TRAVEL TO PERU LAND OF INKAS

Every place on the planet has something of interest, but Peru is undoubtedly a privileged country for its great natural, historical and human legacy.

Here, nature lovers will feel gratified by the diversity of environments and scenery. They will be amazed by the sharp contrast between forests and deserts on the coast; deep ravines and towering snow-capped mountains in the Andean highlands; densely forested slopes and huge plains of thick vegetation in the Amazon jungle; and they will be surprised at the wide variety of animal and plant life, unique in the world, that is characteristic to each of these regions.

Those who admire the remains of the past will find magnificent testimonies to an ancient civilization that dates back six thousand years, with an unmistakable cultural identity that created wonders such as the Royal Tombs of Sipan, the Nazca Lines, Chan Chan and Machu Picchu. And they will be able to see the best examples -in painting, sculpture and architecture- of the fusion of Hispanic and American cultures.
Adventure travelers will be able to ride tall waves and go looking for underwater life along the long stretches of natural beaches; climb high mountain ranges, explore deep caves, run the longest and biggest rivers on the continent, trek along ancient paths that wind through different eco-systems; and observe endangered species up close in natural reserves of indescribable beauty.

Because it is a racial melting pot, Peru is home to a wide variety of expressions of its peoples through their ancient, creative and colorful folk art. Visitors can join in age-old celebrations, each music and dance retelling its own history. They are welcome to share in the customs and tasks of villagers and witness how farmers have been able to master the difficult terrain of the coast, highlands and jungle.
There also will be no lack of oppoortunities for the most demanding of palates to savor the variety and quality of Peruvian cuisine, which offers the visitor the best seasoning in the Americas.

HOW TO GET THERE
By air: Peru is linked by direct flights and connections to the main cities of Europe, Asia and the Americas. The main port of entry is International Jorge Chavez Airport (Callao, Lima). The airports of Arequipa, Cuzco, Chiclayo, Iquitos, Pisco, Pucallpa, Tacna and Trujillo are also equipped to receive international flights.

- Overland: One can enter Peru via the Pan-American Highway through the city of Tacna in the south, or through the city of Tumbes in the north. Access is also possible from the city of Loja (Ecuador) which is connected by road to the city of Piura. There are two entry routes from Bolivia: Copacabana - Yunguyo - Puno; and La Paz - Desaguadero - Puno.

- By river: The only point of entry by river is along the Amazon, with private rivercraft services coming from the cities of Leticia (Colombia) and Tabatinga (Brazil) to the port of Iquitos (Peru). - By lake: Lake Titicaca links Peru to neighbouring Bolivia, with which Peru enjoys bustling trade and tourism links. - By sea: Cruise liners call at Callao, Peru's main port. Some cruises also call at the ports of Salaverry (Trujillo) and Chimbote (Ancash), in northern Peru; and at San Martin (Ica) and Matarani (Arequipa) in the south.

Weather
Peru has three main climatic zones: the tropical Amazon jungle to the east; the arid coastal desert to the west; and the Andean mountains and highlands in the middle of the country. In the Andes, which have altitudes over 3500m, average daily temperatures fall below 10°C (50°F) and overnight temperatures can dip well below freezing. Travelers flying straight into Cuzco (3326m) should allow time to acclimatize.
From June to August is the dry season in the mountains and altiplano (Andean plateau); the wettest months are from December to March. It rains all the time in the hot and humid rainforest, but the driest months there are from June to September. However, even during the wettest months from December to May, it rarely rains for more than a few hours at a time. Along the arid coastal strip, the hot months are from December through March. Some parts of the coastal strip see rain rarely, if at all. From April to November, Lima and other areas by the Pacific Ocean are enclosed in garúa (coastal fog, mist or drizzle) as warmer air masses off the desert drift over the ocean where the cold Humboldt Current hits.
The El Niño effect, which occurs on average every seven years, is when large-scale changes in ocean currents and rising sea-surface water temperatures bring heavy rains and floods to coastal areas, plunging tropical areas into drought and disrupting weather patterns worldwide. The name El Niño (literally ‘the Child’) refers to the fact that this phenomenon usually appears around Christmas. The El Niño in the winter of 1997–98 was particularly traumatic for Peru. El Niño is usually followed the next year by La Niña, when ocean currents that cool abnormally create even more havoc and destruction.

