Peru Luxury Travel

1. High Altitude

• Are we likely to have any problems with altitude sickness whilst in Cuzco?

  As Cuzco is at 3,326 meters above sea level (around 11,000 feet), there is a possibility that you will suffer some side effects due to the altitude. It is impossible to say for sure as altitude affects different people in different ways. The side effects usually come in the form of headaches or getting tired very easily as the body adjusts to the change in altitude. Here are some tips to help your body acclimatize:

  • Get sufficient sleep.
  • Before going to Cuzco, don’t eat too much. Avoid fatty food, opting for anything easy to digest instead.
  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Once you’re there, take baby steps as your body gets used to the altitude. 
  • A lot of people will be selling Muña & Coca in the streets, all natural helpers to open up your lungs. 

  Ask your Doctor’s Advice for these altitude medications too:

  • Diamox
  • Sorochi
  • Grovol

  These are abundant in the drugstores found at almost every corner in Lima & Cuzco.

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2. Sacred Valley

• What are the Andean communities surrounding Cuzco?

  Communities include many little towns you will pass like Qoya, Lamay, Huaran, Huayoccari, Yucay, etc. There are tons of them!

  At the start of the tour you may ask your guide about each one so you can go to the ones which interest you most.
• Can we stop in Urubamba? There is a ceramic shop I would like to stop at there. Or places we would like to take pictures and such?

  If you are using group services there are standardized stops along the Sacred Valley tour. If you have a free day in the Cuzco area, you can always make extra visits to the Sacred Valley. Talk to your PFL Cuzco representative if you are interested.

  If you are using private services you can make a stop anywhere you want along the way. Your guide can also recommend places off the beaten path, bargains, etc.

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3. Urubamba River Rafting

• Can you tell us more about the river rafting? How long will it last and what do we need to wear?

  The river rafting will last about 3 hours. Getting to the Urubamba River takes around 1.5 hours going through the Sacred Valley. Transport is included. You will be picked up between 9.30 and 10am and be back in your hotel around 4. Not surprisingly, you will get wet, so don’t wear anything expensive. Obviously water-proof clothes would be ideal.

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4. Horseback Riding

• What kinds of horses are used in the horseback riding tours in the Cuzco area?

  The horse breed typically used is the Andean Criollo. Locally bred, they are perfect for the mountainous terrain. They are very sure-footed, and are smaller size compared to thoroughbreds or quarter horses. Over the years they have proven that they can take riders up and down the most demanding gradients. It’s a hardy horse with a brawny body and short, strong legs meant for trotting.

  Some horseback riding adventures can also experienced using the Peruvian Paso Horse.

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5. Inca Trail

• WATER
  
  • What is the situation with drinking water throughout the trek?

    The water will be boiled during the whole trip. However, you can buy water purification tablets in the drugstores here, if you prefer. Another option would be to buy mineral water for the Inca Trail in Cuzco and bring it with you (but that will add kilos to your luggage) or buy mineral water on the Inca Trail that will be a little more expensive, but it’s really worth the extra cents, as they bring it to you in the middle of nowhere.

  • Will there be coffee available or should we bring our own?

    Yes, coffee will be provided for you on the Inca trail.

  • Is there a toilet tent?

    No, there is no toilet tent, but at the campsites there are public toilets that you can use.

• PORTERS
  
  • On the hike, do we carry our sleeping bags or do the porters carry them?

    You will have a personal porter that will carry all your personal belongings. They can carry up to 25 kilos for the entire Inca Trail.

  • How many other travelers can we expect will be on the Inca Trail with us? How many support people (porters, cooks, guide) all together?

    The maximum number of people in a group on the Inca Trail is 16. There is one guide for every 8 people and 1 cook. There is a personal porter for each person.

• TIPPING
  
  • Is it customary to tip the guides and porters? If so, how much is recommended?

    Again, it depends on the number of people that are going to be on the Inca Trail and it is also very hard to estimate the proper tip that you could give. On the last night of your trek, there is a tipping custom: all the hikers put their tips together and give them to the guide. The guide will then distribute that money between all the Inca Trail personnel. You can tip according to the level of service you believe you have received.

• Clothing & Shoes
  
  • I was going to try bringing just a small backpack for my 5 days in Peru. Please let me know minimum clothing items. I don't want to over-pack and have to hike with two bags or not have a place to store my things.

    List of recommended Inca Trail clothing items:

    • Head: a hat to protect you from the sun, a knit hat for the cold nights and mornings, sunglasses, sun block, lip cream (chap stick).
    • Upper Body: 3-4 T-shirts (1 for hiking, 1 for sleeping, 1 for emergency), 1 warm good all terrain sweater/jacket for cold moments, 1 thick sweater for sleeping, insect repellant, gloves/mittens for your hands.
    • Lower Body: 1 pair of hiking pants (old comfortable jeans are fine, the lighter the better, 1 pair of shorts (not necessary, but comfortable), 1 pair of sweat pants for sleeping, socks (important, 4 pairs of socks will do, always try to keep dry, clean socks for sleeping), band-aids for your feet (better safe than sorry), sneakers or hiking boots (the porters wear sandals).
  • Is it possible to walk from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes instead of the bus? If there is a walkway, how far is it please?

