1) Demonstrations and protests, often in response to local labour or social issues, occur regularly throughout Peru. National strikes can be called in at short notice and can cause disruption to road networks leading to inevitable itinerary changes. Tierras Vivas does everything possible for these changes to be at little or no extra cost; however in such circumstances we find that travellers need to access part or the entire emergency fund. Please read below for more information on this trip's emergency fund.

2) Shorter/longer stays, hotel upgrades and extra trips all possible.
Please contact our sales department for more information or check out our Taylor Made section: taylormade@tierrasvivas.com

3) VISAS, You may be required to obtain a travel visa, also all countries require a valid passport (with minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy, or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THE CORRECT TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION.

Group Leader:

All Tierras Vivas adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders, a Tierras Vivas representative, or an expedition team. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it's the best of both worlds.

Group Size:

Min 4 – Max 25

Solo Travellers:

We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Solo travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

Please note that if you have booked the "Solo own room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single room for all night stops.

Accommodation: 
06 nights

Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we are arriving prior to normal check in time. However this is not always possible which means we will not be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.

If you have purchased pre or post trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.

Joining Hotel:
The following hotel will be use in Lima. Please refer to your travel vouchers for your hotel details.

Joining Instructions: 
Lima’s international, called Jorge Chavez in Callao, is approximately a 45-minute drive from the Miraflores district, where our joining hotel is located. The easiest way to get there is by taxi. After customs and immigration area, you will find a few official taxi stands. You can pay for the car approximately USD20 and won’t need to worry about sorting out a ride outside the airport facilities. There are exchange facilities and ATM’s in the Arrivals area open 24 hours.
If you are arriving from abroad and have booked an arrival transfer with us, a Tierras Vivas representative will meet you at the airport. Upon leaving the customs area, follow the gates and turn right to exit the airport. Just before exiting there is a small area on the left hand side where the official transfers are waiting with signs. Look for a Tierras Vivas sign board with your name on it.
If no one is there and you have not made contact with our local operatos/representative within 15 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Starting Point Hotel. Please apply to your travel agent on your return for a refund of the transfer cost if this occurs.
If your taxi driver does not speak English and you do not speak Spanish, simply show driver the hotel address to simplify communications.

Arrival Complications: 
We don't expect any problems, and nor should you, but if for any reason you can not commence your trip as scheduled, please contact your starting point hotel, requesting that you speak to or leave a message for your trip leader/local operator or to the emergency contact details provided in this dossier. If you are unable to get in touch with your leader/local operator, please refer to our emergency contact details. If you have pre-booked an airport transfer and have not made contact with our local operator/representative within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Starting Point Hotel, following the Joining Instructions. Please apply to your travel agent on your return for a refund of the transfer cost if this occurs.

Local Emergency Contact
If you need emergency assistance, you can contact us locally at the following phone numbers:
Mobile: +51 974 358549
Phone: +51 84 310371

Weather:

Generally speaking, the climate varies from region to region in Peru.

Coast: April-October is the dry season, with temperatures up to 35°C. In the jungle areas of the south, a cold front can pass through at night. November-April is the wet season. It is humid and hot, with heavy rainfall at any time.

Sierras: The highland region has well defined winter and summer seasons. Winter days (June-August) are very sunny and warm, but the temperature drops to near freezing at night. Rainy season is from January to March. It is advised that even in the dry season all belonging should be packed in plastic bags. In the Highlands, the sun shines all year round during the morning, but temperatures descend at night, averaging 5°C.

Selva: April-October is the dry season, with temperatures up to 35°C. In the jungle areas of the south, a cold front can pass through at night. November-April is the wet season. It is humid and hot, with heavy rainfall at any time.

Lima is a city that features a moderate climate, ranging from a light drizzle in winter to a warm summer. Average temperature in summertime -from mid-December to mid-March is 25 / 28°C. Winter, which usually features overcast skies and high humidity, has temperatures ranging from 10 to 16°C.

What to Take:

What you need to bring will vary according to the trip style you have chosen, the countries you are visiting and when you are travelling. Generally speaking you should pack as lightly as possible. On the vast majority of our trips you are expected to carry your own luggage and although you will not be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes) we recommend keeping the weight under 10kg/22lb.
Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps. You will also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for daytrips.

