FAQ

First please look through our website to see what kind of Tour you would like to participate in or what destinations you are interested in exploring.

The website has the tours listed and organized into the following sections so that they are easy to find according to what interests you:

Featured ToursThis section on our home page lists our top tours. These are our most popular andcomplete pre-arranged travel itineraries with optional excursions and the possibility to customizeor request as a private service.Peru ToursThis sub-section of Tours in the top menu lists our completepre-arranged tours for Peru.Peru TreksThis sub-section of Tours in the top menu lists our complete listof treks available in the Cusco area, including the Inca Trail.Peru AmazonThis sub-section of Tours in the top menu lists our completepre-arranged Amazon programs as well ad Amazon River cruises.

If you want to have more of a hand in the planning of your trip, look over the Design Your Trip section of our website:

Both types of tours are open-dated and can be organized to adapt to your needs and expectations. The difference between them is that tailor-made Private Tours include optional Private Excursions throughout your trip. Shared Service Tours include optional Small Group Excursions. Please note that all Tours are fully adaptable and if you want to choose between some optional Private Excursions and some optional Small Group Excursions there is no problem at all. Your travel advisor can answer all your questions.

Please contact us at [email protected] and we will take care of everything. If you know of and are interested in excursion opportunities in Peru that are not listed on our website, please inform your travel advisor and we will work to arrange things for you.

Yes. Our Shared Service Tours are a great opportunity to travel with friendly and interesting companions, and you can add Optional Private Excursions should you desire to branch out once in a while. Your satisfaction, comfort, and safety are our top concerns. We want you to have the best experience possible and will work with you towards that goal.

We must have received full payment as well as all relevant information and documentation regarding your Tour at least 10 business days before you begin your program. A late booking fee will be applied otherwise.

Visa, MasterCard, AmericanExpress, wire transfers, or direct deposits are all valid forms of payment. We use VeriSign Secured to ensure the safety of all credit card transactions.

Peru is a large country and its geography is varied. The cold currents of the southern Pacific Ocean wash against its shores making it one of the richest oceanic life systems on the planet; its coast is part of the driest desert ecosystem on Earth; the Andes mountains, the world’s only Equatorial mountain range with glaciers, cuts right through the middle of the territory from north to south; and two-thirds of the country is covered by the Amazonian rainforest. How to see it all?

There are some well-established traditional tour routes in the country that are great for those travelers with little free time to explore beyond the beaten path. We at Intense Peru strive to make your experience exploring our wondrous country something more than that. Even if you do not have much time we will help you make your journey through Peru a wonderful and memorable one.

Depending on how much time you have available we recommend these routes to give you ideas on how to start planning your trip.

Do you have one week or less? You can try one of these tours Ancient Caral: Lima – 1d

• Culinary: Lima – 1d

• Lima Tours : Lima – 1d

• Nazca Lines : Paracas/Ica/Nazca – 3d/2n

• Machu Picchu: Machu Picchu/Cusco – 3d/2n

• Sipan – Chimu: Chiclayo/Trujillo – 4d/3n

• Rainforest Expedition: Tambopata- 5d/4n

• Amazon Rainforest: Tambopata – 5d/4n

• Machu Picchu – Sacre Valley – Cusco: 5d/4n

Do have you have more than a week? These are great choices Inca Trail – Machu Picchu: Cusco – 7d/6n

• Inca Trail – Salcantay: Cusco – 7d/6n

• Inca Trail – Lares Valley: Cusco – 7d/6n

• Inca Trail – Choquequirao: Cusco – 7d/6n

• Colca – Lake Titicaca – Machu Picchu: 11d/10n

We suggest you keep two things in mind when planning your trip to Peru: climate and culture.

If you are coming from the northern hemisphere, seasons will be inverted. That is, if it is winter where you are, it will be summer in Peru. In addition to the time of year, your location in the country will also determine what kind of weather you will experience. Because of the varied geography of the country, its location near the Equator and the cold Pacific Ocean currents, temperatures and weather can markedly vary from one city to another.

