Peru

Getting there & away

Travel documents

Tickets

From almost everywhere else in the world, South America is a relatively costly destination. The high season for air travel to and within Peru is late May to early September, as well as around major holidays. Lower fares may sometimes be offered outside peak periods.

Contacting a travel agent that specializes in Latin American destinations and shopping around the competing fares offered by online booking agents often turns up the cheapest tickets for Peru. Students with international student ID cards (ISIC is one widely recognized card) and anyone aged under the age of 26 can often get discounts with budget travel agencies and some airlines.

Tickets bought in Peru are subject to 18% tax. It is essential to reconfirm all flights 72 hours in advance or you may get bumped off the flight. If you are going to be in the boonies, have a travel agent do this for you.

Intercontinental flights

Some of the best deals for travelers visiting many countries on different continents are Round-the-World (RTW) tickets. Itineraries from the USA, Europe or Australasia typically require at least five stopovers, possibly including unusual destinations such as Tahiti or South American cities. Fares vary widely, but check Air Treks (www.airtreks.com) and Air Brokers (www.airbrokers.com). These types of tickets have restrictions, so read the fine print carefully.

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Entering the destination

Entering the country

Arriving in Peru is typically a straightforward process, as long as your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your departure date. When arriving by air, US citizens must show a return ticket or open-jaw onward ticket – don’t show up with just a one-way ticket to South America. Immigration officials at airports are efficient, while those at overland border crossings may take their time scrutinizing your passport before they stamp it.

When arriving by air or overland, immigration officials may only stamp 30 days into your passport (though 90 days is standard); if this happens, explain how many more days you need, supported by an exit ticket for onward or return travel. Bribery is illegal in Peru, but some officials may try to procure extra payment at borders.

From Australia & New Zealand

Peregrine Adventures (1300 85 44 44; www.peregrine.net.au; 380 Lonsdale St, Melbourne, VIC 3000) Hotel-based and trekking trips in Peru.

Tucan Travel (1300 769 249; www.tucantravel.com; 217 Alison Rd, Randwick, NSW 2031) Long-running tour operator specializing in Latin America provides a wide variety of tour options in Peru.

From Canada & the USA

With easy flight connections, the USA has more companies offering tours of Peru than the rest of the world. You can find tour operators’ advertisements in outdoor and travel magazines, such as Outside and National Geographic Adventure.

Adventure Center (510-654 879, 800 227 8747; www.adventurecenter.com; Suite 200, 1311 63rd St, Emeryville, CA 94608) A clearinghouse for tour operators offering various trips.

Adventure Life (800 344 6118; www.adventure-life.com; Suite 1, 1655 S 3rd St W, Missoula, MT 5980) Andean trekking, Amazon exploring and multi-sport itineraries, plus combo trips with the Galapagos Islands. Uses bilingual guides, family-run hotels and local transportation.

Explorations (239-992 9660, 800 446 9660; www.explorationsinc.com; 27655 Kent Rd, Bonita Springs, FL 34135) Amazon trips include biologist-escorted cruises, lodge-based expeditions and fishing trips in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve.

GAP Adventures (800 708 7761; www.gap.ca; 19 Charlotte St, Toronto, ON M5V 2H5) The premier Canadian agency with branch offices in Vancouver; Boston, USA; and London, UK. Budget-priced tours include hotel-based, trekking, Amazon, festival and multicountry trips.

International Expeditions (205-428 1700, 800 633 4734; www.ietravel.com; One Environs Park, Helena, AL 35080) Offers Amazon tours, staying in jungle lodges or on river boats, with an emphasis on natural history, bird-watching or photography.

Mountain Travel Sobek (510-594 6000, 888-687 6235; www.mtsobek.com; 1266 66th St, Emeryville, CA 94608) Luxury trekking tours along the Inca Trail or in the Cordillera Blanca, and occasional rafting trips on the Río Tambopata.

Southwind Adventures (303 972 0701, 800-377 9463; www.southwindadventures.com; PO Box 621057, Littleton, CO 80162) Peruvian-American tour operator with trekking, cycling, rafting and boat-cruise itineraries in the Andes, Amazon and Galapagos Islands.

