peru in comfort detailed itinerary overnight - limacdn.onthegotours.com › resources › documents...

TRIP NOTES

Peru in Comfort12 days | Starts/Ends: Lima

Peru in Comfort - 12 days updated on 19-01-2016

www.onthegotours.comUK 020 7371 1113 [email protected] 1300 855 684 [email protected] 0800 44 77 69 CAN 1 866 890 7038 USA 1 866 377 6147 SA 0800 982 686

This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday.Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to thisitinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa requirementsare subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours.

- 1 -

Explore Peru in comfort on this

exciting 12 day tour. Enjoy rustic

chic living in the Amazon, wander

around the spectacular ruins

of Machu Picchu, indulge in a

chocolate workshop in Cuzco, stay

on a private island on Lake Titicaca

& enjoy a 5-stop culinary tour of

Lima.

HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS

Trip Highlights• Amazon Jungle - Stay in a rustic chic lodge

withrainforest treks, canoe rides & canopy walks

• Cuzco - Guided city tour & chocolateworkshop

• Sacred Valley of the Incas, Pisac ruins, thetempleof Ollantaytambo and the vistadome train

• Machu Picchu - Legendary ‘lost city of theIncas’

• Puno & Lake Titicaca - Uros floating reedislands,Taquile Island & overnight on the privateSuasi Island

• The Andean Explorer train to Puno• Lima - 5-stop culinary tour of the city

What's Included

• 11 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 3 dinners• 8 nights 4 star hotels, 2 nights jungle eco-

lodge, 1 night on Suasi Island• Guided tour of Sacred Valley of the Incas,

Machu Picchu, Cuzco and Lake Titicacaincluding entrance fees.

• Cuzco chocolate making workshop• Lima full day culinary tour• Andean Explorer train to Puno• Transportation by private minivan, boat,

canoe and train• 3 economy class flights - Lima to Puerto

Maldonado, Puerto Maldonado to Cuzcoand Puno to Lima

• Services of expert local guides for allincluded excursions and sightseeing.

What's Not Included• International flights and visas• Items of a personal nature, additional meals

and drinks

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 : LimaArrival transfer from Lima Airport to your hotel.The first day of your tour is simply an arrivalday with no pre-organised activities. In order toallow time to relax and see some of the sightsyou may wish to add pre tour accommodation.On arrival please ask at the reception forinformation on when the pre departure meetingwill be held.

Lima was founded by the Spanish ConquistadorFrancisco Pizarro in 1535 after he eradicated theIncas and made the city his capital. Lima hasmany fine colonial buildings and some of thebest museums in South America including theGold Museum, Museum of the Inquisition andthe Catacombs below the San Francisco Church.Peru's capital has much to offer and many ofthe sights, including the city's two main squaresthe Plaza de Armas and Plaza San Martin, arewithin easy walking distance The Plaza de Armashouses the Cathedral, Municipal Palace andPresidential Palace where the changing of theguard can be seen every day at 12 noon. Thereare also many markets in Lima, possibly the bestbeing in the central district.

Optional Excursions: Museum Inquisition –free • Monastery and Catacombs – US$3 guidedtour • Plaza San Martin, one of the largest andmost impressive squares • Paragliding – US$60Overnight - Lima

TRIP NOTES

Peru in Comfort




- 2 -

Day 2 : The Amazon

Lima - Amazon Jungle. Waking early, ourrepresentative will transfer you to the airport foryour flight to the jungle community of PuertoMaldonado, the starting point for our visit to theAmazon rainforest.

In Puerto Maldonado you will be welcomed atthe Inkaterra Lounge (Butterfly House) who willprepare you for your Amazon Jungle adventure.

The first leg of our journey is by bus followedby canoe, along the Madre de Dios River toyour rustic yet chic, comfortable jungle lodgesituated in the middle of the lush rainforest.On arrival, enjoy a delicious lunch using freshorganic ingredients and native flavours.

After lunch we will set off on a trek throughthe rainforest along wooden walkways. Onthe way our guide will stop to show youvarious species of bird and explain the medicinalplants and delicate ecological systems of theAmazon Jungle. The scenery is extremely variedincorporating dense jungle as well as marshareas. You will see incredibly big trees, severalmetres in diameter and around 450 years old. Asdusk falls we enjoy a canoe ride drifting alongthe river, observing nocturnal wildlife emergingfrom the jungle. We then return to the lodge fordinner.

Included Excursions: Excursions into theAmazon Jungle on foot and by boat Overnight- Amazon Jungle - eco lodge (B, L, D)

Day 3 : Exploring the jungle

After an early breakfast we prepare for a full dayin the jungle, heading towards Lake Sandoval.Navigate a canoe across an oxbow lake, home tothe giant river otter, howler monkey and macawas well as the biggest freshwater scaled fish, thepaiche.

After a delicious lunch we will enjoy stunningvistas as you ascend to the rainforest canopywalkways and cross the bridges that connectthe treetops. It is an amazing opportunity tomarvel at the vast size of the rainforest bygetting a glimpse of just a tiny sliver of it.From the canopy walkways, you may be able tosee canopy wildlife such as parrots, three toedsloths, toucans and squirrel monkeys.

Tonight we can explore the jungle further aswe hike in the jungle on a nocturnal walk. Yoursenses are heightened as you listen out for themany sounds of the jungle, from crickets toinsects, birds chirping and monkeys howling,with a limited sense of vision, you will be all themore aware of these noises before returning tothe lodge for a well deserved dinner.