Coast:

The coast tends to be mild year-round, only really having two distinct seasons: warm and cool. It is sunnier in summer (from mid-November to late-March) and can be overcast or even foggy in winter (from April to mid-November), depending on your proximity to the ocean. It almost never rains on the coast. A fine misty drizzle is the most precipitation you may experience. So, bring a swimsuit if you are coming in the summer, and a light jacket if you are coming in the winter.

Andes Mountains:

The mountains will vary in temperature and weather patterns according to the terrain, the latitude, and the altitude. The higher you go, the colder it is. Also, the higher you go, the “thinner” the atmosphere, as pressure drops, so when you stand in the sun you can feel really warm, or if you stand in the shade, you can feel really cold. The air tends to be really dry and heat from the sun travels easily through the atmosphere. It can get hot or cold just as easily. Because of the altitude, the seasons are inverted in the mountains. When it is summer on the coast, it is “winter” in the mountains, meaning, it is the rainy season. This is from mid-November to late March. It is also the warmer time of year in the mountains. From April to mid-November you get the dry and colder season in the mountains.

Bring a warm coat year-round. Layers are best as you can adjust your body temperature by peeling off items of clothing according to whether you feel warm or cold.

Amazon Rainforest:

The rainforest is hot and humid and is a rainy year-round, but it is especially rainy in the wet season (mid-November to late March). Bring a folding umbrella or lightweight breathable raincoat. Quick-drying fabrics and shoes are the best.

Here are some average temperatures and altitudes for several cities around Peru.

Source: Senamhi

International flights are not included in the price of Intense Peru Tours. Normally we do not make international flight arrangements for our clients, but we can do so if requested. Many of our clients have preferred arranging their international flights online.

All of our Tours include domestic airfare and transportation. Intense Peru offers only the most comfortable domestic transport services available. Whether a Tour offers flights, private vehicles, buses or train transportation, we provide only the best service.

Airport taxes are now included in the price of the domestic and international flights.

On the occasions you venture out on your own you can move around town using several different modes of transportation.

If you want flexibility as to your destination or want door-to-door service you can hire either taxis or mototaxis, which are three-wheeled motorcycles with a seat in the back for two people and usually some kind of covering to protect you from the elements. There are no fare-meters in use in Peru. You have to discuss your destination with the driver before you get in the vehicle and negotiate how much you are going to pay. Prices vary according to the type of vehicle you use, the distance, time of day, city you are in, and whether it is a registered taxi or a free-lancer. Ask a local for directions and for a general estimate of how much it should cost to get where you are going before you start negotiating prices with the cab driver. We strongly recommend that for personal safety reasons you spend a little more money and hire taxicabs that belong to a company or consortium (you have to call them by phone), or those that have their permits in order (in Lima these are yellow cabs and have a fixed sign that lights up on top of the car). Uber and Easy Taxi are available in Peru as well, so you can use those apps.

We recommend that you bring as much money as you feel comfortable carrying. Intense Peru Tours are usually fully inclusive, and extra money is only needed for an occasional meal – where the Intense Peru Tour has left this out of the itinerary to give you more flexibility – and for purchasing souvenirs. Tips are not included in the overall price of the Tour. If you wish to give tips it is recommended that you bring along extra cash.

Here is a sample list of average prices for products and services that you can use to help you plan your budget.

We suggest that you bring some cash and a credit card and/or debit card. Not many restaurants outside of Lima have access to Visa or MasterCard services so credit/debit cards are useful mostly for withdrawing cash from ATMs. You can easily find ATMs in most Peruvian cities. Some even offer a choice between the kinds of currency you withdraw. Using the ATMs adds security to your transactions as you can then avoid the risk of scam artists, whether through counterfeit money when you exchange your cash, or by avoiding the risk of credit card duplication, double charging, or theft. US Dollars are accepted almost everywhere and currency exchange bureaus are easy to find. Euros are also widely accepted.

U.S. dollars are accepted almost everywhere and currency exchange bureaus are easy to find. Traveler’s checks can be useful but the exchange rate is lower than it is for cash (there’s between a 5 and 10% loss). Also, it can be difficult to locate places that take traveler’s checks. We suggest you bring some cash and debit or credit cards. It is always a good idea to bring a little extra for the unexpected purchases that suddenly come up, such as that souvenir you just have to have.

