TREK INCLUDES. Included flights within Peru to see all the highlights in a short space of time Visit Colca Canyon and see swooping Andean Condors

Similar documents
TREK INCLUDES. Entrance to Iguazu Falls from the Brazilian and Argentinian sides Visit Nazca, famous for the mysterious Optional Inca Trail Trek

TREK INCLUDES. Machu Picchu. Lima. Huacachina Nazca Puerto Inca. Cafayate PLUS...

Pure Inca Trail including the Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu

trek Inca Trail, Peru

ADVENTURE TOURS. Inca Trail Salkantay Choquequirao

TO TRAVELING TO PERU WITH STUDENTS

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION PERU

Adventure Notes. Adventure: Pathfinder Lima, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Salkantay Santa Teresa Trek to Machu Picchu,

Adventure Notes. Adventure: Explorer Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Amazon. Brand: Explorer. Dates: September 29 th October 9 th 2018

INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU

Day 1-10 September London - Lima. Day 2-11 September Lima - Cusco. Day 3-12 September Cusco. Day 4-13 September Cusco

Treasures of the Incas. 8 Days

INCA TRAIL. connection with Lares (4 days) Say YES to adventure & discover the lost city of the incas!

1 Travel the World. Make a Difference. Peru Program

WORLDWIDE EXOTIC ADVENTURES 1 de 8

HIGHLIGHTS OF SOUTHERN PERU 17 DAYS / 16 NIGHTS Lima Paracas Ica Nazca Arequipa Lake Titicaca Cusco Sacred Valley of the Incas Machu Picchu

Cusco. Adventure. 8 days. Say YES to adventure and discover the best of Peru! VVVV

Wet Planet's 2012 Peru Expedition A 12-Day International Adventure GENERAL INFORMATION

2018 Event Information Guide Stage 2 participants

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION KENYA

PERU PERU TRADICIONAL. 10 days / 8 nights June 8-17, (Travel dates to be confirmed upon flight booking)

Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu

INCA TRAIL. 4 days. Say YES to adventure & discover the lost city of the incas!

CUSCO ESCAPES THE WILD SIDE (Take a Ride on Mountain Bikes)

Discover the Sacred Valley & Lares Region. 9 Days

Say YES to adventure & discover the lost city of the incas!

PERU FOR MARIE CURIE 8-18 May Register online now at mariecurie.org.uk/peru or call

Exploring the Land of the Incas

Discover the marvels of Southern Peru, once the hub of the ancient Inca Empire on our 12d,11n cycling adventure:

PERU PERU TRADICIONAL. 10 days / 8 nights March 23 to April 1, (Travel dates to be confirmed upon flight booking)

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION COSTA RICA

Say YES to adventure & discover the best of the Cusco region!

Venture into a land of lost cities, rising through the mountain mists like ghosts. The Inca Trail is the

PERU PILGRIMAGE TOUR INFORMATION & WHAT TO BRING

7 DAY TREK ALONG THE INCA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU

Beach Gamping. (29th Apri - 1st May Diveagar, Velas)

2018 Event Information Guide Stage 4 participants

16 DAYS 15 NIGHTS. Experience one of the Seven Wonders of the World in INCREDIBLE PERU

Inca Trail Expedition. $ 785 USD per person 5D/4N

THOUSAND CHALLENGE OVERVIEW

Zambia has the reputation of being Africa s best kept secret

LIMA EXPRESS 3 days / 2 nights

PERU PRE-TRIP to your Galapagos Islands Expedition. Including Machu Picchu, Cuzco Moray, Chincheros, and more!

GUIDE PERU & BOLIVIA 28 DAYS SUMMER 2019

MACHU PICCHU ONE DAY TRIP

GUIDE PERU & BOLIVIA 28 DAYS SUMMER 2019

CUSCO ADVENTURE. Rafting MTB and Machu Picchu

PT. ANDALAN USAHA CEMERLANG PERU. Classic sample itineraries

Gear List. Snowshoeing Day Tours and Overnight Trips

TREKKING GUIDE. Salkantay Pass. Humantay Lake 2D Tour

ANDEAN COMMUNITIES IMMERSION

TOUR GUIDE. Machu Picchu. Full day tour

PERU ADVENTURE PROGRAM Cusco Inca Trail Machu Picchu - Rainbow Mountain 10 Days - 9 Nights

Peru Tri X Challenge Conquer Peru s extreme terrains by Raft, Bike and Foot

Discover the marvels of Southern Peru, once the hub of the ancient Inca Empire on our 12d,11n cycling adventure:

2018 Event Information Guide Stage 4 participants

Itinerary Planning Document. Peru. The Andes and Altitude Sickness

MACHU PICCHU AND THE HUAYNA PICCHU MOUNTAIN 2 DAYS LOCATION: CUSCO, MACHUPICCHU. AVAILIBILITY: EVERY DAY.

