Peru Travel FAQs

Most places in Cusco where you would do any shopping are able to take credit cards or USD. That being said, there are some vendors that only take the local currency, Peruvian Nuevo Sol (known simply as the sol). You can exchange money ahead of time at a bank/currency exchange center in the US, the airport or in the country. There are also ATM's in Cusco. Please be sure to give yourself enough time to contact your bank/currency center in the US as they sometimes need 2-3 days to order it. If you plan to use a credit card in Peru, we recommend contacting your cc company to notify them of travel and to also inquire about any international transaction fee's.

Flights are done independtly. We just ask that everyone arrives to Cusco, Peru no later than 5 PM for a 6 PM dinner and orientation with the BTM trip director. Earlier flights will have the opportunity to independtly explore Cusco and to relax before departing for the trek the following day.

Once your flight is booked, we ask that you send the confirmation and itinerary to info@beyondthemap.org so that we can track the flight.

The trip is designed to be challenging yet enjoyable for the traveler. The activities are meant to provide growth and learning opportunities. Some activities are very easy and consist of walking at most, while others require both mental and physical strength. We have taken travelers of all abilitiy and fitness levels to Peru and each one of them were able to complete and enjoy the activities. We always say, anyone can do it as long as they have an open mind and adventurous spirit!

Altitude is a consideration at Machu Picchu, Cusco, and Lake Titicaca - learn all about it here.

The effects of being at altitude vary from person to person. Altitudes on our Peru trips are significant but not extreme. You will almost certainly notice shortness of breath when you arrive, particularly when walking uphill – there’s simply less oxygen! Other typical effects are:

• Sleep disruption – strange dreams, insomnia

• Headache

• Light-headedness

• Stomach disruption (caused by slower digestion)

• Dehydration

These symptoms almost invariably disappear after a couple of days, so we recommend getting here a couple of days before the trip if you can, so you’re acclimatised by the time you start exercising.

The best things you can do to acclimatise are:

• Keep hydrated

• Avoid alcohol (it dehydrates you)

• Eat lightly (digestion slows down at altitude)

• Don’t push yourself physically too soon

About one percent of people experience severe headaches and nausea. Again, this generally fades within a few days.

If you have, or have recently had, a respiratory complaint (even a cough) when you arrive, please let us know so we can keep an extra eye on you. The biggest danger with altitude is that it is possible to push a struggling respiratory system too hard and end up with pulmonary oedema, a serious condition that requires evacuation to sea level. We’ve never had to evacuate anyone from a trip.

If you’d like to do more background reading internet about altitude and acclimatisation, there’s plenty of information on the internet, or feel free to ask us any questions.

No tourist visa is required for citizens of countries in the EU, North & South America, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the Caribbean, Norway, Switzerland, South Africa, Iceland, Andorra or Liechtenstein. On entry to Peru you will be issued with a tourist visa that is valid from 90 to 180 days. There’s no need to organize anything in advance. All citizens of countries NOT listed above are required to obtain a travel visa from the appropriate Peruvian consular representative before arrival in Peru. All travelers to Peru need a passport valid for at least 90 days beyond leaving Peru. However, we strongly recommend traveling with six months validity on your passport at all times. Most destinations, including Peru, require that you have adequate unused pages in your passport, allowing space for any necessary stamps upon arrival and departure. We recommend that you have at least two free pages in the visas section of your passport before any international travel.

Peru is internationally recognized for its top-notch medical services, both public and private, thanks to its wealth of skilled surgeons and state-of-the-art facilities. For minor aches and pains, visit a local pharmacy. All pharmacies are required to have a licensed pharmacist on staff, and they can diagnose certain ailments and prescribe medication on the spot.

While hiking, our guides are fully trained and certified with first-aid and CPR training.

We will be traveling throughout various landscapes in the country. From lower elevation valleys to towering, snow-capped peaks! Because of that, weather can vary depending on the location throughout the trip. Dry season is May to October while rainy season: November to April. Also note that Peru is located in the Southern Hemisphere, so wintertime in the United States is summertime in Peru, and vice versa.

Please visit this link for more details: https://www.whereverwriter.com/weather-in-cusco-peru/

Your BTM trip director will review the weather during your specific trip. Please check the weather in Cusco at least a week before the trip for current conditions. We will also notify the group of current weather conditions just before the trip.

There will be some nights where the accommodations will have wifi and then some nights where we will not. If the cell phone has an international plan, then there will be more opportunities for contact. While hiking, cell phone reception is limited, even for those with international plans. We encourage everyone to disconnect from electronic devices on this trip to enhance their experience. The Beyond the Map director has emergency contact devices should communication be needed in remote loactions.