Newly renovated, comfortable and charming, Pisac Inn offers 12 immaculate guest rooms full of enchanting details that honor Quechua tradition. You will have the same room to settle into for the eight nights of your stay. Pisac Inn can best be compared to a small, family run bed and breakfast rather than international chain hotels.

Small. comfortable rooms with adobe walls ensure heat retention which keeps you warm at night. Wooden floors, good mattresses, down comforters and alpaca blankets, cotton sheets, small immaculate bathrooms with hot water woven together with charming decor and friendly service that makes you feel relaxed, safe and comfortable.

The rooms and baths are small and pleasant, accommodating to ones needs without excess.

A relaxed atmosphere and warm hospitality celebrates the continuity and vitality of this ancient living culture. The12 rooms enclose an enchanting patio area replete with local flowers, butterflies and majestic views. This haven provides you a space of tranquility while stepping out the door offers you the quiet excitement of a small Andean town.

Pisac Inn is located on the corner of the quaint plaza of Pisac. Nestled in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, 45 minutes outside of Cusco, Pisac is surrounded by breathtaking mountains with the beautiful Wilkamayu River running through the fertile valley's heart. Many travelers who happen upon Pisac inn express that it a hidden gem..............

2. Are meals included?

All meals are included except four eaten out. Our tour celebrates the main focus of this ancient agrarian based culture: food. We offer delicious home cooked meals prepared with fresh organic ingredients and local recipes. Our chef, Rely Batallanos, along with Keli, Rocio and Marleni prepare these exquisite meals each day with a love and affection you can taste in the quality of the meals. The gourmet meals are presented in a relaxed yet special atmosphere. The chef sets each daily menu composed of a soup or salad, main course and dessert with a beverage. No dish is repeated. This is a festive celebration of tasting the vast variety of produce in Peru, and its complex combination of aromas and flavors unique to this land. Mealtime is actually one of the highlights of this trip, sitting down at the same table to share a meal prepared just for our guests. We feel the flavors of a country can expose in depth understanding of the land and the people that create them.

The four meals not included will be in restaurants your guide will recommend. The group will go to the restaurant all together, and you can choose a dish you like most, or something new not on our menu. Roman will make recommendations!

3. What are the tour leaders like?

Roman Vizcarra will be your guide for most of the trip. Born in Peru, Roman has traveled worldwide teaching about the Quechua people. He loves to share an intimate knowledge of his people's traditions, and belief systems. A professional guide, Roman speaks fluent Spanish, English, German and Italian. Roman shares with passion his life vision: the recuperation and revaluation of his culture. Roman oftentimes says that while guiding he creates lifelong friendships, and this makes his work no longer feel like work, rather a wonderful opportunity share insights.

All of our tour assistants are exceptional! They are fluent in English and Spanish. Most also speak the local language of Quechua. Our assistants are from the local area and are among the very best guides. They treat our travelers like friends, showing visitors both the major highlights and the local treasures.

4. What type of transportation is used?

We use a professional tourist level transportation and chofer. The vehicle is a Mercedes Benz Sprinter. It is a nice, comfortable van, not a huge toursit bus. We use the same vehicle throughout the trip and the same chofer, so you can leave things on the bus with no concern.

We take the tourist class train to Machu Picchu, called the Vistadome. It offers amazing views as you travel closer to the rainforest.

5. What type of food is typical of Peru?

Staple foods in the highlands include potatoes, quinoa, corn, fava beans, tarwi (lupin beans), among many others! Naturally free-range and hormone free lamb and hen are the typical meats used in traditional dishes. Exotic fresh fruit is available year round due to the proximity of the rainforest. The incredible variety of vegetables, grains, fruit , chilies, spices and herbs is awaiting your paladar!

6. What types of planes are used for internal flights?

Most internal flights use 727s or similar size jet planes with a capacity of 80-120 passengers.

7. When is the best time to go?

Travelers can visit Peru any time of the year. Dry season runs from May to November and this is typically the time that is most recommended. However, this is also the cooler time of year. Nighttime temperatures can drop to below freezing at the height of the dry season. June, July and August are the most popular months to visit so you will tend to encounter much larger crowds during these months.

In the wet season (December to April), you can expect showers three to four afternoons a week. For travelers that don't mind a little drizzle and muddy trails, this time of year offers smaller crowds and greener hillsides, with wildflowers and orchids often in bloom.

The shoulder seasons, April to June or September to November can often provide the best of both worlds. They typically have fewer crowds and warmer temperatures than the height of the dry season, but still tend to have relatively little rain. For more information, check out our Peru Weather page.

8. Are these trips suitable for kids?

Absolutely!!

We have three children, and love living here because Peru is a child oriented society. Children are the highlight of every event here. We feel exposing children to different realities, ways of living and perspectives will enhance their lives beyond expectations, and this will benefit all of humanity by creating a deeper understanding of the world we live in by inspiring respect for all traditions. Your children will be welcomed full heartedly by our family, our staff and the entire community based culture in Peru. In fact, travelling with children may open doors to experiences that may not present themselves otherwise. When Peruvians see children, they immediately connect on a human level. We can accommodate your need as a family in any way. Our tours are ideal for travelling with children. The itinerary is perfect, and we can make arrangements for special activities if there are days the children would rather stay behind. We can arrange trustworthy babysitters if necessary.