Tropical Nature Travel (352-376 3377, 877-888 1770; www.tropicalnaturetravel.com; PO Box 5276, Gainesville, FL 32627) Alliance of nature conservation groups offers multiday stays in Amazon wildlife lodges and trekking, river rafting and archaeological and cultural tours of Peru’s highlights.

Wilderness Travel (510-558 2488, 800-368 2794; www.wildernesstravel.com; 1102 Ninth St, Berkeley, CA 94710) Offers luxury treks, ranging from four nights on the Inca Trail to two weeks in the remote Cordillera Huayhuash, with hotel stays and optional extensions to the Amazon, north coast and Arequipa’s canyon country.

Wildland Adventures (206-365 0686, 800 345 4453; www.wildland.com; 3516 NE 155th St, Seattle, WA 98155) Prides itself on environmentally sound, culturally sensitive treks around Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and the Cordillera Blanca, as well as Amazon tours.

From the UK & Continental Europe

Amazonas Explorer (01437 891-743; www.amazonas-explorer.com) Rafting, mountain biking, trekking and multi-activity trips in the Amazon and the Andes, plus custom itineraries.

Andean Trails (0131-467 7086; www.andeantrails.co.uk; The Clockhouse, Bonnington Mill Business Centre, 72 Newhaven Rd, Edinburgh, Scotland EH6 5QG) Mountain-biking, climbing, trekking and rafting tours in some unusual spots.

clubaventure (08 26 88 20 80; www.clubaventure.fr; 18 rue Séguier, 75006 Paris, France) A French-owned company that organizes treks and tours in Peru.

Exodus (0870-240 5550; www.exodus.co.uk; Grange Mills, Weir Rd, London SW12 0NE, UK) Award-winning responsible-travel operator offers long-distance overland trips and shorter cultural and trekking adventures.

Guerba Adventure & Discovery Holidays (01373-826 611; www.guerba.co.uk; Wessex House, 40 Station Rd, Westbury, Wiltshire BA13 3JN, UK) Trekking, activity and family-focused tours of the Andes and the Amazon.

Hauser Exkursionen (89-235 0060; www.hauser-exkursionen.de, in German; Spiegelstras/se 9, D-81241 Munich, Germany) Hauser is among the best German companies offering Andean treks.

Journey Latin America (020 8747 8315; www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk; 12 & 13 Heathfield Terrace, Chiswick, London W4 4JE, UK) Cultural, hotel-based trips and treks in the Cordilleras Blanca and Huayhuash and to Machu Picchu, plus tailor-made itineraries.

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Tours

Scores of overseas companies offer tours of Peru for travelers who prefer not to travel on their own, or who have a limited amount of time and want to maximize their Peruvian experience, perhaps combining it with other South American countries. Usually, groups travel with knowledgeable guides, but you will pay a great deal extra for this privilege – it’s worth it for highly specialized outdoor activities (eg river running, mountaineering, bird-watching). Otherwise, it’s just as convenient and much cheaper to travel to Peru independently, then take organized day trips and overnight tours along the way.

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Air

Peru has flights linked up with North America, the UK and continental Europe, Australia and New Zealand, Asia and Africa, as well as the rest of Latin America. Many South American capitals have direct flights to Lima. Note that if you’re headed to Cuzco, but are flying to Peru from another continent, your flight will most likely land in Lima during the late afternoon or evening, meaning you’ll have to wait until morning to catch the next flight to Cuzco.

Airports & airlines

In suburban Callao, Lima’s Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chávez (code LIM; 01-517 3100; www.lap.com.pe) is a major hub, serviced by many flights from North, Central and South America, and a few direct flights from Europe. Travelers from other continents normally change planes in the USA or in a South American city. Check the airport website or call 01-511 6055 for updated departure and arrival schedules for domestic and international flights. At the time of research, international flights to and from the Peruvian regional airports in Cuzco and Iquitos were suspended.

Airlines flying to/from Peru

The phone numbers and addresses listed below are for the airlines’ Lima offices; add 01 if calling from outside the capital. If planning to visit an office, call before you go or check a phone directory under ‘Lineas Aéreas, ’ as they change addresses frequently.

