How to best prepare for a journey to the Andes

What do I need to know when booking a flight to Peru?

Check that your passport is valid and up to date. It is required to have a passport that is valid for 6-months or more to enter Peru.

There are many options available as far as arrival & departure cities. We will discuss options in detail during you Discovery Call to ensure that we choose the flight plan best meets you needs.

What if I come early & where would I stay?

Some participants prefer to arrive a day or two early to rest, acclimate and avoid unforeseen travel delays. We are happy to give you hotel suggestions for either Cusco or in the Sacred Valley.

We can arrange for your pick-up and transfer from the airport to your hotel if you decide to arrive early. Transport is free if you choose to stay in Cusco, however, it’s an additional cost of $60 if you choose to be transported down to the Sacred Valley.

What type of travel insurance should I get?

Here are some suggested websites to determine what insurance best meets your individual needs:

www.worldtrips.com

www.worldnomads.com

www.allianztravelinsurance.com

Can I use my cell phone in Peru?

Contact your phone carrier to review international calling plans. Some folks choose to turn cellular data off while in Peru and just use WIFI to communicate with loved ones via iMessages, FaceTime or other apps such as WhatsApp. Please note that there will be some days when we will be ‘off the grid’ and will not have WIFI access.

What are some tips for acclimating to the higher altitude?

We want you to feel your absolute best while on the journey. We will be in altitudes varying from 6600 ft. - 13,000 ft. Here are some suggestions to help you maintain a vibrant state of health and wellbeing:

• Symptoms of altitude sickness can occur a few hours after arrival and include: headache, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, fast heart rate.

• Drink a lot of water and stay well hydrated while traveling on airplane and while in Peru

• Take homeopathic remedy for jet lag (arnica has been shown to help with jet lag)

• Rest as much as possible upon arrival -  sit, lie down, nap, read a book - essentially be horizontal as much as possible to help your cardiovascular system adjust to decreased oxygen levels. Limit your exercise/walking when you first arrive (especially up stairs or steep inclines)

• Drink coca leaf tea upon arrival; continue to drink it daily. Be sure to avoid drinking it after 5PM so you can get a good night’s sleep

• Start taking a chlorophyll supplement like ChorOxygen 1-2 weeks before arrival; continue to take it while in Peru to help build red blood cells

• Talk to your doctor about altitude sickness medication that is available with a prescription

• Add electrolytes to your water to help your body absorb water

• For motion sickness, bring ginger candies or other meds to help reduce nausea while traveling on shuttles, trains and buses

• Do not drink the tap water in Peru. Hotels & restaurants will have purified water to drink. Bottled water is available as well. Brushing teeth with bottled water is suggested to avoid ingestion

What is the $$ exchange rate in Peru?

You can bring US$ cash and exchange it upon arrival. Additionally, you can use debit cards at local ATMs to withdraw either Soles or US Dollars.

Alert your credit card company and bank that you will be traveling out of the country to ensure that you can use your cards freely to purchase goods and services. Having cash on hand is a good idea as some street vendors do not accept credit cards.