We can make suggestions as to what may make travelling easier for them, habits to encourage at home before travel and special things to bring along. Our children, ages 12, 9 and 4, speak Spanish and English, and enjoy making friends.

9. What is the typical age range for these tours?

We have had travelers age 1-90 on our Peru tours. All ages are welcome!

10. Are these trips a good choice for solo travelers?

Absolutely!! Our Peru tours tend to attract a great mix of solo travelers, families, friends, etc. We can often match you with a roommate if desired, to save on single supplement costs or you can request a private room if you prefer.

11. Do tour rates include international flights?

Tour rates do not include international flights. We find that it is usually less expensive for travelers to book these separately and this also allows you the flexibility to choose the schedule and routing that is most convenient for you, oftentimes giving preference to specific airlines with personal choice of frequent flyer programs.

12. How do I get to the hotel from the airport when I arrive?

On our Peru Cultural Journeys: we will greet you in the Cusco airport! If you have an overnight in Lima, we can help make arrangements for hotel and transportation to and from the hotel.

13. What is the most effective way to make a contribution? What donations can be made?

Many travelers feel moved to support this beautiful culture after they have experienced the rich profoundness of this land and learn firsthand about the difficulties the people are faced with mainly due to economic limitations. Most people feel moved to make some contribution, and oftentimes are not sure how to help make a difference. There are many campaigns we hear about in the States , but we never really know what it will go towards. We have several amazing cultural and social projects that help sustain the endangered traditional way of life, working for the preservation, practice and diffusion of this ancient culture. We suggest direct donations up at the traditional community of Amaru, for the traditional music and dance group who teach the traditional music to the youth and investigate and recuperate the authentic dance from elders,, and for the Andean Waldorf school project. These three projects are so worthy of support, and will go toward keeping the traditional cultural alive and strong. Any donations will make a huge difference and you can be assured that hey will be used for important needs. You can learn more about these projects here. Please ask if you are interested in knowing more.

14. How much should I budget for tips?

Tips are greatly appreciated. A tip can make a huge difference for Peruvians who live in an economic reality extremely distinct from what we know. We encourage tipping, and even encourage high tipping especially when you receive exceptional service. Tipping amounts vary widely, though some travelers report ~$2-$10 for each staff member, giving the housekeeper, the kitchen staff and chofer preferential tipping! We love our staff and believe they deserve recognition of their gentle, sincere dedication to our guests needs. They are the ones who take care of you while away from home! Many travelers also bring small gifts from their home to give to service providers and the children we visit at the school and community.

15. How far in advance should I book?

You can book your Peru tour at any time and generally the earlier you book, the better. Booking early (4 months or more recommended) is especially important for travelers visiting during the height of the dry season, June to August, as many of these departures fill up months in advance. Travelers visiting outside of these busy months can often book a bit more last minute, though 2-3 months notice is still recommended.

Further, we usually recommend that you wait to book your international flights until after your tour is confirmed. The sooner that we arrange your tour, the sooner that you can take advantage of flight deals as they become available.

We are often able to accommodate last minute travelers as well (some even departing in less than one week!!), so give us a call and we will do our best! For last minute bookings, it helps to be flexible and organized.

16. Are tour dates flexible?

YES. Please contact us if you are not able to travel on the set departure dates listed. All tours can be arranged on alternative departure dates for a minimum of two travelers. In fact, we prefer to work this way. Our groups are most often times families or friends who decide to travel together, and prefer the intimate personalized feel we cater to. You can choose any dates that suit your schedule, and we can plan your itinerary from there!

17. Can I extend or change my stay?

Absolutely! Check out our Tour Options for ideas. Extra days can also be arranged in Machu Picchu, Cusco, the Amazon, Lake Titicaca or Lima, or other areas if desired. Let us know how you would like to customize your trip and we will do our best to accommodate you.

18. What should I pack?

Please see our packing list on this website for more details, and personal suggestions from a traveler: Judy´s gems! Since the Peruvian climate varies dramatically. Comfort is the rule and fancy clothes are not necessary for any of our Peru tours. Peruvians are used to seeing travelers so shorts, sandals, and jeans are perfectly acceptable. Layers are the best,. The temperature changes rapidly and having something to put on or take off is key! Remember we are in the high Andes, and it gets really cold at night, so bring warm clothes. Most places in Peru do not have heating systems, so be prepared to stay warm with cloths that are not bulky. Also, the sun can seriously burn! Sun block is essential.

19. How concerned should I be about the altitude?

Altitude affects each traveler differently and until you have visited an area with high altitude, it is impossible to predict how your body will react. Pisac is lower than Cusco, so that is a benefit of staying here.

