Peru inspires amazement. With its rich and astonishingly varied landscapes, this country is one of only 17 in the world to be defined as megadiverse – meaning it harbors a staggering amount of the Earth’s species. Combine that with stunning scenery that has the power to stop travelers in their tracks, a compelling history and a legacy of fascinating cultures, civilizations and foreign influences, which have formed a harmonious ensemble that still exists today… Peru is not a simple country, but it is an endlessly appealing one. Our private tours to Peru are designed to showcase all that is has to offer. Peru inspires amazement. With its rich and astonishingly varied landscapes, this country is one of only 17 in the world to be defined as megadiverse – meaning it harbors a staggering amount of the Earth’s species. Combine that with stunning scenery that has the power to stop travelers in their tracks, a compelling history and a legacy of fascinating cultures, civilizations and foreign influences, which have formed a harmonious ensemble that still exists today… Peru is not a simple country, but it is an endlessly appealing one. Our private tours to Peru are designed to showcase all that is has to offer.
The Maras Moray Salineras is a fantastic half day tour to explore part of the Sacred Valley. You will see amazing views of the Urubamba mountain ranges, the Veronica mountain and the green valleys of farms. On this half day trip, you will be able to learn about agriculture, textiles, and the history of the Incas.
We will pick you up from your hotel around 8 a.m. and head to the farming laboratory in Moray. This beautiful drive is about one hour and 20 minutes. On your drive, you will see the snow-capped peaks of the Andes, lush yellow fields of wheat, and some villages. Finally, you will arrive at the fascinating display of terraces in Moray. Moray boasts three amphitheater-like terraces, made by the Incas. These terraces, which are carved deep into the earth, in the shape of a bowl, were thought to be used to determine the optimal conditions for growing crops.
When you are done exploring Moray, you will head about two miles away, to the salt mines of Maras. This village is known as a former salt-producing center and is thought to date back all the way to pre-Incan times. There are over 3,000 salt pools carved into the mountain side, that are filled daily by a stream of water. This spectacular area is perfect for you if you wish to see something different than the ruins.
Chinchero is a small Andean, Indian village located at 3,762 meters high, on the windswept plains of Anta, about 30 km from Cusco. There are beautiful views overlooking the Sacred Valley of the Incas, with the Cordillera Vilcabamba and the snow-capped peak of Salkantay dominating the western horizon. Chinchero is believed to be the mythical birthplace of the rainbow. Its major claim to tourism is its colorful Sunday market, which is much less tourist-orientated than the market at Pisac. This market is held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday but if your trip isn’t on one of these days, they have a smaller textile center open daily. There, you can watch a demonstration on how to make beautiful, natural sweaters from Alpaca wool. Finally, you will get to visit the famous catholic roman church, which was build over the Inca palace.
Once you are done with the visit, you will head back to the city in time to enjoy some lunch on your own.
Included :
Not Included :
Maras Moray Half Day
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Whatsapp: (English)+51 984315337 https://wa.link/jgq5vw
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PRIVATE SERVICE: Prices are based on Number of people departing that date/ We will leave with minimum of 02 Persons.
02 persons group / US$160 per person
03 persons group / US$140 per person
04 persons group / US$120 per person
05 persons group / US$100 per person
06-8 persons group / US$80 per person
When visiting the cities:
Are there services for tourists with special needs in Peru?
In Peru we believe in the idea of “Tourism for Everybody”. This is why many public and private organizations have been working for years to ensure that their services are equally accessible for the differently-abled.
We advise you to contact your service provider in advance to ensure that your accessibility needs will be met.
What’s the weather like throughout the year?
Peru is a very large country that is crossed by the Andes and has a vast Amazonian region, so you are likely to notice differences from one place to the other, which may be more or less intense depending on the month of your visit.
It hardly ever rains on the coast, where there are usually two seasons:a warm season and a cold season.
Unlike the coastal area, the mountains and the jungle have a warmer rainy season running from mid November to late March, and the least warm season occurs between April and mid November.
