Frequently General Asked Questions

Do you have a question? You are not alone. Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions.

CQ: Is your travel agency the right one for me?
A: Colca Trek offers a wide range of affordable trips, ranging from rugged and challenging treks to cultural adventures that offer comfortable accommodations and can be undertaken by anyone with an open and flexible attitude. Travel involves encountering conditions and lifestyles that differ from your everyday life. Unusual situations, different customs and unpredictable events all add to the experience. Guides are there to facilitate the logistics of running the trip and they are experts on the region you are traveling in. Your traveling companions will be members of an international group whose different cultural values or lifestyles should enhance the experience.

Q: Who is Colca Trek?
A: Colca Trek is the Peruvian lider in small group adventure travel with over 25 years experience offering adventures throughout the all south Peru to stimulate and challenge! Colca Trek is a member of A.P.T.A. ECOLOGICAL group of companies. Colca Trek is a Peruvian Authorized Agency of Travel Registration # 10292286843-001. Registration as a seller of travel RUC 20498640860. Colca Trek E.I.R.L. recognized by the RED CIENTIFICA NACIONAL: www.colcatrek.com.pe

Q: Who joins these trips? Ages? Nationalities?
A: Our small, international groups are composed of travelers of all ages, from people in their 20's to people in their 60's. Many participants are British, but other nationalities include Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians, Europeans, Americans and Scandinavians (because our Manager has been educated in Denmark). All trips are conducted in English.

Q: How large is the group?
A: Usually from 3 to 8 travelers. See individual trip (1 or 2 persons) descriptions for more details.

Q: Are the trip destinations safe?
A: Security and safety are a high priority, however there are risks associated with adventure travel, and travel to overseas destinations, that you should consider before booking. Our trip operators constantly monitor their areas of operation and will cancel or re-route a trip if they feel a destination is unsafe. The decision to travel to a particular area or region is a personal one.

Q: What will the weather be like on my trip?
A: In south Peru is always sunny but is raining a little beat from January to March. It depends where and when you are traveling but most trips are planned to operate when we expect the weather conditions will be good for traveling. You can research the weather for your chosen destination by using Google or other search tools.

Q: What inoculations do I need?
FA: We give you some recommendations in your pre-departure information packet which is mailed to you once you are confirmed on your trip. However we suggest you consult your physician for the latest information on health issues.

Q: Do I have to take malaria tablets?
FA: Strongly advised if you go for a jungle expeditions in north Peru but not necessary for Arequipa, Cusco, Puno and Nasca- Ica areas (that we operate). Check with your physician for the latest information on health issues.

Q: Do I have to carry my own luggage or backpack?
A: Most treks are short so just need a day sack but in the long walks we always use donkeys or Llamas, and in the Inca trail we have the best team of porters.

Q: What should I pack?
A: Keep it light! Storage space on vehicles is limited and you will most likely need to carry your bag between vehicles and camps/hotels. We will supply a suggested packing list in your pre-departure information. Soft-sided luggage if preferable.

Q: Do I need a sleeping bag?
A: Yes, any way we rent this in case you like to traveling light, but check your pre-departure information or trip notes, by the way, when you book by Internet more than a month in advance you will have free sleeping bag for Colca hikes, Cotahuasi treks or Misti volcano climbing or any destiny that starts in Arequipa area, we don’t provide free sleeping bag in other areas like Cuzco or Puno or any other out of our main office in Arequipa.

Q: How strenuous is the trip? Am I fit enough?
A: We have a wide variety of trips that offer different levels of active participation. In general the fitter you are the more likely you are to enjoy an active trip. Check the trip grading, anything listed as "strenuous" or "challenging" is just that. However we also have lots of trips that do not require you to be super fit.

Q: Is the water OK to drink? Do I need to bring purifying tablets/filter?
A: In most of our trips We provide you water bottles in some of then if the water is not included is because is very easy to buy this bottled. On camping trips were bottled water is readily available the water is purified with chemicals or boiled.

