Travel Guide
Essential Packing for Peru
Clothing for Multiple Climates
Your packing list should address Peru’s three distinct climate zones. For coastal Lima light clothing like t-shirts and pants is appropriate year-round with a light jacket for evenings. For the Amazon Jungle you need lightweight long-sleeved shirts and pants to protect from insects and the sun plus rain gear. For the Andean Highlands including Cusco and Machu Picchu layering is key. You’ll need warm clothing like fleece sweaters thermal underwear a warm hat and gloves as temperatures can drop significantly especially at night.
Footwear and Accessories
A single pair of shoes will not be sufficient. You need sturdy broken-in walking shoes or hiking boots for the ruins and trails. A second pair of comfortable sneakers or sandals is good for relaxing in cities and hotels. Don’t forget to pack several pairs of good quality socks. A reusable water bottle is also a good item to reduce plastic waste.
Health and Acclimatization Tips
Navigating High Altitude in Cusco
Altitude sickness is a common concern in Cusco (3,399m / 11,152ft). To acclimatize take it very easy for the first 24-48 hours. Avoid heavy meals and alcohol. Drink plenty of water and coca tea (mate de coca) a local remedy that helps with altitude symptoms. Walk slowly and listen to your body. If you experience severe headaches or nausea your guide can assist you in getting medical attention.
Staying Healthy on the Road
Beyond altitude sickness general travel health is important. Only drink bottled or purified water. Be careful with uncooked vegetables and salads. Peel your fruit or wash it with purified water. Carry hand sanitizer and use it frequently especially before eating.
Understanding the Climate and Best Travel Times
Weather in Lima the Amazon and the Andes
Lima has a mild desert climate with two seasons: summer (December-April) is sunny and warm while winter (May-November) is often overcast and cool. The Amazon is hot and humid year-round with a rainier season from November to March. The Andes have a dry season (April-October) with sunny days and cold nights and a wet season (November-March) with more frequent rainfall.
Choosing Your Travel Season
The dry season from April to October is generally considered the best time to visit Peru particularly for the highlands and Machu Picchu as you’ll have more sunny days. However this is also the peak tourist season. Traveling during the shoulder months (April, May, September, October) can offer a good balance of decent weather and smaller crowds.
Local Culture and Etiquette
Interacting with Local Communities
Peruvians are generally warm and welcoming people. Learning a few basic Spanish phrases like “Hola” (hello) “Gracias” (thank you) and “Por favor” (please) will be greatly appreciated. When visiting local communities or farms be respectful of their customs. Always ask for permission before taking photos of people or their property.
Cuisine: What to Eat in Peru
Peruvian food is diverse and flavorful. In Lima try Ceviche a dish of raw fish marinated in citrus juices. In the Andes sample Lomo Saltado (stir-fried beef) or Aji de Gallina (creamy chicken stew). For the more adventurous there’s Cuy (guinea pig) a traditional Andean delicacy. Also try the many varieties of potatoes and corn native to the region.
Logistics and Lodging
Accommodation Style on This Tour
The accommodations on this tour are chosen for their comfort location and reliability. You will stay in standard-class hotels in cities like Lima and Cusco and a simple hostel in Aguas Calientes. These places are clean and safe providing all necessary basics for a comfortable stay for your family.
Who is this Tour Recommended For?
This tour is recommended for families with children aged 5 and older as well as couples or small groups looking for a well-rounded introduction to Peru. It requires a moderate level of fitness for walking tours and exploring ruins at altitude. It is for travelers who value a mix of culture nature and history and prefer a structured itinerary with included transport and activities.
FAQS
Is this tour suitable for young children? Yes this tour is designed for families. The minimum age for children is five years old. The activities are engaging for various ages and the pace is managed to be comfortable for younger travelers. There must be at least one child under 18 in your group to book this specific family trip.
What is the highest altitude on this trip? The highest point you will reach is Cusco which sits at an altitude of approximately 3,399 meters or 11,152 feet. Proper acclimatization is built into the itinerary to help your body get used to the elevation before you undertake more strenuous activities.
How much walking is involved each day? This is not a trekking-focused holiday. Walking is mostly limited to guided city tours and exploring archaeological sites like Machu Picchu and Ollantaytambo. The terrain can be uneven with cobblestones and stairs so comfortable shoes are essential.
What are the accommodations like? You will stay in a combination of comfortable mid-range hotels in cities and a simple clean hostel in Aguas Calientes. All accommodations are selected for their safety location and suitability for families providing a comfortable place to rest after a day of exploring.
Do I need to be very fit for this tour? A moderate level of fitness is required. While there are no long treks you will be doing a fair amount of walking at high altitudes which can be more tiring than at sea level. You should be comfortable being on your feet for a few hours at a time.
Is the flight from Lima to the Amazon included? Yes the one-way domestic flight from Lima to the jungle town of Puerto Maldonado is included as part of the tour’s transportation package. This ensures a seamless transition from the coastal region to the Amazon basin.
What meals are provided? The tour includes 10 breakfasts which are typically served at your hotel each morning and one lunch on a tour day. This leaves most lunches and all dinners open for you to explore local restaurants and cuisine at your own leisure and budget.
What is the currency in Peru? The official currency is the Peruvian Sol (PEN). It is recommended to carry some local currency for small purchases markets and tips. US dollars may be accepted in some larger tourist establishments but exchange rates can vary. ATMs are readily available in major cities.
Is travel insurance mandatory? While not always mandatory it is strongly recommended that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance before your trip. Your insurance should cover medical emergencies cancellation luggage loss and other unforeseen events to protect you during your travels.
