we support responsible, sustainable and ethical tourism...

frequently asked questions - In order to be well prepared for your trek we offer the following generic information about our trips. Please ask if you have any specific questions about your route.

pre trek briefing trek difficulty

hiring extra equipment do you need an extra horse?

altitude trekking tips insurance

emergency horse what to bring optional extras equipment

luggage storage water cooking & meals bathing toilets medical kit

responsible tourism gifts sharing information about your home country peru travel

tipping feedback how much money should I take? safety women travellers

train tickets

Pre Trek Briefing We offfer you a briefing prior to departure eg 1 - 2 days before you leave on your trek. (2 days is preferred) Depending on your schedule a suitable time is usually around 6pm -8 pm. (The briefing should only be ½ an hour - depending on how many questions you ask!) At this briefing the guide (or a representative of the agency if your guide is on a trip) will explain the route you will take on your trek and you have a chance to ask last minute questions about the trek. The advantage of having the briefing two days before the trek is that it gives you a last minute opportunity to buy snacks or warm clothes (there are plenty of hats, gloves and scarves for sale in Cusco). Your final payment to our Administrator is also usually done at the pre-trek briefing. Your pre-trek briefing will be organised once you have paid your deposit.

Trek Difficulty - we have tried here to describe the trek difficulties as best as we can. It is very subjunctive as it depends on your fitness, experience and a whole range of factors including your health on the day. Trekking in the Andes is never easy!!! However, most people can do it as long as they have average fitness and a good attitude. We strongly suggest that if you do not consider yourself very fit (be honest!) to talk to us prior to doing a trek! Also, please advise us if you have any medical conditions prior to doing a trek - ie bad back, sore knees, weak ankles as well as other medical conditions. If you do not tell us we assume you are 100% healthy!

Hiring Extra Equipment We hire sleeping bags (rated for -5 and -10 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 -10 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.)

optional extras We can hire the following to you.

• Sleeping Bag suitable for -5deg. ($4.00 per day)
• Deluxe Sleeping Bag suitable for -10deg. ($6.00 per day)
• Walking stick lightweight aluminum ($2.00 per day)
• Inflatable mattress (eg. Thermarest) ($5.00 per day)
• Two sticks are recommended for tough hikes to aid balance.
• Mule - $9.00 per day Most people carry their own day pack with up to 5-10kg of their things - a change of clothes and wet weather gear etc. However, if you think that you will have much luggage and you want a very light day pack (eg. just camera and water) then its advisable that you hire an extra mule ing

Do you need an extra horse? (see also below 'luggage storage and emergency riding horse) We included in the price of your tour 7kg each. we LOAN you a duffel bag which you can put this 7kg is. 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. 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. We strongly recommend that you leave the bulk at of your luggage at your hotel in Cusco.

Altitude We strongly recommend that you acclimatize for 2-3 days in a high place (like Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Arequipa or Lake Titicaca) before attempting any of these hikes. Altitude can affect anyone at moderate to high altitude (generally anything over 3,000 metres). Altitude sickness is caused by a lack of oxygen which can be up to a third less than at sea level. No one understands why some people are affected and others not. Age, level of fitness and strength is no indication of how well you will fare at altitude. Be aware that altitude sickness can be serious, so if your guide advises you to rest or descend, please do as instructed. As most of our
Treks are a mixture of ascents and descents, altitude sickness is often short term and suffering from it does not necessarily mean you will be unable to complete the trek. Drugs are available to combat the effects of altitude sickness, for more information please ask your doctor.

Trekking tips We recommend that you refer to our webpage "Trekking tips".
Our number one trekking tip is … Go at your own pace. It's not a race. Most of our tours have adequate time for you to take it easy along the trail. We also find it is more enjoyable to stop and rest frequently, admiring the landscapes than to arrive in camp early and sit in your tent!

Insurance - As outlined in our booking conditions, we strongly recommend that you have your own travel insurance prior to departing on one of our treks. Please note that the non refundable deposit should be able to be recouperated through a travel insurance claim in the case of accident or illness. We are often asked to provide more information about travel insurance but believe it best if you contact insurance companies in your own country to learn more about travel insurance. In brief, an individual's medical insurance is very distinct from typical travel/trip insurance. Read here about typical travel insurance http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travel_insurance
Medical insurance is quite different in that it often does not cover emergency evacuation. We strongly recommend that you check your medical plans for emergency evacuation coverage AND strongly recommend that you obtain travel/trip insurance if you want to hedge your risk against trip cancellation, illness, injury, death, etc in order to recoup some of their expenses in such an event.