Included Excursions: Canoe ride through theAmazon Jungle and rainforest canopy walkOvernight - Amazon Jungle - eco lodge (B, L,D)

Day 4 : CuzcoAmazon Jungle - Cuzco. Today we awake tothe sounds of the jungle before departingthis tropical haven and returning to PuertoMaldonado for our flight on to Cuzco. It is yourfirst taste of high altitude on your tour and yourtour leader will be able to advise you on themany ways to minimise the affects. Try coca tea,a local drink similar to green tea and drunk bythe locals, available in your hotel or suck on

the many varieties of coca sweet which can bepurchased in the shops nearby.

In Cuzco, you have the rest of the day free toexplore the fascinating ancient capital. Peoplewatch in the Plaza del Armas, indulge inthe many restaurants and wander down thecobbled streets amongst the Inca architecture.

Don’t worry if you don’t see all the sights, as wewill be returning to Cuzco for a guided city tourand chocolate making class!

Optional Excursions: Salt Terraces MarasMoray – US$30 • Massages – US$25/hrOvernight - Cuzco (B)

Day 5 : The Sacred Valley

Cuzco - Sacred Valley - Aguas Calientes. A fullday is spent visiting the Sacred Valley of theIncas. Travelling by comfortable minibus, ourfirst stop is a llama farm where your guide willtalk you through the differences between llama,alpaca vicuna, huanaco and even camel. You willhave the chance to buy some souvenirs madefrom high quality alpaca wool.

Next stop is the Pisac ruins, perched on ahilltop with incredible views of the surroundingmountains. The scenery is very dramatic and youwill have plenty of time to explore the site onfoot, wandering through the remains of whatused to be a small village.

We then go down to the famous traditionalmarket of the same name, which is full ofcolour and atmosphere and where you cansample a mouth-watering empanada, cookedusing traditional methods. It’s a great placeto pick up a souvenir or two! After lunch, wecontinue along the valley to the last Inca site ofthe day, the temple/fortress of Ollantaytambowith its enormous Inca terracing constructed on

TRIP NOTES

Peru in Comfort




- 3 -

the side of a steep mountain. Your guide willwalk you through the ruins and up the terracestalking you through the Inca lifestyle from onlya few hundred years before

This afternoon, you will board the vistadometrain from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calienteswhere you will spend the night. The train followsthe Urubamba river and delivers stunning viewsof the valley and the glass roof of the train allowsyou to look out from all angles.

Included Excursions: Guided Tour of SacredValley of the Incas • Vistadome train to AguasCalientes Overnight - Aguas Calientes (B)

Day 6 : Machu Picchu

Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cuzco. Thismorning we take the bus to Machu Picchu.The Lost City of Machu Picchu was originallycompletely self-contained, surrounded byagricultural terraces sufficient to feed thepopulation, and watered by natural springs.Located high above the fast flowing UrubambaRiver, the cloud shrouded ruins have palaces,baths, temples, storage rooms and some 150houses, all in a remarkable state of preservationthat will simply take your breath away.

The ruins were only discovered by the outsideworld in 1911, when American explorer HiramBingham found them while looking for another“lost city” called Vilcabamba. Due to theirisolation many of the buildings are still quiteintact and you can't help but admire HuaynaPicchu (“Young Mountain”), which towers abovethe ruins.

Your local guide will take you through the ruins,explaining the Inca way of life and the manyhighlights of the site. Make sure you hike to theSun Gate for views over the ruins and get your

passport stamped with a little Machu Picchusymbol on your way out.

Returning to Aguas Calientes by bus, thereis time for lunch before returning toOllantaytambo on 7the same Vistadome trainyou arrived in. You will then board a privateminivan to continue the journey to Cuzco.

Included Excursions: Guided Tour of MachuPicchu • Vistadome train to OllantaytamboOvernight - Cuzco (B)

Day 7 : Chocolate making inCuzco

Today you can fully get under the skin of Cuzcoon a city tour led by an expert guide. Discoverthe heart of this UNESCO World Heritage city, asyou see the remains of ancient Inca civilisationwhich can still be found in the ruins andarchitecture that pepper the city’s streets. Closeto the historic city centre, we visit Coricancha,one of the most revered temples in the IncaEmpire. The temple is believed to have beenbuilt in 1200 AD and dedicated to Inti, the SunGod. Today, it is the starting point of the manycelebrations that mark Inti Raymi, the wintersolstice that take place every year on the 21stJune.

Just outside of the city, we visit one of Cuzco’smost popular Inca sites, Saksaywaman. A vast,stone citadel, built by the Inca Empire, the siteoverlooks the city and holds fantastic views ofthe valley. We also visit Q’inqu (Qenqo Temple)also just outside of the city, where it is believedsacrifices and mummifications took place.

After a busy morning discovering the Incahistory of Cuzco you will be sure to have workedup an appetite. We have an afternoon of pureindulgence at a chocolate making workshop.Here you can learn about the production of

chocolate, before learning how to create yourown delicious homemade truffles. You will alsoget the chance to prepare three different typesof hot drink; cacao tea, Mayan hot chocolate andEuropean hot chocolate before sampling andcomparing these tasty treats.

Included Excursions: Guided Tour of Cuzco •Chocolate making workshop Overnight - Cuzco(B)

Day 8 : The Andean ExplorerCuzco - Puno. One of the greatest train journeysin the world, today we take the scenic AndeanExplorer to Puno, nestled on the shores ofLake Titicaca. Dramatic views of the mountainsand valleys astound and panoramic windowsprovide excellent opportunities to drink in thesurroundings.

The decor is that of the traditional twentiesPullman trains, and includes dining cars anda car bar where you can watch traditionalmusicians perform as you sample a local cocktailor two! Indulge in unlimited coca tea, andperhaps watch a fashion show with traditionalPeruvian dress.

