We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
Accordingly, you should allow US$45 for tipping.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
Bolivia |
Peru |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
$0.90 |
$2.00 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
$0.90 |
$2.00 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
$0.90 |
$1.60 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
$2.00 |
$2.50 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
$7.00 |
$13.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
$11.50 |
$20.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
$13.00 |
$13.00 |
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
|
|
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Visa Requirements
Peru: No visa is required for citizens of UK, CAN, USA, AUS and NZ. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
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Bolivia: No visa is required by UK, CAN, AUS and NZ citizens. US citizens require a visa to visit Bolivia.
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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Vaccinations & Protection
We recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, polio, infectious hepatitis and malaria. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria.
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A yellow fever vaccination is recommended for the Amazon extension. Please bring the certificate with you.
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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Altitude
The trip may be taken by almost anyone who enjoys good health and a good level of fitness. There are 2 days of moderate trekking where the altitude is 3962m – the realm of thin, cold, dry air. There is also an optional walk on Day 3 up to 5420m if you feel fit enough. We acclimatise slowly.
Insurance: Please ensure that your insurance policy covers you to the altitude indicated before you come on tour. If you have Explore insurance, you will be covered to this altitude.
Medical Examination: You should visit your GP and specifically mention the maximum altitude the trek reaches, i.e. 3962m/13,000’.
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Climate
Bear in mind that at high altitude temperatures can drop dramatically, and conditions can change suddenly.
Inland: Hot and humid from October to March (summer). Mild to hot from April to September (winter).
Highlands: All year, sunny days, very cold nights. Rainy December to March. Mainly dry the rest of the year - the best time for mountain travel.
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Amazon: Rainfall is between 152cm to 203cm per year, mostly December-March, so humidity is relatively high. Even on the equator the average temperature is not more than 27°C, the highest recorded only 36°C.
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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
One main piece of luggage, a good sized daypack and a small bag to contain clothing for the three nights at Lake Titicaca (your main luggage will be left in Copacabana). Whilst trekking, our luggage for the Inca Pilgrim Way will be carried for us, but your daypack should be large enough to carry warm and waterproof clothing as weather can be quite changeable.Total allowance: 44lb/ 20kg. Remember not to overload yourself.
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Trek Kit Bag
For an exclusively designed Explore Trek Bag, follow the relevant link at www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Clothing
The highlands of Bolivia have dry sunny days but extremely cold nights so thermal underwear, a well-insulated fleece/jacket and a thick sweater are essential. Bring a warm hat and gloves as the Island of the Sun can be especially cold during June and July. Bring something warm to sleep in. A light raincoat is recommended. A sun hat and sunglasses are advisable as is high factor sunscreen, due to the thinness of the atmosphere. Bring a swimming costume for the thermal baths at Aguas Calientes.
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Footwear
Comfortable lightweight walking/trekking boots, trainers and sandals.
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Equipment
Bring a torch.
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Personal First Aid Kit
For an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
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General Information
Please note:
Please note that to purchase Inca Trail passes we require full passport details at the time of booking. Failure to provide this information at this time may prevent you from getting a place on the tour. Any changes to the passport details after booking must be notified immediately with a photocopy of the changes/new passport. Details can not be changed on Inca Trail passes, so if passport details change then a new one must be purchased - this will be charged to you.
In the event that there are no passes left, it will not be possible for you to take part in the one-day trek along the Inca Trail from KM104 to Machu Picchu. Explore does not accept any responsibility for any extra costs incurred by clients who do not heed this information.
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General Information
Strikes, rallies and road-blocks are quite common forms of protest in Peru. While we have excellent resources in place to minimise any disruption to the tour, occasionally we have to make changes to our planned route and/or itinerary.
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Electric Supply & Plugs
For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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