BOOKING YOUR FLIGHTS:
Your final destination in Cusco. But, you will fly into the Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM) in Lima (on an airline of your choice), and then take a 90 minute connecting flight to the Alejandro Velasco Astete Cusco International Airport (CUZ) in Cusco.
Arrange your flight from Lima to Cusco on one of the domestic airlines in Peru: VIVA, SKY, and LATAM. The cost for the domestic portion of the trip is approximately 100.00-150.00 each way.
You will want to arrive in Cusco no later than the 19th of August. This is a day dedicated to arrival and acclimation. You will be met at the airport by a driver and transferred to your hotel, Antigua Casonas where you will check in and prepare for the journey ahead.
For your return flight, you will be departing from Willka T’ika Retreat Center. We will arrange transportation to the Cusco Airport which is approximately a 90 minute drive. We recommend arriving at the airport 3 hours before your Cusco flight departure time. Ideal flights to schedule depart from Cusco between 2 pm - 5 pm (but we are happy to make arrangements for your airport transportation to accommodate your individual flight requirements).
Be sure to book your flights in advance. Flights are booked independently and not included in your base rate. If you would prefer to book your flight through a travel agent, our preferred agency is Getaway Guild.
VISA & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Peru is an easy country to enter. People from most countries in the Americas and Western Europe do not need a tourist visa to enter Peru. The maximum length of stay that the authorities grant to tourists is 183 days, which cannot be extended.
It is essential when entering Peru to present a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months from the date of entry into the country. Citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia and Chile can enter with their national ID document.
IMPORTANT: There are NO LONGER quarantine requirements in place for travelling to Peru. Current entry requirements are a simple health form (instructions to fill out), and a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to arrival. You can review entry requirements here.
Please note, a DIY COVID test will be provided to you for re-entry into the US. The CDC has recently approved self-administered tests for international travel. The BinaxNOW tests we provide for re-entry are approved by the CDC and meet all of the standards and requirements. Read more here.
ALTITUDE SICKNESS
When you fly to Cusco, the 1.5-hour nonstop flight from Lima’s International Airport takes you from sea level to the age-old Inca city in the Andes at 11,155 ft (3,400 m). For many, this change in elevation translates to shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and fatigue. Some travelers experience gastrointestinal problems, such as an upset stomach, nausea, or loss of appetite. We highly recommend arriving a day in advance to allow yourself ample time to adjust organically to the high altitude of Cusco. A few other methods of preparation and treatment include: packing some altitude sickness meds, drinking coca tea or chewing coca leaves, avoiding heavy meals & alcohol on your first day, staying hydrated, and limiting heavy activity for your first 24-48 hours. Learn more about altitude sickness here.
COVID-19 RELATED INFO:
Currently, Peru requires inbound international passengers on commercial flights have either a negative real-time COVID-19 molecular (RT-PCR), negative antigen test result, or a medical certificate of epidemiological discharge that is no more than 72 hours old after being issued and before boarding the plane.
Before travel:
Make sure you understand and follow all airline and destination requirements related to travel, testing, masking, or quarantine, which may differ from U.S. requirements. If you do not follow your destination’s requirements, you may be denied entry and may be required to return to the United States.
During travel:
Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
Travelers should follow recommendations or requirements in Peru, including mask wearing and social distancing.
Before you travel back to the United States by air:
All air passengers coming to the United States, including U.S. citizens and fully vaccinated people, are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 3 days before travel or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 3 months before they board a flight to the United States. ***ON-SITE COVID-19 tests will be provided prior to your departure.
After Travel:
You should get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel
Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.
Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements.
Do NOT travel if were exposed to COVID-19, you are sick, you test positive for COVID-19, or you are waiting for results of a COVID-19 test. Learn when it is safe for you to travel. Don’t travel with someone who is sick.
TRANSPORTATION:
ALL GROUND TRANSPORTATION IS INCLUDED IN YOUR RETREAT COST
From the time you arrive at the airport, to the time you return for your flight home, ALL of your ground transportation is included in your retreat package (outside of private taxis & add-on excursions). Once your flights are booked, please send your flight information to crystal@seekingsacredjourneys.com, and we will schedule your airport transfers to our first hotel, and from our final hotel. Any bus and/or train tickets for transportation throughout the retreat have been booked in advance, and we will travel confidently as a group.
TRAVEL INSURANCE:
Please Note: We highly encourage you to purchase travel insurance, which insures you against unforeseen sickness, injury, job loss, inclement weather, and more. Both Allianz and InsureMyTrip are reputable travel insurance companies with a multitude of policies to choose from, including a “cancel for any reason” rider option.