MONT BLANC Final event guide

GUIDE PERU & BOLIVIA 28 DAYS

GUIDE PERU 28 DAYS SUMMER 2019

KILLINGTON, VERMONT, USA

PERU. Issuing Authorities

Now moving on to our goal for this module, to be able to answer this question: how does Monograms operate in their exotic locations??

PERU 21 DAYS SUMMER 2019 GUIDE

Say YES to adventure & discover the lost city of the incas!

New York to Niagara Falls Mini

International flights, visas and drinks Items of a personal nature, additional meals and drinks DETAILED ITINERARY

Kitzbuhel Ski Evening 2 Thursday 1st February 2018

Living it! Welcome to the PGL staff team

15th Global Forum on Tourism Statistics November Cusco, Peru. Travel Information

Thank you very much for contacting Machu Travel Peru.

In this document you will find important details about your holiday to Aprica. Please keep it and refer to it as your holiday approaches.

Peru. Sacred Valley Explorer. 10 Days. t: e: w:

GUIDE PERU 28 DAYS SUMMER 2019

International flights, visas and drinks Items of a personal nature, additional meals and drinks DETAILED ITINERARY

TRADICIÓN INCA JUNE 21 28, 2019* 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS PERU. *Travel dates to be confirmed upon flight booking

QUANG BINH CAVES NATURAL TREASURE 3 DAYS

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION CHINA INCLUDING HONG KONG

New York to Niagara Falls Mini

Clothing, Equipment & Resource List

Southwest Adventure Tours

Facts for Guests 2018/2019

Joining and leaving tour guests will meet directly at Bangkok Airport or hotel as per the guidelines given.

The Wonders of Peru. Pricing Information (Prices are per person based on number of persons sharing a hotel room)*

INTRODUCTION ITINERARY PERU - CUSCO & MACHU PICCHU DISCOVERY TRIP CODE PETSCMD DEPARTURE. Daily DURATION. 5 Days LOCATIONS. Cusco and Machu Pichu

LIMA CUSCO AGUAS CALIENTES MACHU PICCHU

CHINA TRIP Q&A TRAVEL VISAS

INTRODUCTION ITINERARY PERU - CUSQUENITA (LITTLE CUSCO) TRIP CODE PETSCUS DEPARTURE. Daily DURATION. 4 Days LOCATIONS. Peru

INTRODUCTION ITINERARY PERU - CLASSIC INCA TRAIL TRIP CODE PETSINT DEPARTURE DURATION. 6 Days LOCATIONS. Peru

Peru. Classic. 7 days. Say YES to adventure and discover the best of Peru! VVVV

Atlas Mountains Expedition - Information Sheet

PERU PRE-TRIP to your Galapagos Islands Expedition. Including Machu Picchu, Cuzco Moray, Chincheros, and more! December 2-8, 2017 OVERVIEW

PO Box Seattle WA

Facts for Guests 2017/2018

MACHU PICCHU BY CAR 2 DAYS

Peru Chile Argentina(Patagonia) 23 days

CUSCO WANDERLUST THE BEST EXPERIENCE EVER

The Country Day School Expedition 2019

SACRED SOLAR JOURNEYS PERU / BOLIVIA

Transcription:

