Does it matter what time I arrive or depart?

If you arrive/depart at any time on the scheduled start/end dates of your trip, OneSeed will arrange for airport or bus station transfers. Pickup will be arranged to efficiently transfer clients with arrival times in close proximity (generally within one hour of each other). If you plan to arrive before the scheduled start date or stay past the end date of your trip, you will need to coordinate your own airport transfer or purchase a trip extension through OneSeed.

Do I need a visa? And what about passport requirements?

• Visas are not required for US citizens for tourist visits less than 90 days, but you will need a tourist visa (free upon arrival). Please keep your passport and tourist visa with you at all times during your expedition.
• Check the latest Peru entrance requirements on the US Embassy website.
• Your passport must be valid for six months after your country departure date. It should also have at least one blank page for any necessary stamps.

What happens if my trip is altered due to unforseen circumstances?

Per the Assumption of Risk and Liability Waiver Agreement, if your expedition must be altered at any point, you are responsible for any additional costs.Canceled flights and transportation strikes happen. We do our best to ensure that your experience is unaltered by handling the situation efficiently and smoothly. For complete terms and conditions, see here. We recommend reviewing optional trip cancellation and interruption insurance to cover expenses in these instances. Some instances that have come up are:

• A twisted ankle one week before a trip
• Power outages in the Atlanta airport leaving travelers stranded
• Burst appendix!
• Earthquakes or floods cutting a trip short

DO I NEED ANY IMMUNIZATIONS OR MEDICINE?

Talk to your physician and follow recommended CDC guidelines found here.

WILL WE NEED TO FILTER WATER?

OneSeed will purify and provide you with water during your expedition. Depending on the location, we use a combination of boiled water, UV purification, or bottled water when necessary.

WHAT FOOD SHOULD I EXPECT TO EAT ON THE TRAIL?

• Meals are a nice mix of Peruvian style dishes and western food that are high in carbohydrates and protein to keep you fueled up for the expedition. Breakfast may include items such as oatmeal, toast, jam/cheese, tea, and coffee. Lunch is usually a sandwich (with a vegetarian option), fruit, snack bar, and some chocolate. Dinners may include red or white meat / a vegetarian option, pasta, potatoes, rice, veggies, soup, and dessert.
• OneSeed is able to accommodate most allergies and dietary preferences. If you didn't include this information on your registration form, please email info@oneseedexpeditions.com. We recommend any vegan travelers bring extra protein bars.

WHAT ARE THE ACCOMMODATIONS LIKE ON THE TRAIL?

You will be sleeping in a hotel in Cusco and Aguas Calientes and in hostels while on the trail. Hostels have private rooms with private bathrooms and provide all bedding.

How many people will be on my expedition?

We generally cap our group departure dates at around 10, though some may be slightly larger depending on the expedition. We guarantee all group departure dates whether there are 1 or 10 travelers signed up. We recommend asking our team how many people are in your group when you sign up for a departure date. Keep in mind, travelers may join or cancel at the last minute! If you are the only one in your group, we are happy to work with you on changing your travel dates if no deposits have been made.

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY

• Please refer to our Terms & Conditions here: www.oneseedexpeditions.com/terms-of-service

DO I NEED TO TIP MY GUIDE?

Tips are always appreciated. We have developed the chart in the blogpost below to act as a guide. Averages below are based on per person recommendations.

www.oneseedexpeditions.com/blog/tipping

DOES SOMEONE CARRY MY PACK?

Plan on bringing a day pack (24L is sufficient for most travelers) for access to items you will need during hiking: water, clothing layers, sunscreen, etc. Your larger bag (a backpack/duffel 35-40 L) will be transported by van along the trail. Due to space constraints, we ask travelers to limit the size of transported bags. Larger bags and items not needed along the trail can be kept in secure storage in Cusco for retrieval at the end of the trip. On Day 5, you will likely arrive in Aguas Calientes before your bags do. Plan to carry any items you would like access to prior to the evening along with you on the hike.

CAN I LEAVE SOME OF MY LUGGAGE IN THE HOTEL DURING THE TREK?

You will be staying at the same hotel before and after your trek in Cusco. Leaving an extra bag at the hotel during your trek is free of charge. Please keep in mind you are only allowed one carry-on and one checked back (under 50 lbs) for your domestic flight from Lima to Cusco. 

HOW SHOULD I TRAIN FOR MY TREK?

Multi-sport expeditions require above average physical fitness. No technical skills are required, and first-time trekkers and rafters are welcome. We always recommend that travelers break in their hiking boots before the expedition. Taking training hikes or rides that mimic the mileage and amount of time you will be trekking in Peru is recommended.

WHAT IS THE ELEVATION? IS ALTITUDE A CONCERN?

The highest elevation you will reach on your trip is 14,160 at the top of Malaga Pass ft. Walking slowly around Cusco's many hilly neighborhoods, drinking lots of water, and self-care are all key to avoiding altitude sickness. 

WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE?

Weather is always unpredictable which is why we recommend a comprehensive packing list. A sunny warm day can turn on a dime and end in chilly rain. It never hurts to prep for both! Visit the terrain section above to see average temperatures and weather forecasts for Cusco and Machu Picchu.

ANY OTHER TIPS?

We always ask that you stay safe on the trail by drinking plenty of water, eating well, and communicating openly with your guide about any issues that arise. Be sure to take care of your belongings, be respectful of your travel companions, practice your Spanish with people you meet along the way, and respect the natural landscape that you're exploring.