Important Note:
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 12
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: 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.
Hotel 3 star (12 nights), Homestay (01 night)
Joining Hotel:
The following hotel will be use in Lima. Please refer to your travel vouchers
for your hotel details.
Lima
Starting Hotel
Colonial Hotel ***
Address: 310 Comandante Espinar Av, Miraflores
Phone: + 51 01 241 7471
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, 1 Dinner
Please note breakfasts are often simple (bread, butter, jam, coffee/tea and
juice would be most common).
Transport:
Plane, train, local bus
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:
USD 31 International flights
USD 4 Domestic flights
Optional activities:
Lima
City Tour USD15
Cusco City Tour USD 10
Valle Sur USD 75
Horses back riding: USD 30
Maras & Moray USD 75
Rafting USD 40
Puno
Sillustani
USD 10
Ruta Aymara USD 30
Arequipa
City Tour USD 17
Country Side-Bike USD 14
Yura USD 30.
Chiguata USD 30
Misti down hill mountain biking USD 22.
Toro Muerto Tour USD 30
Salinas Tour USD 40
Rafting Chili river USD 30
Rafting Majes river USD 35
Rafting Colca River USD 35
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
A Couple of Rules: 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
Departure guarantee all year round, Please contact us for more
information: info@tierrasvivas.com
Cost per pax USD 1080
+
Local Payment: USD 600
Local payment
Most of our adventure trips involve a local payment.
This amount is the final payment for your tour. Paying locally facilitates the
flow of funds into countries that we travel through and also helps to reduce
the overall price of the tour, allowing us to keep our tours at a
competitive price, passing our costs savings on to you.
*Rates can be modified without notice and upon availability at the moment
of the booking*
Feedback:
After your travels, we want to hear from you!
Your feedback information is so important to us.
Newsletter:
Our adventure travel e-newsletter is full of
travel news, trip information, interesting stories and contests.
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Tierras Vivas comes to diffusing without profit helping porters families and the communities of Pilcobamba and Rallan located in the Cusco, Peru.
The project starts when we really realize that ... 
The HUHT (Help Us to Help Them) Project is for people interested in helping the Cacacoyoc community by purchasing their products made by themselves.
These products made by the Cacacoyoc ... 
Our hike to Macchu Picchu with Tierras Viva was a breathtaking experience far beyond an ordinary tour. Hiking five days through undescovered valleys and highlands down into the colorful jungle area and being the only tourists on the way, we experienced the magical natural beauty of the Andes from a different perspective. Meeting Andean people, sharing stories and quechua ...
We chose to go on the Lares trail, since I wanted something a little less touristy than the Inca Trail. We walked into the nearest tour agency, Tierras Vivas, and were lucky enough to book a trip with them a few days later. The manager, Edwin, was very warm and thorough in his explanation of our trip and the ...
"Tierras Vivas provided an expedition which exceeded my greatest expectations. We took the a road less traveled which gave us access to to spectacular Inca ruins in way we could never have dreamed of - our group had the ruins all to themselves. We heard that the famed Inca trail supports a constant flow of sight-seers, but for five ...
Visit Peru it is an incredible experience, even more if you have the chance to visit the main places, such as the archeological sites in Cusco, the highest sailing lake in the world in Puno and its cultures, and one of the deepest canions in the world in Arequipa