Tonight we arrive into Puno where we stay onthe banks of the Lake Titicaca.

Included Excursions: Andean ExplorerOvernight - Puno (B, L)

Day 9 : Lake Titicaca

Puno - Lake Titicaca. Today we leave Puno for anovernight stay on Lake Titicaca.

First stop on the lake is the floating UrosIslands. Here, the boats, the islands and peopleshomes are constructed from dried totora reeds.Originally the Uros Islands were developed bylocals wishing to flee wars on the mainland.

TRIP NOTES

Peru in Comfort




- 4 -

Today, they are a popular tourist attraction anda highlight for people able to learn about theunique traditions on the islands. You will havethe opportunity to ride in a boat made of leavesand purchase souvenirs from the local women.

Next stop is Taquile Island, an island on LakeTiticaca still holding up many of the traditionsvalues and customs it was built on. Learn aboutthe way of life, from the reasons for why they dotheir hair the way they do and how they dress.Famous for their textiles and clothing, you willbe able to pick up a homemade gift or two fromthe main square.

Finally, we arrive at Suasi Island, our own privateisland where we will spend the night. a peacefulparadise that offers stunning views of LakeTiticaca and the surrounding islands. Run bysolar energy, it is the perfect place to relaxand soak up the beauty of this South Americantreasure. You have the chance to indulge ina sauna and massage, and an opportunity togo on an evening star-gazing excursion beforesnuggling up for the night with hot waterbottles left on your bed.

Included Excursions: Overnight stay on LakeTiticaca with tours of the islands Overnight -Suasi Island - Lake Titicaca (B, L, D)

Days 10-11 : Culinary tour ofLima

Lake Titicaca - Puno - Lima. After a deliciousbreakfast buffet, you can enjoy a short canoeride around the island before transferring to aboat to return to Puno. Collecting our bags fromthe hotel, we transfer to Juliaca where we take ashort flight to Lima.

The next day we can really sample the bestthat Lima has to offer on a full day culinaryguided tour. After being picked up from our

hotel, we enjoy a five stop culinary city tourthrough the capital. Starting at a local coffeeroastery, you can see how organic coffee ismade before exploring the colonial streets ofthe bohemian district, Barranco where artistsand musicians reside. For a tasty refreshmentwe stop off at a secret garden cafe for a mouth-watering fresh fruit smoothie. We then head toa local market where we can sample the latestproduce including the most exotic of fruits aswell as practicing our Spanish with the locals!

Next stop is one of Lima’s top seafood restaurantin the upmarket district of Miraflores. Hereyou will be educated in the art of preparingthe perfect ceviche and pisco sour under thewatchful eyes of the head chef and bartender.Finally we head for lunch at a prestigiousrestaurant that sits amongst pre Inca ruins. Aonce in a lifetime opportunity, the venue hasbeen visited by Mick Jagger, Bill and HillaryClinton as well as the King of Spain!

Included Excursions: Five stop culinary tourof Lima that includes a: • Visit to a traditionalcoffee roastery • Visit to a local market • Cerviceand pisco sour class at top Lima restaurant •Gourmet Peruvian lunch • Tour of iconic districtsOvernight - Lima (B:2, L:1)

Day 12 : LimaYour adventure of a lifetime comes to anend today. If you have a late flight or havelengthened your stay by adding post touraccommodation you will have more time toexplore the sights.(B)

Single SupplementIf you paid our single supplement for this tour,a single room will be provided for your comforton every night of the tour.

Arriving to LimaOn arrival in Lima, we recommend you changeenough money into the local currency (thePeruvian nuevo sol) for the first four or five daysof your trip. This is especially important if you arearriving on a Saturday night. The exchange rateat the airport is just as good as in the city centre.The bank is located on the far right as you enterthe baggage claim area after passing throughpassport control. There is an ATM in the airportarrivals area which will give you Peruvian soles

or US dollars, so make sure you pay attentionwhen it asks you which currency you want.

Please note that ATMs in Peru do not alwaysautomatically release your credit or debit card atthe time when you receive your money. Pleasebe aware that you sometimes have to push abutton to request your card to be returned.Many ATMs in main towns have instructions inEnglish.

Airport transferAn arrival transfer from Lima Airport to our hotelis included on day 1. If you are going to bedelayed more than two hours, you must adviseus of the delay at least six hours before arrival. Ifwe are advised in time, we will make every effortto reschedule your transfer and your driver willbe asked to wait for two hours after your newexpected arrival time. However, if we are notmade aware of any change, the driver will onlywait for two hours after the original scheduledarrival time and after this point it will be upto you to arrange transport to your hotel atyour own expense. Please contact us on theemergency contact person as detailed on yourvoucher.

Your joining hotel is:Casa Andina Private Collection MirafloresAv. La Paz 463MirafloresLimaTel 51 (1) 213-4300http://www.casa-andina.com

Top tips for your arrivalThe hotel has safe deposit boxes in your roomfor your use (you will need to get the key fromreception). Important: Please leave all of yourimportant documents, money and travellerscheques here when you go out but remember tocarry some form of ID and a photocopy of yourpassport with you. Be careful of pickpocketseverywhere, but especially on the pedestrianstreet Jiron de la Union.

It is not advisable not to wear chains orexpensive looking watches or jewellery while inmajor South American cities. You should alsokeep your camera concealed when not in useand carry daypacks on your front for extra safety.

TRIP NOTES

Peru in Comfort




- 5 -

Crime in Latin America is not as bad as itsreputation but you must be sensible and alert.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Our partners Tucan TravelPlease note that our South America grouptours (not Galapagos cruises) are operatedby Tucan Travel. Travellers on your trip willhave made their reservation with either On TheGo Tours or Tucan Travel.

