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In general you have the following forms of payment:
1. money transfer to a bank account in Peru
2. money transfer to a bank account in Germany
3. money transfer by Western Union
Unfortunately we don’t offer a payment by credit card on bookings by Internet.
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We neeed the following information:
- Name
- Adress
- E-mail adress
- Phonenumber
- Date of birth
- Number of passport and validity date
- Citizenship
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| We recommend you to conclude at least a travel health insurance. About rates and conditions please inform you at your insurance company or in the internet.
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Normally the airport taxes are not included in our programs and trips. If the airport tax is not included you have to settle it after checking in at the airport. The amount depends on the place and kind of flight.
In Peru it's approx. USD 6,- for each domestic flight and approx. USD 32,- for an international flight. In Nazca the airport tax is approx. 4,- USD for a flight over the Nazca Lines.
In Bolivia it's approx. USD 5,- for each domestic flight and approx. USD 25,- for international flights.
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| With some hiking and trekking tours, as well as climbing and sport excursions, you do need a good fitness. In some individual cases, you better contact us or our guides, or ask your doctor. This can prevent disappointments.
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For all of our trips we recommend you to bring for warm as well as for cold weather.
Most important:
- Passport
- Cash (USD or EURO, no traveler's checks)
- Credit or debit card
- Air tickets
- Copies of all personal documents
Clothing:
- Sweatshirts
- Fleece jacket
- Rain jacket
- Trousers or convertible pants
- Cargo shorts
- T-shirts
- Socks
- Underwear
- Hat or cap
- Hiking shoes
- Sandals
- Swimsuit
Others:
- Towel
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Daypack for short stays (e.g. Machu Picchu, jungle trip)
- Personal medical kit
- Adapter for flat connection 110V
- Flash light
- Insect repellent
- Sun blocker
- Sun glasses
- Vaccination record
- Small presents (pens, booklets, small toys etc.)
Trekking (e.g. Inca Trail, Salkantay, Ausangate, etc.):
- Sleeping bag
- Water bottle
- Water Purification Tablets
- etc. (more information in each trekking itinerary)
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Peru's official currency is the Nuevo Sol (S/.), divided into 100 centavos. The US dollar is the second currency and many hotels, plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars across Peru accept US dollars for payment. The Euro is not an official currency but can easily be used to be exchanged in USD or Soles. We recommend bringing USD or Euro cash for the first days.
Important: Only USD or Euro bank notes without cracks or missing pieces are accepted! So please make sure the bills you take with you or the bills you receive in Peru are flawless.
Banks are no longer the place of choice in Peru for exchanging money: Lines are too long and rates are often lower than at ‘casas de cambio’ (exchange houses) or by using credit or debit card ATMs or ‘cambistas’ (money-changers), which are legal in Peru.
In small towns, it could be impossible to cash traveler’s checks or use credit cards. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) are the best way of getting cash in Peru; they are found in most towns and cities. ATMs with the Maestro sign allow customers to withdraw money with a credit or debit card. Visa and MasterCard ATM cards are the most widely accepted. American Express and Diners Club are less common. You can easily pay with credit card in most of the stores in tourist cities. Note that many banks assess a 1% to 3% ‘transaction fee’ on all charges you incur abroad. Traveler's checks can be changed in the largest banks. Generally speaking you'll pay a service charge ranging from 1% to 4%. Most stores don’t accept traveler’s checks.
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| Please inform you at the Peruvian embassy/consulate in your country how the entry restrictions are for your citizenship or consult the government offical websites. You also can send us an e-mail to get more informations. As a tourist, you normally do not need a visa when you stay less than 6 months. Passports must be valid 6 months beyond intended stay.
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Prior to your trip to Peru, please refer to your doctor for the most up to date information about vaccinations.
No vaccinations are required unless you are planning to visit the Amazon. The following are the recommended vaccinations for Peru: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, typhus, hepatitis A/B, rabies. Most travelers receive inoculations for hepatitis A, typhus and tetanus. A yellow-fever vaccine is strongly recommended for trips to the Amazon (Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos). The vaccine is required for all travelers arriving from a yellow-fever-infected country in Africa or Latin America. The yellow-fever certificate is valid 10 days after vaccination and for a subsequent period of 10 years.
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| When your trip into the Andes is rationally organized, there is just a minimal risk to suffer on altitude sickness for a healthy person. Even a good recovery is possible. You should take enough time to acclimatize especially in Andean cities like Cusco 3,360m (11,023ft) or Puno 3,827m (12,556ft). We recommend avoiding physical efforts during the first few hours as well as alcohol. Try to eat light food and drink a lot of water, especially the local coca tea is recommended in case of altitude sickness. People with cardiovascular disease should not stay in an altitude over 2,000m.
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Peru’s climate can be divided into two seasons - wet and dry - though this can vary depending on the region. Temperature is mostly influenced by elevation: the higher you climb, the cooler it becomes.
