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.
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