Peru Highlights BOLT Trek Tips 2017 E C U A D O R DEPARTS: LIMA to LIMA BOLT TOUR CODE: SLL TREK INCLUDES Included flights within Peru to see all the highlights in a short space of time Visit Colca Canyon and see swooping Andean Condors Meet a local community on Lake Titicaca s floating Islands Awe-inspiring Andes scenery Discover Peru s buzzing cities ITINERARY: DAY 1 START 18.00 DAY 1 LIMA ( ) DAY 2/3 AREQUIPA - COLCA CANYON ( ) DAY 4/5 PUNO - LAKE TITICACA ( ) DAY 6-12 CUSCO ( ) OPTIONAL INCA TRAIL OR TRAIN TO MACHU PICCHU (3x ) DAY 13/14 LIMA (1x ) DAY 14 FINISH AFTER BREAKFAST >> View a detailed day-by-day itinerary at: www.trekamerica.co.uk/sll Lima PERU Optional Inca Trail Trek / Train Machu Picchu Arequipa Cusco Colca Canyon Lake Titicaca Puno BOLIVIA PLUS... Professional tour leader & all public and/or private transportation Meals: 11 breakfasts included All accommodation: 13 nights See website for a day-to-day breakdown of accommodation. ESSENTIAL INFO: Group Size: Max 18 (average 12) Local Payment: Tour cost includes Local Payment of US$400, to be paid to your tour leader on day one. Exchange rates correct at time of going to print. Wi-Fi available in most accommodation Please note: Your group will not be escorted during the fflight from Cusco to Lima on day 13, however you will be met by a company representative upon arrival in Lima. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES (paid locally) There are loads of exciting optional activities for you to choose from during your trip giving you the flexibility to do the things you want to and leave out the things you don t. Below are the main optional activities for this trip, these can be arranged once you are on tour via your tour leader and are paid for locally. Please note, all costs are subject to change. Lima Museum of the Inquisition (FREE) Church & Convent of San Francisco with catacombs guided tour (US$3) Arequipa City tour (US$12) Monastery of Santa Catalina (US$12) Museo Santuarios Andinas (US$11) Puno Tradtional reed boat trip (US$5) Cusco Completo Cusco visitor ticket (valid 2 days) - includes entrance to all Inca ruin sites around Cusco & Sacred Valley (US$40) Partial Cusco visitor ticket - includes entrance to all Inca ruin sites around Cusco (Q enqo, Puca Pucara & Tambo Machay) (US$22) Sacred Valley, Pisac ruins & Ollantaytambo day trip (includes transport & guide) (US$30 (+ US$22 entrance without Completo Visitor Ticket)) Chocolate making course (US$22) Massage (US$25/hr) Activities which must be booked prior to travel and as early as possible. Please contact our staff to reserve your space. Three night/four day Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu (US$889) One night/two day train to Machu Picchu, overnight in Aguas Calientes (US$429) Emergency Contact Details: For all departures in the USA & Canada call: Emergency Contact Details: For all departures in the South America call From the US: Toll-Free: 1 (800) 786-8735 or 707 523 1800 From outside the US: 001 707 523-1800

