F.A.Q. Peru, Ecuador & GalapagosPeru, Ecuador & Galapagos

F.A.Q.

Why travel with Djoser to Peru, Ecuador, and/or the Galapagos?

Djoser offers 11 and 21-day tours to Peru, as well as an 11-day tour to Ecuador and the Galapagos, a 16-day tour to Peru and Ecuador, and a 22-day tour that includes Peru, Ecuador, and the Galapagos.

Our 21-day Peru trip is a very comprehensive trip with a unique overnight stay at Amantani, an island in Lake Titicaca. Accompanied by our Dutch tour guide we will stop on the way at the floating reed islands of the Uros Indians in order for you to have the opportunity to visit these unique islands right away. Unique also is the overnight stay at the oasis of Huacachina. At this oasis you may relax in a wonderful way under a palm tree or go sand boarding the Peruvian way. In addition we will see the Nazca Lines and go on an excursion to the Chauchilla burial place. From Arequipa we will go on a two-day excursion with a guide to Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world, where you will be able to see the condor fly. From the old Inca capital Cuzco we will go on a two-day excursion to Machu Picchu. You will also have the option to walk the Inca Trail. Besides the numerous archeological treasures you will see a lot of the local Indian culture. We will be able to stop anywhere, because we will be using our own bus. We will visit the highland as well as the coast region.

The 16-day Peru, Ecuador trip offers a great blend including the old Inca capital Cuzco, the Andes Mountains with the incredible ruins of Machu Picchu, and the jungle of Ecuador. We will make an excursion to the local market of Saquisili, where you are introduced to the original Indian population of the country. Besides the numerous archeological treasures you will see a lot of the local Indian culture. We have planned the various tours in such a way that you will visit the Andes Mountain Range as well as the Oriente, the coastal region and/ or the Galapagos. The large landscape variety offers a very diverse sampling of nature. With traditional long canoes we will travel to where we will be staying at in the Amazon Forest. In the jungle we will go for beautiful hikes, accompanied by a local guide. If the weather permits, you can climb the giant of the Andes, the Chimborazo, along the way. We will make an excursion to the local market of Saquisili, where you are introduced to the original Indian population of the country.

The first 16 days of the 22-day program are the same as the 16-day Peru, Ecuador trip. The 11-day Ecuador, Galapagos trip spends 3 days in Quito before heading to the Galapagos. Travelers on both trips that include the Galapagos will enjoy an abundance of wildlife up close on the islands. We fly from Quito to Baltra and spend the night on a boat in 2-person cabins with private shower and toilet. We will also spend the night in a hotel on one of the islands. You will travel around the Galapagos on boats that hold 16 passengers. During a visit to the Galapagos you will make a boat tour of various islands, inhabited by unique animals. During the tour of the islands a chef traveling with us will prepare all the meals for you, which are included in the trip price.

Djoser trips offer plenty of guidance for those who want it. A local tour guide will accompany the trip in Peru, Ecuador and on the Galapagos. More independent travelers will have plenty of options to dine or explore on their own. We will be able to stop anywhere, because we will be using our own bus. It is up to you. The trip is very diverse and interesting for every traveler.

I will be joining a Dutch (International) group. Will I have problems with language?

It is possible that you could be the only North American traveler on the this trip, made up of Dutch travelers from Djoser, Netherlands. Almost all travelers from the Netherlands have a wonderful command of English and are willing to socialize. Many fellow travelers are willing to help with translations. The Dutch tour leader (who is a trip coordinator, not a lecturer) will address the group, first in Dutch. He/she will then repeat the important information to you in English. There is a breakfast meeting with the group and tour leader each day, which is a good time to review materials and to go over plans for the day. At some stops we may also have the assistance of a local country guide will address the group in English. While the tour leader will help you to assimilate, you will not get a word-for-word repeat of all that is said or written in Dutch.

The overwhelming majority of people who book these trips enjoy the international blend but frankly, it is not for everyone. It is inevitable that there will be times when your fellow travelers are speaking Dutch. If you have a travel partner, it is much easier to blend in to conversation, or at least to have a buffer for an English conversation. A flexible and easy-going nature are essential when joining an international group. Single travelers may feel a little isolated at such times. Before booking, you can check with us to see if another North American traveler has booked. Singles who adapt well on these trips are typcially very experienced travelers, have traveled with with international groups (English not the primary language), and have easy-going personalities. Those who require a greater level of attention from the tour leader should book one of the Djoser trips with North American participants only.

What are the accommodations in Peru, Ecuador and the Galapagos?

In Peru and Ecuador we will spend the night in comfortable centrally located tourist class hotels with air-conditioning where necessary. The hotels have an attractive and sometimes colonial character. Occasionally a hotel will have a small pool.

