Frequently asked questions

Food

For our hikes our personal chef makes delicious three course meals based in kitchen, red meet and vegetarian option, so you’ll be happy, satisfied and energized. In addition, for our day tours and non-trekking packages we make sure that any meals that are included are at safe restaurants that provide a variety of delicious options. For more information about food and restaurants, check out our recommendations with our travel agents.

Group Sizes

Unlike other travel companies, we keep our group sizes small and our service personalized. It’s important to us to make each part of your trip special. We guarantee the maximum number of people in your group will be eight, although our group sizes usually end up being smaller than this. We can also organize private tours and services if you prefer.

Altitude

You should spend at least two days in Cusco or in places higher than 3.000 meters or 12.000 feet to get properly acclimated before starting any hike that you do with us. You can also take altitude sickness pills called Diamox or get this medicine in Cusco. Make sure you drink lots of water and coca tea.

First Aid

Our guides come well prepared with First Aid kits. They are also trained and certified in CPR and First Aid we always take along emergency oxygen as well. In addition, for our long alternative hikes to Machu Picchu, we also have an emergency horse that can be ridden.

Accommodations

We have our own stock of high-quality equipment and tailor it to your trek. We make sure you are warm and comfortable throughout your adventure especially using our mountain tents. We also work with a variety of hotels in the area and are sure to find one within your price point.

Luggage Storage

Any case you can store your luggage free at your hotel or at our office.

Best Time to Visit

The high tourist season in Peru is from April to September. It is also considered the dry season, when hiking is great because there is a very low chance of rain. Nevertheless, some people prefer to visit Peru in the low season, from October to March, because there are generally fewer tourists in the city and at the tourist sites. Also, during the rainy season the mountains and valleys around Cusco are green and lush. If you are planning to do a hike to Machu Picchu, it is generally better to try to go during the dry season, however, we have many groups during whole year. We offer all of our hikes year-round and the archaeological sites are open throughout the year, with the exception of when the Inca Trail closes in February for maintenance.

Weather

The weather in the Andes is very unpredictable. The weather here is known for short showers, followed by sunshine, followed by thunderstorms. The rainy season lasts from about October to March, so if you plan to travel within those months, make sure you bring a rain jacket and water proof gear. If you will be traveling between April and September, the chance of rain is lower, but for hikes you should still bring some light rain gear just in case. The Cusco region is generally hot during the day and cold at night. In the summer, between October and March, it can be in the mid 80s during the day and drop to around 50 degrees at night. In the winter, between April and November, it can reach up to the mid 70s and then drop as low as the 30s at night. The weather at night varies significantly depending on altitude.

Money

You should make sure to always bring enough cash with you as some places do not accept credit cards. Most stores and restaurants also require you to pay in Peruvian soles or USD American dollars, but you can always exchange money at a “Casa de Cambio.” There are also plenty of ATMs machines in Cusco but they generally have withdrawal limits and fees.

Tipping

Tips are always appreciated. After you book a tour with us, we will happily provide you with tip recommendations based on your itinerary.

Traveler’s Insurance

We highly recommend booking traveler’s insurance for your trip. If you will be doing a hike or other adventure activities, we recommend making sure that your traveler’s insurance covers these adventure excursions.

Services included:

All meals and accommodation from arrival at the Ecolodge on day one of your itinerary to breakfast on the final day. All transport from your arrival at the town of Puerto Maldonado to your return to the local airport. All guided excursions described in the itinerary.

Services not included:

Flights to and from Puerto Maldonado; entrance fee to Tambopata National Reserve (payable directly to the Reserve authorities); any drinks you may purchase from the Ecolodge bar; tips.

Clothing:

For walks in the forest we recommend that you bring; light clothing, long loose-fitting trousers, long-sleeved shirts, a wide-brimmed hat and walking boots or tennis shoes. Around the Ecolodge you can wear: shorts, T-shirts and sandals. The early mornings can be cold, especially when on the river; you should bring along a windbreaker or a sweater. Please use footwear at all times when walking around the Ecolodge complex.