Coast and close areas - Lima, Ica, Nasca, Arequipa
The coastal region of Peru is cool for its latitude and quite dry year-round. Temperatures are warmest during the summer months (December to March), with hot and humid days of around 29°C (84°F) and cool nights of just below 20°C (68°F). Winters (from April to November) are not too cold but extremely humid.
Highlands (Andes) - Cusco, Puno
The highlands have a rainy season (November to April) and a dry season (May to October), when the days are clear and sunny but very cold at night especially at altitude. Dry season is therefore ideal for trekking and for mountaineering. Daytime temperatures will generally be between 16°C- 21°C (60°F and 70°F), although in the intense sunlight of midday it can feel warmer. Night time temperatures will fall as low as -7°C (20°F).
Rainforest (Selva) - Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado
Although the Amazon jungle is consistently humid and tropical, with significant rainfall year-round, it, too, experiences two clearly different seasons. During the dry season (May to October), temperatures reach 30°C – 38°C (86°F and 100°F) during the day. From November to April, there are frequent rain showers (which last only a few hours at a time), causing the rivers to swell; temperatures are similarly steamy.
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| A tip in Peru, like in most of the countries in South America, is given to reward good service. Porters in hotels and airports expect one USD for 2 luggage pieces. A 5-10% tip is sufficient in most restaurants unless the service has been exceptional. There is no need to tip taxi drivers. Fares are negotiated before departure. It is customary to offer your tour guides and driver a token of appreciation at the tour’s end (of course if you feel pleased with the service).
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| Peru’s country code is +51. It is relatively simple to make local and international calls from pay phones or Internet-cafes which offer phone calls. Most phone booths display country and city codes and contain instructions in English and Spanish. Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. Almost in every town and hotel you'll find an Internet-Café to check your e-mail or stay in touch with the rest of the world.
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| There are numerous taxi providers in Lima and other cities who offer reservations by telephone or hotel. These taxis are safer and drivers may understand some English. Street taxis are cheaper but not that safe. In any case, due to the fact there are no taximeters you should negotiate the price in advance.
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| At stores and in open markets, bargaining -gentle, good-natured haggling over prices- is accepted and even expected. However, be careful of getting the haggling fever and trying to bargain beyond reason. Consider how important the one or two extra dollars are to you compared to how important they might be to the vendor. Bargaining is not common in restaurants.
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| All outlets are 220 volts, 60 cycles (except in Arequipa, which operates on 50 cycles) with two-prong outlets that accept both flat and round prongs. Some large hotels also have 110-volt outlets.
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| The standards for health and hygiene in the larger cities and touristy regions are relatively high. Nevertheless, travelers should drink only bottled water, which is widely available. Do not drink tap water, even in major hotels, and try to avoid drinks with ice. If you’re trekking in the mountains or visiting remote rural areas where bottled water is not available, boil water to purify it or use water-purification tablets. You are safer eating fruits that you can peel or salads and fruits washed with purified water, as well as foods that have been thoroughly cooked. Your best bet is to eat at clean restaurants and to avoid food vendors.
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The possibility of having a bad experience can be greatly reduced by taking a few simple precautions:
- Copy all important documents (passport, air tickets) and carry only copies with you
- Leave your valuables and important documents such as passport, international flight tickets, jewellery at the hotel, if possible in the safe. In case there is only one safe in the reception obtain a receipt with each item listed
- If necessary carry important documents and cash in a belt under your clothes
- Keep an eye and a hand on your things at all times. Be especially cautious in crowded places, especially at touristy places; rural areas are widely safe
- Remember that you are subject to the laws of Peru, and it is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with these laws before leaving. Drug trafficking is a serious crime. The export of cultural or artistic items from the country is not permitted
- Avoid walking alone in quiet areas or at night. Travel in a group if possible and tell somebody where you go if you are alone
- In case you get into trouble with authorities insist on seeing their identification
- Check your change and check the banknotes and coins. If necessary, ask for other change
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Bolivia’s official currency is the Boliviano, divided into 100 centavos. The US dollar is the second currency and many hotels, plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars in the main cities accept US dollars for payment. Euros are getting easier to change. We recommend bringing USD or Euro cash for the first days.
Important: Only USD or Euro bank notes without cracks or missing pieces are accepted! So please make sure the bills you take with you or the bills you receive in Bolivia are flawless.
When exchanging foreign currency in Bolivia, it's best to head to a ‘casa de cambio’ (currency-exchange offices). Some currency-exchange offices change traveler's checks as well but you'll get a worse exchange rate or they'll charge you en extra. When exchanging money, ask for the cash in small denominations, as change for larger notes is scarce outside big cities.
Automatic teller machines (ATMs) are the best way of getting cash in Bolivia; they are found in most cities, except in small towns such as Coroico, Sorata, and Copacabana. Most ATMs accept MasterCard and Visa credit cards and debit cards from Cirrus and PLUS networks; however, they can’t deal with PINs that are more than four digits. If you are traveling with travelers’ checks, your best bet is to cash them at a ‘casa de cambio’. Most stores don’t accept travelers’ checks.