Hotels & Arrival TransfersArriving at the airportWhen you arrive in your starting city theimmigration officials may ask to see youronward flight ticket, so you should have yourTucan Travel tour voucher and internationalflight ticket to hand.

Day 1 of all our tours is simply a joining dayand the tour actually departs the joining cityon day 2. The last day of your tour is theofficial departure day and is free for you topack or sightsee before you depart. All tours arescheduled to arrive at your final destination theafternoon/evening before your departure day.Therefore very little time is spent in each of thestarting and finishing cities and you will need toallow a few days at the beginning or end of yourtour if you want to explore them further. Thisis particularly important for passengers joiningtours in high altitude cities (Quito & La Paz) sothat you can rest and acclimatise before thetour begins. We can book pre and post touraccommodation for you upon request.

Check in time is at 1300 hrs on day 1. If youwish to use the services of a room before or aftercheckout time, or you are arriving very early inthe morning of day 1, you will need to book anextra night, which we can arrange for you. Allrooms are on a bed only basis unless otherwiseindicated.

An airport arrival transfer is included. Departuretransfers are not included but can be booked foran additional fee.

Important: Upon arrival, if you are going to bedelayed more than two hours, you must adviseus of the delay at least six hours before arrival. Ifwe are advised in time, we will make every effort

to reschedule your transfer and your driver willbe asked to wait for two hours after your newexpected arrival time. However, if we are notmade aware of any change, the driver will onlywait for two hours after the original scheduledarrival time and after this point it will be upto you to arrange transport to your hotel atyour own expense. Please contact us on theemergency number on your tour voucher.

Missing your tour departureIf you miss the start of your tour, please ask at thereception of the hotel for a message from yourtour leader which will give you instructions onhow to catch up with the group. Any associatedcosts will be at your own expense (although,depending on the reason, you may be able toclaim these from your travel insurance so ensureyou keep all receipts).

If you know in advance that you are unlikelyto arrive on time, please contact Tucan Travelimmediately so we can inform the tour leader.Tucan Travel cannot be held responsible shouldyour airline/boat/coach be delayed and we areunable to refund any unused portion of yourtour.

Welcome MeetingSouth America Group Tours - The address ofyour start hotel can be found on your tourvoucher. On arrival you should look for a TucanTravel information sheet and welcome noteon the hotel notice board where you will finddetails of the pre-departure/welcome meeting.The tour leader or a representative will normallyhold the pre-departure meeting early in theevening of day one (assuming that all travellershave arrived by then). You will be briefed aboutthe tour, given an outline itinerary for the nextfew days and any questions will be answered.After the meeting there is usually an option foreveryone to go out for dinner and drinks to startto get to know one another.

Please note that you will need to bring thefollowing items to the pre departure meeting:

• The original copy and a photocopy of yourpassport

• Vaccination certificates (if required)• Travel voucher

• Details of your travel insurance policynumber and their 24hr emergency contactnumber

Our itinerariesOur detailed day by day itineraries are providedin good faith and it is our intention to adhereto the published route but please be awarethat changes may be made before or duringyour tour for operational or safety reasonsor to incorporate improvements. Impromptuchanges may also occur whilst you are travellingas a result of one-off circumstances such asan excursion being closed on a particularday, weather conditions or transport. Delaysare rare but occur occasionally and for thisreason and the reasons above this itineraryshould be considered as a guide only. Publishedtransport times are approximations and mayvary depending on local conditions.

Optional ExcursionsDuring our South America Group Tours therewill be free time to enjoy a range ofoptional excursions which are listed in the tripnotes. Your tour leader will be able to makerecommendations and bookings in advancefor most of these activities so you have moreflexibility and control over your itinerary. Pleasenote that you may not have time to do allof the optional excursions listed. Should youwish to partake in optional activities in the citywhere you tour starts/ends, please check their issufficient time to do so or alternatively considerbooking pre/post tour accommodation.

Optional excursions are not operated by On TheGo Tours / Tucan Travel and while every effortis made prices may not be up-to-date and areintended as a general guide to help you budgetfor your trip. Prices for vehicle-based excursionsare approximate based on the optimum numberof participants and the actual price may varydepending on group size.

Sufficient safety equipment such as helmets andlife jackets are sometimes not available andOn The Go Tours / Tucan Travel are unableto provide this equipment. If you intend toparticipate in an optional excursion you may liketo consider bringing your own safety gear.

TRIP NOTES

Peru in Comfort




- 6 -

Excursions are run by a local operator or thirdparty with both On The Go Tours / Tucan Traveland the Tour Leader acting as a booking agentonly. Optional activities are not part of the tourand our booking conditions do not apply tothem. It is your responsibility to ensure you havethe correct travel insurance for the excursionsyou intend to take part in and On The GoTours / Tucan Travel are not liable for any injuriesincurred.

Spending MoneySpending money – allow approximately US$25-$30 per day to cover meals, snacks, drinks,limited souvenirs, laundry, tips and any extras onour group tours.

Style of TourOur South America Group Tours are designedto suit travellers who love being able to travelon many different forms of transport withlocal people. There is a certain amount ofinvolvement needed, which will mean carryingyour own bags to the bus or train station or evenhelping the driver throw everyone’s packs ontothe roof. If you enjoy meeting and interactingwith local people and don’t mind roughing itoccasionally, then these tours will be just rightfor you.