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When to go
Peru’s climate has two main seasons – wet and dry – though the weather varies greatly depending on the geographical region. Temperature is mostly influenced by elevation: the higher you climb, the cooler it becomes.
The peak tourist season is from June to August, which coincides with the cooler dry season in the Andean highlands and summer vacation in North America and Europe. This is the best (and busiest) time to go trekking on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, or climbing, hiking and mountain biking elsewhere.
People can and do visit the highlands year-round, though the wettest months of December to March make it a wet and muddy proposition. Many of the major fiestas, such as La Virgen de la Candelaria, Carnaval and Semana Santa, occur in the wettest months and continue undiminished even during heavy rainstorms.
On the arid coast, Peruvians visit the beaches during the most hot and humid time of the year, from late December through March. In central and southern Peru, the coast is cloaked in garúa (coastal fog) for the rest of the year. Although the southern beaches are deserted then, the coastal cities can be visited at any time. In the north, the coast usually sees more sun, so beach lovers can hang out there year-round.
In the eastern rainforest, of course, it rains. The wettest months are December through May, but even then it rarely rains for more than a few hours at a time, so there’s still plenty of sunshine to enjoy. Follow the locals’ example: briefly take cover during the heaviest downpours. It’s not a big deal.

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Costs
Shoestring travelers watching their céntimos – by sleeping in dormitory rooms, traveling on economy buses, eating set menus – can easily get by on a minimum of US$25 a day. Visitors who prefer private hot showers, à la carte meals in moderately priced restaurants, comfortable buses and occasional flights will find that at least US$60 to US$100 a day should meet their needs. Staying at luxury hotels and dining at top-end restaurants can cost up to several hundred dollars a day, especially if you’re doing your trip by organized tour or visiting only the most expensive cities of Cuzco and Lima.
You can stretch your budget by traveling with a partner as double rooms are usually less expensive than two singles. Hone your bargaining skills – taxi cabs don’t have meters, and drivers routinely overcharge gringos. Hotels often give discounts if you simply ask for their best price (mejor precio or inquire about promotional, student or business rates. Many restaurants offer filling three-course set lunches for around S7, while eating à la carte will triple your bill. Pay with cash rather than credit cards, in order to avoid hefty surcharges. Peruvian ATMs dispense both local currency (nuevos soles) and US dollars. Above all, keep your money safely stashed – an economical trip can get expensive fast if you are pickpocketed!
Adventurers on a tight budget will be dismayed at the high costs of hiking the famed Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Unguided trips are now illegal (and this is strictly enforced) and the cheapest four-day trips start at around US$300 per person, not including equipment rental, tips for the guides and porters, or any incidental expenses, such as bottled water. Plan on spending US$400 if you're going with a reputable outfitter. A day trip to Machu Picchu via train and bus isn’t cheap either.

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Money
Peru uses the nuevo sol (S), which has traded at S3.00 to S5.50 per US dollar (US$) for several years, although you should keep an eye on current events.
Carrying cash, an ATM or traveler’s check card and also a credit card that can be used for cash advances in case of emergency is advisable. When receiving local currency, always ask for small bills (billetes pequeñas), as S100 bills are hard to change in small towns or for small purchases. The best places to exchange money are normally casas de cambio (foreign-exchange bureaus), which are fast, have longer hours and often give slightly better rates than banks. Many places accept US dollars. Do not accept torn money as it will likely not be accepted by Peruvians. It is best not to change money on the street as counterfeits are a problem.