What kind of power adapters will I need? Peru uses Type A and Type C electrical outlets with a standard voltage of 220V. If you are traveling from North America (which uses 110V) or other regions you will need a universal travel adapter. Check if your devices are dual-voltage; if not you will also need a voltage converter.
Is Wi-Fi available during the trip? Wi-Fi is generally available in hotels and many cafes in cities like Lima and Cusco although the connection speed can sometimes be slow. In more remote areas like the Amazon jungle lodge connectivity will be very limited or non-existent.
What should we expect in the Amazon Jungle? Expect a hot and humid environment. The lodging will be a jungle lodge designed to blend with the surroundings. You will be on guided walks and boat rides to see wildlife. You should be prepared for insects and rain and follow the instructions of your local guides.
Are there opportunities to buy souvenirs? Yes there are excellent opportunities to buy local crafts and souvenirs. The market in Pisac is particularly famous for its textiles and handmade goods. You will also find many shops in Cusco and Aguas Calientes selling everything from alpaca clothing to ceramics.
What is the group size? This tour operates with a small group to ensure a more personal experience. The minimum group size is 3 people and the maximum is 16 people. This allows for better interaction with your guide and fellow travelers.
What is the policy on tipping? Tipping is a personal choice to show appreciation for good service. It is customary but not obligatory. General guidelines would be to consider tipping your main tour guide drivers for specific transfers and staff at restaurants for good service.
WHY CHOOSE ANDES PATH PERU?
Andes Path Peru is a locally-owned and operated family travel agency and tour operator based in Cusco, built on many years of first-hand trekking experience. As a 100% Cusqueñian company with no external shareholders, we are deeply rooted in our community.
Our vision as a local company is to craft small, customized tours and treks that are exclusively operated by our team of local professionals. We are dedicated to providing a PERSONALIZED and HIGH-QUALITY SERVICE.
We take great pride in our reputation as a RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE tour operator. We consider our staff to be our extended family and ensure they receive fair wages for their hard work. We are incredibly proud of our team! Without their dedication, we couldn’t offer the exceptional service and create the lifetime experiences our clients cherish.
Andes Path Peru understands the importance of trusting a reliable and honest operator to plan your adventure of a lifetime in Peru. We invite you to read our outstanding reviews and view our certificates of excellence on TRIPADVISOR! We also come highly recommended by publications such as Conde Nast Travelers and Lonely Planet.
SMALL GROUPS
To provide a more customized experience for our guests, Andes Path Peru has a strict policy of limiting our groups to a maximum of 8 people. This commitment to small group sizes is a key factor that distinguishes us from other companies that operate with much larger tour groups.
OUR TOUR GUIDES
We are incredibly proud of our guides! They are consummate professionals who are fluent in English. They possess a deep knowledge of and a true passion for Inca heritage and history. Our guides are committed to continuous professional and personal growth, constantly researching to ensure you receive accurate and recognized information about Inca and Andean culture. Our crew is fun-loving, engaging, and highly educated. Each guide holds a university degree in a relevant field such as Archeology, Tourism, Botany, History, or Anthropology.
OUR SUPER COOL PORTERS
Trekking with Andes Path Peru is a life-changing journey. We offer a fully portered experience where your comfort and enjoyment are our highest priorities. We are dedicated to making sure you have the best possible holiday in Peru, allowing you to interact with local people, explore breathtaking sites, and rediscover remote ancient Inca towns. Our porters will carry your gear, prepare delicious meals, set up your tents in quiet locations away from crowded campsites, and take care of you, allowing you to simply sit back and relax.
We provide the following equipment to our porters at no cost: a jacket, sun hat, warm hat, t-shirt, pants, hiking boots, comfortable duffel bags, a canteen, a supportive girdle to protect their backs, sleeping bags, mattresses, and travel insurance. All of our porters are hired from isolated communities, giving them the opportunity to improve their economic situation and help support their children’s education. We ensure that every one of our porters is treated like family!
OUR EQUIPMENT
The quality of our team (guides, cooks, porters, horsemen) and our top-of-the-line equipment truly makes Andes Path Peru stand out from the competition. For all of our adventure hikes, we include the following:
- OUR TENTS: Enjoy a restful night’s sleep in our 4-season EUREKA Timberline tents. All our tents are 4-person models, but we only house 2 people in each, leaving plenty of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a small vestibule, giving you extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks to keep the interior clean.
- OUR FOAM MATS: These are included to insulate and separate you from the cold ground.
- AIR MATTRESSES: These can be rented for $20 USD.
- OUR KITCHEN & DINING TENTS: The dining tent serves as a communal gathering place for meals. It’s a great time to sit back, relax, and chat with your fellow trekkers.
- OUR TABLES & CHAIRS: The interior of the dining tent includes proper tables and chairs, and its design with two doors on opposite sides allows it to adapt to the day’s weather conditions.
- DUFFEL BAGS: These will be provided to you during the briefing the night before the trek begins.
- MORE: Pillows, backpack rain covers, souvenir t-shirts, and a biochemical portable toilet are all provided on the trek.
OUR SERVICE PROJECTS
At Andes Path Peru, we have always believed in the importance of giving back to the local, isolated communities. Therefore, as part of our commitment to responsible tourism, we consistently run social projects and prioritize local hiring.
Andes Path Peru is proud to be able to support our local people. We do more than just employ them; we go back to our grassroots as they share with their families. We are delighted to have this holistic and supportive relationship with our highland employees and their families!