In the Amazon-region we will spend the nights in cabanas, built by the local population. These are simple huts surrounded by tropical rain forest.

During our stay in the Galapagos you will stay in 2-person cabins with a private shower and toilet and you will stay a night in a hotel on Santa Cruz.

Click on the following link to view some of our lodgings: http://www.djoserusa.com/hotels

What kind of transportation will be used in Peru, Ecuador and the Galapagos?

We will use our own bus with air-conditioning, which allows us to stop on the way wherever we want. We will take a domestic flight from Cuzco to Lima. Naturally we will use boats at Lake Titicaca.

In Ecuador, to reach the huts in the jungle we will sail the last part of the trip in a long, narrow boat across the river Napo.

The tour of the various islands of the Galapagos archipelago will obviously be executed by boat.

Click on the following link to view slides of the transportation we use: http://www.djoserusa.com/transportation

Will I be on my own to find places to eat?

No. The group will usually have breakfast together at the hotels. The guide will suggest safe places to eat for other meals. You are free to join the guide and other group members at meals or you can explore on your own. He/she will give you safe recommendations. You will only pay for the meals that you eat so you have ultimate flexibility. In the Galapagos a chef will be on board who will prepare all of your meals; the price for this meals is included.

Will I be on my own to find activities?

The same applies as for meals. The guide will discuss suggested plans for the day with the group, first thing in the morning. Group members can either join the guide and other travelers for an activity, or they can explore on their own. Again, the guide will give fun suggestions for places to go on your own. Unless otherwise noted in the program, you will pay for your own entry fees for museums or sites, as you go. So you only pay for the things that you choose to do.

Will we visit the famous Nazca Lines?

Our 11- and 21-day Peru trips visit the Nazca Lines. The Nazca Lines are not visible from the ground. We will visit the observation tower from where you will be able to see some figures on the desert bottom. If you would like to see more of this great mystery on the desert bottom then you may want to take a half-hour flight above the region. The cost of this optional excursion will be about $50 (subject to change).

Will it be possible to walk the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?

On the 21-day trip to Peru only (or custom trips to Peru) it will be possible for hiking enthusiasts to walk the famous Inca Trail. This is a wonderful four-day camping trip where you will follow an old Inca route to Machu Picchu by foot. During that trip a guide, a cook and several carriers for cooking gear and camping equipment will accompany you. The cooks will prepare three delicious full course meals per day for you. Prior to the trip you may sign up with Djoser for the Inca Trail. The price of the trail will be about $ 240. Included in this price are the meals during the hike, a guide, carriers for the camping equipment and the overnight stays in small domed tents. Also, the $50 entrance fee for Machu Picchu and the Trail are included. Upon booking you will receive more information about the trip.You will receive a sign-up slip by mail, which you may use to reply and sign up for the trail.

How challenging is the Inca Trail?

You need to be in good shape for this hike, because the altitude will make it rather tough. During this hike you will walk through the beautiful nature of the Andes and you will pass several Inca ruins including of course a visit to Machu Picchu as the highlight. The tour is 20 miles long, but don’t let the number of miles fool you; due to the altitude it will be a very challening hike! You will walk mornings and afternoons for about 3-4 hours and during lunch break the cooks will prepare a delicious lunch for you. Upon departure you will receive a sleeping pad. You will have to bring a (warm!) sleeping bag yourself. Or you may rent one in Cuzco. Carriers will come along for the heavy camping and cooking gear. You may leave your bulk luggage behind in the hotel in Cuzco. You will have to carry your own luggage such as your sleeping bag and pad. To hire an extra carrier for your personal luggage is also possible if so desired in order for you to only have to carry your daily things such as your drinks and your camera.

Are there ATM Machines in Peru and Ecuador?

There are ATM machines in more locations every day in Peru. There are some in Pisco, Arequipa and Cuzco. You should also bring some amount of cash, preferably American dollars Or you may bring a dollar amount in Travelers Checks, preferably from American Express.

In quite a few cities in Ecuador you can use your ATM card to take out cash at ATM-machines (for example in Quito, Otavalo, Banos, Riobamba and Cuenca). Directly after arrival you can get cash out of an ATM or exchange money in Quito. It is also possible to bring travelers’ checks in dollars. These are not easy to exchange in every city however. Therefore you should definitely also bring cash dollars. The American dollar is the official monetary unit in Ecuador.

Bring cash with you to the Galapagos, you may need it for optional activities such as diving, though there are few opportunities for shopping.

What is the climate like in Peru and Ecuador?