It is important that you are open to travellingwith a range of different age groups. You mustalso satisfy yourself that you are fit enough tocomplete the itinerary as there are no refundsif you choose to leave the tour. Based on thenature of this travel style, our adventurousSouth America tours are generally suitable forpeople aged between 18 and 60 years old. If youhave any questions about this please contact usor speak to your travel consultant.

Our South America tours suit people who are fitand active. On all of our tours there are manywalks between bus/train terminals and hotelsand travellers must be able to carry their ownluggage over various terrains as well as lift upluggage onto the tops of buses so do not packmore than you can comfortably carry.

The average group size is 8 to 12 passengerswith a maximum of 16, however on

some included excursions group sizes mayoccasionally be larger.

Tour LeadersOur South America Tours are escorted by a tourleader who will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the tour, so you are free tosit back, relax and enjoy the journey. Our tourleaders are genuine travel addicts who will sharetheir passion for their destination with you.

You may be assisted at other times by otherrepresentatives, who will escort you at timeswhen your tour leader may not be available. Inaddition, local guides are used to accompanymany of our excursions, such as visits toarchaeological sites and the Inca Trail Trek.Their knowledge of the local area and familiaritywith its customs and history will enhance yourexperience by getting to know a country from alocal's perspective.

Our South America tours operate on a modularsystem with smaller tour sections joining andleaving the master tour throughout its duration.This means that you may start your tour with alocal representative and then meet up with yourtour leader and the rest of your group on daytwo of the tour.

TippingAlthough tipping is not a natural part ofmany Western cultures it is expected in SouthAmerica, where many workers are very poorlypaid and depend on tips for their main income.The local people work very hard to provide agood service and this is due in part to the tipsthey have received from foreigners in the past.However all tips are at your own discretion andyou should not feel obliged or pressured to tipat any time – particularly if you feel that the levelof service was not up to standard.

As a general guideline a gratuity of 10% of thetotal bill for your waiter is recommended inrestaurants. You should be aware that priceson the menu often exclude service chargesbut they are added to the bill (10%) and localtaxes (anywhere between 2% and 20%). If it isincluded then you are not expected to pay anadditional tip, although this is still appreciated.Some restaurants have a 'cubiertos' (covercharge) which is normally added onto the food

section of the bill, not the total, so watch outfor this when dividing the bill with other groupmembers.

It is customary to tip your local guides onboth included and optional excursions. As aguideline, we recommend US$3-5 per personfor a half/full day excursion. Your tour leader willgenerally pass around an envelope for the localguide on included excursions. The tour leaderwill indicate on the envelope the amount of thetip usually given per person to the guide.

This information is given as a guide as manytravellers are unsure how much to tip. Shouldyou wish to give the local guide your tippersonally and not with the group tip thenplease feel free to do so.

Inca Trail and Lares Trek - the commonlyaccepted combined tip for guides, porters andcooks on the Inca Trail or Lares Trek is US$30per trekker. This amount will be collected fromeach trekker by the tour leader and distributedamongst the Trail team usually at the last dinner.

Tips are also appreciated by your tour leader atthe end of your tour. This, however, this is onlyif you feel that their service was up to standardand is completely at your own discretion.Tipping is an entirely personal gesture.

Group Tour AccommodationIn South America we generally stay insmall, locally-owned hotels rather than largeinternational chains. We are occasionally farfrom towns and cities, staying in unique placessuch as jungle lodges, Chinese junk boats orremote home-stays. Depending on the tour,the accommodation we use is generally theequivalent in comfort of a two to three starhotel (except on our Peru in Comfort tour whichoffers 4 star accommodation). We stay in smallhotels, hostels and guest houses which areusually situated close to the main sights andtown centres. They are chosen for their localcharacter, ambience, cleanliness and security.You will find comfortable rooms with en-suitefacilities (although on rare occasions bathroomsmay be shared).

All accommodation is included from the arrivalday until check out time on the final day of

TRIP NOTES

Peru in Comfort




- 7 -

the tour. Travellers will share rooms with othergroup members of the same gender. Mostly thiswill be in twin rooms although sometimes intriples depending on the group compositionand hotel rooming structure.

Please note: Accommodation sometimes haserratic services such as a lack of hot water or nocentral heating. Depending on the tour, theremay be occasions when you are camping or yourovernight accommodation is on buses, trainsor boats. More details on accommodation canbe found on each tour itinerary page. Hotelstaff don’t always speak English and sometimesour reservations are “lost”! In general, facilitiesare very good but please be prepared for theoccasional mishap, which is all part of the typicaltravel experience.

Transportation & TravelOn all of our South America Group Tourswe use a variety of transportation. Vehiclescan range from buses filled with local peopleand their many possessions to our to privateminibuses and comfortable air-conditionedcoaches. Sometimes you could be travellingon boats, trains, planes, ferries, private shuttlebuses, boats, dugout canoes and taxis. Mostbus transport is very comfortable, often withreclining seats.

Our aim is not simply to get you from A to B,but to help you to experience each destinationas a genuine traveller, not as a first classtourist. A word of warning - please rememberthat travelling conditions can sometimes becramped.

The occasional long travel day is inevitablewhen you are covering large distances. OurSouth America Tours try to find the balancebetween long, short and non travel days,ensuring our itineraries aren’t too tiring andgive you time to explore. We cut down ontravel times by including some short flights andovernight trains and buses. Each itinerary isdifferent, so please check the tour itineraries forinformation on travel times.

MealsOn our South America Group Tours breakfastis often included. In remote areas such as theAmazon Jungle excursion and on the Inca Trail

or Lares treks, much and dinner is also included.Most other meals are not included which givesyou the flexibility to choose when and whereyou eat. Our tour leaders have a wealth ofknowledge regarding local restaurants and canadvise you of the best places to try the deliciousand varied local cuisine.