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ATMs
Cajeros automáticos (ATMs) are found in nearly every city and town in Peru, as well as at major airports and bus terminals. ATMs are linked to the international Plus (Visa), Cirrus (Maestro/MasterCard) systems, American Express and other networks. They will accept your bank or credit card as long as you have a four-digit PIN. Before you leave home, notify your bank that you’ll be using your ATM card abroad. Even better, leave your bank card at home and buy a traveler’s check card instead.
ATMs are a convenient way of obtaining cash, but rates are usually lower than at casas de cambio. Both US dollars and nuevos soles are readily available from Peruvian ATMs. Your home bank may charge an additional fee for each foreign ATM transaction. Surcharges for cash advances from credit cards vary, but are generally expensive, so check with your credit-card provider before you leave home.
ATMs are normally open 24 hours. For safety reasons, use ATMs inside banks with security guards, preferably during daylight hours.

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Cash
The nuevo sol (‘new sun’) comes in bills of S10, S20, S50, S100 and (rarely) S200. It is divided into 100 céntimos, with copper-colored coins of S0.05, S0.10 and S0.20, and silver-colored S0.50 and S1 coins. In addition, there are bimetallic S2 and S5 coins with a copper-colored center inside a silver-colored ring.
US dollars are accepted by most tourist-oriented businesses, though you’ll need nuevos soles to pay for local transportation, most meals etc. Paying in nuevos soles can be a time-consuming hassle at some midrange hotels and many top-end establishments.

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Changing money
Carrying cash entitles you to get the top exchange rates quickly. The best currency for exchange is the US dollar, although the euro is increasingly accepted. Other hard currencies can be exchanged, but usually with difficulty and only in major cities and tourist centers. All foreign currencies must be in flawless condition.
Cambistas (money-changers) hang out on street corners near banks and casas de cambio and give competitive rates (there’s only a little flexibility for bargaining), but are not always honest. Officially, they should wear a vest and badge identifying them as legal. They’re useful after regular business hours or at borders where there aren’t any other options.

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Credit cards
Many top-end hotels and shops accept tarjetas de credito (credit cards) but usually charge you a 7% (or greater) fee for using them. The amount you’ll eventually pay is not based on the point-of-sale exchange rate, but the rate your bank chooses to use when the transaction posts to your account, sometimes weeks later. Your bank may also tack on a surcharge and additional fees for each foreign-currency transaction.
The most widely accepted cards in Peru are Visa and MasterCard, although American Express and a few others are valid in some establishments, as well as for cash advances at ATMs. Before you leave home, notify your bank that you’ll be using your credit card abroad.

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Traveler’s checks
If you carry some of your money as cheques de viajero (traveler’s checks), these can be refunded if lost or stolen. However, exchange rates for traveler’s checks are quite a bit lower than for US cash. With the commissions sometimes charged, you can lose over 10% of the checks’ value when you exchange them, and they may be impossible to change in small towns. Almost all businesses and some casas de cambio refuse to deal with them, so you will need to queue at a bank. American Express checks are the most widely accepted, followed by Visa and Thomas Cook.

Reloadable traveler’s check cards work just like ATM cards, but are not linked to your home bank account. These cards enjoy some of the same protections as traveler’s checks, and can be replaced more easily than a bank ATM card. During your trip, you can add more funds to a traveler’s check card either online or by making an international collect call, or you can authorize someone else at home to do this for you, which eliminates the need for emergency wire transfers. Many Visa providers (www.cashpassportcard.com) offer traveler’s check cards.

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Entering the destination
Entering the country
Arriving in Peru is typically a straightforward process, as long as your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your departure date. When arriving by air, US citizens must show a return ticket or open-jaw onward ticket – don’t show up with just a one-way ticket to South America. Immigration officials at airports are efficient, while those at overland border crossings may take their time scrutinizing your passport before they stamp it.
When arriving by air or overland, immigration officials may only stamp 30 days into your passport (though 90 days is standard); if this happens, explain how many more days you need, supported by an exit ticket for onward or return travel. Bribery is illegal in Peru, but some officials may try to procure extra payment at borders.

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Trekking the inca trail to Machu Picchu.

Trekking Classical Inca Trail 4 days

Trekking Short Inca Trail 2days

Frequently Asked Questions Inca Trail

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