Before You Go
Machu Picchu Explorer
Overview
Trip Snapshot
We pride ourselves in running a relaxed and flexible schedule. Every trip is different depending upon the group, other trips on the water, and sometimes the weather. Please refer to your confirmation letter for the exact dates of your trip.
| MEETING PLACE: | Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport – Cusco, Peru |
| MEETING TIME: | The morning of day 1 (in time to join the afternoon tour) |
| RETURN TIME: | Anytime day 7 |
| TRIP LENGTH: | 7 days / 6 nights |
| ACTIVITIES: | Rafting, hiking, volunteering, ziplining and archeological exploration |
Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1
Upon arrival at the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) in Cusco, Peru, you will be met by an OARS representative outside the baggage claim area and transferred to our hotel. We recommend arriving early in the day to take advantage of our afternoon tour of the city and ruins, typically around 2 PM. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner with our guide, which will familiarize everyone with our plans for the coming days and give you the chance to ask any questions you might have.
If you are arriving in Cusco ahead of the OARS program, we can arrange additional guided tours, airport transfers, and extra nights of accommodation. Contact your OARS Adventure Consultant for more details.
Days 2 – 6
Refer to the trip page for a more detailed sample itinerary.
Day 7
You’re free to enjoy Cusco at your leisure. We include one group transfer to the airport for departing flights. Later transfers can be arranged at an additional cost, or you’re welcome to simply arrange a taxi.
Included in Your Trip Cost
- Skilled, professional guide service provided by our affiliate operator
- 6 nights lodging (based on double occupancy)
- All meals as outlined in the itinerary (B-breakfast; L-lunch; D-dinner)
- Bottled water throughout the trip, including with meals
- Airport arrival transfer on day 1 and one group transfer on day 7
- All activities and related equipment as outlined in the itinerary
- High-quality inflatable rafts and related equipment including spray jacket, helmet, paddle, and personal flotation device
- Machu Picchu entrance fees on day 5 (includes a ticket to hike Huayna Picchu)
- Ground transportation as outlined in the itinerary
- 27-oz Klean Kanteen water bottle
Not Included in Your Trip Cost
- Flights to and from Cusco, Peru
- Airport transfers outside days 1 & 7, and additional accommodation
- Single supplement fee
- Additional beverages at meals, such as soda and alcohol
- Return to Machu Picchu on day 6 (entrance, transport, tickets for side hikes)
- Insurance of any kind, including a travel protection plan or mandatory emergency medical & evacuation coverage
- Items of personal nature (see suggested packing list below)
- Medical immunizations (if necessary)
- Gratuities
Getting Ready
Pre-Trip Checklist
☐ Purchase Travel Protection: In order to take part in this trip, each participant must have a minimum of Emergency Medical Evacuation coverage in place for the dates of the trip. This can be purchased as stand-alone coverage, independent of a comprehensive travel protection plan. You can learn more about the plan we highly recommend and get a quote for this type of policy by entering a Trip Cost amount of $0.
Please note: By entering a Trip Cost amount of $0, the plan will not include Trip Cancellation coverage and you may not be eligible for Emergency Medical Expense benefits relating to any pre-existing conditions.
☐ Trip Forms: Each participant will need to complete the required trip forms within two weeks of making a booking. Refer to your confirmation email for the link to the online forms. If you prefer to fill out paper forms, please let us know right away. If you are reserving within 90 days of departure, your forms must be completed immediately to ensure we can properly plan for your trip.
☐ Reserve flights, shuttles, and lodging: Verify with your adventure consultant that your trip has met minimum numbers prior to booking flights and/or reserving overnight lodging for the night before and after your trip, if applicable. It is important to make reservations early as rooms may be limited during peak travel periods.
☐ Whitewater Orientation: To increase your safety, we expect everyone to watch our Whitewater Orientation video before joining us.
☐ Physical Requirements: Your outdoor adventure will be an active participatory trip. Please inform us of any physical limitations you may have as soon as possible. If you exceed 260 pounds, please give us a call. Make sure you are exercising frequently in the months leading up to your trip and can meet our Essential Eligibility Criteria.
☐ Payments: Final payment is due in our office 90 days prior to your trip (refer to your invoice for final payment date). Please let us know if you would like us to automatically charge your credit card on file when final payment is due.
Travelers’ Responsibility Code
1. Read the pre-trip literature and arrive at the meeting place on time.
2. Understand the risks: your safety is ultimately your responsibility.
3. Treat your fellow guests and guides with respect and courtesy; harassment of any kind will not be tolerated.
4. Wear clothing and personal protective equipment suitable for the current conditions.
5. Listen to and follow the guides’ instructions.
6. Abide by the managing agency’s rules.
7. No drugs or alcohol or during the day; alcohol is allowed in moderation at the lodges.
8. Minimize your impact on the environment.
9. Your children are your responsibility!
Essential Travel Documents
Passport
If you don’t have a passport, apply for one immediately because the process can be lengthy. If you do have a passport, find it and check the expiration date to see that it is valid for six months beyond your scheduled arrival date to Peru. If not, you must renew it. Passport details are required to secure entrance into Machu Picchu, so plan to provide a good copy to us immediately, as tickets to enter Machu Picchu are limited and in high demand.
