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.

Ica region is sunny all year around; do not forget your hat and sun glasses. Arequipa has a nice weather, but rain might appear during the rainy season. Places like Colca Canyon, Puno and 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

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 are included in the hotels.

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.

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.

Arequipa

Santa Catalina Nunnery: It is considered kind of small city within a city, the nunnery
was founded in 1580 for cloistered nuns and was opened to the public in 1970. It is
located in Santa Catalina St. The place is open every day from 9 hrs to 17 hrs, on
Tuesdays and Thursdays it is open until 20 hrs. The entrance costs 30 Nuevos Soles.

Ice Maiden of Ampato: There you can have a better idea about human sacrifices,
during the Incas Time. The museum is about a mummy of an Inca adolescent who was
offered as a sacrifice to stop a natural disaster. You can see the mummy who was
found in a high mountain. The museum is located in 110 Mercedes St. It is open every
day from 9 hrs to 18 hrs, on Sundays is open until 15 hrs. The entrance costs 15
Nuevos Soles.

Yanahuara: In this area there is a great lookout to see the Misti volcano; Yanahuara is a
traditional neighborhood. The lookout is near Yanahuara Square and next to the San
Juan Bautista church. To get there you can take a taxi for 5 soles. Typical restaurants
are located in the area.

The Compañia Church and cloisters: The church belongs to the Jesuit order, and it
contains barroque altars covered with gold leafs. It is worth to visit the San Ignacio de
Loyola Chapelle, which is inside the church, the entrance cost 5 soles. The cloisters
were part of the Jesuit Monastery; these are now shops for Alpaca goods. The Church
and Cloisters are located in General Moral St. next to the Main Square.

Colca Canyon: Located in Caylloma province at 184 km from Arequipa City. The Colca Canyon is 3400 m/ 11154 ft deep. The canyon is formed by the Colca River, hundreds
of pre-Hispanic terraces along the canyon are still used today by the locals. The towns
along this valley preserve their colonial churches, customs and traditions. The main
attractions is the Condor’s view point or Cruz del Condor, which offers the
unforgettable experience of watching condors in their natural habitat.

Two days are recommended to visit the Canyon, staying overnight at Chivay, which its
hot springs are highly recommended. To visit the Colca Canyon you need to purchase
the Tourist Pass that costs 35 Nuevos Soles.

Ica:

Ballestas Islands: Located in Paracas at 3.30 hrs from Lima City, next to Paracas National Reserve. Speed boats depart daily at 8 am to visit the Islands, which host species such as: sea lions, penguins, thousands of sea birds and dolphins. The tour lasts 2 hours, the strong winds during August and the dense fog during winter (June to August) might delay or cancel the departures.

Sand dunes: The main activities in the dunes are the sand boarding or the dune buggy rides. The dunes are around the Huacachina Oasis, which was a resort for the rich people of the area; there you can find hostels and restaurants. The dune buggy ride lasts 1 hour.

Nazca Lines: To the south of city of Ica, on Nazca’s Pampas, lies a collection of geoglyphs and lines that were etched into the desert by Nazca civilization during the 7th century, these lines consist in draws in the shape of animals such as a hummingbird, a monkey or a fish. Paul Kosok made them known to the world in 1939, Maria Reiche from Germany and student of Kosok, dedicated her life to protect these geoglyphs, which were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994. The overflights are everyday and lasts 45 minutes. The best time is during the morning.

Cahuachi: This complex is built of mudbricks and made by Nazca civilization. The site is located at 50 minutes from Nazca city. It was the capital of the Nazca people.

Chauchilla cemetery: Located at 50 minutes from Nazca city, this cemetery was victim of grave robbers for years, now the area is protected by the government and visitors can see the remains of the graves, which are open and set on purpose by the archaeologists. There is a small museum that shows evidences and studies made by the archaeologists.

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

Day 2 Ballestas Islands and Ica:
Very early in the morning, you will take a bus to Paracas (4 hours); there you will board a speed boat for two hours to visit the Ballestas Islands, to watch the wildlife in the area such as: sea lions, thousands of sea birds, penguins and if you are lucky dolphins. Afterwards you will take a bus to Ica (1 hour). Upon arrival you will be taken to your hotel.

Day 3 Dune buggy tour:
You will enjoy a dune buggy tour in the sand dunes of Ica, you can practice sand boarding too, it’s a lot of fun. After the tour you will return to the hotel and then catch your bus to Nazca (2 hours). Upon arrival you will be taken to your hotel.

Day 4 Nazca Lines overflight:
In the morning you will fly over the mysterious Nazca Lines, which were maybe made in 300 AD, the flight lasts 40 minutes. Then you will return to your hotel to rest. At night you will take a night bus to Arequipa, the ride lasts 8 hours. Upon arrival you will be taken to your hotel.

Day 5 Arequipa city tour and Santa Catalina Nunnery:
In the afternoon you will have a private tour in Arequipa city (2400 m / 7800 ft). You will go the main viewpoints to see Arequipa Valley and its surrounding volcanoes. Then you will visit the Santa Catalina Nunnery, which was built on the 17th century, this place is like a city inside, it is still inhabited by nuns. You will have the rest of the day to tour by yourself this beautiful city.

Day 6 Colca Canyon tour – 1st day:
We will pick you up from your hotel to drive 160 Km to Chivay (3600m / 11800 ft) in the Colca Valley; on the way you will see the volcanoes that surround Arequipa city, also you will see the wildlife in the area such as vicuñas, alpacas, llamas and birds. After lunch in Chivay you can visit the hot springs and relax after the journey.

Day 7 Colca Canyon tour- 2nd day:
Very early in the morning the bus will take you to the Condor’s cross viewpoint to see these great birds, after you will take the same way to Chivay town for lunch, on the way you will stop in view points and picturesque villages. Then you will be back in Arequipa around 5pm.

Day 8 Transfer to the bus station:
At 8:30 AM you will take a bus to Puno (3800 m / 12400 ft) the bus ride takes 6 hours. On the way you will see Alpacas, Llamas and small lagoons; also you will pass to a different region called the Altiplano or High Plateau. Upon arrival to Puno we will take you to the airport.

Day 9 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 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 to the party organized by the community; where you will wear the traditional clothing.

Day 10 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 11 Bus to Cusco:
After breakfast, you will be taken to the bus station to catch the bus to Cusco (3400 m / 11000 ft); the bus ride lasts 6 hours through beautiful landscapes. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel.

Day 12 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 13 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 14 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 15 Flight to Lima:
Transfer to the airport. Flight to Lima.