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

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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!

 

Enjoy the Journey