What kind of trips do you propose?

Peru is a linguistically and culturally diverse country oriented to the interest of a traveler motivated by culture, adventure tourism and nature traveling in groups of friends, couples, families or alone.

Culture: A trip oriented towards culture, history, art, architecture, religion, archeology, local gastronomy and visits to historical sites and monuments (includes some very short hikes).

Adventure and Nature: An adventure oriented to trekking activities, soft trekking and tours, landscape circuits to discover valleys and high Andean mountains of the Andes, local eco-foodie gastronomy in open spaces and admire the flora and fauna. Visits to historical monuments and natural parks.

Cultural and rural community immersion: In alliance with the Huaca Wasi / Misminay / Willoc communities, we promote the development of competitive, sustainable and differentiated tourism, contributing to the diversification of the national tourism offer and the socio-economic development of the communities involved.

In that sense, Explorandino and its partners develop trekking activities, transmit their customs and traditions of how to cultivate creative thinking and imagination of their own experiences that will be revealed through myths and stories. An adventure of sharing experiences between the local culture and the visitor, local gastronomy, exhibition of their products and handicrafts, lodging in rustic dwellings and the chance to participate in community activities or campaigns.

What level of physical condition do you recommend to enjoy a trip in Peru?

The requirement of physical commitment is one of the most important to recommend a trip tailored to your needs. These measures are evaluated according to the tourist activities, hours of walking, slopes, terrain, transportation, climate, elevation, isolation and seasons of the year. Elements to take into account when choosing the travel circuit that best suits your physical condition, and as far as possible to form homogeneous groups.

When recommending a trip we suggest being sincere about your physical conditions or preparing yourself consciously (physically and mentally) based on the challenges and challenges that a tourist activity brings. Our scale of difficulty is considered in 3 levels:

• Quiet or Easy I: These trips are oriented towards the local culture combined with some very short hikes (visits to historical monuments of 1h to 4h approximately) and the use of comfortable transports (routes with different slopes in the Andes mountain range). The easy level of difficulty is adapted to any type of person accustomed to relaxed walking and previous acclimatization stage.
• Moderate II: A group of regular hikers passionate about trekking, soft trekking and tours. In these itineraries the hikes are longer (5h to 6h on average per day), with steeper slopes of 400 m to 700 m of accessible trails in mountainous terrain, requiring a greater physical commitment to better enjoy the hike and visits to the archaeological sites. In some phases with warm, cold or changing weather, we recommend pre-departure training and an acclimatization session walking around Cusco, therefore, this type of walking is not recommended if you suffer from heart problems, delicate knees or if you have an injury that could hinder you on the hike.
• Experienced / Challenging III: To enjoy the effort based on challenges or challenges in the trekking and expeditions modality (treks of 7h to 8h on average per day), accessible trails with constant deep slopes over 1,000 m or steep trails over 4,000 m in mountainous and high Andean terrains of the Andes Mountains. Experienced traveler means discovering the less explored areas of Peru and some expeditions include high altitude trails. In some phases, the weather is very changeable from warm to cold with mosquitoes in high jungle forests. It requires very good physical condition, training and endurance prior to the hike as well as having the appropriate equipment to learn more about Mother Nature’s climatic changes.

How do you choose local airlines?

We suggest booking your trip in advance with reliable companies at a reasonable cost, as long as it can be adapted to the schedules of the tourist activities that you have contracted for the beginning of your adventure.

Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima is the main arrival and departure point for international flights in Peru.

Below, we suggest some national airlines in Peru:

• Latam Perú
• Star Perú
• Avianca Perú
• Sky Airline

If for some reason you have difficulty validating your airline flight reservation, we can help you manage the purchase; however, the price may vary depending on availability of seats and an additional fee for the commission.

How often do you propose departures for the trips?

For all trips we propose fixed departures on a frequent basis, however, the opening of a new group and departure date can be given, as long as we have confirmed two travelers for a touristic activity. If you choose to travel alone, please contact us and ask for the next departure dates.

Where and when will I meet our guide or trip coordinator?

When you book a trip with Explorandino, we ask you to provide us with the name of your hotel and address (if we have not made the reservation ourselves) and WhatsApp number (permanent communication if needed) to coordinate the briefing meeting in person or virtually because of the situation. Usually, meetings are coordinated at your hotel 2 days before your date departure at 19 hrs, with the possibility of clarifying some questions.

Can I leave the luggage I do not wish to take on the excursion in a safe place at my hotel?

Yes, all hotels in Cusco have secure luggage rooms where you can leave your personal belongings. So far, we have never encountered a case of theft or loss, however, we suggest that you lock it with a padlock. You will find your belongings again when you return to the hotel.

How much time should I spend in Cusco to get used to the altitude and be in good shape for the excursion?

Most travelers spend one or two days in Cusco to get used to the altitude. It all depends on your travel plan. If you booked trekking activities, two days minimum seems to us a reasonable time to adapt to the altitude; we recommend you do not make too much physical effort the day of your arrival.

How to avoid altitude sickness upon arrival and during the hike?

Follow these tips: If you are concerned about the effects of altitude, you can consult a doctor before your departure. The medication Diamox (generic of acetazolamide) will help eliminate or decrease the side effects of altitude, such as headache, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath and nausea. However, this medication may have side effects, so we recommend you consult your doctor. Local clinics will be able to assist you and pharmacists are also accustomed to advising travelers.

Very relaxed: To make your stay more pleasant, we recommend you spend at least a day of relaxation before the trek, this will be an opportunity to do some shopping, to taste the local gastronomy (avoid too strange dishes and places that seem questionable in terms of hygiene), walk leisurely through the streets, and relax in your hotel room before the start of the trip. Allowing yourself a full day to rest will help ensure you don’t miss anything in case you get sick from the change in altitude.