JOINING YOUR TOUR TrekAmerica joining instructions Day one of your tour is a joining day and you re free to arrive at any time ahead of your welcome meeting. This is typically held at 18:00 hrs in the lobby of the joining point hotel - please ask or look for a sign in the hotel reception area for details. We aim to check paperwork and answer questions during this meeting so please bring your passport, insurance documentation, vaccination certificates, travel voucher, and local payment with you to this meeting. If you miss the start of your tour, please ask at the reception of the hotel for a message from your tour leader which will give you instructions on how to catch up with the group. Your tour will depart the gateway city the morning of day two at a time specified during your welcome meeting on the evening of day one. It s important that you have packed your bags, eaten breakfast, checked out of your room and handed any keys back to the hotel before meeting your group in the hotel lobby. Finishing up All good things must come to an end, and your Trek will finish after breakfast on the last morning at the finishing point hotel. If you need accommodation after your tour you must book this in advance. Do not book a departure flight any earlier than the final day of the tour without first contacting TrekAmerica. You are responsible for any transportation costs if you have to leave the tour earlier than advertised. JOINING POINT: LIMA HOTEL Hotel Santa Cruz Avenida Santa Cruz 1347 Lima, Peru Tel: 0051 1 241 3724 Airport Transfers: Airport transfers are not included in the tour price and must be booked separately in advance through TrekAmerica, either when you book your tour or up to 30 days before your departure. You will need to provide your flight number when you book a transfer. Pre-bookable transfer from Lima airport to your hotel (up to 3 people per vehicle): GB 24/EUR29/US$30/AU$45/NZ$50 If you ve booked a transfer with us, please look out for someone with a sign which has your name, our local partner s name (Tucan Travel) or both, after exiting the customs hall. If you re going to be delayed FINISHING POINT: LIMA HOTEL Hotel Santa Cruz Avenida Santa Cruz 1347 Lima, Peru Tel: 0051 1 241 3724 Transfer to Airports: You can either reserve an airport transfer with TrekAmerica at the time of booking, or you can make arrangements locally to take a taxi back to the airport. Your tour leader or hotel reception can help arrange a taxi for you. It is worth sharing a taxi with your more than two hours, you must advise us at least six hours before arrival in order for us to reschedule. Failing this we cannot rearrange your transfer and you cannot be issued a refund. Making your own way: If you decide not to pre-book an arrival transfer, you can either take a taxi from one of the many touts outside or arrange a taxi at one of the pre-pay taxi desks just after customs. Recommended companies include Taxi CMV and Taxi Mitsui Remise. For safety and convenience, we recommend you use the taxi desks as haggling with touts and taxi drivers can be very difficult, particularly if you do not speak Spanish. The cost of a taxi from the airport to our hotel in downtown Lima should be approximately US$15 to $25. The airport is approximately 30 to 45 minutes from the hotel (depending on traffic). fellow travellers if your departure times coincide. Pre-bookable transfer to Lima airport from your hotel (up to 3 people per vehicle): GB 24/EUR29/US$30/AU$45/NZ$50 If you decide not to pre-book a departure transfer to the airport through TrekAmerica, the cost of a taxi from our hotel in downtown Lima to the international airport should be approximately US$15 to $25. The airport is approximately 30 to 45 minutes from the hotel (depending on traffic). PACKING Packing tips South America is huge, and you re likely to encounter lots of different climates during your trip. Check the weather averages for the time of year you re travelling and pack accordingly. Here are some of the things that should be in your luggage as well as your general clothes: Towel Casual clothes and a few evening options Waterproof jacket Comfortable day shoes / sandals or flip-flops Sensible footwear for walking, ideally walking boots with ankle support, but trainers with good grip will suffice Warm sweater / fleece Warm hat / gloves Swimwear Sun hat / sunglasses Sunscreen / insect repellent (20% DEET) Water bottle Toiletries / personal medicine Camera & charger (plus spare batteries) Travel power adaptor Money belt Head torch Travel alarm clock Wet wipes or antibacterial hand wash Travel games (cards) Toilet paper Inflatable pillow for bus rides Small sewing kit Weather Weather can be changeable so it s wise to pack enough to cover you for all eventualities. It can get cold if opting for the Inca Trail so be prepared for any eventuality. Here s a guide to the average high and low temperatures in some of the places you ll visit to help you decide what to pack. High/Low Temperatures JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Lima HIGH 26 27 26 25 22 21 19 19 20 21 23 25 LOW 20 20 20 18 17 16 16 15 15 16 17 19 Arequipa HIGH 22 22 22 23 23 22 22 23 23 23 23 22 LOW 10 10 10 9 8 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 Puno HIGH 16 16 16 17 16 16 16 16 17 18 17 17 LOW 4 3 3 1-2 -4-6 -4-1 1 2 3 Cusco HIGH 20 20 20 21 21 20 20 21 21 22 22 21 LOW 8 8 8 6 4 2 1 3 5 7 7 8 C / F Conversions: -10ºC = 14ºF 0ºC = 32ºF 10ºC = 50ºF 20ºC = 68ºF 30ºC = 86ºF 40ºC = 104ºF EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS In the event of an emergency, please contact us on the number below. For all departures in South America: In the unlikely event you cannot reach Rolf, please contact Sarah Field on (+51) 980 038 181 If you want to report an issue on tour, please contact our London head office on +44 (0) 208 682 8920 To book hotel nights before or after your trip, contact our sales team on: Arrival Complications The unexpected can happen. Your plane may be delayed or you may even miss it! If you have missed your departure, first check with the hotel to see if your tour leader left you a message. If not, call the relevant TrekAmerica emergency number and speak to our staff who will be happy to help you catch up with the group. You are responsible for any extra travelling expenses incurred because of a missed trip, so please be on time. READY TO GO? DON T FORGET! R TrekAmerica vouchers R Pre & post hotel confirmation R Spending money R Travel insurance R Flight booking confirmation R Visa(s) where required These Trek Tips were last updated on 24/08/2016 Emergency Contact Details: For all departures in the USA & Canada call: Emergency Contact Details: For all departures in the South America call From the US: Toll-Free: 1 (800) 786-8735 or 707 523 1800 From outside the US: 001 707 523-1800