During the trip to Peru you will stay in two very different climatic zones; the desert-like region of the coast and the highlands from Arequipa to Cuzco. In the coastal region temperatures are generally warm all year round. Directly on the coast there will be a thick fog from April to December, but as soon as you go more inland this fog will disappear. For the first part of this trip it will be convenient to bring along some light clothing. The weather in the highlands may best be divided in the dry and the wet season. The dry season runs from May to November with a completely blue sky during the day. Especially during this period it will often be very cold at night in the high mountains. During the day the sun will make the temperatures rather pleasant, but as soon as the sun disappears it will become cold. Therefore you want to be sure to bring warm clothing for the mornings and the evenings during this period!

What is the best traveling time for a visit to Ecuador and Peru?

Because of its location near the equator Ecuador is a wonderful destination year round. If you are interested in seeing Humpback whales, they can be seen off the coast of Ecuador between June and October. The weather in the highlands of Peru may best be divided in the dry and the wet season. The dry season runs from May to November with a completely blue sky during the day. Especially during this period it will often be very cold at night in the high mountains.

Parts of Peru and Ecuador are situated at great altitudes, will that become a problem?

The trip has been planned in a way that will help you adjust to the altitude slowly. During your stay in Arequipa that lies at an altitude of 7,874 feet, you may already be able to get used to the altitude. Then we will leave for Colca Canyon and Lake Titicaca, where you will stay at very high altitude. It is important to drink a lot of fluids, to take it easy and to pay close attention to your body. The most common symptoms are light nausea, headache and shortness of breath. We advise that people with heart- and vascular diseases and asthma patients consult their doctors first.

The altitude in Ecuador is not so extreme that many people experience altitude sickness. After arrival in Quito (about 2500 meters), your body can already get used to the altitude. You can possibly be a bit short of breath or have a light headache. During the entire tour most travelers experience little to no altitude inconveniencss. Only during the climb of the various volcanoes the high altitude (approximately 5000 meters) can play a part. Just take it easy and drink lots of water during these days.

What type of clothing should be brought?

You should bring along clothing for the different weather types. Light cotton clothing is good for the coastal region of Peru. For the days that are spent in the Andes you will need warmer clothing. Especially in the period from May to October it will be very cold in the Peruvian Highlands. Layered clothing will be most convenient, so you will be able to take off some layers as temperatures increase. By the way, you will be able to have your laundry done in many hotels. Closed hiking shoes with good tread will come in handy also, especially if you are planning to walk the Inca Trail.

What are the entrance-fees for the National Park in the Galapagos?

At the moment you pay 100 USD in entrance fees for the National Park upon arrival at the airport in Baltra on the Galapagos (fees are subject to changes).

Is it possible to go diving during the week on the Galapagos Islands?

It is possible to make a dive during the stay on the Galapagos Islands. Most of the diving equipment can be rented on the spot. The costs for diving always need to be paid on the spot.

How large are the boats that we sail on at the Galapagos Islands?

The boats that we will use during our visit to the Galapagos are seaworthy boats that fit approximately 16 people. This means that if you travel with a larger group the group will be divided over 2 or more boats.

How are the cabins on the boat during the tour of the Galapagos Islands?

On the boat we will make use of 2-person cabins. Each hut has its own simple sanitary facilities. People traveling alone will be paired up with other solo travelers. It is not possible to book a private cabin.

What should I bring for the stay in the jungle and the stay on the Galapagos?

During the tours to the jungle (16 and 22 day trips) as well as the Galapagos you do not need to bring your entire travel bag. You can pack a small backpack with the most necessary gear. Here you can think of a flashlight, closed walking shoes, a rain jacket for in the jungle and rain forests and for the Galapagos possibly your own snorkeling equipment. On the boat there is some snorkeling equipment available, but not enough for everybody.

Do you need a mosquito net in the jungle and do you need to take malaria pills?

During the 16 and 22 day tours you will be staying in a malaria risk area in the jungle for 2 days. There are mosquito nets available in the jungle. For information about malaria you can best direct your questions to your local health care facility or look on the website for the Center for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov

Is it possible to climb to the top of one of the volcanoes?

On the 16 and 22 day trips we will climb to the snow-line only of the Chimoborazo as well as the Cotopaxi. A beautiful trek! We will not reach the top, but it is possible for experienced mountain climbers (snow climbing experience required) to climb to the top during one of the optional excursions. This takes a few days and you will have to miss part of the regular program.

When do humpback whales swim in front of the coast of Ecuador?

Between June and October you can see humpback whales in front of the coast of Ecuador. The female whales come there to give birth to their young. After that they depart again for larger waters. It is possible to make a boat tour to spot these whales.

Is it possible to extend this tour?

When you book your trip you can request a layover. The layover cost is $150 for the flight deviation. If you would like an extension you can request an extension when you book for $100 per extension (for flight deviation). Djoser will book these flights subject to availability. Please let us know when you book how many nights and where you wish to extend or layover. Neither hotels or airport transfers are provided for layovers and extensions.
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