WHAT TRIP ARRANGEMENTS DO I NEED PRIOR TO OUR TRIP?

The only travel arrangements that guests on our tour need to make are:

• Have a fully covered International Insurance policy.
• Make sure you have at least 6 months valid passport, have 2 copies of your passport, one leave at home and the other carry with you when you are out of your hotel.
• International return flights.
• Visas (not necessary for European countries)
• Health advice.

We make all the other online reservations as well as hotel arrangements. When landing you will be given a card to complete called TARJETA DE INGRESO, it is IMPORTANT to keep this card during the lenght of your trip, and present it at the time of leaving the country!

HOW MUCH MONEY WILL I NEED?

This depends entirely on your own special desires and needs. i.e. if you buy souvenirs, post cards, stamps, drinks, snacks, tipping, etc... some people calculate between €350 onwards for a 2 week trip.

WHAT LUGGAGE SHOULD I BRING?

Check the weight limits with your airline. Make sure you are familiar with current regulations regarding prohibited items to be taken in hand luggage. We recommend you bring:

• a small daypack
• sleeping bag (also available for hire here)
• comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots
• sunhat, sunscreen and glasses
• rainjacket and fleece,
• warm jacket
• swimsuit
• mosquito repellent
• long sleeved shirt and long trousers
• warm clothing
• small torch

You can find creams, etc readily available in Peru. However, Peruvians have small feet and it may be difficult to buy footwear.

WHAT KIND OF CLOTHING SHALL I BRING?

Coast: spring clothing, sleeping bag, hat, sunscreen, glasses.

Highlands : trekking shoes, rain jacket, warm clothing, jacket.

Jungle:light long sleeves and long trousers, rain jacket, mosquito repellent.

You can buy creams and stuff like that here, but not shoes, we are small feeted!

WHAT IS THE CURRENCY OF PERU?

The currency is the sol (sun). For a dollar you get approx. S/. 2.9 soles and for a Euro around 4 soles. This varies on an almost daily basis. Euros and dollars are well accepted in Peru. There are places to exchange money, CASA DE CAMBIO, and ATM machines in most big cities.

Credit cards such as Mastercard and Visa are accepted, but only in upmarket restaurants and supermarkets. It is advisable not to bring travellers cheques.

Getting change is almost a nightmare. Break down your big notes! Prices are reasonable in Peru compared to Europe. A ½ litre bottle of water costs about 2 soles and a bottle of beer is between 2-4 soles depending on the size. The cost of washing a kilo of clothes is between 4-6 soles. In hotels laundry is charged per garment. A meal at a good restaurant costs from 30 soles per dish.

WHICH KIND OF TRANSPORT SHALL WE USE?

Private buses, local flights, and small river boats.

WHO TRAVELS ON OUR TOURS?

Independent minded people, gay, lesbian, gay friendly, trans gender and families from 18 to 70 years of age from various nationalities, all English speaking guests.

WHAT AVERAGE GROUP SIZE?

We aim for 15 guests per group. Trips will run with a minimum of 8 guests. We reserve the right to cancel a trip if there are not sufficient numbers, and guests deposits will be refunded in full.

ARE THESE TRIPS A GOOD CHOICE FOR SOLO TRAVELERS?

It tends to attract a mix of solo travelers and couples, we can provide solo travelers with private accommodation or if desired, can usually match them with a roommate to save on the single supplement (€500).

CAN I TRAVEL ALONE?

Our trips tend to attract a mixture of solo travellers and couples. Single rooms are available on payment of a supplement of €500.

WHAT IF I HAVE SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS?

We ask guests to let us know their requirements in advance at the time of booking so we can make special arrangements before departure.

WILL MY MOBILE PHONE WORK AND CAN I TAKE PHOTOS?

- it depends on the phone, check with your service provider.

- in most cities you have access to telephone and internet.

- our English guests will need an adaptor for electrical appliances.

- if you take snapshots of people it is recommended to ask before hand, some people here worry as they believe you will take their soul away!

Another will rudely demand a tip for the exposure!

HOW DANGEROUS IS PERU?

It all depends. It is like any other country in the world. As Peru is a poor country, do not wear expensive jewellery or watches, expose flashy equipment, etc as you will only attract thieves. Do not walk alone especially after dark.

