Planning Your Trip to Peru

North Americans do not need a prearranged visa and do not have to pay a fee to enter Peru. All travelers must have passports valid for at least 6 months beyond dates of travel.

No immunizations are currently required for travel to Peru. For any international travel, the Centers for Disease Control recommend being up to date on routine vaccinations, and Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations are also recommended.

If traveling to the Peruvian Amazon, a yellow fever vaccine is recommended. This vaccination, which is valid for life, must be administered at least 10 days before your arrival to be effective. It is recommended that travelers bring along their International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) as proof of vaccination.

The mosquito-transmitted Zika and dengue viruses are found in the Amazon region of Peru, and as such the CDC recommends travelers take extra precautions to avoid being bit by mosquitos. Use insect repellents with 25-30% Deet or 20% Picaridin, and wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks and shoes to protect against mosquito bites. Malaria preventatives are also recommended if visiting Iquitos or Puerto Maldonado and surrounding areas in the Amazon region (usually by river cruise). In accordance with the CDC, Knowmad Adventures does not advise travel to the Peruvian Amazon if you are pregnant.

If you have a history of altitude sickness or have an easily upset stomach, we recommend consulting your medical professional regarding preventative medications.

It is a good idea to visit a travel clinic 4-8 weeks prior to any international travel. For more information, you can also check out the Centers for Disease Control website.

For specifics on Covid-19 vaccination requirements, please visit our Current South America Covid Regulations & Info page.

Although we plan trips with time to acclimatize, travelers may experience some symptoms of altitude sickness due to the elevation. To mitigate the effects of altitude, make sure you sip water regularly to maintain a steady amount of hydration and try to avoid alcohol and strenuous activity for the first day or two at altitude. Many people also recommend coca tea and other coca products as an aid in relieving symptoms of altitude sickness, and these are readily available throughout the highlands and can be found at most hotels and restaurants.

Many visitors to the highlands report mild common altitude symptoms such as fatigue, headache, trouble sleeping, or lightheadedness during their first day or two at elevation. Many hotels have oxygen available for travelers feeling these effects. Prior to your trip, you may want to ask your medical professional about Diamox or other medications for altitude sickness. For trekking itineraries and high-altitude hikes, guides carry an oxygen tank.

Severe altitude sickness is extremely rare and can be the result of a pre-existing condition. If you have a heart or lung condition (such as high blood pressure, asthma, angina, etc.) it is important to consult your medical professional whether or not travel to high altitudes is advised.

Peru’s official currency is the Nuevo Sol. When paying with cash, Nuevo Soles are preferred, though USD are also accepted at many businesses.

ATMs are the easiest way of getting cash in Peru. They distribute local Nuevo Soles and use the most current exchange rate, though many ATMs do charge a small fee for foreign cards. Your bank may also charge an international ATM fee (usually $5 USD or under), so we recommend checking with your bank before you travel. Some ATMs also have transaction withdrawal limits, so if you will need a large sum plan ahead (you are able to make multiple transactions, however any transaction fees will be assessed each time). If you prefer to arrive with Nuevo Soles in hand, many banks and credit unions offer foreign currency ordering services for their account holders for a fee.

There are several ATMs at the Lima and Cusco airports, as well as one at the Lima airport hotel where many travelers spend their first night. We suggest bringing $100 USD in small denominations as backup funds in case there are any issues with your cards. Keep small change for bathroom entry fees at historical sites, including Machu Picchu. We also recommend obtaining cash before flying out to more remote areas where there are few or no ATMs, such as the Amazon. If you need help locating an ATM, please ask your guide.

Bring two cash cards if you can. Credit cards are often accepted at nice restaurants and shops, and can usually be used at hotels for any discretionary costs. To avoid your cards being flagged it is important that you notify your bank and credit card company about your dates of travel. Additionally, take note of your credit card emergency numbers and daily withdrawal limit. Traveler’s checks should be an emergency option only, as they are rarely used in Peru and can only be cashed at large banks.

Tipping in Peru is seen as a bonus, and it is Knowmad’s hope that you use these guidelines simply as a framework and tip according to the quality of service you feel you receive. We recommend between $10-20 USD per person, per full day, for private guiding, and $3-5 USD per person, per full day for a private driver. For large groups (5+) it is appropriate to tip guides closer to $10 USD per person or less. Please note that for activities such as kayaking, biking, horseback riding, etc. you will have two guides, and it is appropriate to tip each of them separately. For transfer agents (the person who will accompany you to and from airports), a small tip of $5-10 in total for the group is common.