Aerolineas Argentinas (code ARG; 444 0810; www.aerolineas.com.ar; Av José Pardo 805, Miraflores; hub Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Aeroméxico (code AMX; 705 1111; www.aeromexico.com; Aliaga 699 at Av José Pardo, San Isidro; hub Mexico City, Mexico)

Aeropostal (code LAV; 444 1199; www.aeropostal.com; Offices 501-02, Martir Olaya 129, Miraflores; hub Caracas, Venezuela)

Air Canada (code ACA; 241 1457; www.aircanada.com; Office 101, Edificio Mar Azul, Italia 389, Miraflores; hub Toronto, Canada)

Air France (code AFR; 444 9285; www.airfrance.com; Av José Pardo 601, Miraflores; hub Paris, France)

Air Madrid (code DRI; 214 1040; www.airmadrid.com; Av José Pardo 269, Miraflores; hub Madrid, Spain)

Alitalia (code AZA; 447 3899; www.alitalia.it; Olaya 129, Miraflores; hub Rome, Italy)

American Airlines (code AAL; 442 8595; www.aa.com; Moreyra 380, San Isidro; hub Dallas-Forth Worth, USA)

Avianca (code AVA; 446 9902; www.avianca.com; Av José Pardo 140, Miraflores; hub Bogotá, Colombia)

British Airways (code BAW; 411 7801; www.britishairways.com; Office 902, Torre Central, Av Camino Real 390, San Isidro; hub London, UK)

Continental Airlines (code COA; 221 4340; www.continental.com; Camino Real, Belaúnde 147, San Isidro; hub Houston, USA)

Copa Airlines (code CMP; 610 0808; www.copaair.com; Office 105, Torre Chocavento, Centro Empresarial, San Isidro; hub Panama City, Panama)

Delta Airlines (code DAL; 440 4328; www.delta.com; Camino Real, Belaúnde 147, San Isidro; hub Atlanta, USA)

Iberia (code IBE; 411 7800; www.iberia.com; Camino Real 390, San Isidro; hub Madrid, Spain)

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (code KLM; 421 9500; www.klm.com; Calderón 185, San Isidro; hub Amsterdam, Netherlands)

LACSA (code LRC; 511 8222; www.taca.com; Av Espinar 331, Miraflores; hub San José, Costa Rica)

LAN (code LPE; 213 8300; www.lan.com; Av José Pardo 513, Miraflores; hub Lima, Peru)

Lloyd Aereo Boliviano (LAB; code LLB; 241 5510; www.labairlines.com; Av José Pardo 231, Miraflores; hub Bogota, Colombia)

TACA (code TAI; 511 8222; www.taca.com; Av Espinar 331; hubs San Salvador, El Salvador & Lima)

Varig (code VRG; 422 1449; www.varig.com; Camino Real 456, San Isidro; hub São Paulo, Brazil)

Africa

Travel is normally via the USA or connecting through another South American country such as Colombia or Bolivia. Rennies Travel (www.renniestravel.com) and STA Travel (0861-781 781; www.statravel.co.za) have offices throughout South Africa and representatives in other African countries. Check the websites for locations.

Asia

Flights from Asia mostly connect via the USA.

Recommended travel agencies:

No 1 Travel (03-3205 6073; www.no1-travel.com) Discount flights from Japan, with offices in Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, Nagoya and Fukuoka.

STA Travel (www.statravel.com) Student, youth and budget travel specialist; branches in Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

STIC Travels (www.stictravel.com) Has offices in dozens of cities across India, and offers discounts to students.

Australia & New Zealand

Flights are usually via the USA or a South American gateway, such as Santiago (Chile).

In Australia there are many branches of STA Travel (1300 733 035; www.statravel.com.au) and Flight Centre (133 133; www.flightcentre.com.au). Try www.travel.com.au for online bookings.

Both STA Travel (0508-782-872; www.statravel.co.nz) and Flight Centre (0800 243 544; www.flightcentre.co.nz) have offices throughout New Zealand. Online, try www.travel.co.nz.

Canada

Canadians must typically take a connecting flight to a gateway US city. Travel CUTS (866-246 9762; www.travelcuts.com) is Canada’s national student travel agency.

