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, shorts, flashlights and rain coat (especially if you travel during December to March). Hat, sun block, bugs repellent and sun glasses are very important. Take hiking shoes (remember to use them before he hike), bring also comfortable shoes and a day pack for the guided tours. Bring your sleeping bag; in Cusco you can rent walking pools, insulate mattresses or a sleeping bag if you do not have one.

There are cheap laundries from 5 Nuevos Soles per kilo.

During the hike be prepared for different climates because the weather changes pretty much, the environment will be very different day by day. Expect cold morning starts, the temperature will increase during the day, and at night it will be cold again. June, July and August are the coldest moths, the lowest temperature could be – 5°C / 23°F.

During part of the third and fourth day it will be very humid and hot, because hikers will get in to the cloud forest.

Between 2500 and 3500 meters the temperatures vary from 0 to 12 °C / 23 to 54°F in the night and from 15 to 25 °C / 59 to 77°F during the day. At higher elevations from 3500 to 4500 meters, the temperature varies from ?5 to 8 °C / 23 to 47°F during the night, versus 18 °C / 64°F during the day.

The rainy season starts in December and ends in March. The Inca Trail is closed during February for maintenance and because the weather conditions.

You can check the current weather in Peru at: wheather

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.

Before the hike
Hikers should spend two nights over 3000 m / 9800 ft, before the hike, in order to acclimatize. It is recommendable to do aerobic exercises two months before the hike, it is not necessary be really fit, people with average physical conditions can do the hike.

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 meals during the Inca Trail are included.

Tipping at restaurants is from 5 to 10% tip; this depends of the quality of service and food. The porters on the hike expect to receive 100 Nuevos Soles / 30 USD each. You might want also to tip the 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 Cusco’s airport; our staff will hold a sign with your name on it.

Cusco

The Inca trail: It is a 4 days to Machu Picchu, the length is 39 km (24 miles). The
journey starts at kilometer 88 of the Cusco- Quillabamba railway. The hikers see an impressive variety of altitudes, climates and ecosystems from the high mountains to the cloud forest. The hardest day is the second, because the pass called Warmiwañuska is at 4200 m / 13000 ft. On the last days people has an amazing view of Machu Picchu from Inti Punko or The Sun Gate. Food and tents is provided, the porters carry the camping gear.

There is a limit of 500 people per day. People need to request for availability before booking.

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)

Day 1 Flight to Cusco and guided tour:
We will meet you at the airport, and then you will be transferred to the hotel in Cusco (3400 m / 11000 ft).
Your guide will meet you at the 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 2 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 3 Cusco - Chilca – Wayllabamba:
Early in the morning we will pick you up from your hotel, to take bus to the beginning of the Inca Trail. After three hours walking, you will stop for lunch. Then you will continue walking towards your first campsite at Wayllabamba, on the way you will have a guided tour of the archaeological complex of Llactapata.

Day 4 Wayllabamba - Warmiwañusca – Pacaymayo:
After breakfast, the hardest part of the trail begins. After 3 hours walking, you will reach the first pass, named Warmiwañiusca or Dead Woman's Pass (4200 m / 13700 ft). After lunch you will continue walking down to Pacaymayo (3600 m / 11000 ft) where you will camp and have dinner.

Day 5 Pacaymayo - Puyupatamarka - Wiñay Huayna:
In this day you will pass from the mountains to the cloud forest, for some people is the most beautiful day. After breakfast you will cross the second pass of the trail (3850 m / 11000 ft). On the way you will visit the archaeological sites of Runkurakay and Sayacmarca. You will continue your trekking towards the remains of Puyupatamarka or Cloud-level town, where lunch will be served. Then you will arrive to Wiñay Huayna or Forever Young an impressive archaeological site, you will have dinned and camp near this place.

Day 6 Wiñay Huayna - Machu Picchu – Cusco:
You will have an early start to arrive on time for sunrise at Machu Picchu (2400m / 7800 ft). After one hour walking towards to the Inti Punku or the Gate of the Sun, you will have an impressive first view of Machu Picchu; upon arrival to the citadel, 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 7 Flight to Lima:
Transfer to the airport. Flight to Lima.

Campsites and facilities
The campsites are designated by the Tourism Bureau. Basic toilets are available along the path, in Wiñaiwayna campsite (last night); there are facilities and a cafeteria, and you can take a hot shower too. Travel companies provide food and tents; porters carry all the camping gear. Hikers just carry their main backpacks; nevertheless hikers can request a private porter in order to carry just a day pack.

Water can be bought during the first and second day, porters will boil water for the next few days, plastic bottles are not allowed, take a container to take your water, bring purification pills is a good idea.

Take your own toilet paper and towel, cash to buy something and for the tips to the porters and guides. The porters expect to receive 100 Nuevos Soles / 30 USD each.

Advices
Hikers should spend two nights as minimum over 3000 m / 9800 ft, before the hike. It is recommendable to do aerobic exercises two months before the hike, it is not necessary be really fit, people with average physical conditions can do the hike.

Do not forget to bring your original passport; this will be revised in the check points. The name and the passport number have to be the same used to book for the hike, otherwise the authorities will not let you pass.

Take warming clothes, but also t-shirts, shorts, rain coat and flashlights. Hat, sun block and mosquito repellent are very important. Take your own toilet paper and towel, also cash to buy something and for the tips to the porters and guides. The porters expect to receive 100 Nuevos Soles / 30 USD each.

Weather

Hikers have to be prepared for different climates because the weather changes pretty much, also the environment will be very different day by day, expect cold morning starts, but the temperature will increase during the day, at night it will drop; June, July and August are the coldest moths, temperature could be - 5°C / 23°F.

The rainy season starts in December and ends in March. The Inca Trail is closed during February for maintenance and because the weather conditions.

Between 2500 and 3500 meters the temperatures vary from 0 to 12 °C / 23 to 54°F in the night and from 15 to 25 °C / 59 to 77°F during the day. At higher elevations from 3500 to 4500 meters, the temperature varies from -5 to 8 °C / 23 to 47°F to during the night versus 18 °C / 64°F during the day.

During part of the third and fourth day it will be very humid and hot, because hikers will get in to the cloud forest.

Booking advices

There is a maximum of 500 hikers per day; once the spot is taken it cannot be transferable. Hikers should book about three months before their arrival because the spots are taken very quickly, ask availability. The passport information provided to book the hike has to be the same showed at the check points.