Most banks and exchange bureaus are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and Saturdays until 12:00 p.m.

Tipping is not included in the Tours. We suggest you tip according to how well you were served, up to 10 – 15% of the total bill. Of course, it is entirely up to you should you desire to tip more for exceedingly exceptional service.

Sales tax in Peru (IGV: Impuesto General a las Ventas) is 18%. Foreign travelers without residence permits in Peru are exempt from paying the sales tax on hotel expenses (lodging and food at the hotel).

To avoid this sales tax on hotel expenses make sure your passport has a valid entry visa for at least 60 days, an official migration stamp, and a stamped Andean Migration Card. All of these will be issued to tourists upon arrival to Peru. If you don’t present any of the above upon request, Hotels will charge you the 18% tax for your hotel expenses.

Peru’s government is working hard to formalize the economy but the population’s old habits are hard to change. The informal economy is still a big part of the economic reality of the country so be aware that not everybody that is involved in sales or services will be able to provide you with a receipt for your payment. This happens frequently with traditional artisans who mostly work out of their homes and sell their goods in the street or small market stalls. The quality of the products is not necessarily affected by this. We just want you to be aware in case you would like to receive receipts for your purchases.

Citizens of most countries in the Americas and Western Europe do not need to get a visa in advance. You obtain a visa upon entering the country. Citizens of Bolivia, Ecuador, and Chile do not need a passport or a visa to enter certain parts of Peru. It would be a good idea to check with the Peruvian consulate in your country.

Travelers entering Peru for tourism and recreation are allowed to stay up to 90 days. The Immigration office can extend this period.

Travelers must have a valid passport or safe-conduct pass issued by Peruvian immigration authorities. Carry your passport with you, or at the very least, always keep a photocopy of your passport on you at all times. Some form of official ID may be required to enter government offices, to do business in a bank or use your credit cards.

We do not provide travel insurance. We strongly recommend you obtain traveler’s insurance coverage for your trip.

We suggest you start by asking your insurance provider at home if you are already covered by their company. Also check with your credit card provider. Some credit cards come with traveler’s insurance programs as part of their service. Some organizations such as the AAA (Automobile Association) also offer insurance services for travelers. There are many well-established insurance companies that specialize in traveler’s insurance services. You can find many of them through the Internet.

We recommend you contact Mondial Assistance (www.mondial-assistance.com) which offers the fastest and best quality service in Peru. In Cusco, they operate with Hampi Land Association which is composed of a team of highly qualified and experienced doctors who speak English among other lenguages.

Explore your options. Make sure that at least you have good emergency medical coverage, especially if you will be participating in extreme sports activities. Other kinds of coverage to look out for areTrip cancellation, interruptions and delays insurance

• Trip cancellation insurance is mostly purchased to recuperate your money if you have to cancel your trip or leave before it is completed. Trip cancellation reasons may include sickness, natural disasters and State Department warnings about the safety of the place to which you are travelling.

• Lost luggage insurance
  Domestic U.S. flights cover checked luggage up to US$ 2,500 per passenger. International flights (including U.S. legs of international flights) cover around US$ 9 per pound, up to around US$ 635 per checked bag. If you will be checking valuables not covered under the standard liability, check with your homeowner’s insurance company for coverage or get additional luggage insurance. Many companies offer comprehensive travel insurance packages.

Travel insurance costs vary greatly: which company you contact, cost and length of the trip, your age and health, kind of trip you are going on, amount of coverage you want, deductibles, etc. http://InsureMyTrip.com helps you get estimates from various providers.

Ask your insurance agent what other kinds of coverage they offer, what the rules are for making use of the coverage, and the amount limits of your coverage plan.

Altitude sickness, or soroche as it is called in Peru, is sometimes a problem for visitors to the Peruvian highlands. An infusion, called “mate de coca” or coca leaf tea, is made with the leaves of the coca plant (considered to have been a sacred plant for the Incas and still seen as such by many people in the highlands of Peru). It is purported to help relieve altitude sickness and is readily available. Like regular tea it has a mild stimulating effect and a pleasant taste. If anything, a good cup of hot liquid will help keep you hydrated.

