delivery in the rooms, and baggage pick-up at check-out. Passengers are free to tip them once inside the hotel.

Tipping is not included for drivers, guides and/or camp crews, trekking and/or river guides during journeys; the amount depends on the number of days the people accompany you and the size of the party. Camp crews tend to be with you a minimum of 4 days. These are voluntary contributions and if desired, we recommend that the following guidelines be followed (amounts specified are per group and applicable for the length of the trip, not per day):

Drivers:                                   US$10-15
Transfer Agents:                  US$10-15
Head Cook:                            US$40
Camp Crew each:                US$20
Porters/ mule drivers:        US$10-15
Adventure or Tour Guides US$60-100

Shopping
Lima’s shops, galleries and markets offer a typical sampling of Peruvian crafts.
The markets are usually less expensive, but unlike the shops, there is no quality guarantee.
Store hours are approx. 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Saturdays. Almost all stores are closed on Sundays.

Outside of Lima, vendors can be found every day of the week in designated areas in main cities, usually around the main squares.

Travel Gear

The following travel equipment is recommended for the different types of trips:

Trekking and tours which include camping accommodations:

• Cotton short-sleeved shirts or t-shirts
• Light coloured long-sleeved shirts
• Fleece or Wool sweater and/or trousers
• Lightweight pants
• Hiking shorts
• Regular and long underwear (at over 13,000 ft/4,000 masl)
• Medium weight parka with fibber fill or down
• Light cap and wool hat
• Rain poncho (or rain gear)
• Light gloves
• Medium weight socks
• Tennis or running shoes and hiking boots
• Trekking poles (optional)
• Sleeping bag (0º to -15ºC) and small day pack
• Strong waterproof duffel bag
• Sun glasses
• Sun block, lip balm and Insect repellent
• Flashlight with spare batteries and bulb
• Towel
• Swimsuit.
• Water bottle
• Personal first aid kit. On each trip we carry a medical kit but we suggest a small personal first-aid kit for bruises and blisters. A knee and ankle brace are sometimes useful especially if you suffer from weak knees or ankles. Include any special medication your doctor might suggest for you.

Biking Tours:

• Cotton short-sleeved shirts or t-shirts
• Light coloured long-sleeved shirts
• Tennis or running shoes and hiking boots
• Sun glasses
• Suns Screen
• Day pack
• Change of cloth
• Towel
• Personal first aid kit. On each trip we carry a medical kit but we suggest a small personal first-aid kit for bruises and blisters. A knee and ankle brace are sometimes useful especially if you suffer from weak knees or ankles. Include any special medication your doctor might suggest for you.

River Running

• Shorts
• Swim suits
• Wind-breaker
• Sun glasses
• Suns Screen
• Water sandals or neoprene booties
• Other adventure gear as listed above for camping and evenings on the river shores.
• Light weight sleeping bag.
• Certain areas have insects so bring long sleeved clothing and insect repellent.
• Sun block, lip balm and Insect Repellent.

Sea Kayaking

• Long - sleeved lycra
• Neoprene booties or wet-shoes
• Neoprene suit (short or long)
• Hat/cap, sunglasses, gloves (if required for paddling)
• Wind-jacket
• Water bottle
• Sun glasses
• Suns Screen
• Personal first aid kit
• Warm clothes for afternoon camping including sleeping bag (25ºF /- 5%C).

Rainforest Programs

• Rubber boots (can be rented or are given at most lodges)
• Long-sleeved cotton shirts
• Full rain-gear and insect repellent
• Other cotton pants and lightweight clothing.
• A light parka or sweater (sometimes there is some cold wind flow in Peru's southern Amazon Basin)
• Light cap and wool hat (in mountains).
• Remember your yellow-fever vaccines and malaria prophylaxis.
• Sun glasses
• Suns Screen
• Personal first aid kit

Soft Adventure and Overlanding
• Since all the programs include overnight stay at hotels, aside from the normal outdoor gear needed during a daily active hike or river trip, no extreme outdoor gear is necessary.

Cultural Programs

• Good walking shoes (rubber soles)
• Standard clothing used for travelling world-wide
• Light outdoor gear
• Rain protection gear, sun protection and insect repellent
• Warmer clothes especially in the months of May - July when temperatures can vary from hot days to freezing nights.