What to PackOur South America tours often involve walksbetween bus or train terminals and hotels,so travellers must be able to carry their ownluggage over various terrains, as well as liftluggage on to the tops of buses. We thereforerecommend backpacks over suitcases, as youmay be off the beaten track every now andagain. It is important that you only pack whatyou can comfortably carry. By packing less youwill have a more enjoyable tour and have moreroom in your luggage for souvenirs! On toursthat include flights, we cover the cost of yourchecked baggage up to 20kg, even in caseswhere the airline policy is lower. All baggageover 20kg may still be checked, but charges willbe the responsibility of the traveller.

In addition to your main bag, you will need asmall daypack for your everyday excursions. Tryto keep this bag as light as possible and makesure that all main sections of your bags can bepadlocked. This daypack should have enoughroom to carry plenty of food and snacks forlong hikes and treks and be big enough for anovernight excursions.

Essential for all tours• Tour Voucher and Tour Trip Notes• Passport - with at least six months after youhave finished your tour with sufficient blankpages. (with 2 photocopies - one kept separately& the other to give to the tour leader with yournext of kin details)• Cash/ travellers cheques/ credit & debit cards(with photocopies kept separately)• Travel insurance certificate (with a photocopyto be given to your tour leader)• Spare passport photos (you may need these forobtaining visas)• International airline tickets (with a photocopykept separately)• International Vaccination Certificate (YellowFever if applicable)

• International student card (may get youdiscounts into some sites)• Your travel consultant’s phone number andemail address (it is very important to have this asit is much easier to confirm/ change flights etcvia your agent)

Suggested equipment (some useful, somenecessary - use your discretion• Cotton money belt and/or pouch to store yourvaluables under your clothing• Sunglasses• Small calculator (to help with currencyconversions)• Lockable pouch for your money and valuablesto use in safety deposit boxes• Plastic bags (very useful for wrappingcamera equipment, soap, shampoo bottles, wetclothing etc)• Inflatable pillow (if trekking in Peru)• Sleeping Bag (if trekking in Peru)• Small umbrella (also good for sun protection)• Pegless washing line and travel laundrydetergent (bio-degradable preferably)• Torch• Binoculars• Travel alarm clock• Travel plug adaptor• Small medical kit with diarrhoea remedy,rehydration salts, antiseptic cream, steriledressings, plasters, bandages, pain-killers, safetypins etc.• Small sewing kit• Lip balm, sun block with high UV factor (this canbe expensive to buy locally)• Insect repellent (DEET 35% min) and bite cream• Tampons and condoms• Toilet paper (best to carry a roll with you at alltimes) and/or tissues (purchase locally)• Antibacterial hand cleansing gel (the type youcan use without water)• Moistened face tissues (e.g. Wet Ones)• Ear plugs• Travel sickness tablets (these are usually easyto buy over the counter locally)• Cheap plastic wristwatch• Spare pair of spectacles or contact lenses andsolution (a lens prescription is also advisable incase of loss or breakage)• Camera /video camera with plenty of film ordigital camera with spare memory cards• Spare rechargeable batteries for camera etc• Writing materials, address book and diary

TRIP NOTES

Peru in Comfort




- 8 -

• Pocket size Spanish phrasebook• Travel games, cards & couple of paperbacks• As gifts for local children - pens (withadvertising on them), coloured pencils, smallnotepads. To discourage a begging mentalitywe recommend that you try to give these gifts atschools or childcare centres rather than on thestreet.

Clothing & Foot wearAll clothes should be lightweight, durableand easily washable. Please do not bring anymilitary or camouflage-style clothing as it canbe dangerous to wear and occasionally illegal.Everybody ALWAYS packs too much, so ratherthan bringing lots of chunky sweaters, wearclothing in layers when in the colder regions.Nights can be cold at higher altitude so it is agood idea to bring at least one pair of warmtrousers or jeans plus several thinner sweaters/fleeces which you can layer (note: it is very easyto buy extra sweaters/ jumpers locally).

Check the climate and altitude atwww.worldclimate.com to get an idea of whatthe weather will be like on your tour. We do notfeel that it is necessary to include a full packinglist as you will know what you need dependingon the duration of your tour. However we dorecommend that you bring the following:

• A lightweight water/windproof jacket withhood

• Easy to pack wide-brimmed hat or cap• Sarong - very useful as a beach towel, bag,

hat, shawl and wrap around• Towel• Swimwear• Sandals/flip flops

It is also ESSENTIAL that you have good,comfortable shoes that are suitable for walkingand trekking. These don’t need to be expensiveboots, but they should have good ankle supportand grip, be worn in and ideally waterproof.

Sleeping BagsA good warm sleeping bag is necessary on alltours which include the Inca Trail or Lares Trailin Peru. Adequate ones can be hired locally butwe take no responsibility for the standard andwe therefore recommend that if possible youbring your own. Because these treks are at high

altitude, we recommend bringing a four seasonbag with side zip which can be opened outwhen you reach warmer weather. Extra blanketscan be purchased locally if necessary.

In South America, you may have a numberof overnight excursions included on your tour.Thick blankets are supplied when on AmantaniIsland (Lake Titicaca) but they have a tendencyto be dusty, so you may wish to bring a sleepingbag or sheet (they cannot be hired there). Youmay also wish to bring a sleeping sheet for yourovernight excursion into the Amazon Jungle.

A sleeping bag liner/sleep sheet is optional onall other South America Tours. Some passengerslike to use them on long bus journeys andovernight trains.

