Visa and passports
Visas are not necessary for citizens from North America (USA, Canada) and European Community. Check the following link to check if your country needs visa to enter Peru: Visas

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 and Puno are 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

Lake Titicaca tour
Remember that you will stay one night in Amantani, which is a natural island; some of the houses do not have electricity, so is very important to bring a flashlight. We also suggest you bring some presents for the kids in the house: puzzles, painting books, foot balls or volley balls will be appreciated. Also you can buy in Puno city fruits that are not easy to get in the island.

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 in the hotels and meal during your stay in Lake Titicaca 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 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).

Puno

Lake Titicaca: Titicaca is the world's highest navigable lake, at 3820 m / 12500 ft. It covers an area of over 8300 square kilometers of which 4700 km2 are in Peru. According to the legends the founders of the Inca Empire, Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, emerged from its waters.

Uros Islands: The artificial islands are made by reeds and are inhabited by the Uros' people; they use the reeds to make their islands, boats and houses.

Amantani Island: This natural island in the Peruvian side is a great pleace to stay one or two days, the locals offer accommodation in their own house. The island is very quiet and the people are very kind. It is located at 3.30 hrs from Puno city.

Taquile Island: The bussines people from Taquile are part of the tourism industry selling their knitting products made by the men from the island, also they have communitarian restaurants. It is located at 3 hrs from Puno city.

Sillustani funeral towers: Located at 40 minutes from Puno city at north direction, these funeral towers are made of stone by the different civilizations that lived in the area. The most impressive are made by the Incas. The site is located in Lake Umayo, facing Umayo Island that has a very peaceful view.

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

Day 2 Flight to Cusco:
Transfer 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.

Day 3 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 4 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 5 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 6 Bus to Puno:
After breakfast, you will be taken to the bus station to catch the bus to Puno (3800 m / 12400 ft). The bus ride lasts 6 hours through beautiful landscapes. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel.

Day 7 Uros and Amantani Islands:
You will be taken to the port to catch the boat, the first stop is Uros Islands; this ancient community has lived over the Lake Titicaca for hundreds of years. The Uros Islands are built with a plant called totora that grows over the lake , which is been used to make their houses and boats. The journey continues towards Amantani (natural island), where a local family will host you. At night you will have the chance to join a party organized by the community; where you will wear the traditional clothing.

Day 8 Taquile Island:
After breakfast, you will take the boat to Taquile, which is located one hour from Amantani. You will have a short trek to the main square, on the way you might have the chance to see people knitting, this people are usually the men from Taquile. Then you will have lunch in one of the local restaurants. After you will walk down to take your boat back to Puno.

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