Checklist of what to take:
      * Passport (with photocopies)
      * Travel insurance (with photocopies)
      * Airline tickets (with photocopies)
      * USD cash and travels cheques
      * Credit and debit cards (see personal spending money)
      * Vouchers and dossier
      * Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
      * Camera and film
      * CD/MP3 player
      * Reading/writing material
      * Binoculars
      * Daypack (to carry your personal necessities during daily travel)

      * Cover for backpacks
      * Fair sized daypack
      * Wool hat, mitts or gloves (preferably water proof)
      * Strong plastic bags to help keep gear dry
      * Fleece top
      * Windproof/waterproof jacket
      * Small towel and swim wear     

      * Shirts/t-shirts
      * Sun hat
      * Shorts
      * Long trousers
      * Hiking pants/track pants
      * Hiking boots/ sturdy walking shoes

      * Socks
      * Sport sandals
      * Sun block
      * Sunglasses
      * Toiletries (biodegradable)
      * Watch or alarm clock
      * Water bottle
      * Pocket knife

      * Flashlight

      * Anti-inflammatory tablets (e.g. Ibuprofen)
      * First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, anti-histamine, tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, re-hydration powder, and extra prescription drugs you may be taking).

Meal Budget: 
Allowance USD200 USD 250 for meals not included. For additional expenses, please contact our sales department for more information: sales@tierrasvivas.com

Meal Inclusions

6 Breakfasts

Please note breakfasts are often simple (bread, butter, jam, coffee/tea and juice would be most common). 

Transport:

Plane, train, Tourism transport

Local Flights:

All local flights are included in the cost of your tour unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure

Spending Money:

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

Money Exchange:

Debit and credit cards are very useful for cash advances, but you must remember to bring your PIN number (be aware that many ATM machines only accept 4-digit PINs.). Both Cirrus and Plus system cards are the most widely accepted debit cards. While ATMs are widely available, there are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will work in all of the ATMs in Latin America due to their affiliation with certain card systems. Credit cards can be used in major cities and towns ONLY but please do not rely on them as a method of payment because they are generally not widely accepted. You should be aware that to purchase products or services on a credit card a fee of 8%-10% usually applies.

Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money. A combination of US dollar cash and cards is best. Always take more rather than less, as you don't want to spoil the trip by constantly feeling short of funds.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE TIP: US$100 bills with serial number CB or BE and any other USD bills that are old, torn, written or stamped on will not be accepted by local banks.

Peruvian banks are allowed to reject dollar bills which are old, torn (more than one centimetre) and which have too many stamps on them. Please make sure you do not accept bills with these problems as they are hard to use.

If You like to change the Peruvian money, you responsible tour operator or tour leader help for you.

Change actually: U$ 1 = S/. 2.75

SOLES: There are coins different: 0.10 – 0.20 – 0.50 cents and 1.0 nuevo sol and there are checks: 10.00, 20.00, 50.00, 100.00, 200.00 nuevos soles

Tipping:

If you are happy with the services provided a tip - though not compulsory - is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Tierras Vivas destinations. Please note we recommend that any tips are given directly to the intended recipient by a member of your group as our group leaders are prohibited from collecting cash for tips.

Emergency Fund: 
Please, make sure you have access to at least an additional USD200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (eg. a natural disaster) need a change to our planned tour. This is a rare occurrence! But you never know…

Departure Tax: 
USD18 International flights
USD7 Domestic flights

Optional activities:

Lima

City Tour USD15

All prices are in USD.

Laundry:

Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap.

Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts you  at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for Tierras Vivas travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The explotation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our group leader/local operators has the right to expel any member of the group/tour if drugs are found in their possession or they use prostitutes.

Travel Insurance: 
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a trip with us, you will not be permitted to join the tour until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader or local operator, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number, if you need more infortaion contanct us info@tierrasvivas.com

Safety:

We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. When travelling on a group trip, please note that your group leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Your leader will accompany you on all included activities. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your group leader will assist you with options available in a given location please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Although the cities visited on tour are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants, or during night time excursions.

Responsible Travel: 
Tierras Vivas has been responsible to offering low-impact tours that benefit traveller and host alike. We work with local communities, businesses and individuals to develop sustainable tourism opportunities that help local economies while minimizing negative environmental and cultural impacts.

Keeping in Touch: 
If you need to be contacted while travelling we recommend that you set up an email address that can be accessed on the road, rather than relying on postal mail. Ciber cafes are becoming increasingly commonplace and cheap throughout the regions we visit, and have quickly become the preferred way for our leaders and travellers to stay in touch. If someone wishes to contact you in an emergency while you are on one of our trips we recommend that they contact your local booking agent, or refer to our Emergency Contact.

AVAILABILITY & PRICES

Cost per pax USD 876

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