Emergency horse/mule We send an "emergency" horse or mule on your trips which is to be used in case of emergency, sprained ankle or even if you have been sick and feel weak. If you are walking particularly slowly, your guide may advise you to use the horse so that the group reaches their campsite in good time. PLEASE USE THE HORSE IF THE GUIDE SUGGESTS IT! It is in the best interest of everyone in your group that you all arrive at your campsite in good time. Please also note that this is not a "horse" as considered by Western standards, it is more like a cross between a mule and a horse and it will not be comfortable to ride for long periods of time. If you seriously think you require a "riding horse" please discuss it with us. It should also be noted that in extremely wet, muddy or steep conditions that sometimes it is inadvisable to ride the horse for safety reasons.

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.

• Tents - 2 people in a 4 person tent which allows for greater comfort, and also storage of backpacks. All tents were purchased in 07/08.
• If you are travelling alone and would like your own tent, please request this. Normally we can accomodate single travellers in a 2 man tent. If you are travelling in a group of 3 we might accomodate you in two tents or a 5-6 man tent.
• Basic foam mattress. If you require greater comfort during the trek we can hire you an inflatable mattress (eg. Thermarest) for $5 per day.
• Cook and Cooking equipment is included.
• Dining tent
• Toilet tent

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. Its 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.

• Original passport and valid ISIC student card
• Insurance card. (We strongly recommend you take out travel insurance)
• A light day pack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek - prepare for a vast range of changes in temperature
• Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho. Plastic ponchos can be bought for about $1 in Cusco.
• Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended. Extra socks are a must.
• Sandals or plastic slip on thongs are also good to give your feet a chance to breath in the evenings if you wish to carry them.
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf and beanie/touk. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
• Sleeping bag (we can hire these to you)
• Torch/ Flashlight and spare batteries
• Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
• Sun block
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
• Insect repellent - minimum recommended 20% DEET - although no malaria risk has been reported
• Toilet paper, pack in & pack out
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
• Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
  We advise you to bring water sterilizing tablets in case you collect water from streams.
• Your own medical kit with any special medications that you might require, paracetamol etc.
• Small towel or sarong
• Bathers/swimsuit (if you intend on swimming in hot springs)
• Cash - sufficient for your final lunch in Aguas Calientes, tips and souvenirs.
• Original passport & ISIC (International Student Identity Card) if you have one.
• Walking sticks or poles (we can hire these to you. Please note poles with metal tips cannot be carried into Machu Picchu and should be left at your hotel on the final day)
• Binoculars (if you have them)
• Refillable Water Bottle

Luggage Storage & Load Limits
During the trek we advise you to store your main luggage at your hotel in Cusco.

At your briefing you will be loaned a small duffel bag to pack clothes for the trip. Please limit your luggage in this duffel bag to 7kg each person. The mules will carry these bags together with the food and equipment for the trail. The duffel bags are waterproof but it is still advisable to put your things inside a plastic bag within the duffel bag. The approximate dimensions are 60cm by 30cm. PLEASE RETURN YOUR DUFFEL BAG AT THE END OF THE TRIP!!! You can do this by leaving it in the reception of your hotel.

For pictures of the duffel bags check out these pics duffel bag one and duffel bag two

Most people carry their own day pack with up to 5kg of their things - a change of clothes and wet weather gear etc. However, if you think that you will have much luggage and you want a very light day pack (eg. just camera, sunscreen and water) then its advisable that you hire an extra mule. Please note that you will not have access to these items until the end of each day as the muleteers travel at a different pace than the group.

At the end of your trip, please leave your duffel bag in the reception of your hotel. We will come to collect it.

Water 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.

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.

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 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.

Responsible tourism We strong recommend that you read the following page http://www.apus-peru.com/responsible_tourism_detail.htm

Visitors to Peru often want to help people, and whilst on treks you may encounter children asking for pens and sweets. When they do this, remember that by handing out sweets, loose change or small gifts, it can corrupt and create begging mentality where none existed before.

However, to not give anything also doesn't give the best impression of tourists.

