On this page we have included answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions.  If you still don't find what you are looking for, feel free to Contact Us on info@krazetravel.com 

VISA

Visa-free travel for EU citizens when travelling to the territory of Peru for a period of stay of 90 days in any 180-day period. [Only business people, students, and missionaries visiting Peru for such reasons require a visa for Peru.]

Agreement: http://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-12097-2015-COR-1/en/pdf

Trekking altitudes, Distance and Time for the Inca Trail

Level of Fitness Required

If you do not feel you are particularly fit, you can use this goal to motivate you to achieve your fitness goals. 

Good levels of fitness are required coupled with good mental preparation. The Inca trail is a total of total trek distance: 43km, however elevation is the challenging part. 

• 1st day is a long trek
• 2nd day is hardest altitude getting up to 4200m with loads of stairs both uphill and downhill
• 3rd day is not difficult in terms of altitude or stairs but it is very long around 9 hour trek
• 4^th day is easy 5 km to get to Machu Picchu

This is surely a challenge that will take your breath away, literally, but that will leave you with incredible feelings of accomplishment.

During the trek you will only need to carry a small day pack. Each person will have all their equipment, food and personal clothing delivered by the porters from one day to the next. 

Accommodation During the Trip 

The rooms on the trip will be double rooms; meaning two single beds in the same room.

If you’d like to share the room with someone in particular, let us know, or else, we'll introduce you to someone of the same sex to share the room with. 

• 8 nights in 3 star hotel stay in twin accommodation
• 02 nights in Ecofriendly lodge in Puerto Maldonado  in twin accommodation
• 03 nights camping along the Inca Trail (2 person tent) or 3 nights in hotel if doing the 1 day hike.
  

What's the food like?  

Peruvian cuisine reflects local practices and ingredients—including influences from the indigenous population including the Inca and cuisines brought in with immigrants from Europe (Spanish cuisine, Italian cuisine, German cuisine), Asia (Chinese cuisine and Japanese cuisine) and West Africa. Here are some popular dishes.

• Lomo Saltado - Sauteed Beef Tenderloin
• Ají de Gallina - Spicy Chicken Stew
• Papa Rellena- Filled Potatoes
• Pollo a la Brasa-Peruvian Chicken
• Tacu Tacu-Pan- Fried Rice and Beans flat cake
• Cau Cau-Tripe Stew

Optional Adventures

• Day 4/5- Free day in Cusco: Maras Moray Salt mines
• Day4/5- Cooking Class 

Weather

We are travelling in the peak season. The Peruvian winter (May – September) is the driest season and therefore the best time of year to travel, especially if you are planning to visit the Cusco area or trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The dry season is the best time to visit the jungle regions as there are fewer mosquitoes and the rivers are low, exposing the beaches. It's also a good time to see nesting and to view the animals at close range, as they stay close to the rivers and are more easily seen.

• Lima & Coastal temperature - high 17 degrees low 13 degrees
• Cusco & the highlands temperature – high 20 degrees low 1 degree
• The Jungle – high 30 degrees low 15 degrees

Trekking Permits 

The government only issues 500 permits for the Inca Trail which includes supporting staff like porters, chefs and guides. This leaves only 200 for us travellers, which means we need to book at least 10 months in advance to get our front row seat!

For us to issue these permits, we need to provide: Passport photocopy, passport photos, DOB and age.

That is why it is critical for this trip to be booked months in advance.  

Exchange & Credit Cards

The currency in use in Peru is Sol. 1EUR is around 3.75SOL

Upon arrival at the airport in Lima, we will have the opportunity to exchange Euro at the exchange rate of the day, however you are likely to get better rates if you exchange USD.

All cities have ATMs but before heading out to any village or rural community, always make sure you’ve got enough cash on you for the trip

Major credit cards are widely accepted Peru. Visitors can withdraw money through Visa /Master Card from. There is a standard commission. Peruvian ATMs place a limit on the amount of cash you can withdraw in one go. This limit is sometimes frustratingly low, at around S/ 400, while other ATMs will let you take out S/ 1,000 or more (but these seem increasingly rare).

Security

Peruvians have fostered an atmosphere of safety throughout the country. The threat of violent crime in most of Peru is no greater than many of the world's major cities. Travel around the country is relatively safe and reliable and the rebel element has been largely disbanded.

However with some research, planning and common sense you can easily avoid the bad apples and ensure you have a safe and exciting stay.

You should practice your street smarts. Don't wear a lot of jewellery or designer clothes, don't wave flashy cameras around and don't carry more cash than is necessary. Carry any important documents close to you personally and always keep one eye on any bags or luggage.

If you are the victim of a theft or assault, the Policia de Turismo (Tourism Police) should be your first port of call. Established specially to protect you and the lucrative tourism industry, they speak at least some English and are trained in handling all sorts of crimes against tourists.

Culturally Acceptable Behavior 

• Learning some simple Spanish phrases will enable you to do this, as it is considered good manners to greet someone with a salutation such as “buenos dias” (good day). Smiling is also important in making a good first impression. Don’t be surprised if you are addressed as “gringo/gringa” (meaning foreigner) or “mister” – these are not derogatory terms in Peru and shouldn’t be taken as such.

• The indigenous Amerindians are particularly reserved in their demeanour, and can often come across as shy or aloof. Eye contact with visitors to the community will often be minimal. It is therefore bad etiquette to stare or make continual eye contact.

• You should respect the modesty and reserved nature of many Amerindian communities, so adhering to similar behaviour and modest dress codes would be seen as a sign of respect. Outlandish, forthright and boisterous conduct within such groups would be considered quite offensive and completely out of place.

• Peru has many awe-inspiring landscapes and historical landmarks. It is perfectly acceptable to photograph many aspects of Peruvian culture. Most of the time, you will be able to freely take photographs, but always check that it is appropriate before you start snapping away.

• If photographing a particular person, you should always ask your subject beforehand to ascertain if this is OK. Usually, the answer will be yes, but you should be aware that in some instances, it is expected that your subject will ask for a ‘tip’ in return.

• You should be aware that punctuality is not considered to be of particular importance to many Peruvians. In fact, it is expected that you turn up anything from 30 minutes to a fully hour after a stated ‘start’ time of any event.