If doing a trek or overnight hike, you will also have a cook, porters and camp crew. From your full group, we recommend around $15 per day for the cook and $7-10 per day for each porter and crew member. If hiking the full Inca Trail, please see the “Hiking the Inca Trail” section below for more details.

In restaurants, many bills include a 10% gratuity, and it is customary to add an additional 10% for very good service. For cab drivers and porters at hotels, spare change or small sums are customary. Tipping recommendations are in U.S. dollars as exchange rates fluctuate frequently, however in Peru the local currency (Nuevo Soles) is preferred when tipping.

Trip insurance is not included in your trip cost. Knowmad highly recommends insuring your trip, as the unforeseeable is just that, unforeseeable. Shortly after receiving this document you will receive an email from our recommended travel insurance provider, Travel Guard, with a pre-built quote. The policy will be built corresponding with your trip dates, total cost including estimated international and regional airfare, and your personal information. Should you choose to purchase this recommended policy, simply click the blue “Review my travel insurance quote” link, review the coverage, and enter payment information.

Additionally, some countries are requiring specific coverage due to Covid-19. Please see visit our Current South America Covid Regulations & Info page for details.

Most electrical outlets in Peru accept the 2-pronged plugs with flat blades found in the U.S. (Type A), though some facilities have been noted to accept plugs with 2 rounded prongs instead (Type C). Knowmad recommends bringing an adapter just in case if you have electronics that require daily charging. 220 is the accepted voltage in Peru. Many higher-end electronics like cameras and phone chargers will accept this voltage, while hairdryers and curlers of 110 volts will likely fry. If your electronics do not accept 220 volts, you will need a converter. We recommend checking the labels on your electronic devices to see which ones will be compatible before you travel.

Tap water in Peru is not safe to drink. We recommend using only bottled water while in Peru for drinking water and brushing your teeth. It is also important to request your beverages without ice (“sin hielo”) while at restaurants, as the ice may not be made with purified water. Many establishments will have bottled water available, and your guide will be able to help you if there is ever a question. Also, it is best to avoid eating the skin of raw fruits or vegetables (apples, salads, etc.) and any dairy products that have been sitting out.

Please bring a reusable water bottle with you, as we bring a large container of water in the van that you can use to refill your bottle throughout the day. In the evening, your hotel’s front desk can also refill your bottle.

Restaurants in Peru have gotten really popular, especially in Lima and Cusco. Central, Maido, Chicholina, Map Café, and Astrid y Gaston in particular can fill up far in advance (up to four months ahead for Central, depending on the season). If you would like to dine at a specific restaurant, we suggest making reservations two months or more in advance. Many restaurants allow you to make reservations online, or please feel free to contact your Operations Specialist at least two and a half months in advance for assistance with lining up reservations.

Peru is considered a safe country. In recent years tourism has increased and the government has made a concerted effort to keep travelers and their valuables safe. Travelers should take the same precautions that they would in any unfamiliar city. Be aware of your surroundings, travel with a companion (especially at night), and stay in populated and well-lit areas. Non-violent demonstrations are common in Peru and travelers are advised to avoid them.

To help reduce the chance of petty theft, keep a close eye on your belongings especially in airports, crowded tourist sites, and busy markets. Do not use loosely hanging bags or purses (bags that zip are recommended), avoid wearing flashy or expensive jewelry, and when in crowds move backpacks and purses to the front of your body. Carry only the money you’ll need each day, and keep the rest in the safety deposit box in your hotel room along with your passport and other valuables.

Check out the U.S. State Department travel advisories for the latest information.

In the time leading up to your trip, it is a good idea to do as much hiking as possible. Along with day hikes, try and fit in a few multi-days hikes if possible, and at as high of an altitude as your surroundings allow. Hikes that involve significant uphill hiking are ideal.

Aside from hiking, build up your overall fitness. Create a weekly fitness plan, doing aerobic exercise several times a week. The earlier you start preparing for your trek, the better prepared your heart and lungs will be. It is also a good idea to build up your leg and core muscles, as these are what you use most while hiking. You will be walking up a lot of stairs during the trek, so using stairs or a step machine as part of your training routine is also beneficial. The treadmill on the highest setting for steepness is also a good exercise.

During this time, we also recommend ensuring that the hiking shoes or boots you plan to use on the Inca Trail have been broken in and are comfortable enough for longer treks.

