Tour information and rates:

Due to travel logistics, Adventure Cotahuasi Tours requires a minimum of 6 days for a tour in Cotahuasi, 7 - 10 days is recommended to see and experience more that there is to offer here. These include travel time from and back to Arequipa. Your adventure starts when you arrive in Arequipa. It is a good idea to plan for a day or 2 to acclimatize before starting a hard high altitude hike if you are not used to high elevation. This can be done with easier day hikes, or in some cases changing the order

of the tour.

The price of the tours includes pickup at the Arequipa airport or bus terminal, transportation to and from Cotahuasi, either by public bus or private van, all meals and housing when in Cotahuasi and in the remote villages, and all guided trekking and tours

in the Cotahuasi area. Because all trekking tours start and end in Cotahuasi, no local transportation is required. If you are interested in going by van to other areas or villages, for sightseeing or day hikes, there will be an aditional charge for fuel.

Depending on your arrival and departure times in Arequipa, it may include 1 or 2 night’s stay there. Meals are not included in Arequipa. Normally, I will meet you in Arequipa and we will go to Cotahuasi in our van, which is about a 9 hour drive. If scheduling conflicts do not permit this, it will be confirmed before you book your tour. The van trip will be made during the day as much as possible. If you travel by public bus, one of my associates will meet you and escort you to the bus station, the bus trip takes about 10 to 11 hours to Cotahuasi. I will meet you when the bus arrives in Cotahuasi. The bus leaves Arequipa in the afternoon and arrives in Cotahuasi in the middle of the night. Obviously you will see more if we are traveling during the day in our vehicle. However, if you are short on time, you can maximize your time here by traveling on the bus at night.

The road to Cotahuasi can be described as the good, the bad and the beautiful. From Arequipa to Chuquibamba is a paved road, about half of that being the Pan American Highway. From Chuquibamba to Cotahuasi is a rough gravel road that goes from about 9,000 feet up to 15,500 feet on the high plain, then back down to 8,880 feet when you arrive in Cotahuasi. As of the end of April, this road is being graded and improved. This will help until the next rainy season. You will pass through deserts, green agricultural valleys, and a high desert plain with views of snow capped mountains up to 21,000 feet high, which is the most beautiful in my opinion.


Lodging and meals:

Lodging will be in local hostels, private homes or in tents, depending on which routes are taken. Meals will be in restaurants and private homes whenever possible. When we are trekking, we will cook on the trail for longer treks, and pack lunches for day hikes. Chicken, beef, eggs, soup, beans, bread, rice and French fries are common foods, as well as oatmeal for breakfast. There is very little vegetarian food available other than soup (except in Arequipa). Therefore, if you have diet restrictions, be sure and discuss these with us before hand so that we can accommodate your request. Fresh fruits are available in Cotahuasi and in the larger villages but not in the smaller or more remote ones. Included drinks are usually tea, refresco (like Kool-Aid), soft drinks (Coke, Sprite, orange and Inca Cola are usually available, rarely diet) or apple drink. Alcoholic beverages are not included. Some lodging and meals will be provided in my home, I have a room available with four bunk beds and a bathroom, with hot shower. Most hostels have hot showers but no other hot water; most private homes do not have hot water or flush toilets. The small villages are very traditional and some are very remote, only accessible by hiking. There are new roads to many of the villages now, and some have recently received electricity, but very few have any tourist accommodations.

Tours can be multi day treks, day hikes or a combination of both. If you want to climb a mountain, we recommend that you spend a few days trekking first to acclimatize to the altitude.


Prices:

$80 per day which includes 1 or 2 persons
$35 per day for the 3rd person, $30 per day each, for the 4th and 5th persons

Groups are normally limited to five people due to logistical reasons; however special arrangements can be made for up to eight people. There is an additional transportation charge for each way, if I meet you in Arequipa and take you back there in our vehicle. The cost is $55 for 1 or 2 persons and $40 for 3 or more persons. This is a per group charge. Transportation is provided in our private van, which is very comfortable. The extra charge does not apply if you choose the public bus option. There is also the option to have me pick you up in Arequipa and then you return there by bus.

 

How to get to Arequipa:

From the U.S., Lan Airlines is my airline of choice, Delta and American also fly non stop to Lima. There are flights from Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, DC and Miami, depending on the airline you chose. Taca also flies to Lima but not non stop, however it is sometimes cheaper. Please check with your regular travel agent or contact the airlines directly. There can be a large difference in costs between airlines and between cities. It is often cheaper if you are returning in less than 30 days. Miami flights are sometimes the cheapest; it is also closer to Peru, about 5½ hours verses 8 from L.A.

www.lan.com/index.html  Lan Airlines phone 866-435-9526

www.delta.com  Delta Airlines phone 800-221-1212

www.aa.com  American Airlines phone 800-433-7300

 

www.taca.com Taca Airlines 1-800-400-TACA

From Lima to Arequipa is about 1½ hours, Lan Peru, Star Peru and Wayra Peru are domestic airlines that offer flights.