Making the most of your trip KEEP IN TOUCH As a TrekAmerica customer receive a FREE 4G SIM Card when you purchase an inclusive data plan including unlimited domestic calls & texts. www.trekamerica.co.uk/ekit CURRENCY CARD Get a FREE FairFX currency card and top up in advance for the best rates available and no fees. www.fairfx.com/trekamerica Before you go Local payment The Local Payment helps us to keep your tour price as low as possible. It is a nonrefundable, fixed amount which is paid to your tour leader in US dollars on the first day of your tour. The money is put straight into the local economy, often to small suppliers in remote locations without banking facilities. The local payment amount is found on the first page of this Trek Tips document and printed on your invoice and tour voucher. You are required to pay the local payment that is current at the time of your tour s departure. This amount may occassionally change throughout the year and we will advise you of any change prior to your departure but we advise you to check the specific tour page on our website for the current amount if you re unsure about this. It can be very difficult to obtain large quantities of US$ in some South American countries, so we recommend organising your local payment before you arrive for your tour. Tour vouchers Once your trip has been paid for in full, we ll email you with your tour vouchers which you can either print or download to your smart phone. If you ve booked pre and post tour hotels, your accommodation vouchers will also be sent at the same time. As a helpful reminder, six weeks before travel all vouchers will be emailed again as a PDF. Please keep these vouchers safe and refer to them for the full details of your trip. Pre & post tour hotels The first day of the tour is an arrival day and you are free to arrive at any time. We include a pre departure meeting at approximately 18:00 hrs, please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. Should you wish to reserve additional pre tour nights, accommodation is offered on a single basis if travelling solo, or in a twin share room with two single beds if travelling in a pair. Make sure you book any additonal pre or post hotel nights well in advance as availability is limited. Flight arrangements We can book flights departing from most UK airports, but cannot be held responsible for any delays, cancellations or changes to your flights. We recommend you book your flight to arrive into the gateway city at least one day prior to your departure, although if you plan on arriving on day one, please do so before your welcome meeting at 18:00 hrs. As your tour finishes after breakfast on the last day, you are free to fly at any time this day. Travel insurance It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must be insured against medical and personal accident risks (including repatriation costs, air ambulance, and helicopter rescue service). Our insurance policy is designed specifically to cover the potential risks on our holidays - particularly the optional activities offered, and covers those residing in the EU. Contact us for more information or to get yourself covered. Passports, visas & rules for entry to South American countries All countries have visa requirements that are subject to change at short notice. It is your responsibility to ensure you have a valid passport and any necessary visas for your tour. As a general rule you will need a passport with at least six months validity following the end of your trip. The visa requirements for your trip may vary depending on where you are going, and where you are from. It is important that you check which visas you will need, and apply for each of the necessary visas whilst in your home country. If it is necessary for you to obtain any visas en-route, please inform your tour leader at the start of the tour. If you do not have the appropriate visas, TrekAmerica will not reimburse any expenses incurred in acquiring visas or any unused portion of the tour. Special Note: If you have dual nationality it is advised not to obtain different visas in different passports. Although this may sometimes be cheaper, you may encounter problems at border crossings if your exit stamps from one country are not the same as your visa for the next. Immigration & customs On entering a country you will need to proceed through customs. As long as you have a valid passport and the necessary visa/s you will have no problems. You may be asked how you intend to support yourself during your visit, if this happens please present your return airline ticket and tour voucher. Health requirements If you have any medical condition such as diabetes, epilepsy or asthma, please take prescribed medicines, or if you have a condition that will affect your participation in the Trek, you must tell us or your travel agent at the time of booking. Please be aware we may require a doctor s note prior to travel for some conditions. This information is essential in case of emergency. Please bring your own medical supplies, such as pain relievers, antibiotic cream, upset stomach relievers, in addition to sunscreen and insect repellent. Vaccinations We recommend that you contact your doctor or travel medicine clinic at least two months before travel in order to allow enough time for any immunisations that may be required to be completed. A health professional will be able to assess your individual need for immunisations or preventative medication depending on your health situation, previous immunisation history and your travel itinerary. More information can be obtained from the Fit for Travel website http://www.fi tfortravel.nhs.uk/ For areas with malaria, make sure you pack sufficient prophylactics for the duration of your tour and the incubation period after. Some countries prevent entry for travellers without a valid yellow fever certificate. This must be acquired before departure and takes ten days for your body to build up a resistance. This certificate must be taken with you on your tour with a photocopy stored somewhere safe. Luggage allowance & storage As you will be travelling on public transport, it is important to bring a rucksack or soft holdall that you can manage yourself. We recommend no bigger than 20kg maximum per person but you ll need to check with your airline as to the maximum weight you can carry whilst flying. If you tour includes an internal flight, then your weight allowance is a maximum of 15kg (but we will cover you to 20kg). Should you go over this maximum weight allowance, you will be responsible for any additional charges. A small daypack and camera can also be carried inside the vehicle with any items you want to keep close and safe. TrekAmerica is unable to offer luggage storage facilities however some of the pre and post tour hotels we use can provide this service. Please contact them directly if you are returning to the same city.

