FAQ

Question 1

Passport & visa requirements

Accepted Answer

* In order to enter Peru, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
* We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
* Upon arrival in Peru, you will receive an Andean Immigration card that you will need to present when visiting Machu Picchu. In order to secure your entrance to Machu Picchu, travelers are required to confirm their full passport details with Go Ahead Tours no later than 45 days prior to your departure date.
* There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
* If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Question 2

Tour pace

Accepted Answer

* You will walk for about 3 hours daily across moderately uneven terrain, including rocky ground and unpaved or slippery trails, at high altitudes.
* Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
* You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of trains (and ferries on the tour extension).
* If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Question 3

Transportation & arrival information

Accepted Answer

*   Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Lima. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you after you clear customs in Lima. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
*   Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
*   A round-trip flight between Lima and Cuzco is included in the price of your tour. (The tour extension also includes round-trip flights between Lima and Iquitos, in the northern Amazon).
*   All other included transportation on this tour is by PeruRail and private motor coach.

Question 4

Baggage allowance

Accepted Answer

* Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
* Contact your airline for detailed information regarding baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
* One carry-on bag is also permitted, provided that it does not exceed 45 total inches (length + width + height).
* Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
* You will need a small overnight bag (such as your carry-on bag) for your stay in Machu Picchu, as most baggage will need to be stored in Cuzco. The overnight bag must be smaller than 62 inches total (length + width + height). 
* When visiting Machu Picchu, there are restrictions in place for backpacks, food, umbrellas, and camera tripods.

Question 5

Clothing & packing tips

Accepted Answer

*   We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered. Comfortable, casual clothing and a sturdy pair of walking shoes are a must for sightseeing.
*   A lightweight jacket is recommended, as the temperatures will change with the elevation throughout your tour.
*   A sun hat, sunglasses, and rain gear will help you stay comfortable in all types of weather.
*   Long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and insect repellent are recommended for some activities, especially in the Amazon on the tour extension.
*   Binoculars are handy for a closer look at local wildlife and scenery.
*   A small bottle of hand sanitizer may be helpful when other facilities are not readily available while on the road.
*   You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
*   It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Question 6

Health

Accepted Answer

*   At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at[cdc.gov](https://www.cdc.gov).
*   Please be aware that you will be traveling at altitudes as high as 12,000 feet above sea level. These high altitudes can sometimes cause difficulties for travelers who have heart problems or respiratory ailments. If you suffer from any of these conditions, please speak to your healthcare provider regarding any potential health risks.
*   Even healthy travelers may sometimes experience altitude sickness, a temporary condition featuring symptoms of headache, fatigue, nausea, and light-headedness. Until your body acclimates to the higher altitudes, we suggest that you stay hydrated and limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol.
*   Take proper care with sun exposure, as the sun can be especially strong in some of the regions on this tour.
*   Drink bottled water only. Refrain from ingesting tap water, including when brushing your teeth.
*   Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they’re cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
*   If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays encountered.
*   If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Question 7

Cuisine

Accepted Answer

*   Peruvian cuisine reflects both the country’s indigenous cultures as well as European colonial and Pacific Rim influences. Staples include grains, like quinoa, maize, and rice, as well beans, potatoes, and meat. Ceviche, traditionally raw sea bass marinated with lime and chilies, is a national dish. Adventurous eaters may want to try cuy, or roasted guinea pig that’s cooked over an open fire. You can also raise a toast with Peru’s famous pisco, the delicious (and sour) white-grape brandy.

Question 8

Electricity & air conditioning

Accepted Answer

*   Peru operates on 220 volts and uses Types A or C plugs with two flat pins or two round pins, respectively.
*   We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
*   The strength of the air conditioning in some hotels in this region may not be as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
*   Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Question 9

Connectivity

Accepted Answer

*   Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply. In more remote locations, internet access may be limited and is not guaranteed.
*   There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches
*   Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Question 10

Time zones

Accepted Answer

*   Peru is five hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), the same as Eastern Time (ET). Peru does not observe daylight saving time.
*   On the tour extension, Iquitos is 1 hour behind ET.
*   When it’s noon in New York City, it’s noon in Peru from November through March and 11am from April through October.

Question 11

Currency

Accepted Answer

*   You will use the Peruvian sol in Peru.
*   Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
*   We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
*   You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
*   Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
*   International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Question 12

Tipping

Accepted Answer

*   At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
*   We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
*   If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
*   Tips can only be paid in cash.

Question 13

Purchasing excursions on tour

Accepted Answer

*   Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
*   Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
*   Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
*   Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.
International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to our website for Terms & Conditions, dates, and prices.

Ancient Peru & Machu Picchu

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