Below is a weather table by city:
City | Altitude | HighTemp | Low Temp |
Abancay | 2,378(7,802 fasl) | 25°C (77°F) | 12°C (54°F) |
Arequipa | 2,335 (7,661 fasl) | 24°C (75°F) | 5°C (41°F) |
Ayacucho | 2,761 (9,058 fasl) | 24°C (75°F) | 11°C (52°F) |
Cajamarca | 2,720 (8,924 fasl) | 21°C (70°F) | 5°C (41°F) |
Cerro de Pasco | 4,338 (14,232 fasl) | 22°C (72°F) | 4°C (39°F) |
Chachapoyas | 2,334 (7,657 fasl) | 22°C (72°F) | 13°C (55°F) |
Chiclayo | 29 (95 fasl) | 33°C (91°F) | 17°C (63°F) |
Cusco | 3,395 (11,138 fasl) | 17°C (63°F) | 2°C (28°F) |
Huancavelica | 368 (1,207 fasl) | 20°C (68°F) | 3.4°C (38°F) |
Huancayo | 4,107 (13,474 fasl) | 17°C (63°F) | 0°C (32°F) |
Huánuco | 1,912 (6,273 fasl) | 24°C (75°F) | 18°C (64°F) |
Huaraz | 3,091 (10,141 fasl) | 18°C (64°F) | 9°C (48°F) |
Ica | 406 (1,332 fasl) | 30°C (86°F) | 8°C (46°F) |
Iquitos | 104 (341 fasl) | 36°C (97°F) | 17°C (63°F) |
Lima | 133 (436 fasl) | 25°C (77°F) | 13°C (55°F) |
Moquegua | 141 (463 fasl) | 25°C (77°F) | 17°C (63°F) |
Moyobamba | 860 (2,822 fasl) | 36°C (97°F) | 22°C (72°F) |
Piura | 29 (95 fasl) | 35°C (95°F) | 16°C (61°F) |
Pucallpa | 154 (505 fasl) | 38°C (100°F) | 24°C (75°F) |
Puerto Maldonado | 183 (600 fasl) | 34°C (93°F) | 21°C (70°F) |
Puno | 3,827 (12,556 fasl) | 19°C (6°F) | 2°C (34°F) |
Tacna | 562 (1,844 fasl) | 28°C (82°F) | 6°C (43°F) |
Trujillo | 34 (112 fasl) | 30°C (86°F) | 16°C (61°F) |
Tumbes | 6 (20 fasl) | 38°C (100°F) | 19°C (66°F) |
How much money should I expect to spend on my trip?
This answer depends on your personal preferences and the level of comfort you desire.
Bartering is generally accepted in Peru, with the exception of larger stores and restaurants. In larger cities prices in general may be higher, particularly in Lima, and may increase during festivities such as the National Holidays (July), Easter (April) or Christmas due to higher demand for services such as bus and air transportation.
Below is a price list of products and services that you may use as reference in order to prepare a travel budget.
Reference product or service | US Dollars |
Mineral water bottle 1.5 Lt (51 fl. oz.) | 1.40 |
Medium soda pop 0.50 | 0.50 |
Burger | 1.40 |
Apple | 0.30 |
Shampoo bottle | 2.00 |
Tooth paste | 1.40 |
Lunch (frugal) | 3.00 |
Lunch (basic) | 12.00 |
Camera roll | 4.00 |
Blank video tape | 8.50 |
Pair of sneakers | 30.00 |
Newspaper | 0.50 |
Public internet booth or cybercafes (1 hour) | 1.5 |
Train Cusco – Machu Picchu (return) | 30.00 (backpackers) 70.00 (Autovagon) |
Bus (one way) | 5.00 |
Flight to Cusco (return) | 140.00 |
Lodging per night (very basic) | 5 – 10 |
Lodging per night (2 star) | 20 – 40 |
Lodging per night (3 star) | 50 – 90 |
Lodging per night (4 and 5 star) | over 90 |
Other frequently Asked Questons about Treks and tours
What to Bring
Each web page has a specific list of what to bring for your trek and the list supplied here might not apply to you. However, remember that the weather in the Andes can be very unpredictable and you should be prepared for bad weather. Peru is located in the southern hemisphere meaning the winter extends from June to August. In the summer months daytime temperatures can be hot & sunny, but the nights can be very cold. During winter it can be cold and rainy during the day and particularly cold at night. It is usual to encounter some rain all year round so we recommend buying a cheap poncho in Cusco for about US $1. We also recommend bringing thermal underwear in order to combat the cold. It’s recommended to wear the thermal underwear in the evening and early morning. When packing try to bring a range of layers so that you can take off or add clothes as required in the ever changing Andean weather.
Equipment
Please see each page for specific notes in regard to the equipment that is carried on each tour. Generally, the following items are ‘normal’ unless specified on the tour page.
Hiring Extra Equipment
We hire sleeping bags (rated for -5, -10 and -15 celsius temperatures) , thermarest (inflatable mattresses), walking poles, and extra horses for luggage.
