·  Official Languages: Spanish and Quechua
·  Population: approx. 27 million
·  Geographic Area: 1,285,220 sq. km (twice the size of Texas or France)
·  Capital: Lima - founded January 18, 1535
·  Predominant Religion: Roman Catholicism
·  Weights & Measures: Metric system
·  Electric Voltage: 220 volts, 60 cycles

Visas: Upon entering Peru, all travelers must fill-out an entry form in duplicate. The original stays with immigration; the duplicate is given to the visitor and must be given back upon departure. Don't lose it - it'll cost $10 to replace it. Usually tourists are given a 90 days visa. Extensions are easily obtained (check with the nearest Immigration office). It's recommended that you leave your passport* and tourist card in the hotel safe and travel locally with photocopies. Note – new Machu Picchu Park regulations state that you must carry your original passport on the Inca Trail Trek.

Health Issues: Before traveling to Peru, obtain an adequate travelers’ health insurance and consult your physician about necessary immunizations such as polio, tetanus and hepatitis A. Yellow fever shots are mandatory for visiting jungle areas. Cholera vaccinations are not necessary. Again, consult your personal physician or a tropical medicine clinic before traveling. Major cities in Peru have doctors who speak English and other Foreigner languages. There are also many private clinics. Before arrival, Alexa’s Cusco Trek must know about any medical restrictions and/or medications you may need. Travelers with heart conditions, respiratory problems or high blood pressure must consult their doctors before traveling to the Andes as the cities of Cusco and Puno are located at altitudes over 3,200mt-10,500ft. We recommend that each traveler bring his or her own basic medical kit.

Water: Drinking tap water is not so much advisable in Peru. Bottled mineral water is available almost everywhere (hotels, small shops, etc.) at very affordable prices. 3-4 liters of water are enough to avoid dehydration, a real problem in high altitude local sites like Cusco or at the Lake Titicaca region. On mostly of the treks, we boil water in addition to providing purification tablets.

Currency: In 1991, the Peruvian government introduced the "Nuevo Sol". There are 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10 notes in addition to of 5, 2 and 1 sol coins. There are also coins of 50, 20 and 10 cents.
As of July 2006, the exchange rate was approx. 1 US Dollar = 3.2 Nuevos Soles, and 1 Euro = 4 Nuevos Soles. We recommend changing money (cash or travelers' checks) in hotels or with the help of your guide. Changing money in the street is common but a little risky (beware of false coins and bills). Banks or "casas de cambio" (exchange houses) are the better choice. Important note: old or damaged US bills (i.e. a very slight tear) either won't be accepted or will be exchanged at a lower rate. When exchanging cash be sure to have crisp, new bills. Always bring bills of various denominations.

Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, Diners and American Express are accepted in Peru's major cities. Many small towns and tourist locations also accept them. ATM cards can now be used in the main city locations: airports, bank machines and shopping centers. The main banking systems are: Visa/Plus, MasterCard/Cirrus. It's possible to obtain Nuevos Soles (and sometimes dollars) using your bank debit card. There's always a service charge when you use credit and ATM cards. In case of loss or theft, don't forget to have your bank's telephone number to cancel the card.

Taxes: Prices of mostly of goods and services include a 19% national tax (airline tickets included). In almost all restaurants there is a 10% service charge. The custom of tipping, especially in really nice restaurants. Tax for international flights is $30 and $6 for each domestic flights and can be paid in soles or dollars at airport banks.

Is it safe to travel to and in Peru?

The answer is yes. The international press sometimes reports (with accompanying video footage) public demonstrations, usually against new government policies. These incidents are localized (usually in Lima) and are generally non-violent. The average tourist is unaffected. The only inconvenience one may experience is the occasional one-day transit stoppage (“paro”). This phenomenon is endemic to almost all of South America. As to street crime, common sense should be exercised when traveling in large urban areas. This is true whether it may be in Lima, New York or London.
What about food and water?

Peruvian cuisine is a real delight. The country is divided into three very distinct geographic zones (coast, mountain and jungle) with their own culinary traditions. All should be tried and enjoyed. All throughout Peru are numerous street vendors cooking various dishes; caution is the watchword here. The average “gringo” stomach probably isn’t up to this sort of adventure. When in doubt, go without. Tap water should be avoided. This is no problem as bottled mineral water (with and without gas) is available virtually everywhere for a very reasonable price.
What should I bring?

Everyone has their personal style as far as traveling goes. For a general idea, we’ve compiled a basic list (several actually, depending on where you plan to go – check them out). Note: Internet cafés are found just about everywhere in Peru. So, unless you’re hopelessly addicted to your laptop hahaha
What about health - vaccinations, medications etc, - ?

On our “About Peru” page (above) you should find answers to all questions pertaining to health. If you still have questions, please feel free to e-mail us about specific issues. Also, there are numerous publications (usually free) dealing with South American health issues. It’s always wise to consult your private physician or local health services before an overseas trip.
What should I do to be prepared for my trip?

Alexa’s Cusco Trek offers a wide variety of adventures ranging from easy treks to arduous climbs and demanding river runs, so some physical training is recommended. It also must be kept in mind that Cusco’s altitude is higher than most mountain peaks in North America and Europe. Travelers with respiratory difficulties should consult their personal physicians.