Rain gear:

Come prepared with an impermeable jacket or rain poncho, as heavy rain may fall at any moment. We have rain ponchos at the lodge but they can only be used on the lodge’s trails. For excursions on the Ecolodge’s trail system, wellington boots are available in a selection of sizes for use by our guests. 

Personal items:

We recommend that you bring the following items: sun block, flashlight and batteries, a daypack, water bottle, medical kit, sunglasses, pocket knife, passport, waterproof bags, insect repellent.

Luggage:
Please remember that we provide secure luggage storage facilities at our offices in Puerto Maldonado. The Ecolodge requires guests to leave their non-essential luggage in town before setting off for the Ecolodge. Thanks to this measure, guests can travel on to the Ecolodge in our boat much more comfortably, taking only what they will need during their stay. We supply all guests with a duffle bag for this purpose at our offices. All our guests need to do is make sure they arrive in Puerto Maldonado with what they will need during their stay packed in the top of their suitcases or backpacks, and at our offices we will give them ample time to transfer these essentials to the duffle bags provided.

Photography:

It is a good idea to bring waterproof casings for all your photography equipment. Protect your cameras, binoculars, documents and any other valuables that could be damaged by moisture in any form. You will be visiting a rainforest; we will cross lakes, walk on muddy trails, embark and disembark from boats, and so there is a constant threat of moisture/water damage to gear. Wrap items in plastic bags and only take them out when you are actually going to be using them. A slip, trip, or splash by you or a companion could do damage you’ll regret for the rest of your vacation.

Health and safety:

When you arrive at the lodge your guide will inform you about what you should and should not do while you are at the Ecolodge or in the forest. We suggest that you come with insect repellent and malaria prophylaxis. Yellow fever is present but uncommon. If you have a vaccination certificate bring it with you.

Vaccinations:

None are mandatory for entering Peru, but several are recommended. For general travel, typhoid, infectious hepatitis, and polio are commonly advised. Consult your physician or local traveler’s clinic.

Yellow fever: 

While yellow fever vaccination is not officially required for travel to Peru, the disease is known to be present in the rainforest, and vaccinations are recommended for those traveling to all South American, Central American and Caribbean tropical forest destinations. Those seeking vaccination before travel should remember that they must receive their shot at least 10 days before arrival in the rainforest. Those already vaccinated should remember they will require a “booster” vaccination every ten years.

Fire: 

On every cabin balcony you will find a fire-extinguisher. Remember that we are far from the nearest town and emergency services, so please be especially vigilant.   

Water supply

Water comes from a holding tank behind the Ecolodge and is precious. Any leaks should be reported to the administration, for immediate repair. The water used at the Ecolodge is pumped from Gallocunca stream into a 20 cubic meter tank, where it is allowed to settle to remove any sediment. Once chlorine has been added to this water, it is supplied under its own pressure to the Ecolodge’s rooms, for use in showers and washbasins. In the kitchen, part of this water is stored in a one cubic meter tank, where it is purified and filtered before being transferred to an upper tank. It is this water which is used for cooking. In addition, part of this water undergoes an ozone purification process before

being used to prepare soft drinks and fill the water cooler in the dining room, as well as to fill the pitchers placed on the night tables in guest rooms. This water can be used for drinking and for brushing teeth.  Water straight from the faucet should only be used for washing and showering. Bottled water is also available for purchase from the bar, in 620 ml and 2.5 liter bottles.

Electricity supply

The 06 Suite rooms at the Ecolodge have a 220 volt (7 amps) power supply, although this is only available until 10:00 pm. However, the Ecolodge also has a 12 volt supply in those same rooms, supplied by solar panels.

The 220-volt electricity supply at the Ecolodge is available at the following times and in the following areas:

1. From 10:00 to 13:00 hours in: Administration, kitchen, dining room, bar (this supply can be extended to the Suites if necessary).

2. From 17:00 to 22:00 hours in all areas of the Ecolodge, including the 06 Suite rooms. There is no electricity supply in the Superior rooms.

The Ecolodge’s 12-volt supply is generated by solar panels and is available 24 hours a day in its Suite rooms, although energy consumption should be conserved as much as possible.