Entry requirements:

A valid passport is required to enter Peru.  Visas are not required for visitors from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and most European countries. It is the passenger’s responsibility to check with local immigration offices or the Ecuadorian consulate prior to departure to determine if a visa is necessary. For more information, visit www.rree.gob.pe

Electric Power:  220 volts.
Most 4-5 star hotels provide 110 volt electric current

Currency:  Nuevo Sol
To find out the current exchange rate, please visit www.expedia.msn.com
It is recommended that money be exchanged in hotels. Banks charge a higher commission.

Language:  Spanish and Quechua are the official languages in Peru

Festivities Calendar (Cuzco & surrounding areas):
Jan 01 – Entrega de Varos
Easter Monday – Senor de los Temblores
May 05 – Fiesta de las Cruces
June 24 – Inti Raymi Festival of the Sun
Various – Corpus Christi (movable feast)
Dec 24 – Santuaranticuy (Sale of Saints)

Climate in the highlands (Cuzco and Machu Picchu):
Summer is May to October with sunny days, very cold nights and hardly any rain.
December to March is the rainy season with temperatures that average 68 degrees F.
The dry season, although cooler with sharp temperature changes (between 35-68 degrees
F) is the preferred time to visit

Climate in the coast (Lima):
Summer is December to March with temperatures reaching 80 degrees F and Winter is May to October which is humid and cold, with temperatures dropping to 53 degrees F.  Although it hardly rains, fog and drizzle (garua) are common in the winter.

What to pack:
Dress in layers so that you can be cool during the day and warmer in the evenings
Cotton shirts, khaki pants, fleece jacket or vest, sunscreen and hat
Rain poncho or umbrella, day pack, water bottle

Altitude sickness:
Cuzco lies at 3360 meters or 11,020 feet; Sacred Valley lies at 2900 meters or 9512 feet.
Altitude sickness or soroche is something to be wary of. Rest and light food with plenty of
Fluids avoiding alcohol and tobacco is recommended for the first day of your visit. Drink
plenty of coca tea (mate de coca) to eliviate symptoms (headache, dizziness, fatigue).

Peruvian cuisine:
Typical from the Coast
Ceviche – bite size pieces of raw fish marinated in lemon juice, onion and aji chili pepper garnished with corn on the cob and sweet potato.
Escabeche – a cold dish of fried fish or chicken marinated in vinegar and steamed with onion
Causa limena rellena – a cold dish of thickly mashed yellow potatoes seasoned with aji chili pepper and lemon and stuffed with tuna fish, chicken or vegetables
Aji de gallina – diced chicken in a thick sauce of milk, cheese, aji chili pepper and nuts
Lomo saltado – sliced beef sautéed with onion and tomato, mixed in with fried potatoes

Typical from the highlands:
Lawa – fresh maize and bean soup a
Chicharron con mote – pork fritters and fresh maize
Chiriuchu – roast chicken or guinea pig, accompanied with an omelette of toasted corn, flour, cheese, sale=dried meat, rocoto chilli pepper and algae
White cheese – Cuzco is famous for their round, white cheese which is salty and very tastey when served with the maize cob.

Recommended restaurants:

LIMA
Chez Wong, Enrique Leon Garcia, 470-6217
Inside a house with no menu, ceviche, depends on chef’s whim and catch of the day
El Rincon que no Conoces, Bernardo Alcedo 363, 471-2171
African and Spanish-influenced criollo cooking
Fiesta, Ave. Reducto 1278; 242-9009
Destinctive dishes from north Peru’s Moche civilization
La Mar, Ave La Mar 770, 421-3365
Acuario’s ceviche resruarant and cured fish dishes.
Astrid y Gaston, Calle Cantuarias 175; 242-5387
Gaston Acuario’s modern Peruvian spot with remarkable fusion dishes

Regional Liquors: 
Pisco – a grape brandy distilled from Peruvian varieties of grape. Pisco is part of Peru’s history and has helped to forge the nation’s identity. It was declared a national heritage in 1995 and is the basis for the pisco sour, Peru’s signature cocktail.

Photography:
It is strictly forbidden to take photographs of airports, military bases or police stations. In some churches, cathedrals and museums, the use of photo or video cameras is forbidden.

Useful links:
www.longitudebooks.com
www.peru.org.pe
www.weather.com
www.perutravelnet.com

terms and conditions

Deposits: A deposit of $200 is required at the time of booking.

Final Payment: Due 60 days prior to departure.

Cancellations: Cancellations must be received no later than 60 days prior to departure to avoid penalties, except for a service charge of $50 per person. Cancellations made 59-30 days prior to departure incur a penalty of 50% of the total fare. Cancellations made 29-0 days prior to departure are under full penalty.

For groups (10 or more), cancellations must be received no later than 120 days prior to departure. Cancellations made between 119-60 days prior to departure have a service charge of $50 per person. Cancellations made between 59-30 days prior to departure incur a penalty of 50% of the total fare. Cancellations made 29-0 days prior to departure are under full penalty.

Responsibility: Ecoventura and its agents act only as agents for the various companies over whose line tickets are issued and where facilities are sold. Ecoventura and its agents assume no responsibility or liability in connection with the services of transportation so provided. Ecoventura and its agents will not be responsible for any act, error or omission, or for any injury, loss, accident, schedule change, delay or cancellation or any irregularity which may be occasioned by reason of any defect in any vehicle or through neglect or default of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger, including but not limited to air or ground transportation or for any hotel accommodation, or for any other persons engaged in carrying out the purpose for which tickets or coupons are issued. The passage contract in use by the airlines concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sold contract between the airline and the purchaser of these tours and/or passenger. The passenger will look solely to the respective owners or operators of such services for any damages that may arise. In the event it becomes necessary or advisable for the comfort or well being of passengers or for any reason whatsoever, to alter itineraries or arrangements, such alterations will be without penalty to the operators. Additional expenses, if any shall be borne by the passengers; conversely, refund will be made to the passengers if any savings is affected thereby. The right is reserved to withdraw any and all tours should conditions warrant, also to decline to accept or retain any passengers as members of the tours. In such instances, full or equitable amount will be refunded.