France

There are direct flights mainly from Amsterdam and Madrid, but travelers may find it cheaper if they take flights with connections in the USA, the Caribbean or Colombia.

Some recommended travel agencies:

Anyway.com (08 92 30 23 01; www.anyway.fr)

Expedia (www.expedia.fr)

Lastminute.com (08 99 78 50 00; www.lastminute.fr)

Nouvelles Frontières (08 25 00 07 47; www.nouvelles-frontieres.fr, in French)

OTU Voyages (01 55 82 32 32; www.otu.fr, in French) For student and youth travelers.

Voyageurs du Monde (08 92 68 83 63; www.vdm.com, in French)

Germany

There are direct flights mainly from Amsterdam and Madrid, but travelers may find it cheaper if they take flights with connections in the USA, the Caribbean or Colombia.

Some recommended travel agencies:

Expedia (www.expedia.de)

Just Travel (089-747 333 0; www.justtravel.de)

Lastminute.de (01805-284 366; www.lastminute.de)

STA Travel (069-743 032 92; www.statravel.de)

Italy

There are direct flights mainly from Amsterdam and Madrid, but travelers may find it cheaper if they take flights with connections in the USA, the Caribbean or Colombia.

CTS (06-44 1111; www.cts.it, in Italian) is a recommended travel agency specializing in student and youth travel.

Netherlands

There are direct flights mainly from Amsterdam and Madrid, but travelers may find it cheaper if they take flights with connections in the USA, the Caribbean or Colombia.

Airfair (026-750 1950; www.airfair.nl, in Dutch) is a recommended travel agency.

Spain

There are direct flights mainly from Amsterdam and Madrid, but travelers may find it cheaper if they take flights with connections in the USA, the Caribbean or Colombia.

Barcelo Viajes (902-116 226; www.barceloviajes.com, in Spanish) is a recommended travel agency.

Latin America

Lima is connected to many South American cities. However, flights from Latin American countries are subject to high taxes, and good deals aren’t often available. For Latin American airlines flying into Lima.

Recommended travel agencies:

ASATEJ Viajes (www.asatej.com, in Spanish) In Argentina, Mexico and Uruguay.

IVI Venezuela (0212-993 6082; www.ividiomas.com) In Venezuela.

Student Travel Bureau (STB; 11-3038 1555;

In Brazil.

UK & Ireland

Most flights from the UK or Ireland connect through gateway cities in continental Europe, the USA or Canada. A few fly via other Latin American countries.

Discount air travel is big business in London. Advertisements for travel agencies appear in the weekend newspapers, Time Out London , the Evening Standard and TNT .

An excellent place to start looking is Journey Latin America (020-8747 3108; www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk). In Ireland try Holidays Online (01-6797399; www.holidaysonline.ie).

Other recommended travel agencies:

ebookers.com (0800 082 3000; www.ebookers.com)

Flight Centre UK (0800 587 0058; www.flightcentre.co.uk)

North-South Travel (01245-608 291; www.northsouthtravel.co.uk) Donates part of its profits to projects in the developing world.

Quest Travel (0870-442 3542; www.questtravel.com)

STA Travel (0870-163 0026; www.statravel.co.uk) Student, youth and budget travel specialist.

Trailfinders (0845-058 5858; www.trailfinders.co.uk)

Travel Bag (0800 082 5000; www.travelbag.co.uk)

USA

There are direct (nonstop) flights to Lima from Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami and New York.

The largest student, youth and budget travel agency in the USA is STA Travel (800 781 4040; www.statravel.com). Latin American specialist Exito Travel (800 655 4053; www.exitotravel.com) offers competitive fares for everyone, as well as personalized service for complicated tickets, such as multi-city and extended stays.

Other discount travel agents found in the USA are known as consolidators (although you won’t see a sign on the door saying ‘Consolidator’). San Francisco is the ticket consolidator capital of America, although some pretty good deals can also be found in Los Angeles, New York and other major cities. You should check for ads in the travel sections of Sunday newspapers and some alternative weeklies.

For online bookings:

CheapTickets (www.cheaptickets.com)

Expedia (www.expedia.com)

Lowestfare.com (www.lowestfare.com)

Orbitz (www.orbitz.com)

Travelocity (www.travelocity.com)

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