Check this site for information and tickets:

http://www.enjoy-peru-flights.com/peru-domestic-flights/peru-domestic-flights-flight-lima-arequipa.shtml

Requirements to enter Peru:

You will need a valid passport, with your airline tickets in the exact same name. U.S. citizens, as well as some others, do not need a visa in advance. You will receive a tourist visa when you go through immigration at the Lima airport. It is usually good for 90 days but may be as short as 30 days. You may ask for up to 90 days but it is not guaranteed. You do not need any vaccinations although some are recommended, including hepatitis A & B.

 

 

Leaving Peru:

 

There are departure taxes at both the Arequipa and Lima Airports. They can be paid in US Dollars or soles.

Arequipa - $4 Domestic

Lima - $30 International, $6 Domestic

 

The exchange rate fluctuates but it is around $US1.00 = 2.80 Nuevo Soles

 

A good website that explains customs, visa and other recommendations is the Expat site:

www.expatperu.com

What you need to bring:

Snacks - trail mix, granola/energy bars, energy or other drink mix if desired, chocolate or other “comfort” foods, for example peanut butter, which is available here but expensive.

Water purification - Aqua Mira, iodine tablets, other treatment or filter. We use MicroPur tablets, they are available at our office.


For trekking:

∙ Backpack, sleeping bag (I suggest 20 deg. F) and pad
∙ Headlamp, hydration system, cook set (1½ to 2 liter pot, bowl, mug and spoon)
∙ We provide “soda can” alcohol stoves however you may bring a multi fuel stove (gasoline, diesel or  kerosene) if you want. Do

  not bring fuel containers, I have sufficient MSR bottles. Fuel will be provided for the above stoves. Do not bring canister or white

  gas stoves unless you discuss fuel needs with me ahead of time.
∙ Comfortable hiking clothes suitable for 50 to 80 degrees F. daytime temperatures (with layering), warm jacket and a

  windbreaker, rain jacket if during or near the rainy season, hiking shoes or boots (the trails are often steep and rocky), wide

  brim hat, stocking cap, and light gloves if desired. Gaiters are good for stickers and thorns but are not essential. During the day,

  I usually wear convertible pants and a short sleeve t-shirt, gaiters and hat, with a long sleeve t-shirt and windbreaker in my pack.

  Night time temperatures could be in the mid 30's in Cotahuasi and below freezing at higher elevations, depending on the time

  of year. A day pack is handy to have in addition to your regular backpack.
∙ Sunscreen is very important, insect repellant is normally only needed down canyon, Velinga and Quechualla (or below)

  or in the jungle.
 
∙ Of course don’t forget you camera, extra batteries or charger and memory. We can burn CDs for you if you need to empty your 

  memory cards. We have a multi-card reader for common formats, or bring your camera cable or card reader to be sure.

∙ Optional - trekking poles (recommended), altimeter watch, GPS (only for your personal information).

               - Tents are provided but if you have a favorite light weight tent and would like to bring it, you are welcome to do so.

For mountain climbing (in addition to the above):

Good boots, trekking poles, layered clothing good to 10 degrees F., and good sunglasses. You may need crampons and ice axe, all depending on the time of year and the mountain you want to climb. We will discuss this when planning your trip.

 

For mtn. biking - At this time we do not have bikes available for client use, you will need to bring your own or rent one in Arequipa. If you are interested in mtn. biking, please discuss the options with us.
 

Insurance:

Travelers insurance and or trip cancellation insurance if desired. There is a hospital here in Cotahuasi; some of the smaller villages have medical clinics staffed by nurses, sometimes a doctor as well. Treatment is very cheap for minor mishaps.


Medications:

Any prescription medicines you need. Many medicines that are prescription only in the US are available here without a prescription. Common antibiotics are available at a reasonable cost, however I am not a doctor and can not advise you to purchase and use these. Anti-diarrhea medicine and an antibiotic cream are useful.


Conditioning:

Most of your time here will be spent above 8,000 feet. If you are not in good physical shape, the trekking will be hard for you and you won’t have much fun. If you want to climb a mountain, you will need to be in very good shape. The air is much thinner at 20,000 feet than at 14,500. The more practice you have at altitude the better, but it is not essential, however good conditioning is.

 

Payment:

 

An advance payment of 50% is required, normally 30 days before the start of your tour. Payment is to be made in $US by check or money order, mailed to our Capital One Bank account in the U.S. The balance is due upon arrival in Arequipa. The details will be provided when booking a tour.

 

 

Small print:

Adventure travel can be dangerous, especially trekking and climbing in canyons, mountains and crossing rivers. The proper skills, practice and equipment are necessary. It is your responsibility to make sure you have the skills and experience. If you have any doubts, please discuss these with me personally before booking a trip. You are ultimately responsible for your own safety. If you are ever in a situation where you are concerned about your safety, please discuss it with us right away. If you have hiked the PCT you probably have the skills and equipment you need, I’m guessing the same for AT and CDT veterans, but I have not hiked those.

 

 

Donations:

As we mentioned, the people in the higher and more remote villages are very poor. If you have good used clothing that you would like to donate, there are many people who could use the help. Sweatshirts, jackets, t-shirts, jeans, caps, socks and running shoes or boots would all be useful items, for children as well as adults. They have small feet; size 11 US would be too large for almost everyone.