MasterCard and Visa are accepted most everywhere in Bolivia. American Express is less common, but it’s still widely accepted.
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| Please inform you at the Bolivian embassy/consulate in your country how the entry restrictions are for your citizenship or consult the government offical websites. You also can send us an e-mail to get more informations. As a tourist, you normally do not need a visa when you stay less than 3 months. US citizens need a visa to enter the country. Passports must be valid 6 months beyond intended stay.
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Prior to your trip to Bolivia, please refer to your doctor for the most up to date information about vaccinations.
No vaccinations are required unless you are planning to visit the Amazon. The following are the recommended vaccinations for Bolivia: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, typhus, hepatitis A/B, rabies. Most travelers receive inoculations for hepatitis A, typhus and tetanus. A yellow-fever vaccine is strongly recommended for trips to the Amazon (Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos). The vaccine is required for all travelers arriving from a yellow-fever-infected country in Africa or Latin America. The yellow-fever certificate is valid 10 days after vaccination and for a subsequent period of 10 years.
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| Altitude sickness is the most common complaint in Bolivia with much of the country lying above 3,050 m (10,000 ft). This is particularly relevant to diabetics, those with headert complaints or chest problems, who should seek advice before travelling to Bolivia. We recommend avoiding physical efforts during the first few hours as well as alcohol. Try to eat light food and drink a lot of water, especially the local coca tea is recommended in case of altitude sickness. People with cardiovascular disease should not stay in an altitude over 2,000m.
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| The climate of Bolivia is typical of a high altitude location, with contrasting cold nights and warm days. Temperatures get down to freezing on winter nights. La Paz has an average daytime high of 14°C (57°F) and an average night time low of 1°C (34°F). Warmer clothing is necessary at night, and particularly in the Altiplano and the Puna, including La Paz, Oruro, Potosi and Uyuni. Santa Cruz has a tropical climate, although it can get chilly from June through September. Cochabamba has a pleasant spring like climate year-round. The rainy season lasts from November to March (summer months) and is longer in the north.
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| A tip in Bolivia, like in most of the countries in South America, is given to reward good service. Porters in hotels and airports expect one USD for 2 luggage pieces. A 5-10% tip is sufficient in most restaurants unless the service has been exceptional. There is no need to tip taxi drivers. Fares are negotiated before departure. It is customary to offer your tour guides and driver a token of appreciation at the tour’s end (of course if you feel pleased with the service).
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| The international access code for Bolivia is +591. It is relatively simple to make local and international calls from pay phones or Internet-cafes which offer phone calls. Most phone booths display country and city codes and contain instructions in English and Spanish. Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. Almost in every town and hotel you'll find an Internet-Café to check your e-mail or stay in touch with the rest of the world.
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| There are numerous taxi providers in La Paz and other cities who offer reservations by telephone or hotel. These taxis are safer and drivers may understand some English. Street taxis are cheaper but not that safe. In any case, due to the fact there are no taximeters you should negotiate the price in advance.
|
|
|
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| At stores and in open markets, bargaining -gentle, good-natured haggling over prices- is accepted and even expected. However, be careful of getting the haggling fever and trying to bargain beyond reason. Consider how important the one or two extra dollars are to you compared to how important they might be to the vendor. Bargaining is not common in restaurants.
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| All outlets are 110/220 Volts AC in La Paz and 220 Volts 50 Hz in the rest of the country. Ask the hotel to be sure of the voltage. Both flat and round two-pin plugs are used.
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| The standards for health and hygiene in the larger cities and touristy regions are relatively high. Nevertheless, travelers should drink only bottled water, which is widely available. Do not drink tap water, even in major hotels, and try to avoid drinks with ice. If you’re trekking in the mountains or visiting remote rural areas where bottled water is not available, boil water to purify it or use water-purification tablets. You are safer eating fruits that you can peel or salads and fruits washed with purified water, as well as foods that have been thoroughly cooked. Your best bet is to eat at clean restaurants and to avoid food vendors.
|
|
|
|
The possibility of having a bad experience can be greatly reduced by taking a few simple precautions:
- Copy all important documents (passport, air tickets) and carry only copies with you
- Leave your valuables and important documents such as passport, international flight tickets, jewellery at the hotel, if possible in the safe. In case there is only one safe in the reception obtain a receipt with each item listed
- If necessary carry important documents and cash in a belt under your clothes
- Keep an eye and a hand on your things at all times. Be especially cautious in crowded places, especially at touristy places; rural areas are widely safe
- Remember that you are subject to the laws of Peru, and it is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with these laws before leaving. Drug trafficking is a serious crime. The export of cultural or artistic items from the country is not permitted
- Avoid walking alone in quiet areas or at night. Travel in a group if possible and tell somebody where you go if you are alone
- In case you get into trouble with authorities insist on seeing their identification
- Check your change and check the banknotes and coins. If necessary, ask for other change
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