FAQS

With an elevation stretching near 8,000 feet above sea level, Machu Picchu’s altitude may affect some travelers, but many tolerate it without issue. Some travelers find it helpful to acclimatize prior to visiting.

Exploring the ruins of Machu Picchu via the main park entrance requires only a basic level of physical fitness and mobility. While some intrepid travelers chose to hike in on the Inca Trail, the vast majority of visitor access Machu Picchu’s main park entrance via the Vistadome Train and a short coach ride up a switchback road. Once inside the park, the paths that wind through the ruins of the citadel traverse several acres of terraced hillsides, narrow stairways and uneven terrain, but there are plenty of places to rest and explore at your own pace.

There are several options for hiking the Inca Trail spanning simple one-day, guided hikes to several-day treks supported by a mobile camp. The most popular one-day hike traverses the last portion of the Inca Trail, starting at stop KM 104 of the train route and ascending to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) overlooking Machu Picchu. Three- to five-night treks pick up the trail further back, revealing amazing archaeological sites and natural wonders for intrepid travelers willing to put in the extra steps. Discerning travelers can opt for hikes supported by a mobile tented camp complete with a chef and masseuse.

Choose versatile, casual clothing that can be layered, as temperatures change with the altitude and time of day. Expedition-type ventilated long-sleeved shirts and pants with zip-off legs are well suited to adventures in the Peruvian Amazon. Light and neutral colors are best. Black, navy or other dark colors tend to attract insects. Smart casual attire is appropriate for evenings. Formal clothing is not necessary.

No. Holders of U.S. and Canadian passports are not required to obtain a tourist visa for entry into Peru for stays of up to 183 days.

Travel insurance is not usually a requirement, but we strongly recommend you do have insurance. We will request proof of medical insurance for some specific activities (e.g. lodge-to-lodge treks) that includes evacuation coverage if you’re in a remote location. We strongly recommend you travel with insurance whatever your activities, to cover you for flight cancellations, theft, lost luggage and general cancellation by you in the event that you are unable to carry out your trip due to illness or unforeseen circumstances. It should also cover you for potential medical expenses incurred during travel in case of illness or accident.

Renting a car in Peru is possible on a tourist visa. However, our tailormade trips include a dedicated driver. There are certain disadvantages to hiring a car in Peru, including the fact that more rural areas (including the Sacred Valley) do not have signage (or mapper properly on google maps etc). Some roads are of poor quality, depending on the regions you visit, and generally speaking driving standards are less rigorous in Peru than more developed countries, so you need to be a very experienced and confident driver.

Peruvian Sol is the currency of Peru. Although US Dollars are often accepted in larger hotels, shops and restaurants in larger cities and tourist destinations like Cusco, they are not always accepted. As such, we recommend you always travel with local currency especially for smaller purchases in shops, markets and local restaurants.

Exchanging US Dollars and Euros into Peruvian Sol is possible in banks, by official moneychangers on the street (who you can recognize as by their vests and official IDs), in the airport, hotels, money exchange houses and in some shops (in small towns). The exchange rate is generally the same with the exception of hotels where it tends to be set at a slightly less advantageous rate. Please bear in mind that $100 bills can be difficult to change so it is better to have smaller bills. Dollars are easier to change than Euros. Any ripped US dollar bills (even with slight tears) are usually not accepted.

Visa, Mastercard and American Express are also generally accepted in Peru, although Visa is more widely accepted. When making purchases with a credit card, you may have to pay a 5-6% surcharge and may have to present your passport to make the purchase.

If using traveler cheques, we recommend changing these at banks. Traveler’s cheques are often only cashed in local currency (Soles). For security reasons we highly recommend you use ATM machines in airports and hotels rather than on the street.

Unfortunately, forged notes (both dollars and local currency) abound in some countries in the region, so be sure to examine your notes by feeling their texture and looking for watermarks.

Given Peru’s diverse geography, you’re likely to experience different climates whatever time of year you travel. We strongly recommend brining layers which makes it easier to deal with changing temperatures, especially in the Andes. We provide detailed packing lists if you book with us, with general suggestions alongside recommendations for specific activities or destination, like hiking or visiting the Amazon. Outside of Lima, in the main tourist destinations travelers tend to dress quite casually, including at hotels. We recommend you bring proper footwear for walking around cities, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

Key suggestions: 

• Comfortable sneakers or hiking boots
• Short and long-sleeved t-shirts
• Rain gear
• A fleece jackets
• Jeans or casual trousers
• Camera
• Backpack
• Insect repellent, lip balm and sun block
• Binoculars

Phone and internet coverage are quite good in cities and even some rural areas, including Machu Picchu – though there is no phone coverage on the train ride to Machu Picchu. Most foreign smartphones work in the region if you have an international calling and data plan. If your phone is unlocked you can buy a local SIM card that will work for use while traveling.

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