HealthPlease see your doctor or travel clinic for anup to date list of all recommended vaccinationsfor the regions you will be travelling to. Werecommend that you do this at least eightweeks before you travel, as you may needa course of medications or more than onevaccination. In general we recommend thatyou are vaccinated against Tetanus-diphtheria,polio, hepatitis A and Typhoid and if travellingto a jungle area, yellow fever. Vaccinations aresolely the responsibility of the traveller and notthat of On The Go Tours.

The malarial risk varies in the regions ofSouth America and in some areas appropriatepreventive medicines are needed. Measuresshould always be taken to avoid mosquito bites,such as nets and creams. Please check withyour health care professional as to the best andmost up to date remedy for this mosquito bornedisease.

It is not recommended that you drink the tapwater in any of the countries we visit andwe recommend that you carry a First Aid kitas well as any personal medical requirements.Please be aware that quite often we are inremote areas and away from medical facilities,and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibitedfrom administering any type of drug includingheadache tablets, antibiotics, etc.

Electricity SupplyThe power supply varies from country tocountry and can also vary from region toregion within a country. If bringing electricalequipment, make sure that it can be switchedover from 110 volts to 220 volts and vice versa.If your equipment is 220 volts it will work on a110 volt system (albeit slower), but if you use 110volt equipment in a 220 volt system, it will blowthe equipment! Bring a voltage converter andtravel plug adaptor (most countries either have2 pin flat as in USA or 2 round pins).

Personal SafetyIt is not advisable to wear chains or expensivelooking watches or jewellery while in manySouth American cities. You should also keepyour camera concealed when not in use andcarry daypacks on your front for extra safety.Crime in Latin America is not as bad as itsreputation but you must be sensible and alert.

Peru Country Guide

Peru - Fact File• Official Name: Republic of Peru• Capital: Lima• Population: 28 million• Total Area: 1.3 million square kilometres

(twice the size of France)• Official Language: Spanish, Quechua and

Aymara also spoken in places• Religions: Roman Catholic 90%• Voltage: 220 volts. Sockets are a mixture of

the European, two-pronged round varietyand US flat-pin.

• Dialling Code: +51• Time Difference: GMT/UTC -5. For

other time differences please visitwww.timeanddate.com

• Airport Departure Tax: US$30.25

Peru - VisasCurrently EU, US, Canadian, Australian and NewZealand citizens can visit Peru for up to 90 days(ask on arrival for a 90 day entry as 30 days isthe standard issued) without a visa. However,the situation does change periodically, so youshould always check with your local Peruvianembassy before departure. All nationalitiesneed a tourist or embarkation card ('tarjeta deembarque - or tarjeta Andina') to enter Peru.This is issued at frontiers or on the aircraft

TRIP NOTES

Peru in Comfort




- 9 -

before landing. Tourist cards are usually validfor between 30 and 90 days (same as above, it'sthe same stamp that goes in your passport). Intheory you have to show an outbound ticket(by air or bus) before you'll be given a card,but this is rarely checked (by law the airlinethat flies you into Peru must check this). Foryour own safety and freedom of movement, acopy of the tourist card together with a copy ofyour passport must be kept on you at all times(according to Peruvian law, everyone must carryID at all times) - particularly when travellingoutside of the main towns. You must also retainthis card for when you exit Peru (this is a bigdeal, you lose it and you can't leave, have to gothrough all sorts of bureaucracy for sometimesdays). Take a copy or digital photograph.

Peru - ClimatePeru is unique in its wide variety of ecosystemsranging from the driest/hottest desert in theAmericas, to the high Andean peaks (over 7,600metres above sea level); and a two-thousand-kilometre-long belt of cloud forest, rich in floraand fauna, to a vast area of lowland Amazonjungle, covering more than half the country. Thethree main zones of Peru are known as La Costa(the coast), La Sierra (the mountains) and LaSelva (the jungle).

Over the last few years, the Peruvian weatherhas been rather unsettled possibly as a resultof global warming. However, it still rarely rainson the coast, although the Lima region doesexperience substantial smog, coastal fogs ormists and even drizzle; particularly between themonths of May and November.

The climate in the Sierra and Selva regions canbe divided into a wet season (November-April)and a dry season (May-October). There is, ofcourse, some rain during the dry season, but itis much heavier and much more frequent in thewet season. Don’t be put off by the expression“rainy season” however, as this normally meansa couple of downpours each day rather thancontinuous rain. Again, weather conditions havebeen quite unsettled in these regions overthe last ten years or so, with the Altiplanozone, around Puno, being affected by seriousdroughts, which have left the water level of LakeTiticaca at its lowest for years.

Visit www.worldclimate.com to get an idea ofwhat the weather will be like on your tour.

Peru - MoneyLocal currencyThe monetary unit in Peru is the Nuevo Sol.For up-to-date exchange rates with your owncurrency visit www.xe.com.

Changing money, credit cards & ATMsWe recommend that you bring cash/travellerscheques in US dollars only. For more informationabout the best way to carry your money pleasesee the Pre departure information (which will besent to you with confirmation of your booking).There is no restriction on the amount of foreigncurrency that you may bring into Peru, howeververy large sums should be declared on arrival.There is often a general lack of small change andwe recommend maintaining a supply of smalldenomination notes and coins.

Change enough money to see you through thefirst few days of your trip – particularly if it is aweekend. Please note you can only change cash(not travellers cheques) at the Cambio and thereare other ATM’s in the city (and in Arequipa,Cuzco and Puno) where you can get money out24 hours a day.

