Practical Information

Visa

Peru

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Peru. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/peru
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/peru
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/peru/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Peru.html

Ecuador

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Ecuador. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/ecuador
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/ecuador
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ecuador/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Ecuador.html

Entering the Galapagos

• There is a compulsory Galapagos Tax of US$200, which can only be paid locally in cash (US dollars) and will be collected by the National Park Service on arrival at San Cristóbal.
• You also need a Transit Control Card. This is included in the cost of the tour and will be organised by your tour leader before entering the Galapagos.

If you are travelling via the USA and are eligible to transit under the Visa Waiver Program, you are required to register in advance for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). There is a US$40 charge, which is only payable online.

Please note: not all nationalities have the same eligibility for travel to or transit via the USA, and you may not be covered by the Visa Waiver Program. Regulations stipulate that any person who has travelled to Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen since March 2011, or have dual nationalities of these countries, may no longer qualify. In addition, if you have travelled to Cuba since 12 January 2021 you will not be eligible for the visa waiver program and should instead apply for a visa.

If you are in doubt of your eligibility, please check the visa requirements with your local US embassy.

Vaccinations and Health

Peru

There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, typhoid, tuberculosis and yellow fever. Additionally, Zika fever, a mosquito‐borne viral disease, is a known risk in Peru. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, so you should take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Please check all vaccination recommendations with your doctor or travel clinic.

Amazon: If you are travelling to the Tambopata reserve in the Amazon rainforest, the risk of malaria is slight, but you may wish to consult your doctor or travel clinic for further advice. We also strongly recommend that you obtain a yellow fever vaccination. Additionally, dengue fever and chikungunya are known risks in the Amazon region. Both are tropical viral diseases spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for either, and therefore the best form of prevention is to take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Methanol: The FCDO warns travellers to be cautious of methanol poisoning when travelling in destinations visited on the trip.

Ecuador

All visitors to Ecuador must show valid medical insurance on arrival and cannot enter the country without it.

You also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate (vaccinated at least 15 days before you travel) if you are arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo or Uganda, including if you have transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of those countries.

As updates may happen at any time, please check the latest requirements with your doctor or travel clinic.

Malaria is also a risk in some areas of the country (including the Amazon Rainforest) so we suggest you consult a doctor for more advice. Additionally, dengue, chikungunya and zika, all viral diseases spread by mosquitoes, are known risks in places visited. There are currently no vaccines or prophylaxes available, so take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Recommended vaccinations include tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tuberculosis, typhoid and yellow fever.

Please check all vaccination recommendations with your doctor or travel clinic.

Methanol: The FCDO warns travellers to be cautious of methanol poisoning when travelling in destinations visited on the trip.

Zika fever is a mosquito‐borne viral disease and a known risk in places visited on this trip. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, we therefore strongly recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. 

Local Time

Peru and Ecuador’s time zone: UTC -05:00

Electricity

Peru’s electricity: Plug types A (two flat pins), B (three pins: two flat, one round) and C (two round pins)– 220V, 60Hz.

Ecuador’s electricity: Plug types A (two flat pins) and B (three pins: two flat, one round) – 120V, 60Hz

Money

Peru's currency: Peruvian nuevo sol (PEN)

Ecuador's currency: US dollar (USD)

ATM Availability

There are plenty of ATMs in Cuzco and Quito. Exchange rates are usually good and ATMs in Peru normally allow you to withdraw either soles or US dollars. Most international credit and debit cards are accepted, but you should inform your bank you are travelling to Ecuador and Peru and check if your card works in the local ATMs. There are several ATMs in Aguas Calientes, but they sometimes run out of cash, so it is a good idea to take your spending money for Machu Picchu from Cuzco.

Credit card acceptance is increasing, but generally they can be used only at the large (and more expensive) restaurants and shops.

Worth knowing

Peru: We recommend using ATMs to obtain soles in Peru; if you take cash, most major currencies including British pounds, euros and US dollars can easily be changed into local currency at all exchange desks, although US dollars usually attract the best exchange rates. Torn, damaged or marked foreign bills are usually refused in Peru. Although it is possible to obtain Peruvian soles before you travel, you should carefully check the exchange rates as they can be lower than changing money locally.

You are best exchanging cash into soles as you go, so you are not left with excess at the end of your trip. It is a good idea to change a small amount into soles at the counters in the baggage hall. Change is often in short supply, so try to break up large notes at the earliest opportunity and ask for small denomination banknotes when changing money.

Some larger establishments in Peru accept US dollars but most places only accept soles.

Ecuador: Obtaining change for larger denomination banknotes (US$100 and US$50) can be difficult and, in some cases, they may not be accepted. Carry small notes (US$1 or US$5) for small transactions, as many small businesses and taxis do not carry large amounts of change.

Extra Expenses & Spending Money

Peruvian passport or identity card holders
The cost of Exodus trips in Peru are based on the assumption you do not hold a Peruvian passport or resident’s card. If you are officially resident in Peru or are a Peruvian passport holder, you are liable to an additional 18 percent tax on most services, and this extra sum is payable locally to our local partner. Other nationalities are exempt from this tax. Please notify us at the time of booking if you are legally resident in Peru or hold a Peruvian passport so we can advise you of the total cost of these taxes.