Which sleeping bag to choose? Do you feel the cold – then opt for the -15 bag. Our foam mattresses (included in the price) are more than adequate but a thermarest inflatable mattress provides a lot more luxury! Walking poles – guides advise that two poles are better than just one as they provide much more balance, especially on steep descents (ie Llactapata on the Salkantay route and the Choquequirao and Choquequirao to Machu Picchu sections.) Please check our booking form for current prices.
Luggage Storage & Load Limits
Do you need an extra luggage mule/or riding mule?
We include in the price of your tour 8kg (15lbs) of luggage each person. We LOAN you a duffel bag which you can put this 8kg in. The reason for this is that duffel bags strap onto mules much better than backpacks/your luggage and its better that our custom designed duffels get dirty than your luggage (also if your backpack has a fancy harness then it can get damaged on the mules). If you think that you are going to need more than 7kg (plus the things that you carry in your day pack) then you might like to consider hiring an extra mule. Each mule can carry about 20kg of equipment so its usually shared between 2 or 3 people. Most people find that 7kg is more than adequate if they pack normally or a little conservatively. We strongly recommend that you leave the bulk at of your luggage at your hotel in Cusco – all hotels or hostals should provide you with luggage storage as a courtesy service.
Included in the price of your tour is 1 emergency riding horse. If you have in your group younger children, or older people, people who are not very fit, or people who have never hiked in the mountains before, you might consider paying for an extra mule. This is especially if you think that someone in your group will utilize the horse a lot!
Extra Charges
We need to charge extra for the following:
Train Tickets
For backpacker trains the timetable is 2.30pm and 6pm, and you return to Cusco approximately 4-5 hours later. A representative of the agency will meet the train in Ollantaytambo and transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco. We apologise in advance if we cannot get either of these times, if we cannot we have endeavored to do so. Some people want early trains, some people like later trains, and its impossible to anticipate people’s preference. Please also note that in high season (normally July-August) the trains to Machu Picchu and back again are completely over-subscribed and its difficult to get tickets, even with several weeks notice. (this is why we are inistent that you send your passport details asap!) In the case that Bioandean Expeditions is not able to obtain train tickets for you we will provide a car that returns via the Abra de Malaga to Cusco. (approx 6 hours of travelling).
We generally recommend that you start out from Cusco with 1-2 litres of water. You should also bring a refillable water bottle with you. (Any bottle you buy from the shop will do but we recommend a hardy plastic bottle) During the day, when you are hiking you can fill up from streams, on the advice of your guide. You should use purification tablets for this water. (Micropur tablets can be bought in Cusco or you might like to ask in your camping shop at home. Some people recommend iodine tablets). In the evening, your cook will boil water for your use and you can fill up your bottles every morning before setting out. As people have different requirements for water (ie some people drink a lot and others less) it is important that you take responsibility for ensuring you have enough water each day. You need to communicate your needs (via the guide) to the cook.
Cooking & Meals
Our cooks serve hygenically prepared food that features Peruvian and Western dishes. If you are a vegetarian or have specially dietary requirements and/or allergies, please specify on your booking form and remind us at your briefing. Water is boiled for three minutes before being used for cooking and raw vegetables, if served, are washed in boiled/ purified water.
For photos of some example meals, please see our Bioandean Expeditions meals page
Bathing
There are few opportunities for bathing on our treks. However, in the evening and morning, please ask your cook to warm some water for you to wash your hands and face. There are cold water shower facilities on the Salkantay and Choquequirao trek.
Toilets
Depending on the tour you take, we provide toilet tents at each of the campsites or you can use the existing facilities. During the day, your guide carries a pick or lightweight shovel. Should you need to use this, please ask them. Ideally, you should relieve yourself at least 70 metres from any water source and also a good distance from the trail. Remember also to bring plenty of toilet paper but follow international leave no trace rules and carry it out… (Please no white flags along the route!)
Medical Kit Each trip departs with a basic medical kit and an oxygen bottle. We advise that if you have your own medications and needs that you bring these. We do not include altitude tablets in our kit. Please note that the blister care that we have is Peruvian style (band-aids and cotton wool) – we do not have second skin or Western style blister treatments.
Medical Kit
Each trip departs with a basic medical kit and an oxygen bottle. We advise that if you have your own medications and needs that you bring these. We do not include altitude tablets in our kit. Please note that the blister care that we have is Peruvian style (band-aids and cotton wool) – we do not have second skin or Western style blister treatments.
How much money should I take?
