Tipping in many countries can be a problem and can add a great deal of stress to your holiday. Remember Tipping is entirely voluntary and how much you give depends on how you feel about the service you have received, and also how much you can realistically afford.

For greater context for how much of a difference you may be making, Peru has a minimum salary of 800 Nuevo Soles (US$300) monthly for a 6 day 48 hour week. However, in many of the lower-paid jobs (eg waiters, porters etc) this is not always enforced.

2.50 Peruvian Soles are roughly the equivalent of GBP 60p, USD$1 and 1 Euro.

For a more detailed guide on tipping, please refer to the Trip Notes page.

POWER IN PERU

Peru runs on 220 Volt power. They use either a 2 round prong or 2 flat prong outlets.

If you have 3 prongs or 2 prong angled appliances you will need to bring an adaptor.

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MONEY

In Peru, the currency is the Soles. For a typical trip, we suggest bringing between $500 and $700 with you. This money can be exchanged at banks, exchange vendors (look for Casa de Cambio) in Cusco or in Lima.

Alternatively, you can use your ATM card to withdraw Soles from ATMs in either town. These funds will be used for tips, food not covered in the trek cost, and souvenirs.

Of course, this is just a guide and depends on what you are thinking about doing before and after the trek.

Note: Accessibility to a cash point/ATM can be limited in more remote 

CREDIT CARDS

Credit cards can be used to purchase goods at most major stores and hotels in Peru. Be aware, you may be charged a higher price than if you pay by cash. 

THE ENVIRONMENT

Many of the places you will visit are pristine. As travelers, we should try to have as little impact on these natural environments as possible. As such we recommend the following:

• Please do not dispose of plastic bags and wrappers along the trail. These may be put in your backpack and disposed of at your local hotel at the end of the day.
• Follow the well-marked walking trail (for both your safety and to maintain the integrity of the landscape). 
•  Do not touch or fed any wildlife spotted on the way as you might cause severe harm to the animal.

By abiding by these simple guidelines, you will be protecting the local environment for the people who live there and for their children’s children.

CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS

Although attitudes are changing, Peru has traditionally been a conservative country. Officially, most of the Peruvians are Roman Catholic, but especially in the countryside, the ancient pre-Hispanic religiosity is still alive. Respect that when visiting temple ruins or other ritual places and behave as if you were in a church.

Peruvians will stand much closer than you will probably like when in conversation. But it will be considered rude if you start backing away. Touching is also very common as well during conversation (This includes hand on shoulders, hand on arms, and hand on hands. Men will commonly walk arm in arm with other men and the same goes for women with other women, but this is just a sign of friendship).

In Peru, people tend to dress a bit more formally than you might be accustomed to. Other than on the beach, you rarely see t-shirts, shorts, and flip-flops or sandals. And even there it is not unusual to see a few people dressed in their “Sunday best”. 

Coca leaves are NOT cocaine and they are legal. You can try them to experience the culture. If you don’t like to chew them, try a mate de hojas de coca (Coca Leaf Tea). Also quite effective against altitude sickness. However, the use of coca leaf tea may lead to testing positive on North American drug tests within the next few weeks.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Peru affords incredible opportunities for photography. Ensure that you are familiar with your camera well before your trek, and that your camera battery is strong (and bring a spare).

When taking photographs of local people, please ask their permission first and respect their wishes. This is normal courtesy. All you need to do is hold up your camera and wait for a response.

WHAT NOT TO DO IN CUSCO

You are now at an altitude of 3300m. Take it easy for a few days while your body adjusts to the lack of pressure and oxygen. Slight headaches, sleeplessness, dizziness, breathlessness, and confusion are common. Take Mate de Coca (Coca leaf tea) and a painkiller, avoid large meals, alcohol, smoking, and stop if you overexerting yourself. Severe headaches, severe noisy breathing, and unconsciousness are not common – get help immediately you have severe altitude sickness.

Please drink only bottled water to avoid any stomach problems.

Please do not put toilet paper down the toilets as it blocks them. Use the bins provided.

Pickpockets are present in Cusco. Please look after your valuables and do not leave temptation in any hotel room, tent, taxi, restaurant, and especially in the markets. Please use the safe in the hotel.

Take official taxis after dark. Official taxis have hexagonal badges in the windscreen and preferably with telephone number light boards mounted on the roof.