    Yes it’s possible: you can follow the same road as the bus and it will take you about 40 minutes to go down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes. The landscape is absolutely breathtaking!

  • Is there any need for insect repellent?

    Yes. In the Machu Picchu area there are small insects and you should always carry a mosquito repellant with you, as you don’t want to be bothered by them. These are readily available in pharmacies in Cuzco.

• Services at the hotel
  
  • What is the situation with breakfast?

    Breakfasts are included and will start as early as 5am. Some can also offer room service if you want an earlier breakfast.

  • Will there be any laundry facilities available?

    Yes, all of our 4 and 5 star hotels offer 24 hour laundry service.

  • Are we able to leave our larger suitcases somewhere while we are on the trek?

    Yes of course. You only need to take the essential items with you. All hotels will have a secure area where your luggage can be labeled and left for collection when you return from the trail.

• Booking the Inca Trail
  
  • How far in advance should we reserve our space on the Inca Trail?

    We recommend that you make a reservation for the Inca Trail as far in advance as possible. From trips October to March, we suggest 6 weeks and from May to September, 8-weeks. However, in the high-season (July to August) we advise a minimum of 8-10 weeks. The trail has been restricted by new government regulations in an effort to protect it from the destruction brought about by over-use. The number of trekkers allowed on the trail has been reduced to just 500 which includes guides, porters, and cooks.

• Sleeping on the Inca Trail
  
  • Do we share tents on the Inca Trail?

    Yes, every tent is for 2 people, so you will share your tent with another person.

  • On the Inca Trail, what is provided for sleeping?

    Besides the tents, the Inca Trail also includes mattresses that will be put in your tent as well as a mummy form sleeping bag (for below zero temperatures) for each person.

  • Do we need a sleeping bag for the 2 day Inca Trail?

    No need for a sleeping bag, you will be staying in a hotel for your short trek.

• General Questions
  
  • Are there ATMs in Cusco?

    Yes, you’ll find them around Plaza de Armas inside some stores & shops.  Once you get to Cusco simply ask our team or your guide to point you in the right direction.

  • Trains to Machu Picchu

    From Cusco there is only 1 scheduled departure per train.
    Note: In the case of the 1st class train, the second car with a later schedule will only depart only if the 1st car is full.

  • Can we get food and drink on the train?

    You will be served refreshments (drinks) on the train.

  • How long, in distance, is the Inca Trail hike

    You will be hiking approximately 20.5 miles or 42 km. This doesn't sound a particularly long way, but it is not to be underestimated.

  • I want to experience the sunrise in Machu Picchu and am told the ticket office does not open before the sunrise.

    The entrance fee is valid just for 1 day. You can certainly buy your reentrance tickets the day before so you can catch your sunrise. Once you arrive in Aguas Calientes, our guide will help you to buy your tickets for the next day. It will be cheaper if you buy it directly there.

  • Will we need any documentation in order to get on the trail?

    Yes, the documents which you used to book the trail will be requested at the entrance to the Inca Trail.

  • What kind of weather can we expect?

    Andean weather is strong sun during the day & cold during the night. The coldest parts of the day are in the early morning when you wake up at the crack of dawn and you go out of your tent to wash up and get breakfast, and then at night, right before you go to bed. Once you’re in your tent, you’ll be nice and warm.
    During November-March you get drizzle on the trail 1-2 hours a day-  if you’re lucky you’ll only get drizzle at night. It’s also only during this period that you see mist on the mountains and the local flora in full bloom.

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6. Salcantay Trekking

• What do we carry?

  Just things you want handy. The horse will carry all your personal belongings up to 8 kg (17 pounds).  If you need more, you can rent a donkey (25 kg).

• Can you tell us the lengths of the treks for each day?

  From Mollepata to Cruzpata it’s about 4 and a half hours and then from Cruzpata to Soraypampa it’s another 4 hours. From there, on the second day, it is another 7 to 9 hours walking to Challway. On the third day Challway to La Playa is around 6 hours. Then on the final day you will hike 3 hours to the Hidroelectrica settlement, from where you will take the train to Aguas Calientes.

  
  

  Month	Temperature lows	Temperature highs	Rainfall
  January- March	43° F / 6° C	67° F / 19° C	5 inches
  April	40° F / 4° C	67° F / 19° C	2 inches
  May	35° F / 2° C	67° F / 19° C	1 inches
  June- August	30° F / -1° C	65° F / 18° C	1 inches
  September	40° F / 4° C	70° F / 21° C	2 inches
  October	40° F / 4° C	70° F / 21° C	2 inches
  Nov- Dec	40° F / 4° C	65° F / 18° C	4 inches

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We work hard to ensure that all information is current and accurate. However, the Tourism Industry is rapidly evolving in Latin America and many changes can occur overnight. Please speak to a Travel Advisor for the most up-to-date information on any of our Latin America destinations!