ImportantPlease note that ATMs in Peru do not alwaysautomatically release your credit or debit card atthe time when you receive your money. Pleasebe aware that you sometimes have to push abutton to request your card to be returned.Many ATMs in main towns have instructions inEnglish.

Peru - Local TransportTaxis are recommended for all journeys withina city. In Peru, taxi meters are not normally inevidence, so you will find yourself engaging ina bit of haggling with the driver to agree uponthe fare. It is a good idea to find out in advance,from your tour leader or the hotel receptionist,approximately how much the fare should be. Itwill also help if you can speak a few words ofSpanish. You will almost certainly have to acceptthat you will pay more than the locals do.

Local buses are very cheap to use, but you reallyneed to be able to speak reasonable Spanish to

get by. There are also some bus stops/stations,especially in Lima, that are not recommendedfor tourists.

Peru - Food & DrinkAll meals are included when camping and lunchis included on travelling days in the truck. Whenstaying in hotels all meals are at your ownexpense. As a guideline a simple snack (e.g. asandwich) can cost as little as US$0.70, a lightmeal will cost around US$3-$6, and even ameal in one of the best restaurants in Cuzco orLima costs very little in comparison to what youwould expect to pay at home (usually aroundUS$20-$30). Obviously this depends on whatyou order and if you have wine or other drinkswhich will certainly increase the bill. In cheaperrestaurants where Peruvians and backpackerseat, you can get meals for as little as US$1.50.

Your tour leader will be able to recommendrestaurants.

All drinks such as water, soft or alcoholic drinksare at your own expense at all times. Thefollowing is a guideline for drinks bought ina shop in the street. Prices in restaurants andhotels can sometimes be more than double theprices specified below:

• 1 litre of water US$0.70• 30cl bottle of soft drink US$0.50• 30cl bottle of beer US$0.70• 50cl bottle of beer US$1.00

You should be wary of drinking the local tapwater. Bottled water, carbonated soft drinks andfruit juices are widely available and much safer.

FoodIn Peru the basic diet focuses around chicken,beef or seafood, mostly with french fries or rice(or both) and possibly a little salad. Soups arealso common and good value. Coastal dishesare seafood based and include 'ceviche' whichis fish marinated in lemon juice, onion and hotpeppers traditionally served with corn on thecob, cancha (toasted corn), yucca and sweetpotatoes. 'Escabeche' is fish with onions, greenand red peppers, prawns, cumin, hard boiledeggs, olives and sprinkled with cheese. The mostcommon fish is 'corvine' (sea bass) which cancome simply grilled or fried or with sauces.

TRIP NOTES

Peru in Comfort




- 10 -

'Chupe de camerones', a prawn stew, is anotherdelicious dish certainly worth trying.

Corn and potatoes are Peru’s main vegetables– particularly in the highlands. 'Causa' is a dishmade from yellow potatoes, lemons, peppers,hard-boiled eggs, olives, lettuce, sweet corn,sweet potato, cheese and onion sauce. 'Choclocon queso' is a large corn on the cob snack withvery salty cheese. Other local favourites include'tomales' which is like a boiled corn dumplingfilled with chicken and wrapped in banana leafand 'lomo saltado' which is a kind of stir-fry beefwith tomatoes, onions, fried potatoes on a bedof rice.

An interesting local speciality is cuy(pronounced: cooee). This is roasted guineapig which some people say tastes like chicken,others, like cooked cardboard.

In most of the larger cities and towns you willfind an array of international cuisine. There arepizzerias on every corner and Chinese (chifas)food is very common. In places like Cuzcoeven Indian and Japanese restaurants havenow opened. A cheap, filling three-course lunch(normally called a “menú económico”) can oftenbe had for about US$1.50.

VegetariansIf you are a strict vegetarian you mayexperience a distinct lack of variety in the foodavailable, especially in small towns. Howevervegetarian alternatives are becoming morepopular particularly in south Argentina. Our tourleaders will do their best to provide interestingvegetarian alternatives for included meals, butyour patience and understanding is requested.

DrinkIn Peru some of the hotels we use have barsor serve alcoholic drinks. If there is not a bar inthe hotel then there is sure to be a bar withinwalking distance. In more up-market hotels,imported beers and spirits are available butusually at a high price. If you are happy todrink the local spirits then there is an array ofrums, pisco (white brandy) and even palatablewine. All these are very cheap, e.g. a bottle ofrum could be as little as US$5 in a local shop.Quite often the mixer to go with it (Coke) ismore expensive. There are various brands of

beers including Cuzqueña, Arequipeña, Cristaland Pilsener.

The soft drink of choice in Peru and a sourceof national pride is the bright yellow Inca Kola.Possibly an acquired taste, but indisputablypopular. So popular in fact that McDonaldsforced Coca Cola to allow it to be sold in itsPeruvian branches.

The origins of pisco - a grape-based spirt -is keenly contested between Peru and Chile.Regardless of origin it is the national drink ofPeru (the fact that the town Pisco is in Peru lendscredence to Peru's claim). Drank in a variety ofways, the most iconic is the pisco sour, which hasa raw egg amongst its ingredients.

Peru - BugsIf your tour includes a visit to a jungle regionyou should be prepared to encounter an array ofwildlife – including many insects and spiders etc.Most creepy crawlies are completely harmlessand will cause you no problems at all – in factthis is all part of the jungle experience. If youfind something it your room it certainly doesn'tmean that the room is unclean – rather that youare in the jungle and it is completely normal. Ifyou are uncomfortable with creepy crawlies it isa good idea to bring plenty of insect repellentspray and coils to place in your room and ofcourse don't leave any food lying around.

peru in comfort detailed itinerary overnight - limacdn.onthegotours.com › resources › documents...

Documents