Diamox is used by some travelers from the USA, but it is not recommended if you are allergic to sulfa medications. Sorochi or Gravol are pills that can be purchased locally over-the-counter at pharmacies and airports.

Consult with your doctor if you are worried about traveling at high altitudes. Ask if it is OK for you to take any of these medications, or bring your prescriptions with you.

The best thing to do is to get acclimatized to the altitude as quickly as possible. Eating lightly on the first day and avoiding excess physical activity until acclimatized are highly recommended. KEEP HYDRATED but do not overfill your stomach at once. Let your digestive system adjust. Take it easy the first day and your body will have time to adjust to the changes. Most people do NOT have any serious problems with the altitude.

We recommend that you consult with a doctor that specializes in travel medicine. They will be able to judge, given your personal health and vaccination history, what vaccines you may need.

Aside from your routine shots, in general you only need vaccinations if you will be traveling in the Amazon Rainforest. Consider getting the Yellow Fever vaccine if you will be traveling in the rainforest. We suggest you ask your doctor what precautions or vaccinations are recommended for each destination as these requirements vary according to where each passenger comes from and their personal medical background.

It is also a good idea to start this process early as some vaccines need to be administered over a period of time. If you can, start at least 4 to 6 weeks before your trip starts. If you are traveling sooner than that, still consult with your physician to find out what they recommend.

The meals we provide with our Tours are safe. On those occasions when you decide to venture beyond the Tour’s itinerary and try something new and unique on your own we suggest you exercise common sense precautions. Drink bottled or boiled water. Try to avoid eating from street vendors who clearly do not practice sanitary precautions. Whenever you travel to a new part of the world, microorganisms living in that part of the world will invariably be different from the ones back home and so you will need to let your body adjust to the new conditions. If you are concerned about this ask your doctor about vaccinations against hepatitis, typhoid or cholera, even though these may be extreme measures since a little caution will protect you just as well.

Aside from microorganisms there are other things that will be different from back home: spices, ingredients, salts and mineral content in the water, etc. Some people’s bodies reject the new kinds of foods until they have had a chance to adjust. Never fear, this is not dangerous to you, but it could ruin your enjoyment of your trip. Decide whether your system is able to handle new foods beforehand so that you can exercise caution in your choice of foods.

Many travelers to Peru end up eating at restaurants that serve food from their country, such as McDonald’s. But it would be a shame if you came all the way down to Peru and couldn’t sample the wonderful tastes of Peruvian food. As always, ask your doctor what they recommend and bring along any prescription medications you may need to take care of any digestive tract problems you may have. You can find Pepto Bismol sold in pharmacies under the name “Bismutol”.

That being said, we strongly recommend you do everything you can to prepare yourself to try the food when you are here. Peruvian cuisine is ranked amongst the top ten cuisines of the world. Many people travel to Peru exclusively to go on gastronomic tours to sample the thousands of different dishes that you can find around the country. When you come here do not forget that you can have a wonderful experience not just through sight and sound, but also through texture, scent and flavor. In fact, it is said that when you come to Peru you awaken your “six” senses.

Our Tours are expertly organized and run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Just in case, we provide our customers with a 24-hour emergency hotline number prior to the trip. Should any problems arise, please contact us 24 hours a day at 99 400 8833 (within Peru).

Safety is key to the success of your journey. Stay alert and do not take unnecessary risks in order to prevent unwanted situations. Always carry some form of official ID, like your passport, or at least a photocopy of your passport, when walking around in a city or town.

Common sense and the same precautions that apply back home apply when traveling.

In the cities:

Be alert and take normal precautions to protect yourself from purse-snatchers and pickpockets.
Keep a photocopy of your documents on you. Keep the original documents and valuables in the safety deposit box of your hotel.
Be discreet with your valuables. Do not flash around large amounts of cash or expensive jewelry. Keep an eye, or even better, keep a hand on your luggage or camera.
Do NOT exchange money in the street. Use the banks or exchange bureaus.
It is a good idea to hire taxicabs that belong to a company or consortium (you have to call them by phone), or those that have their permits in order (in Lima these are yellow cabs and have a fixed sign that lights up on top of the car)
Prohibitions:

It is strictly forbidden to take photographs of airports, military bases, areas near electric power towers and police stations.