The Inca Trail involves 4 full days of hiking with the average distance being 6.5 miles per day. The full trek is 26 miles. For most people in moderate to good physical condition it could take an average 6 to 7 hours of hiking per day with one day often stretching to 8 or 10 hours. There are significant ups and downs and the highest point of elevation on the hike is 13,778 feet. You are often hiking on uneven terrain, including Incan stairs and stones, which involve a lot of focused concentration to continue climbing for long periods of time. The third day of the trek is the most difficult for most, stretching to 10 or even more hours of hiking for some travelers. The first day is the easiest, but it is very important to still pace yourself to conserve your energy for the days to come. Even for those accustomed to long, multi-day hikes the altitude can make the Inca Trail a difficult trek. It’s important to go into the trek prepared to be challenged not only physically, but mentally as well. Below is a map showing each day of the trek.

Knowmad is one of the few permitted to camp in remote sites away from the crowds. Night one we camp near the archaeological sites of Wayna Q’ente and Llaqtapata in a nearly private campsite. The following night we camp at Llulluchapampa outside the high-altitude indigenous Andean village of Huayllabamba with a breathtaking view of Mount Huayanay. The third night we camp in a beautiful clearing in the vicinity of Phyupatamarca (translates to the village on the edge of the clouds), where there are likely to be a few other groups camping. This combination of sites ensures remoteness, sweeping views, and visits to lesser-known archaeological sites.

All of your campsites will have a toilet tent set up for your use. It will be just outside the camping tents, about 3 meters away. Only your first campsite will have access to a shower. While you are hiking during the day, there are several national park bathrooms along the way for your use. Unfortunately, these bathrooms are not very well maintained by the park. Most travelers prefer to use the toilet tent that will be set up for you at each campsite and also at lunch time.

Your breakfast, lunch and dinner are very filling, scrumptious meals. You will be given snacks each morning and be able to eat them through the day as you like. Here is a sample day’s menu while on the trail:

• Breakfast (around 7 a.m.): Yogurt, granola, bread, cheese, and tea or coffee.
• Morning snack (11 a.m.): Two pieces of fruit, chocolate, and nuts.
• Lunch (1 p.m.): Soup and grilled chicken with potatoes.
• Afternoon tea and snack (6 p.m.): Cake, popcorn, and tea or coffee.
• Dinner (7 p.m.): Soup, beef stew with quinoa, and dessert.

Our Inca Trail cooks work magic preparing filling, nutritious and delicious meals throughout the trek. However, if you have specific nutrition bars or items you’ve found work well for you to keep your energy up you can also bring those, but just keep in mind packing weight restrictions. If you have any dietary restrictions, please make sure to let your Operations Specialist know before your trip.

While you are hiking on the Inca Trail and camping our team will be filtering water for the group along the way, so you do not need to pack any water filtration supplies. Bring along a reusable water bottle or two, as then you will be able to refill these bottles in the morning, at lunchtime and at camp in the evening. You should be drinking 2 to 4 liters of water each day to stay hydrated.

While on the Inca Trail you will have a head guide, porters, camp crew, and a head cook all working together to ensure a safe and wonderful experience for you. If you are doing a group Inca Trail departure, you will likely have a different guide for the Inca Trail than for the rest of your trip. Please always keep in mind that any tipping is considered as a bonus in Peru, and you should always tip what you are comfortable with and according to the service you feel you receive. Your guide will also provide envelopes and guidance for any tips you would like to leave for the crew on your last night of the trek. To help you with this, we recommend the following guidelines:

• Guide: $10 to $25 USD per person, per day is our recommendation, depending on your group size and the service you feel you received.
• Assistant Guide: If your trek has more than 8 travelers you will also have an assistant guide. $8 to $15 per person, per day is our recommendation.
• Head Cook: $60 to $80 USD per group for the full trek. (Tipping suggestion based on a group of 8 or fewer travelers. If your group is more than 8 travelers, most tip closer to $75 to $100 from the full group for the full trek.)
• Porters: $40 to $70 USD per porter, per group for the full trek. (For smaller groups less than 8 travelers it’s common to be towards the lower end of that spectrum, and larger groups towards the higher end.)
• Assistant Cook & Toilet Porter: These porters have additional responsibilities along the trail and once arriving at camp. We suggest tipping each of them $50 to $80 per group for the full trek. (For smaller groups less than 8 travelers it’s common to be towards the lower end of that spectrum, and larger groups towards the higher end.)

Tipping in Nuevo Soles is preferred, especially for the porters who have fewer opportunities to exchange dollars. However, if it is easier, you can always tip in dollars too.