Q: What's the food like? I'm a vegetarian, is that a problem?
A: The food is one of the greatest experiences when you travel. All our guides are expert cockers enjoy sharing their local recommendations and coking for you. When camping, crew and tour participants prepare meals. Accommodating special diets is not normally a problem, food choice for vegetarians is our passion half of our guides are vegetarians.

Q: Will I get sick?
A: Minor stomach upsets are common due to changes in diet and climate but are usually brief, about altitude you have to take Peru step by step so you’ll have an appropriate acclimatization.

Q: What's included?
A: Normally all is Included like transportation, accommodation, sightseeing, meals, services of a Guide leader and local guides. Not included alcoholic drinks.

Q: Why aren't all meals included on the hotel trips?
A: Yes it is, but chek your pre departure information.

Q: How much spending money should I bring?
SA: This will depend on the destination and your spending habits but in most of our trips all is included so you basically don’t need money only for beers and cokes.

Q: What types of hotels do you use?
fA: A variety of local style accommodations are used including hotels, guesthouses, pensions, hostels, home-stays and of course camping. Most hotels are tourist class, offering clean secure accommodation but with few amenities.

Q: Can I have a single room/tent? Do I have to share?
A: Single supplements are only available on a few select trips and lodge/tented camp accommodated. On most of our trips if you are traveling alone you will share a room or tent with another same sex solo traveler and will not be charged for, a single room will have a little charge if this is your option.

Q: What kind of toilet facilities are there?
A: A variety of facilities exist depending on local conditions. Traveling in remote, developing countries means you will not always have a western style toilet. Adventure travelers always carry their own roll of toilet paper.

Q: Will I get a hot shower every day?
A: On some trips yes, but others, especially camping trips, no.

Q: Is someone going to meet me at the airport or bus station? Are transfers included?
A: Airport or bus station transfers are generally not included and in most cases participants take a taxi from the airport to their hotel, but for us $ 4 we per person we arrange this transfers in Cusco, Arequipa, Puno and Nasca but in Lima the transfer is 15 us $ per person, also if you don’t have a hotel we can reserve this for you, when you are in transit.

Q: What are the guides like?
A: Guides are carefully selected for their personality, general travel experience and enthusiasm for our style of travel. They facilitate the smooth running of your trip and are there to help you get the most out of your adventure. They are recruited on the basis of their resourcefulness and people skills, they are registrated guides experts knowledge of all destinations.

Q: Can I use credit cards in the places visited? 
A: In most major cities, yes, like Cusco, Arequipa, Puno, Nasca and Ica. However once you leave those cities behind, no. In some more remote, less developed destinations, you cannot use your credit card at all, and we do not accept this ones in our agency. Why not?, unfortunately, we don't believe in they any longer for many many reasons.

Q: I have elderly parents. How can they contact me?
A: The best way is to contact Colca Trek 051 54 206217 or 051 54 9600170 and have us try to get any urgent message to you. Prepare your family and friends that there will be some occasions when you will be unreachable for days, any way all our guides have a mobile phone whit signal the half way of the trip and radio in the small villages next to our camps.

Q: If I arrive a day early, can you help with hotel accommodation?
A: Yes, we can arrange additional accommodation at the joining hotel if you plan to arrive early or in other city that you would like to go by your self.

Q: Is it a guaranteed departure?
A: Not all departures are guaranteed. However very few trips are cancelled, and we have an immediately reserve in the most similar trip running at the same date.

Q: How many are booked so far?
A: Since travelers book from many different countries, exact numbers are not available. We know when the trip is almost full and when completely full.

Q: Do you have any way to reserve domestical flights?
A: Absolutely.

Q: Where is the booking form?
A: Press 'Book Now' or send a mail we answer immediately.

Q: Do you ever have any last minute specials?
A: Not usually. Our trips are priced to be as affordable as possible and further discounting is not usually offered.

Q: When should I book my trip?
A: Because our trips book up months in advance, we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment. We will of course make every effort to accommodate last minute bookings.

Q: Sounds like a great way to travel, how do I book?
A: Please go to our How to Book section for complete details, or click the 'Book Now' button on the trip description page, or send a mail with the required.