Visitors can stay in Peru for 90 days but only for tourism, which can be extended by the Immigration Office. Travelers need a valid passport issued by Peruvian immigration authorities.

Clothing and weather
Take warming clothes, but also t-shirts and a rain coat (especially if you travel during December to March). Hat, sun block, bugs repellent and sun glasses are very important. Take comfortable shoes and a day pack for the guided tours; you can wear hiking shoes if you want to. There are cheap laundries from 5 Nuevos Soles per kilo.

Cusco is cold early in the morning and late at night, during the day the temperature is warmer. Remember that the rainy season goes from December to March.

You can check the current weather in Peru at: wheather

Amazon tour
For the stay in the Amazon, bring a mosquito repellent, hat, binoculars, flashlights and rain coat or a plastic poncho (especially if you travel during December to March). I recommend wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants but in not bright colors. Rubber boots will be provided for the walks. You need to get a Yellow Fever vaccine which has to be provided 10 days before your arrival.

Altitude sickness
When travelling to high altitude, the lack of oxygen in the atmosphere can cause discomfort in some people. At altitudes above 3000m / 9500 ft, everybody will feel out of breath and experience a faster heart beat. Here are some recommendations to minimize the probable annoyances:

- When you arrive to highlands take it easy, let your body acclimatize, relax, walk slowly, rest upon arrival at your hotel and do not push yourself.

- Keep hydrated, drink non-carbonated bottled water. Try the coca tea that contains mild brew of stimulants. This will help if you drink a few cups a day, but avoid it at night, as will keep you awake, similar to coffee.

- On arrival to high altitude, try to eat light meals like soups on the first day. If you will eat meat make it chicken or fish.

- Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol on your first day at high altitude.

Vaccines
Vaccines are not required to visit Peru, unless you visit the Amazon, in this case the Yellow Fever shot has to be provided 10 days before you arrival.

Currency
The Peruvian currency is the Nuevo Sol (S/.) Most shops and restaurants take US dollars at the daily exchange rate; travelers should have local currency and especially small notes (10 Soles notes are the best). In major cities credit cards are accepted, travel checks are not widely used; check if they are accepted before.

There are exchange places at the airports and in main destinations. ATMs are easy to find, you can get Nuevos Soles or US dollars from them.

The rate is about 3 Nuevos Soles per 1 US dollar. To find the latest rate, please check: Money exchagen

Budget for meals and tipping
Even it is relative to say, we recommend you to have 30 USD per day for extra meals. Breakfasts at the hotels and during your stay in the Amazon are included.

Tipping at restaurants is from 5 to 10% tip; this depends of the quality of service and food. You might want also to tip staff involved in the organization of the trip, like tour guides. These tips are not compulsory; it should be given at your discretion.

Arrival
We will meet you at Lima’s airport; our staff will hold a sign with your name on it. Also you will be met in each destination.

Cusco

Machu Picchu: Built during the times of the 9th Inca Pachacutec in the 15th century. It is located in the northwest of Cusco, in the top of a mountain in the cloud forest.

Machu Picchu is remarkable for its solid construction, and the balanced use of space and the harmony with its natural surroundings. The site was built of stone, there are two main sections: the urban area, which includes temples, palaces, plazas, storage rooms, workshops, and fountains; and the agricultural which includes terraces.

The local people knew about Machu Picchu from before, in 1911 Melchor Arteaga led Hiram Bingham to Machu Picchu. Bingham returned in 1914 sponsored by Yale University and the National Geographic Society and since then, Machu Picchu has been known as the 'Lost City of the Incas'.

Sacred Valley: This is the most fertile area nearby Cusco city; visitors can take a day tour to visit archaeological sites, charming villages and beautiful landscapes. The main towns are Piscac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero. To visit this place it is necessary to purchase the Tourist Pass or Boleto Turistico, it costs 70 Nuevos Soles (half) and 130 Nuevos Soles (full).

Catedral: The most important building in Cusco from the colonial period. It is made of stone that was brought from Sacsayhuaman temple, the closest archaeological site in Cusco. The Cathedral is built over the remains of an Inca Palace, its construction dates from 16th century; it contains valuable art pieces made by the locals, during the 17th and 18 century. It is open every day, except in Sundays from 10 hrs to 18 hrs. The ticket costs 15 Nuevos Soles.