If you wish to bring gifts please consider those which might convey a positive image. This includes fruit - oranges and apples. Children in the high Andes rarely eat fruit, and you are encouraging a healthy eating behaviour. The drawback is that fruit is heavy to carry.
Other ideas include Dried fruit & Bread
Try to avoid anything that has packaging which will inevitably become litter.

Pens and paper are often suggested but are not necessarily useful for semi-literate children. Shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste are all purchasable at cheap prices in Cusco and encourage healthy behaviours but do come in packaging. (The packaging then becomes litter).

If you want to contribute very positively, you can bring simple reading books or picture books (in Spanish) and ask that you accompany your guide to the local school to give them to the teacher. Do not give the books to individuals.

If you wish to give a cash gift, please do not give it directly to the teacher. The best way to give a cash gift is via the Apus Peru Community Chest project. See
http://www.apus-peru.com/community_chest.htm

If you strongly wish to give cash when arriving in a community, ask to see the President, Secretary and/or Treasurer of the Community or the Parents Association. Then, ensure that your gift is witnessed by several people and that the donation is written in the 'Actas' or recordbook of the community.

Please note that 5% of our trek price is contributed to community projects. If you want more information, please ask Ariana at apusperu@westnet.com.au for details. Our main projects are supporting bilingual education in the community of Chaullacocha (between Lares and Ollantaytambo) and running "Revitalising weaving workshops."

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. 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.
Deciding how much to tip the porters, the cook and guide is a difficult moment at the end of the trek. Generally speaking, if the group have been pleased with the service then try to ensure that each porter/muleteer takes home an extra 10 soles per day of trek, cook 20 soles per day of trek, and the guide as you feel is appropriate. We believe that ultimately, tipping the guide and cook should be dependent on the quality of the service that you received.

Gifts If you wish to bring a gift from your home country please bring something useful, simple and not too expensive. Hats and t-shirts are good gifts, fridge magnets are not (many families do not have refridgerators!) Pens and paper in remote communities also break down the work that NGOs do - that they give school supplies in exchange for teacher training.

Remote Peruvian communities still function using "ayni" - the idea of "today for me, tomorrow for you". If you give lots of things (or lots of tourists over a period give a little) then it breaks down the traditional concept of ayni - that is, that exchanges should be reciprocal. Therefore while it is nice to give - also consider the long term implications and what it means for these traditional communities.

Sharing info about your home country Many people collate small photographs or information about their lives in their home country. We encourage this very important cultural sharing, however, really analyse what you show people. Pictures of your brother with his brand new car, the family on a ski holiday or your sister in an elaborate debutante dress in some ways only emphasise difference, rather than generate solidarity. Pictures of your house (no matter how moderate it is by Western standards) will probably emphasise that you are "rich" by Peruvian standards.

Peru travel
For general advice on travelling to Peru, please refer to our website
http://www.apus-peru.com/peru_travel_advice.htm

For advice regarding vaccinations, please contact a suitably qualified doctor as we are unable to advise which vaccinations you should have.

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!

Women travellers Women in Peru are normally treated well as long as you don't dress or act in an attention that draws attention to yourself. The vast majority of our guides, cooks and muleteers are male - so if you are a group of two women who have signed up on a trek, expect that you will have a male entourage. (We can sometimes organise female guides on request!) All our staff are implicitly trustworthy. A suggestion from other female trekkers - bring a couple pairs of sports bras for the trek!

Peruvian people have different concepts of time and space. They enter people's "personal space" a lot of the time and so if the guide does this and it makes you feel uncomfortable TELL THEM IMMEDIATELY that this is not appropriate in your culture. (or whatever!) But tell them in preference to commenting on it in your final report.

Train tickets - for backpacker trains the timetable is 2.30pm and 6pm, and you return to Cusco approximately 3-4 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, it all depends on personal preference and its impossible to anticipate people's preference. If you want to change your train ticket, you can do so by paying $10 extra (approx.) in Aguas Calientes, depending on availability on the day. 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 youd send your passport details asap!) In the case that Apus Peru 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).

Feedback
Your guide should give you a feedback form to complete on the final day. We would greatly appreciate if you could take the time to complete this form and give us your impressions of your journey.
If we don't receive this form, we will email you for your comments.
It is most important that we have your feedback on all aspects of the journey.

APUS PERU Adventure Travel Specialists - Email: apusperu@westnet.com.au

© A.Svenson 2005. The design, content and photographs (except where noted) are 100% original. The majority of our treks were designed by Apus Peru.