It is best to bring the luggage you feel most comfortable carrying, but you can travel with a suitcase if you prefer. Choose one with sturdy wheels if possible. If you will be doing the Inca trail bring a backpack or duffel bag. Pack a small daypack in which to carry your valuables. A money belt is highly recommended so that you can keep your money, credit cards and passport on you at all times.

What you bring in your luggage will depend on where you are going and the kind of vacation you are planning. Altitude has a marked effect on climate. Normally, the higher you go, the colder it gets. If you are on the Western side of the mountains it tends to be pretty dry. If you are on the eastern side of the Andes, it can be pretty wet. Seasons also determine what kind of gear you need. Remember that there is a seasonal inversion between the northern and the southern hemispheres. That is, when it is summer in the north it is winter in the south.

Peru is very close to the Equatorial line. Sunshine is more intense so bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen lotion.

Bring a small foldable pouch, duffle bag, daypack or backpack to carry your valuables, a water bottle to keep hydrated and any extras like a light coat to be prepared for temperature changes.

The coast is sunny and warm in summertime (from mid-November to late March). If you plan on spending time at the beaches remember to bring proper beachwear: swimsuit or shorts, sandals for walking in the hot sand, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, towel. It can be overcast or even foggy in winter (from April to mid-November). So, bring a light jacket if you are coming in the winter.

The Andes highlands have warm days and cold nights. Dress in layers so that you can adjust your body temperature depending on local conditions and time of day. There can even be a big difference on how you feel depending on whether you stand in the shade or in full sunlight. Excellent quality alpaca and llama wool products are available in the region and are great for staying warm at night. Visitors often choose to leave their warm clothes at home so as to have more space in their luggage to carry the warm clothes they purchase in Peru.

Daytime in the Andes can be extremely sunny and bright so bring sunglasses, a hat and some sunscreen. Chap stick or lip moisturizer is also useful since the air is dry.

The rainforest is hot, wet and humid. If you plan to travel in the Amazon make sure you bring a folding umbrella or a light, breathable raincoat, some waterproof or quick drying footwear, and long-sleeved t-shirt and pants. Quick drying breathable fabrics are best. Some insect repellent is OK, though you can purchase that in Peru.

Adventure hikes like the Inca Trail require proper footwear. Sturdy tennis shoes with good ankle support or light hiking boots. Heavier hiking boots for the more extreme hikes.

The notion of “tourism for everyone” is part of an increase in awareness around the country of the needs of handicapped people. Several state and private organizations have been working for years trying to improve services for the handicapped, especially so in cities like Cuzco, Iquitos, Trujillo and Lima.

Yes. Quite easily actually. There is a boom in telecommunications services in the country. Cellular phones are quite inexpensive and access to the Internet at a “cabina” (like an internet booth) usually costs less than a dollar an hour and you can find them everywhere around the country.  Most hotels we work with offer free WiFi service in their common areas, and some offer it in rooms (for an additional cost).

Peru’s electric grid runs on 220v so if you are going to bring an appliance, like an electric razor, make sure you bring an adapter or purchase one that has a switch or automatically selects the appropriate voltage. Our sockets allow for two-flatted or two-rounded plugs.

Lodging and Food & Beverages

All of our hotels meet international standards according to their category. We ensure that the hotels we work with provide the highest levels of service and comfort at the best values. Select the hotel you feel best suits your needs and expectations for the trip. If you know of a hotel in the vicinity that you prefer but it is not listed in our website please Contact Us and we will make arrangements for you to stay there

Breakfasts are included everyday with hotel stays, and lunches and dinners are provided where indicated in the detailed itineraries. Meals that are included in our Tours are excellent and the restaurants are carefully chosen in order to give our customers the best dining experience possible. Nevertheless, we feel that your trip should have some flexibility and that dining out is a way for you to experience Peru’s wonders firsthand. Peru has a great number of superb restaurants and Peruvian cuisine is ranked amongst the top in the world. We are more than happy to provide you with a list of all of our favorite restaurants in the different locations you will be travelling in if you so desire.