Whilst you re away Your tour leader Your Tour Leader will take care of all the planning and organisation throughout your tour, taking you from A to B and making sure everything runs smoothly. Your tour leader is there to make sure you get the most out of your tour; organising activities, providing information and answering any questions you may have as well as sorting out any queries or problems you may encounter. If you have any particular interests or things you would like to do on your tour, then please let your tour leader know at the beginning of the tour and they will do their best to help you. We will also use specialist tour guides in certain locations, to provide in depth information. Accommodation on Trek Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multi share basis. Please note, there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than en suite. The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances. Please note that some gateway hotels may take a debit or credit card as a deposit at check in. They may also take an amount to cover incidentals. Funds can be held until check out at which time the amount actually incurred will be charged. Please clarify with the hotel when you check out that all deposits will be refunded as promptly as possible. Transport A variety of transport is used in South America from public bus, private bus, overnight coach, ferry, boat and taxi. At times it may be more time efficient to use private transport depending on the group size. Whilst travelling on public transport your main luggage will be stored on another area of the transport however, you will carry a day pack with you. The route has been planned out on public transport however, changes can occur from time to time and your tour leader will do their best to accommodate any changes with minimal disruption to your advertised tour. Keeping in touch Drinking ages / drugs The legal drinking age for Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile is 18 years. Proof of age (ID) is your passport, so never forget to take your passport on nights out. Possession of drugs without a proper medical prescription will not be tolerated. When overseas you are subject to local laws and the penalties for breaking these laws can be harsh. In order to safeguard the interests of the group as a whole, our tour leaders have been instructed to insist that any person found with illegal drugs leave the tour immediately without refund. Security South America is generally safe, even more so in a group. Reasonable precaution is advised; do not bring valuable jewellery or watches, do not walk by yourself at night, heed your tour leader s advice and always keep an eye and a hand on your camera and bags in public places. We recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, air tickets, cash and other valuable items. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. Responsible travel You and your fellow trekkers are sure to be really excited for your trip, but please be considerate to those around you. Please also be aware of the delicate balance that exists in the variety of natural wonders you will visit. National parks and monuments, archaeological sites and other sensitive areas must be treated with respect. TrekAmerica strives to operate tours with minimum impact on the land. So, if you see a notice to stay on the path or pick up litter, please be a responsible traveller and understand that there is a good reason for the notice. Keep in mind, you are representing all future travellers who come after you. An increasing number of hotels within South America offer free Wi-Fi within the rooms or common area. At times connection may be slow and sometimes hotels will charge for Wi-Fi. Spending money For personal spending money you should bring US dollars to use alongside the local currency (where applicable). Some countries do not accept US dollars printed before 2006 or with tears and marks, and it can be very difficult to obtain US dollars locally. While bank cards provide a very good way to access funds overall, it is not recommended to rely on them as your sole source of funds as cash machines do not always work and may not be available in remote locations. Carry a mix of cards and cash with you, including notes in small denominations. Your spending money should cover some meals, optional excursions, souvenirs, drinks, laundry, border and airport taxes and any visas obtained locally. We provide guideline prices for optional excursions in the itinerary to help you budget, but ultimately the amount you will need to budget for your trip very much depends on your individual requirements. We recommend bringing extra money to cover emergencies or unexpected situations. Tipping Tipping is a part of the life in South America, but you should not feel obliged or pressured to tip if you have not received good service. A gratuity of 10% of the total bill is recommended in restaurants. Gratuities are usually expected for local guides on included and optional excursions. Tips are also appreciated by your tour leader at the end of the trip and we recommend an average of $2-$4 per person per day for the duration of your tour, and at your own discretion. And the rest... Itinerary changes We endeavour to run all tours as they are published; however, it s sometimes necessary to alter itineraries to adapt to local conditions and regulations. We will do our best to keep you posted if that happens and your tour leader will provide a more detailed trip outline at the beginning of your particular tour. We monitor any situations that arise and may need to change itineraries or services in response to these natural weather occurrences. Departure tax Generally departure taxes are included within the cost of your international flight ticket for a country you are flying in or out of. If you have questions regarding this please ask your travel agent making your flight booking. Clothes washing You will have the opportunity to wash your clothes while on your trek and there are usually laundromats or laundry services in or near most of our hotels. Hotel services can be pretty costly however your tour leader will be able to recommend cheaper options. If you wash clothes yourself take care not to be too obvious where you hang them as most hotels do not like guests washing and drying their clothes in hotel rooms. Electrical supply The power supply and plug types in South America vary between countries. The power supply in Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Uruguay is 220-240 volts and uses either a typical European rounded two prong plug or North American flat pronged plug (Argentina also sometimes uses a 3-pronged plug). In Ecuador it is 120 volts with North America flat pronged plug. Brazil has both voltages depending on the region and uses a number of different outlets. We recommend bringing a universal plug adaptor with you.

