Useful Information

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    WEATHER​

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Peru has three main climatic zones: the tropical Amazon jungle to the east; the arid coastal desert to the west; and the Andean mountains and highlands in the middle of the country. In the Andes, which have altitudes over 3500m, average daily temperatures fall below 10°C (50°F) and overnight temperatures can dip well below freezing. Travelers flying straight into Cuzco (3326m) should allow time to acclimatize.

From June to August is the dry season in the mountains and altiplano (Andean plateau); the wettest months are from December to March. It rains all the time in the hot and humid rainforest, but the driest months there are from June to September.

 

The city of Cusco is at an altitude of 11,200 ft (3,400m) and it is important to be prepared for all kinds of weather, from cold weather 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius) to temperatures up to 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celcius).  There are two seasons in the Cusco area, the rainy season (summer), from November to April, and the dry season (winter), from May to October.  Average daytime temperatures in and around Cusco generally range from 55° - 75° F (13° – 24° C) with evenings cooling down into the 40s and 50s (5° - 10° C).  Jackets are necessary at night anytime of year in Cusco and surrounding areas!

MONEY

 

Peru uses the nuevo sol (S), which has traded at S2.50 to S2.60 per US dollar (US$) for over a year now, although you should keep an eye on current events.

Carrying cash, an ATM or traveler’s check card and also a credit card that can be used for cash advances in case of emergency is advisable. When receiving local currency, always ask for small bills (billetes pequeños), as S100 bills are hard to change in small towns or for small purchases. The best places to exchange money are normally casas de cambio (foreign-exchange bureaus) Do not accept torn money as it will likely not be accepted by Peruvians!

ALTITUDE SICKNESS

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We recommend that guests spend at least 2 nights in Cusco prior to any challenging trek. This helps with acclimatization to the altitude and also provides an opportunity to explore the beautiful city of Cusco.  People can feel the effects of higher altitudes as low as 6000 feet (2000 meters) above sea level; our bodies react to the changes in air pressure and oxygen level in different ways!  We reccommend not engaging in any strenuous physical activity the day you arrive, drink lots of water and eat small quantities of food, allow your stomach to settle to altitude.  The folk remedy for altitude sickness in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia is a coca tea and lots of rest!

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