Mate de Coca: Coca tea and other coca-derived products can be found everywhere in Cusco and your hotel. Coca leaves have been used as a natural «Soroche» remedy for thousands of years, considered a mild stimulant that relieves fatigue, pain, hunger, and other ailments found at high altitudes. However, this does not show the euphoric or psychotropic effect of the derivative drug, cocaine. In addition, if you experience prolonged and debilitating discomfort due to altitude

, ask your hotel if they have an oxygen tank.

When is the best time to go to Peru?

In the Andes region (Sierra), the dry season from April to November (with some drizzle) is the best time to explore Southern Peru. In December, it is the beginning of the rainy season and mild weather. January, February, and March is the rainy season with some clear days, so conditions are still good for visiting Peru. However, we do not recommend the Inca Trail and Salkantay because they are often exposed to adverse weather conditions and routes under maintenance.

In the highlands (Sierra) there are two well-defined seasons: summer (Apr. – Nov.), with sunny days, cold nights and little rain (the ideal time to visit) and winter (Dec. – Mar.), with drizzle and abundant rain. During the day, the temperature reaches up to 23 °C and at night down to -4 °C.

In the Peruvian coastal region, it has a climate that can be classified as subtropical desert, with differences of no more than 15°C between the extremes of cold (10°C) and heat (30°C) and average temperatures of 16°C to 20°C. The four seasons are more noticeable: Spring from September 21 to December 21, Summer from December 21 to March 21, Fall from March 21 to June 21, and Winter from June 21 to September 21.

How many people does a group departure or premium/comfortable service consist of?

We prefer to keep the number of hikers from 2 to 8 people to provide security and guarantee an improved service. In general, for a group departure, the participants speak French, English, or Spanish, so communication is easy to initiate good friendships.

With our Premium/Comfortable (Private Service) travel options, you can customize a trip completely tailored to your interests and needs! You can travel in a group of friends (who know each other and enjoy a social bubble), couples, families, or alone.

How far in advance should I book the Inca Trail?

For the 4-day Inca Trail, we recommend that you book at least 5 months in advance because the Ministry of Culture imposes restrictions on the number of admissions to get access for only 500 people per day.

For the 2-day Inca Trail, we recommend you make your reservation at least two months in advance because admission is limited by the Ministry of Culture to 250 people per day.

Can I make my reservation with an expired passport?

In general, make sure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your departure date to Perú. Besides that, it is still possible to book using the expired passport, however, once you have the new passport, this document must be sent by email to manage the update of your passport (at the Ministry of Culture) with which you will enter Peru.

Will there be porters for our personal belongings during the trek?

For the 4-day Inca Trail, the porters will be in charge of carrying the camping equipment and food. And if you choose us (direct sale), the porters will be in charge of transporting the sleeping bags and mats, however, each participant must carry their personal belongings in a day backpack.

You can always request the service of an extra porter (12Kg to be carried) or half porter (7 Kg to be carried), with an additional cost.

For the Alternative Routes such as the Lares Valley trek, Salkantay trek, and Choquequirao trek, horses carry 7kg of their personal belongings (clothes, sleeping bag…) These personal belongings will be put in a backpack or duffel bag (provided by our company and requested in time to be delivered at the briefing meeting).

What should I bring for the trek?

For the 2-day Inca Trail, you should bring a small backpack (30lt or 40lt) which includes carrying personal belongings for the 1st day hike and overnight stay in Aguas Calientes town.

For the 4-day Inca Trail and other similar activities, you should bring clothing appropriate for high altitude traverses, where temperatures can drop from -0˚C at night or rise during the day to 23˚C. Trekking shoes with good ankle support (tip: don’t keep them all nice, new in their box, use them for flexibility during the hike), normal tennis shoes (for camp use) and sandals.

Bring a rain poncho or K-way of good quality, sunglasses (in a storage case), sunscreen with a minimum index of 50 UVA.

Other essentials: a water bottle, flashlight, padlock for your backpack, swimsuit for hot springs, quick-drying towel, plastic bags for clothes, camera with an extra battery, altitude sickness pills, socks, waterproof jacket, fleece jacket, rain pants, and insect repellent. For colder weather, bring gloves, a hat, and warm clothing.

How much should I tip the porters, cook, and guide?

Tipping depends on your satisfaction with the service received, but our guides, cooks, and porters work hard to give you the best time possible. We recommend the following amounts as an average (per traveler, for each person):

• Inca Trail 2 days: $15 – $20
• Inca Trail 4 days: $35 – $50
• 4 day Lares Valley trek: $35 – $50
• 5 day Salkantay trek: $35 – $50

Why purchase travel and health insurance?

Travel insurance helps you in case of unforeseen events during your trip, but also before you leave. Health problems, pandemics, or luggage issues may prevent you from making the trip. For complete peace of mind while traveling, we recommend that you purchase travel and health insurance to cover cancellations, flight delays, accidents, medical expenses, loss/theft of personal items, and, in some cases, coverage for the Covid-19 pandemic. We request the Travel Insurance Policy to be submitted during the booking process via email.

According to travelers’ experience, they recommend some travel insurers:

• Squaremouth
• InterMundial
• Viaja seguro con IATI

Do I need to bring/wear a face mask?

Yes, please! We require all travelers to bring their face masks and wear them, as well as to keep a social distance of 1.5 meters from other people, in vehicles/boats and during visits to tourist attractions.

What happens if I enter the country and test positive or have symptoms of Covid-19 before I join the trip?

Please contact us for assistance and follow local public health guidelines. Remember to take out travel and health insurance against Covid-19 to protect you in case of any last-minute changes that affect your trip.