Try to go in a group when you stroll around towns. Please do leave your valuables in the hotel safebox; take a copy of your passport with you, as we cannot be responsible for your personal property. Moneybelts are a good thing. Put your money, tickets, passport under your clothing. Strikes and tremors can happen without warning. If the planes, transportation cannot take us to our destination and alternative arrangements will have to be made. Please be very careful of what you eat and drink. Only buy wrapped icecream, bottled water, fruits that need to be peeled. Do not eat fresh lettuce or ice cubes.

WHAT HEALTH PROBLEMS MIGHT I HAVE?

Tummy problems, headaches, dizziness, nausea, and heat rashes may occur due to the change of environment, altitude, food and water. Check with your General Practitioner before travelling.

HOW MUCH SHOULD I TIP?

It is up to you but we suggest:

When tipping:

Waiter/ress- 10% of the total bill amount

Guides- $ 1 p/person.

Drivers- $10 p/person for the length of the tour.

Tour Conductors- $ 10 onwards p/person.

WHAT MODIFICATIONS CAN I DO?

- If you require a single room, you will have to pay a supplement of  €500.

- If for any reasons there is a strike or other unexpected event, it might be necessary to make alternative travel arrangements.

WHAT HAPPEN IF I CANCEL PRIOR TO THE CANCELLING DATE?

• If you cancel 91+ days prior to cancelling date, you will be fully refunded.
• If you cancel 90 days prior to departure, 500 Euros of tour costs will be withheld.
• If you cancel between 60 to 89 days prior to departure, 25% of tour costs will be withheld.
• If you cancel 30 to 59 days prior to departure date, 50% of tour cost will be withheld.
• If you cancel 29 days or less prior to departure, 100% of tour costs will be withheld. - Prices are based on contract rates, if you cancel while the tour is in progress, there will not be any refund for the unused portion.

WHICH ARE THE SUGGESTED HOTELS?

LIMA
-ROOSEVELT HOTEL AND SUITES
www.hotelroosevelt.com
-LOS TALLANES HOTEL AND SUITES
www.hoteltallanes.com.pe
-GRAN HOTEL BOLIVAR
www.granhotelbolivarperu.com

LUNAHUANA
-FORTALEZA DEL INCA
www.fortalezainca.com
-RIO ALTO HOTEL
www.rioaltohotel.com

CHINCHA
-HACIENDA SAN JOSE
www.haciendasanjose.com.pe

ICA
-HOTEL MOSSONE
www.peru-hotels.com/icamoson.htm
-HOTEL LAS DUNAS
www.lasdunashotel.com

NAZCA
-NAZCA LINES HOTEL
www.peru-hotels.com/nazlines.htm
-HOTEL MAJORO
www.hotelmajoro.com

CAMANA
-HOTEL TURISTAS
www.hotelturistas.net
-CALETA SAN JOSE
www.caletasanjose.com

MAJES
-POSADA PICARDO

-MAJES LODGE

-LAS ESCALERILLAS

AREQUIPA
-LA POSADA DEL PUENTE
www.posadadelpuente.com
-EL CABILDO AREQUIPA
www.cabildohotel.com.pe
-MIRADOR DEL MONASTERIO
www.miradordemonasterio.com


COLCA
-KUNTUR WASSI
www.kunturwassi_colca.com
-POZO DEL CIELO
www.pozodelcielo.com.pe
-HOTEL COLLAHUA
www.hotelcollahua.com

PUNO
-HOTEL CASONA PLAZA
www.casonaplazahotel.com
-HOTEL PLAZA MAYOR
www.plazamayorhostal.com
-CHIFFRON


CUSCO
-CASA SAN BLAS
www.casasanblas.com
-LOS APUS HOTEL
www.losapushotel.com
-THE GARDEN HOUSE
www.cuscohouse.com
-HOTEL EL ARQUEOLOGO
www.hotelarqueologo.com
-EL PUMA HOTEL
www.elpumahotelcusco.com


OLLANTAYTAMBO
-HOTEL PAKARITAMPU
www.pakaritampu.com
-HOSTAL SAUCE
www.hostalsauce.com.pe

PUERTO MALDONADO
-ECOAMAZONIA LODGE
www.ecoamazonia.com.pe