EASY GUIDE...to Machu Picchu For travellers interested in booking one of our Machu Picchu hiking options. Journey to Machu Picchu Trekking your way through the Peruvian Andes to the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, can be every bit as rewarding as the views of the Citadel itself. We offer the option to hike the infamous Inca Trail or the less trodden but equally beautiful Lares Trek. If there are no permits left for the Inca Trail on your chosen departure, the Lares Trek is our alternative route, and equally rewarding. P E R U Aguas Calientes (2040m) Bus to ruins Inti Punku Sun Gate Machu Picchu (2430m) Phuyupatamarca (3580m) Sayacmarca (3725m) Runkurakay (3924m) Start of Inca Trail Trek Winay Wayna (2650m) Wacawasiqasi Pass (4600m) Wayruruyoc (4600m) Pallata (3220m) Warmiwanusca Dead Woman s Pass (4200m) Sondor (4220m) Start of Lares Trek Lares Valley (4340m) Ollantaytambo (2792m) Cusco (3250m) Inca Trail finishing at Machu Picchu Lares Trek starting at Chancachaca and finishing at Ollantaytambo Railway line Road Alternative Lares Trek itinerary DAY 1 Today begins on a high, literally. You ll drive to the highest point of the day to experience a breathtaking elevation of 4340m in the high altitude Lares Valley. En route, stop for a short guided walk to the pre-inca ruins of Asmarca. From the Valley, follow the ancient trail to Sondor (4220m) where you ll be spending the night. Marvel at the unspoiled lands as you pass local villages and witness traditional daily activities. DAY 2 Continue along the trail to the incredible high pass of Wacawasiqasi (4600m), followed by Wayruruyoc qasa (4600m). Enjoy the tranquility of your remote surroundings and drink in exceptional vistas away from the crowds, before descending towards Pallata (3220m) and your second campsite of the trek. You ll see Inca and pre-inca remains around Hatunayaorqo and Marcacocha, as well as farmers tending their crops and herds of alpaca and llama along the way. DAY 3 Set off for Ollantaytambo through lush valley terraces and pick up the train to Aguas Calientes - the gateway to the phenomenal Machu Picchu. Here, you ll be able to relax and enjoy the nearby hot springs before the final leg in the morning. DAY 4 An early start will see that you beat the crowds to Machu Picchu, as you hop on the bus to reach the UNESCO world heritage site. After your guided tour, you have time to wander around at your own pace, before returning to Aguas Calientes by bus to catch the late afternoon train and bus back to Cuzco.

Comparison table INCA TRAIL TREK LARES VALLEY TREK 3 nights camping 3 nights camping 1 night hotel Highest point - 4200m Highest point - 4450m Closed in February for maintenance Open all year round! 500 Permits per day No Permit? No problem! Full porterage Full porterage Book 6 months in advance Book 6 weeks in advance Altitude warning This trip includes one or more nights over 3500m above sea level, where there is a genuine risk of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). If left untreated AMS can be life-threatening. We expect most clients to experience some mild symptoms of altitude sickness, such as headaches and shortness of breath while walking or sleeplessness. Your leaders are trained to identify symptoms of severe AMS and if a client requires extra care, arrangements such as rapid descent will be made immediately.