Want an in-depth insight into the Tour?.- Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerar; visa info; how to get to your hotel and what’s included; Pretty much everything you need to know about this trip
ITINERARY DISCLAIMER
The information given in the itinerary may be slightly different to that in the brochure. It’s very important that you print and review a final copy of this Essential Trip Information a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans. If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Cusco Peru. We are here to help you!
Please note that while we operate successful trips in this region throughout the year, some changes may occur in our itineraries due to inclement weather and common seasonal changes to timetables and transport routes. This can happen with little notice so please be prepared for modifications to the route. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary from time to time.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance is compulsory. We require that at a minimum; you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.
If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number and emergency contact number rather than the bank’s name and credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.
MEDICAL AND HEALTH INFORMATION
We strongly recommend you visit your doctor to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you regarding the appropriate inoculations. In some places anti-malaria medication may also be required. Some vaccines need to be administered a few weeks before departure so allow you plenty of time. Obtain a certificate of vaccination and carry this with you on this trip.
YELLOW FEVER:
It is your responsibility to check with your doctor well in advance of leaving home about the Yellow Fever requirements for the countries you’ll be visiting.
Other vaccinations may be required or recommended for this trip so you should also consult with your travel doctor to obtain the latest up to date information.
Remember, it is your responsibility to ensure that you obtain any vaccinations or preventative medicines for the countries you are visiting – or any which may be required by your home country upon your return.
Parts of your trip go above 2,000 meters where it is common for travellers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude – regardless of your age, gender and fitness.
Before your trip: Some pre-existing medical conditions are known to severely worsen at high altitude and be difficult to adequately treat on the ground, leading to more serious consequences. It is imperative that you discuss your pre-existing medical condition/s with your doctor. We understand certain medications are reported to aid acclimatizing to high altitude. Please discuss these options with your doctor.
SYMPTOMS OF ALTITUDE SICKNESS
This Symptoms can appear within 1-2 hours although most often appear 6-10 hours after ascent and generally subside in 1-2 days as the body adjusts to altitude. They may reappear as you continue to go higher. Symptoms usually occur gradually & can be one or a combination of the following:
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Disturbed sleep or drowsiness
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Nausea/vomiting
- Dizziness
- Swelling of hands, feet & face
HOW TO AVOID ALTITUDE SICKNESS?
Certain medical conditions (such as respiratory disease) or medications (such as sleeping pills) can increase the risk of altitude sickness – it is important that you inform your leader of any medical conditions or medications before ascending to altitude. You can help your body to acclimatise and avoid altitude sickness by:
- Drinking plenty of water – at least 4 litres per day on top of other forms of fluids such as tea or soups
- Avoiding alcohol, tobacco and substances that can interfere with good delivery of oxygen to the body or cause dehydration.
- Eating small, frequent meals high in carbohydrates.
- Taking it easy or have a regular break. Walk at a slower pace than you would at sea level and avoid over-exertion
TREATMENT FOR ALTITUDE SICKNESS
Most travellers are able to successfully acclimatise by following the previously mentioned guidelines. Ultimately, the best treatment for acute altitude sickness is to descend to a lower altitude.
There may be times when your leader makes the decision that you or a member of your group is at risk of serious altitude sickness and for safety insists that you cannot ascend further – please respect that they are within their rights to do so and are making that decision in the best interests of your health and well-being.
We recommend you to keep track of altitude related symptoms you may experience by completing the below chart from the first day you experience any altitude sickness symptoms.
If you are experiencing any altitude sickness symptoms, we encourage you to discuss them with your leader straight away so you both can follow your acclimatisation progress.
However, should you rate the severity of any symptoms at 7 or more, or the symptoms continue/worsen after the initial 1-2 days, please inform your leader without delay, so that we can seek the advice of a trained medical professional if necessary. Everyone will have a different perception of the severity of their symptoms, the key is to personally assess whether your symptoms are improving or worsening.
MONEY MATTERS
- Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping, participating in optional activities, and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
- You will need to take cash to cover all additional expenses not included in your tour cost. These include food, drinks, optional sightseeing, tips, laundry, souvenirs and possible delays. If in doubt, bring more than you think you will need. It is always useful to carry an additional amount for emergencies.
- If there is a medical emergency you are sometimes required to pay at the time; providing your claim falls within the scope of your policy, your insurance company will make reimbursement later.
- Please also make sure you have access to an additional US$300; to be used when unforeseen incidents or circumstances outside our control (eg. a natural disaster, civil unrest, strike action or an outbreak of bird flu).
- Gratuities aren’t compulsory on your trip, but they can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry. We suggest carrying small notes of local currency around as you go. It’ll make tipping easier.
- Usually around USD5 – USD10 a day to cover tips is fine, but your leader might raise the idea of a group tip kitty. Each traveller contributes an equal amount to the pool, and your leader can pay the tips as you go.
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL
Responsible tourism is at the heart of Imaginative Traveller. For 20 years we have taken customers to places around Peru in social and environmentally responsible manner, ensuring everyone involved respects and maintains the natural and often delicate balance of the destination.
As travellers ourselves we are well aware of the impact that tourism can have and whilst economic gain from tourism is often fundamental to a country, it should never be at the expense of its culture or the environment.
It is our aim to provide journeys that have minimal negative and maximum positive impact on the places we visit. We do not believe that, as visitors, we should impose our own cultures on others; rather that we should experience foreign cultures and appreciate them for what they are.
We believe giving something back is essential. We therefore work with our customers and the people we visit to ensure the benefits go directly to contribute to local cultures and environmental conservation. This is not only good the communities we visit but it also gives our travellers more enriched adventures.
CONTACT US
Should you encounter any difficulties meeting your transfer from the airport to the starting hotel, depending on which country you are in you can contact a SUNRISE PERU TREK representative on the following:
- Mauro Pedraza – Operations Manager
Mobile: +(51) 984 734633 - Henrry Chauca – Operations
Mobile: +(51) 950 313131 - Sharon Ovalle – SUNRISE PERU TREK Representatives Supervisor
Mobile: +(51) 974 359484
IN CASES OF EMERGENCY
While we hope you never have to use it, if for any reason you need to contact someone from SUNRISE PERU TREK, whether it be that you have missed a trip departure meeting, have become separated from your trip on the road or any other unforeseeable problem, the following options are available to you.
- Cusco Office
Your best recourse to assistance during the day is to call our team between 8am-9pm Monday to Friday and 9.30am-4pm.
Telf: +51 84 237404 - Emergency Contact
If you need to contact SUNRISE PERU TREK outside of the above hours the following number is available:
Mobile: +(51) 984 734633
Please remember if it is a genuine emergency, we of course want you to call us; however, if it can wait until the next day, we ask that you call during our office hours. Thank you.