Optional excursions

Your tour leader can tell you about the full range of optional excursions available throughout your trip; however, a selection of the most popular ones are listed below:

Quito

• Visit to the Intiñan Equator Museum (US$5)

Cuzco

A Partial Tourist Ticket (BTG) is required for entrance to the sites in and around Cuzco and the Sacred Valley – this is not included in the excursion prices below but can be purchased locally from 70 soles (approximately US$21).

• City tour and four ruins (five hours): From US$48 per person (based on four participants), excludes BTG. This includes visits to the nearby ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Tambomachay and Puca Pucará plus a tour of the city itself, including: the Plaza de Armas, where the cathedral is located; Qorikancha Sun Temple (entrance included); and San Pedro Market.
• Sacred Valley tour (eight hours): From US$58 per person (based on four participants), excludes BTG. Drive to the Sacred Valley, stopping at El Mirador viewpoint en route. Visit Pisac Market and fortress and Ollantaytambo; return to Cuzco.
• South Valley tour (seven hours): From US$66 per person (based on four participants), excludes BTG. Visit the little-known valley to the south of Cuzco, including the terraces at Tipon, the pre-Inca ruins of Pikillaqta and the Sistine Chapel of the Americas in Andahuaylillas (entrance included); return to Cuzco.

Prices of excursions vary depending on the number of people taking part. The prices given within these Trip Notes are based on four participants and are intended as a guideline only. All tours use private transport and there is an English-speaking guide. For some activities, a minimum number of participants may be required.

Some shorter optional activities are also available around Cuzco:

• Bean to bar workshop at the Chocomuseum: US$29 per person (shared service, two hours)
• Pisco sour class & tasting in local bar in San Blas neighborhood: US$50 per person (private, including hotel pick up, minimum two participants, three hours)
• Andean music experience at a local musicians home: US$59 per person (private, including hotel pick up, minimum two participants, two hours)

Some activities may not always be possible due to weather, seasonality, national holidays, or unforeseen circumstances. Please note, cash is the preferred method of payment for any of the optional activities. 

Tipping

Tips are a personal decision but are customary in Peru and Ecuador. As we are often asked how much is appropriate for different individuals, we have prepared some guidelines.

Peru (soles is the preferred currency for tips)

• Tipping kitty: We recommend running a tipping kitty for the Peru section of the trip. A tipping kitty means we tip as a group, and individuals don’t need to worry about giving small tips to various people (drivers, local guides, boatmen, hotel staff etc). The contribution per person per day we suggest is 15 soles (US$5)
• Tour leader: 15 soles (US$5) per person per day

Ecuador (US dollars are the preferred currency for tips)

• Tour leader: US$6-US$8 per person, per day
• Local guides on the mainland: US$3-US$5 per person, per day
• Drivers and other local staff: US$1-US$2 per person, per day

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

Important Information

Machu Picchu regulations

There are three main circuits in Machu Picchu. Our priority is to secure Circuit 2, which provides the classic panorama of the site. This sells out quickly (often three to four months prior to your visit). In this event, we offer Circuit 3 as an excellent alternative, which takes you among the temples.

1. Tickets are valid for one entry, and all visitors must follow one of the pre-determined routes
2. We spend approximately three hours at Machu Picchu and our guided tour lasts about two hours
3. Upon finishing our one-way Machu Picchu guided tour, we must exit the site (re-entry is not permitted)
4. Tickets are linked to your passport, details of which we take at the time of booking. It is essential that you inform us of any passport updates before departure and pay the administration fee of £34 (US$50/CA$60/AU$70/€40). Failure to inform us of any update can result in refused entry to the site. If entry is still possible, our local operator will charge you an administration fee locally to update your details.

Please note, we visit Machu Picchu in the morning or afternoon to avoid the peak entry time (10am to midday).

Inca Trail regulations

1. Spaces on the Inca Trail are on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis and we urge you to book as early as possible.
2. If you cancel your booking more than eight weeks before departure and wish to transfer your deposit to another departure or another trip the transfer fee is approximately £150 (US$210 / CA$252 / AU$308 / €191) as we will lose the permit we have purchased on your behalf. This is an amendment to our Booking Conditions. No transfers are possible within eight weeks of departure.
3. Bookings can only be made if we are supplied with your full name, passport details, date of birth and nationality, exactly as per the passport you will be using to travel to Peru (this information is used to purchase your Inca Trail permit). If your passport details do not match those on your permit you will be refused entry to the Inca Trail by the local authorities.
4. The Inca Trail permit is linked to your passport, details of which we take at the time of booking. It is essential you inform us of any passport updates before departure. To do this, you must supply copies of both your old and new passports to us in advance of travel and pay the administration fee of £34 (US$51/CA$65/AU$70/€41). For this reason, we strongly recommend that you make a copy of your passport at the time of booking and keep it somewhere safe. Failure to inform us of any update can result in refused entry to the trail. If entry is still possible, our local operator will charge you an administration fee locally to update your details.
5. Please be aware that these regulations may change at any time, and Exodus is not responsible for the decisions made by Peruvian authorities.
6. There is a possibility the Peruvian authorities may increase the entrance fees to the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and other major sights at any time. If they do so, we will inform you of this increase and the extra amount will need to be paid locally in cash in Peru.

Please note: While your departure date may be ‘Guaranteed’, your Inca Trail permit itself will initially be ‘On Request’. If you’re travelling within the current year, we try to purchase your permit immediately upon receiving your booking. If travelling next year, we will apply for your permit as soon as they are released for sale. If we are unable to get your permit, we will contact you to discuss your options.