Paracas / Huacachina

Most people automatically assume that the weather is hot in South America, but because of the higher altitude in the Andes, the temperature can feel quite cold, especially at night. We recommend using a backpack for your convenience, or a medium-sized suitcase if you prefer. A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person. You will be responsible for carrying your own luggage.

Documents 

• Flight info 
• Insurance info 
• Passport 
• Vouchers and pre-departure information 
• Visas or vaccination certificates 

Essentials 

• Cash, credit and debit cards 
• Day pack 
• First-aid kit 
• Locks for bags 
• Overnight bag 

• Reusable water bottle 
• Small travel towel 
• Toiletries 
• Waterproof backpack cover 

Technology 

• Camera 
• Flashlight/torch 
• G Adventures’ App 
• Mobile phone 
• Outlet adapter 

Inca Trail 

• Hiking pants 
• Pack liners to waterproof bags 
• Rain gear 
• Sleeping bag 
• Thermal base layer 
• Travel pillow 
• Walking poles, rubber-tipped 
• Waterproof hiking boots 

Amazon 

• Knee-length socks 
• Loose-fitting, light coloured hiking pants 
• Loose-fitting, light coloured long-sleeved shirts 
• Pack liners to waterproof bags 

Available for Rent During Your Trek Briefing (Payment either by cash and/or Credit Card) 

• Camping mattress/sleep mat 
• Sleeping bag 
• Walking poles 

Clothing 

• Fleece top/sweater 
• Footwear 
• Hat 
• Long pants/jeans 
• Shirts/t-shirts 
• Sleepwear 
• Sunglasses 
• Windproof rain jacket 

Warm weather 

• Sandals/flip-flops 
• Shorts/skirts 
• Sun hat/bandana 
• Swimwear 

Cold weather 

• Long-sleeved shirts or sweater 
• Scarf 
• Warm gloves 
• Warm hat 
• Warm layers 

Electricity and power supplies in Peru 

The entire country of Peru runs on 220-volt currents and uses two types of electrical outlets — one that accepts two-pronged plugs with flat, parallel blades (Type A), and another that accepts plugs with two round prongs (Type C). However, many Peruvian electrical outlets are designed to accept both types. If your appliance has a different plug attachment, you can buy a universal plug adapter that’s inexpensive and easy to carry around with you. Before you plug in any appliance that you’ve brought from home, make sure it can handle it. A great way to kill a 110-volt appliance is to fry it at 220 volts. 

It’s common to pay with a card, but cash is more widely accepted and probably your best bet. You can take out money at ATMs — they’re easily accessible, open on weekends, and allow you take out local currency (Peruvian Soles) and USD. We recommend using local currency so if you’re looking to exchange cash, it’s better to do it in the big cities rather than towns or tourist attractions because they generally have better rates. 
 
We also recommend using credit cards in restaurants, department stores, and supermarkets. If paying with a card, VISA is more generally used but Mastercard is accepted too. 

Restaurant: 10-15 % 
When leaving a tip for your server in a restaurant, the standard 10-15% is fine. 

Tour guides: $5 USD/day
When tipping the tour guides, it is recommended that each passenger contributes $5 USD/day or roughly $15 USD – $25 USD for treks that are three to four days long.  

Trekking guides, porters, drivers, cooks: $30 USD
It is recommended that every passenger contributes about $30 USD towards the trekking guides, porters, drivers, and cooks. 

Hotel concierge / cleaning / staff: $2-$5 USD
Tipping hotel service is also not a common practice in the hotels we use, but anywhere between $2 USD and $5 USD is fine.

Taxis: 🙂
The price of a cab ride is normally negotiated before the trip starts, and the tip would be included in the agreed upon rate. 

Other services: $1-$3 USD
Drivers for included tours can be tipped typically between $1 and $3 USD.