TRIP DETAILS

8 days: US$2650 per person
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Is this trip for me?
Nazca Express is an eight-day tour which includes a small-plane flight and some public transport.  As always, a certain patience is required for the inconsistencies and delays of developing-world travel.

Joining the tour
On all Southern Crossings tours, you are met at the airport by one of our representatives (holding a Southern Crossings placard), who will accompany you to our joining hotel.  No bargaining or being ripped off by airport taxis! 


What's included in the trip 

·     Airport pickup and transfer to hotel

·     Southern Crossings bilingual guide in each location

·     All other internal transport (excluding transport to optional restaurants, bars, sights and excursions)

·     Internal flights, Lima-Cuzco, Cuzco-Lima

·     Seven nights of hotel accommodation

·     Machu Picchu excursion, including bilingual guide, round trip train fare, transportation to/from ruins/Aguas Calientes, and two-day entrance to the Machu Picchu sanctuary

·     Nazca Lines tour, including all transport, over flight of the Nazca Lines, and City tour of Ica with bilingual guide

·     Cuzco Visitor's Ticket, which gives entrance to the major ruins, churches and museums in and around Cuzco

·     Cuzco City Tour

      Lima City Tour

·     Southern Crossings T-Shirt or Cap

What's not included
International flight to/from Lima, airport taxes (approx. US$52), pre- & post- tour accommodation, visas, vaccinations, personal insurance, meals except where specified above, drinks, laundry, souvenirs, tips while on optional excursions and other items of a personal nature. Medical travel insurance is not included through Southern Crossings though we do require that you have a policy. Check www.travelguard.com to purchase a policy for your trip.

Extra Accommodation
We will gladly arrange additional accommodation for you before or after your trip:
In Lima: $110 double/$90 single
In Cuzco: $120 double/$100 single
 

Single Person Supplement: $425
Please add this to your total payment if you will be travelling alone or wish to have private accommodation

 

PRE-TRIP PLANNER

 

Required documents

All travelers to Peru are required to have a passport valid for at least six months from date of entry. Visas are not required for E.U., U.S., Canadian, Australian or New Zealand passport holders. For other nationalities, please consult the nearest Peruvian embassy or consulate.  An onward ticket and proof of funds may also be required at entry and should be available to show to immigration. Traveler’s checks, currency, or a bank statement, from the bank or printed off the internet, are sufficient for proof of funds.

 

Required immunizations

No immunizations are required of travelers to these areas of Peru.  Travelers may wish to receive
hepatitis vaccinations and should be current on all other standard vaccinations.  No areas visited on this trip are malarial or yellow fever zones.  Please consult your physician or local health department for more information.

 

Things to bring

On our Nazca Lines tour, One should come well prepared for outdoor activity at temperatures ranging from 30 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and for extremes of sun and the possibility of rain. A list of things to bring would include:

 

·         Passport and, if necessary, visa

·         Traveler’s checks and/or cash card

·         Airline ticket

·         Photocopies of airline ticket and documents

·         Wearable pouch for documents and money

·         Large, sturdy backpack or suitcase

·         Smaller, comfortable day pack

·         Trekking/walking boots, comfortable and worn-in

·         Sandals or flip-flops 

·         Rain poncho or jacket

·         Waterproof pants

·         Sun hat

·         Hat for cold weather

·         Good, warm clothing for cold weather (think layers!)

·         Scarf and gloves

·         T-shirts

·         Socks (thin wool or biking socks are best), undergarments

·         Towel and swimsuit for hot springs

·         Camelback or Nalgene bottle (optional)

·         Flashlight (head lamps are very handy)

·         Sunscreen

·         Insect repellent (15% DEET recommended)

·         Lip balm

·         Earplugs

·         Alarm clock or watch

·         Sanitizing hand wipes or gel

·         Camera and film/digital memory cards

·         Camera batteries

·         Playing cards, games, reading material

·         Prescription medications

·         Toiletries
 

Note that common clothing, batteries, film, medications, and such toiletries as toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet paper, deodorant and feminine hygiene items are available in Peru.
It is best to bring from home such items as prescription meds, eyewear and care, extra large clothing, shoes, unusual film and camera batteries. Also note that most digital camera memory cards can be downloaded and burned onto a CD in internet cafes in any large city.

 

Climate

Rain is possible at any time of year, especially in high mountains and cloud forest, and one should always be prepared. The climate in sites we will visit is as follows:

Cuzco: days are warm if sunny, slightly chilly if cloudy.  Nights are cold in Cuzco. 

Lima: warm to hot days, cool evenings, almost never any rain.  Often overcast.

Nazca:  dry and warm desert climate which can be cold at night.

Machu Picchu: warmer and wetter than Cuzco.  Pleasant evenings. 

 

Money guide

The unit of currency in Peru is the nuevo sol. Current currency conversion
 

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Automatic cash points are available in Lima, Nazca and Cuzco. Visa, MasterCard, Plus, and Cirrus are the most common usable types of cards. Traveler's checks (American Express is best!) or a Visa or MasterCard for cash advances are also options.  Do not bring MoneyGrams or International Money Orders, as they are extremely difficult to exchange. Banks and exchange houses are available in Lima and Cuzco.  For currency, U.S. dollars are recommended and most easily exchanged.  Please note that cash must be untorn.  It can be older-looking, but even the slightest tear on an edge will make it un-changeable.  Acceptable bills come out of the ATMs in country.
 

Expect to spend about US$3-10 on a meal, US$2 on a beer, water or soft drink in Peru.  Shopping prices are usually lower than people expect.  Alpaca sweaters, for example, run between $5 and $30.