Claire Dean
Claire Dean

Claire Dean

Travel in South America is a joy to behold. The rich variety of destinations, experiences, landscapes and geography fascinated me so much, that I chose to relocate here, over 20 years ago! The best thing I ever did! Allow me to share my knowledge and passion for Central and South America with you and help you plan your holiday of a lifetime!

How Far Ahead Do You Need To Book a Trip To Peru

How Far Ahead Do You Need To Book a Trip To Peru

4MINREAD

Written by:Claire Dean

Published: 2022-06-17

There’s no doubt about it.... Peru is one of the best places in the world to go for adventure travelers. The huge variety of landscaped and unique places to visit is enough for anyone to want to head to this wonderful country to see what it has to offer. But the question arises, how long in advance do I need to book my trip to Peru? Here are some helpful pointers.

 

Found upon Lake Titicaca, Taquile Island has a colorful history and a distinct culture. Taquileans are so well-known for intricate and well-made handwoven textiles that in 2005 UNESCO declared them to be a “Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage.” These textiles are a character-defining element of their culture. Visit on your Puno Tours.

Taquile Island, Lake Titicaca

 

Plan Your Itinerary


Before you do anything else, you need to know exactly where you’ll be going and what activities you plan on doing. Do you want to stay by the sea? Or are you hoping to do the world-famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu? Or maybe you want to hike through all types of climates and vegetation.

Take time to carefully plan where you want to go and how you’ll do it. Know how you’ll travel from place to place and how much time it should all take. We recommend doing this well in advance because things can get booked up months ahead of time, especially the Inca Trail. When looking at treks to reserve, it’s a good idea to consider your hiking ability. Some people are seasoned hikers and do it all year round, whereas some people come for the first time to somewhere like this. You should be fit and healthy and know your limits. Also, be aware that trekking at high altitudes is much more strenuous, so enjoy a few days at a city or town in the region before setting off on foot. The more you spend acclimatizing, the better trekking experience you will have.

 

Inca Trail Reservations


Ideally, you should try to book the Inca Trail about six months in advance,  as a general rule of thumb. If you want to trek during high season (June, July, and August), during these months, trail permits can sell out as soon as they go on sale! May is usually the first month to sell out, followed by June then July. Dates around important festivals such as Fiestas Patrias, Inti Raymi, and New Year, can also sell out quickly. The months surrounding the high season can also sell out ahead of time. If you want to hike the Inca Trail in April, May, September, October, or November, try to book at least three or four months in advance. Bear in mind that the Inca Trail is closed during the month of February.

 

Imagine enjoying the majesty of Machu Picchu in just 2 days, without compromising your energy on long treks. The Inca Trail Express is the ideal alternative to the traditional 4-day Inca Trail, especially if you are short on time.

Inca Trai to Machu Picchu


Book Everything You Need


It is highly recommend booking as much as possible in advance. This way, you will have all your trip set out and won’t need to worry about anything upon arrival. The last thing you want after hours of traveling is to then need to walk around town finding a hotel and booking a tour or hike. Things you should consider booking beforehand are all methods of transport such as planes, buses trains, hotels, and specific tours. In the famous, top-end restaurants, it’s also a good idea to book tables in advance.

 

Cornerstone experiences such as Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu, require advance booking, particularly during high season (June to the end of August). Make sure you book ahead to reserve the exact activities that you want to do!

Reserved

 

Sort Out Travel documents


You will need to have travel insurance if planning on hiking, as many companies won’t allow you to trek with them if you are uninsured. You also don’t want to be injured on a trip and then be presented by a huge hospital bill. Health care isn’t cheap in Peru, so make sure you’re prepared. You also need to make sure that your passport has at least 6 months validity. Bring a copy of your vaccination card with the full dose and or a negative PCR test.

It is a good idea to make copies of important documents in case anything gets lost along the way including tickets, booking information, passports and vaccination card.

 

Unlike some other South American destinations, notably Brazil, you don't need a visa to enter Peru as a US citizen. According to the US State Department website, you just need a valid passport and evidence of onward or return travel, so no one-way tickets for your Peru vacation packages!

Travel Documents

 

Packing List


Making sure all your luggage is ready to go is one of the most important factors when preparing for your  Peru vacation. Forgetting something important can turn into a nightmare, so make sure you have a list of everything you need to hand. Take into consideration the climate of where you’re going. This will mean whether it’s hot, cold, or humid, and also depend on the time of year. You’ll find the strongest rainfall from December to March in the highlands, and many treks including the Inca Trail, are closed in February. The weather in Peru can be unpredictable and very changeable so make sure you pack a variety of items. Waterproofs are always recommended wherever you go, and be sure to have other essential items like sunblock, insect repellent, and local currency.

 

What you wear in Peru depends on when you're visiting and where you're going. The rainy season in Peru is from November to April, and the dry season is from May to October. A packing list will help you prepare for your Peru tour package so that you don´t take unnecessary items!

Packing List

 

Inform Your Bank


You’re almost ready to jet off, but there’s something else that’s very important you should do before you leave. Many people forget to let their bank know when they’re traveling abroad and then find that they can’t take cash out at an ATM because of the bank suspects suspicious activity. A few days before you leave, or even the same day, give them a call or access your account online and inform them that you’re going away. Let them know exactly for how long and to which places so you don’t come up against any issues.
Make sure you plan well and book all that you can so you can enjoy a relaxing vacation.

 

Consult with your bank prior to your Peru holiday package to become aware of any bank fees as well as any specific instructions for using your debit card in Peru.

Inform your Bank

 

Don’t forget to pack all the right things, collect all the right documents and have them photocopied, and let your bank know that you’re coming. Once you’ve done all this, you’re ready for the trip of a lifetime to Magical Peru. We’ll see you soon!

 

A positive outlook and relaxed, yet assured attitude to travel will get you a long way in Peru. Take things in your stride on your Peru Holiday Packages and remember that the journey is often better than the destination itself! Happy Travels!

Enjoy the Journey
 

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