Documents and visas
Documents and visas
You must carry your original physical ID (the same one used for the
booking) at every entry checkpoint — especially to enter the Machu Picchu citadel.
Without the original document, entry is prohibited by the Peruvian authorities and no
refunds are allowed.
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Document: a valid original passport or national ID card (in good
condition) is accepted.
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Visa: not required for tourism and business among Mercosur member
countries. Even so, passing through border checkpoints is mandatory. Travelers from
other countries should check their specific visa requirements for Peru.
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Students: bring your original, valid ISIC card to access ticket
discounts (where applicable).
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Minors: if a minor travels without their legal guardians, completed and
signed authorization documents are required, according to the rules of their home
country.
Health and altitude
Cusco sits at 3,400 meters above sea level. We recommend resting on the
first day, drinking plenty of water and enjoying a coca tea to help with acclimatization.
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If you have any pre-existing medical condition, consult your doctor before traveling and
let our team know in advance.
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Yellow fever vaccine: not mandatory to visit Peru, but an extra
precaution since it is a tropical country.
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Travel insurance: not mandatory, but strongly recommended — especially
for those doing treks or adventure sports.
Weather and what to pack
Peru has two main seasons: rainy (December to late March) and dry (April to November). In
the Cusco and Machu Picchu region there is significant temperature variation — highs
around 20 °C and lows near 0 °C. In Lima, on the coast, temperatures range from 12 °C to
30 °C.
What we recommend bringing:
- Layered clothing: a warm jacket for morning/night and light clothes for the day.
- Comfortable walking shoes (trekking shoes with good grip).
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a cap or hat.
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Rain poncho (especially between November and March) — note: umbrellas
are not allowed at Machu Picchu.
- Insect repellent, a reusable water bottle and cash in soles for extra expenses.
Train and luggage
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Train included: all our packages include round-trip train — except
those that reach Machu Picchu on foot, in which case only the return train to Cusco is
included.
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Luggage: the train allows only a small backpack (up to 5 kg). Larger
luggage is kept safe in the luggage storage of your hotel in Cusco.
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Seats: PeruRail assigns seats automatically through its system — they
cannot be chosen.
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Expedition or Vistadome Observatory? We usually recommend the
Expedition on the way there (a shorter ride, often around dusk) and the Vistadome
Observatory on the way back, which has larger panoramic windows, an observation car,
onboard service included and more comfort to enjoy the Andean scenery.
- Train schedules are subject to availability and to changes by the railway company.
Machu Picchu tickets
Book 3 months (low season) to 5 months (high season) in
advance — tickets sell out, especially Circuit 2, the most complete and sought-after. If
Circuit 2 is not available for your date, we guarantee the best alternative: first Circuit
3 and then Circuit 1.
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According to the latest updates from the Ministry of Culture, tickets are
final: no rescheduling, transfer to another date/person, or refund.
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Tour cancellations due to bad weather are non-refundable, as these are factors beyond
our control.
- The earlier you book, the better the train and entry times we can arrange.
Learn more about the circuits and the ideal lead time on our
Ticket availability page.
Currency, power and flights
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Currency: almost all businesses accept US dollars — it will be the most
used currency. Also carry a smaller amount in soles (the local currency) for markets and
crafts. We recommend exchanging at trustworthy exchange houses recommended by the team.
International cards are also accepted.
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Electrical power: the standard voltage in Peru is 220 V. Some hotels
have 110 V outlets; when needed, there are transformers that step the voltage down.
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Flight duration from Brazil to Peru: São Paulo–Lima ≈ 5h15; Rio de
Janeiro–Lima ≈ 5h30; Porto Alegre–Lima ≈ 5h.
Guides and languages
Tours are offered in Portuguese at Peru's main tourist destinations: the archaeological
City Tour in Cusco, the Sacred Valley of the Incas and Machu Picchu. Elsewhere, the guide
speaks Spanish (or English, if needed) slowly, so it's easy to follow.
This information is general and may vary according to official regulations and suppliers'
policies. For payment and cancellation conditions, see the
Booking & cancellation page. Questions?
Check the FAQ or talk to our team.