Coricancha Temple: During the Inca's period this was the most important temple, also is called Temple of the Sun. Nowadays is part of the Dominican Monastery, visitors can see the remains of the Inca Temple and appreciate the mixture of both civilizations in the architecture. The fine stone work is very impressive. The site is located at Sol Ave. It is open every day except on Sundays from 8 hrs to 17hrs. The entrance costs 10 Nuevos Soles.

The Compañía de Jesus Church: It belongs to the Jesuit order, the altars fully of gold are impressive, and the building dates from the 17th century. The site is located at the Main Square; it is open every day except on Sundays from 10 hrs to 18hrs. The entrance costs 10 Nuevos Soles.

Sacsayhuaman: This is an Inca Temple built with massive boulders; it is located at 2 km from Cusco. It is known also as the fortress because its aspect, the Incas almost defeated the Spaniards in this place. Nowadays there take place the Inty Raymi or the Sun Festival, that congregate visitors and locals for the festival of the God of the Incas. The site is open every day, you can take a taxi to get there and purchase the Tourist Pass, 70 Nuevos Soles (half) and 130 Nuevos Soles (full).

Puerto Maldonado

Lake Sandoval: It is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Amazon, it is located at 1.5 hours by boat plus 40 minutes walk from Puerto Maldonado. In the surroundings visitors can see a lot of birds, monkeys, mammals, insects and felines. The excursions on the lake allow watch giant otters, caimans, turtles and a lot of birds too.
The Lake Sandoval is part of the Tampopata National Park, which is three times bigger than Costa Rica.

Day 1 Lima arrival:
We will meet you at Lima’s airport and take you to your hotel.

Day 2 Flight to Puerto Maldonado and Lake Sandoval:
We will take you to the airport for your flight to Puerto Maldonado. Our representatives will take you to the lodge's office to store your extra luggage, then you will go to the port to catch a boat by 30 minutes, then you will walk around 3km /2 miles until the open lake; from there a canoe will take you to the lodge. After lunch you will explore the west side of the lake, to try to see some birds or mammals. At night you will go on the boat to try to see black caimans.

Day 3 Lake Sandoval:
Early in the morning you will take the boat to try to see otters; lake wildlife is very active at this time, so you will see: fishing birds and for sure a leaf-eating bird called hoatzin. After lunch you will take a walk to see the Brazilian nuts trees and learn how the local people collect it and process this important plant.
After dinner, you will try to see more caimans or maybe a walk to see: some frogs, toads, nighthawks, spiders and night monkeys, they make the forest quite busy at night.

Day 4 Lake Sandoval:
In the morning you will explore the rainforest to look for plants and insects. Your guide will explain to you the importance of the tropical forests and the Amazon jungle and how its destruction will affect your life. After lunch you will explore the most undisturbed and most secluded part of the forest, the way back you might have the chance to enjoy a glorious sunset.

Day 5 Flight to Cusco:
You will take the same way as the first day to return to the airport for your flight to Cusco (3400 m / 11000 ft). Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel in Cusco. Remember, this is your first day in the altitude, so take it easy. You can relax the rest of the day in this very nice city.

Day 6 Cusco tour:
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel to have a walking tour in Cusco and show you this beautiful city; later he will take you to the Coca Shop, where you will try a unique Coca tea. Then you will visit Coricancha, the most important temple in Cusco city during the Inca Empire.

Day 7 Sacred Valley Tour:
Your guide will pick you up from the hotel to take you to Sacred Valley. The first stop is in a Llama Farm, there you will see the variety of the South American camels such Llamas, Alpacas, Vicuñas and Guanacos. Afterwards you will continue to Pisac to visit an archaeological site located in the top of the mountain. Then you will continue to Ollantaytambo, one of the oldest towns continuously occupied in America, there you will visit an impressive archeological site, which was not finished because the Spaniards arrival. After you will return back to Cusco, the landscapes around the way are beautiful.

Day 8 Machu Picchu Tour:
Early in the morning, we will take you to the train station to catch the train to Machu Picchu (2400m / 7800 ft), after four hours; you will arrive to Aguas Calientes town. Your guide will help you to take the bus to Machu Picchu (30 minutes), once there you will have a guided tour visiting the main sites and monuments. After the tour, you will have free time to wander around and then you will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, to catch the train to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Day 9 Flight to Lima:
Transfer to the airport. Flight to Lima.