Please review what is included in your trek in order to estimate what you should take. Along the way you can buy snacks and souvenirs, mostly of a non expensive nature. (Though if you decide you want to drink a lot of PowerAde, it does add up!) Most people also like to enjoy a nice meal and some drinks in Aguas Calientes on the night you arrive from your trek. Aguas Calientes is generally more expensive than other parts of Peru, so expect things to cost more there. Finally, bring money to tip your staff and your guides. (Please see below) There is an ATM in Aguas Calientes, but don’t rely on it working so we suggest you take ample to cover your expenses while there.
Tips
Tips vary and depend on the traveller’s satisfaction with the quality of the service rendered. Although our staff are paid just above local industry rates, and we include all meals and transportation, they do appreciate tips. Tips also provide incentive for staff to work harder.
Deciding how much to tip the porters, the cook and guide is a difficult moment at the end of the trek and can be made more difficult when members of the group have different cultural understandings about tipping. (Some countries tip, other countries don´t tend to tip).
Generally speaking, if the group have been pleased with the service then try to ensure that (minimum) each porter/muleteer takes home an extra 20-30 soles per day of trek, cook 40-45 soles per day of trek, and the guide as you feel is appropriate. (these amounts are shared between all members of the group, and are not individual tips. if your trip is 9 days then the group as a whole would tip 10 soles x 9 days. Even if the muleteers were only with you for 2 days on the shorter treks, please calculate their tip based on your entire trip length. Ie the Expreso Salkantay is 4 days, and the muleteers will take at least 1 day to return home, even though they are not directly in your service). A recent, higher estimation follows: between $10 and $20 a day for guides, between $5 – $10 a day for cooks and drivers, and $3-5 a day for the muleteers. Again, that should be divided between everyone on your tour, is PER person, and multiplied by the full length of your tour. We believe that ultimately, tipping the guide and cook should be dependent on the quality of the service that you received. At no stage should you feel obliged to tip!
Safety
Trekking in the Andes is generally pretty safe. There is minimal theft – it does sometimes occur on the more touristed routes (ie Salkantay). Be cautious, not paranoid! We do recommend always sleeping with your valuables (ie money belt, passports) near your heads or in your sleeping bag. Your camera and day packs should be kept between you or near your heads – never near the flap of your tent. Shoes should be stored inside!
Frequently Asked Questions about Peru
Welcome to our FAQ section. This page might be helpful if you haven’t been able to find the information you needed on our website. We hope these FAQ about Peru have been helpful.
How far is Peru from my home?
In order to provide you with useful references we have created a table including the approximate arrival flight times.
Direct Flights.
Country | City | Approx. flight time |
United States | Dallas | 7 hours 12 minutes |
United States | Houston | 6 hours 45 minutes |
United States | Los Angeles | 8 hours 35 minutes |
United States | Miami | 5 hours 45 minutes |
United States | Atlanta | 7 hours |
Argentina | Buenos Aires | 4 hours 15 minutes |
Chile | Santiago | 3 hours 25 minutes |
Spain | Madrid | 11 hours 30 minutes |
Flights with stopovers
Country | City | Approximate flight time |
United States | New York | 8 hours 35 minutes / via San José |
United States | San Francisco | 10 hours / via Los Angeles |
United States | Washington | 9 hours / via Newark |
Germany | Dusseldorf | 18 hours 40 minutes / via Madrid |
Germany | Frankfurt | 15 hours 30 minutes / via Madrid |
France | Paris | 14 hours 50 minutes/ via Miami |
Italy | Milan | 14 hours 50 minutes / via Madrid |
Italy | Rome | 15 hours 10 minutes / via Madrid |
UK | London | 15 hours 10 minutes / via Madrid |
Japan | Tokyo | 20 hours 35 minutes / via Los Angeles |
Do I need a visa to visit Peru?
Citizens of most American and Western European countries are not required visa to enter Peru. Citizens of Bolivia, Ecuador and Chile do not require passports or visa to visit certain regions of Peru. Contact the Peruvian diplomatic representative in your country for further information. Addresses and phone numbers are included in the website of Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Relations: www.rree.gob.pe
If the purpose of your visit is tourism, the maximum length of your stay will be 90 days (you can apply for extensions with the immigration authority)
All travelers must carry a valid passport, or a safe-conduct issued by the Peruvian immigration authority.
Is it safe to travel in Peru?
Reality shows that it is very safe.
You may have read or heard on TV, websites or newspapers about terrorism, crime and economic and political instability. But the truth is that terrorism has been defeated a long time ago; Peruvians live in peace and work very hard every day to build and democratic and safe society. We can assure visitors that all they need to do is follow the normal precautions taken in order to visit other destinations.