Commonly, our travelers report mild altitude symptoms such as fatigue, headache, or light-headedness during their first day or two at elevation. Resting the first day is a huge tip, which is why on our itinerary we plan for acclimating on the first day. ,Drinking lots of water and coca tea throughout your trip is also very helpful.

If you experience more severe symptoms there is a fully equipped mini hospital in Pisac that offers experienced assistance to tourists with altitude sickness, or any other health condition or concern. There is a doctor on call 24 hours.

Severe altitude sickness is rare. In this case, the best treatment is to go down in elevation as soon as possible. We have never had a traveler that had to be evacuated to low altitude. Many severe cases of altitude sickness are the result of a pre-existing condition that is aggravated by the altitude. It is important to ask your doctor whether or not travel to high altitude is advised, especially if you have a pre-existing heart or lung condition such as high blood pressure, asthma, angina, etc. You might also want to ask your doctor about prescription Diamox, a diuretic that many travelers swear by to help them adjust to the altitude more readily.

20. How safe is Peru?

Peru has a stable government and tourism has boomed in recent years. With the added tourist dollars, the government has made a concerted effort to keep travelers and their valuables safe. There have been no terrorist attacks in Peruvian tourist areas in over a decade.

Travelers should take the same precautions that they would in a major city in the US. Pay attention to the advice of your tour leader and hotel reception and take common-sense precautions such as not going into unfamiliar areas alone, especially at night.

We have never had any problems in Pisac. Being a small town there is not the same movement found in larger cities. I can assure that you will feel very safe here.

Petty theft is common in busy tourist areas such as airports, markets, and other tourist sites so be aware of your valuables and don't leave them unattended. Monetary scams also sprout up occasionally so beware of any offers that sound too good to be true. Your tour leader is from the local area and is an excellent source of information and advice. Check out the US State Department travel advisories for the latest information at:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_998.html

21. What time zone is Peru?

Peru is five hours behind GMT (same as EST). They do not observe daylight-savings time so during these months (April-October), Peru is on CST.

22. Do I need a converter/ adaptor for the electricity?

Peru uses 220 volt, 60 cycle electricity. Travelers will require a voltage converter for 110 volt devices. Plugs are typically the 2 pronged flat type found in the US, though some facilities have been noted to use the 2 rounded prongs instead. Pisac Inn has outlets for both flat and rounded.

23. Is the water safe to drink?

The tap water is not safe to drink in Peru. Bottled water is readily available at tourist sites, hotels, and restaurants. Don't forget to use bottled water when brushing your teeth as well! Ice is not always made with boiled/ bottled water. Order your beverages without ice ("sin hielo") or ask your tour leader if the ice is safe in a particular restaurant.

24. Can I use US dollars, or do I need local currency? What is the local currency, exchange rate, etc.?

Most restaurants, markets, and other service providers readily accept US dollars as long as they don't have any rips. They will generally give you change in local currency. The local currency is the Sol. It is handy to use local currency in markets as you will have smaller denominations and you don't need to worry about your currency looking pristine (ripped Soles are common and readily accepted). You can exchange money in most towns,: Cusco will give yo a slightly higher rate.

The exchange rate fluctuates daily. It is currently around 1 dollar to 2.70 soles.

25. Should I bring cash or Traveler's checks? Are ATMs available? Can I use credit cards?

Most travelers bring a small amount of US cash with them and withdraw from ATMs as they need it along they way. ATMs are readily available in the larger towns and cities. Pisac has two ATM machines, and Cusco has one on almost every block. Travelers can withdraw US dollars or local currency at fair exchange rates. Traveler's checks are fine, but they can be more difficult to exchange and you will usually receive a poorer rate or be charged an additional fee, as well as take your precious tim ein long bank lines. Credit cards are accepted only in the larger restaurants and stores. Although it is helpful to bring a credit card along for emergencies, don't count on using it for most purchases.

26. Can I use my cell phone?

Check with your cell phone provider. Each company is different and they can give you the most up-to-date information.

27. What immunizations are recommended/ required?

No immunizations are currently required for visiting Peru. This is a very personal matter, For the most current information, please consult your doctor and/or check out the Center for Disease Control web-site at www.cdc.gov.

28. Do I need a visa/passport?

Travelers will all need a passport valid for at least 6 months after they depart. Currently, citizens from the US, Canada, Scandinavia, Western Europe, Japan, Latin America, South Africa, South Korea, and the Caribbean (except Cuba) do not need a visa. Australians and New Zealanders do need a visa. Travelers should check with the Peruvian Embassy for visa information. Entry requirements change with surprising frequency. It is each traveler's responsibility to check with the consulate for the most up-to-date visa information.

29. Is travel insurance recommended?

Absolutely!!! We suggest TravelGuard, or any other company based on personal choice that provides reasonably priced insurance for trip cancellation, medical expenses, medical evacuation, lost bags, etc. There are generally two different types of insurance available, depending upon whether or not you will need the cancellation coverage.

Peru Cultural Journeys

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the accommodations like?