Make a photocopy of the photo page of your passport and carry it separately from your passport. It is also a good idea to leave a copy with your emergency contact at home. If your passport is lost or stolen, a photocopy will help the local consulate speed up authorization for replacement. Also, check your passport for blank pages. If you do not have at least two blank pages in your passport, we recommend that you apply to have extra pages added.
Do not pack your passport in your checked luggage. You may be asked for your papers at various times during the trip. If you are carrying a customs form, please keep it in a safe place at all times (we do not recommend carrying it in the passport because you must often submit the passport at hotels, where reception clerks can easily lose the form).
Visas
Visas are not required for U.S. citizens to enter Peru. For non-U.S. citizens please check with the consulate. When entering Peru you will be asked to fill out an embarkation card. This piece of paper is very important since it has to be given to the migratory authority when you leave the country. Do not lose it!
Travel Arrangements
You’ll need to arrange a flight arriving at Cusco Airport (CUZ), via Lima (LIM) by the morning of itinerary Day 1. However, we highly recommend you consider arriving in Cusco two days ahead of the trip’s start in order to adjust to the altitude.
GETTING TO CUSCO
Direct flights to Lima from the United States are provided by American Airlines from Dallas and Miami; Delta from Atlanta; LAN/LATAM from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, New York (JFK) and Miami; Spirit and JetBlue from Fort Lauderdale; and United Airlines from Houston. More options may be available.
Plan for at least 3 hours between flights in Lima to catch your flight to Cusco. In Lima, you will need to go through immigration control, collect your luggage and pass through customs, exit the international terminal, and go to the domestic terminal where you will have to check in for your domestic flight.
Many flights from North America arrive in Lima in the evening and connecting flights to Cusco start the following morning. Spending the night in Lima may allow for a more enjoyable trip, giving you a chance to rest up at a nearby hotel like the Wyndham Costa del Sol—the only hotel adjacent to the airport. There is also a Holiday Inn a short distance from the airport.
Let us know if you’d like assistance with arranging your international flight logistics. Our partners at Exito Travel specialize in international destinations and we’d be happy to obtain a quote from them on your behalf.
Please do not purchase airfare until your departure has been confirmed by the minimum number of required guests.
PRE- AND POST-TRIP ACCOMMODATIONS
Pre- and post-trip lodging is not included in the trip cost. We recommend that you make reservations well in advance in order to guarantee lodging. Please let us know if you would like assistance with arranging pre- or post-trip lodging.
Useful Information
Time ZoneS
Peru is located in the same international time zone as the U.S. east coast. During Daylight Savings Time in the U.S., Peru is on Central Time.
Money Matters
The official currency in Peru is the Nuevo Sol (S/). Money can be exchanged at the airport in Lima or Cusco, at Money Exchange Offices known as “Casas de Cambio” or at banks. The U.S. dollar is accepted in most commercial shops at the daily rate of exchange. ATMs are available in Cusco and Lima and many offer the choice of U.S. or Peruvian currency.
At check-in at the Salkantay Lodge, you will be asked to open a voucher on your credit card for potential extras purchased during the trek, such as alcoholic beverages, massage, souvenirs, and other items of personal nature. At the Lucma Lodge (last day of the trek), you will need to settle your bill by charging the credit card previously presented, or by paying in cash. If paying in cash, please note that only U.S. notes of $5, $10, $20, and $50 value are accepted; U.S. notes of $1, $100, or coins are not accepted. Peruvian currency is accepted. If paying with a credit card, you will not be able to present a new credit card when settling the bill.
Credit Cards
Credit cards are readily accepted in Lima and Cusco, but it is suggested that you have cash for purchases outside of the cities. Small bills are helpful. Check with your credit card provider regarding surcharges for international purchases prior to your departure and be sure to inform them of your travels.
Health & Medical Info
Although we do not require any immunizations to participate in the Machu Picchu Explorer, it is important that you be up-to-date on several standard immunizations and that you check with your physician prior to departure. The CDC is a good resource for recommendations pertaining to international travel immunizations.
Traveling at High Altitude
This trip includes time spent at high altitudes. Cusco is 11,200 feet above sea level and the Sacred Valley is from 7,000-9,000 feet above sea level. While the itinerary is designed for adequate altitude conditioning in the early part of the journey, there are no guarantees that your body will acclimatize properly. It is a good idea to come prepared with proper elevation sickness medicine, which can be prescribed by your local doctor before your trip.
If you have a heart condition or high blood pressure, we request that you check with your physician prior to traveling at high altitude. Please familiarize yourself with symptoms, treatment, and more about altitude illness.
CPAP Machine
If you require the use of a CPAP machine and intend to bring one with you, be sure to alert your OARS Adventure Consultant prior to your trip to let us know the dimensions of the machine, description of battery(s), and any protective case(s). Travel-sized CPAPs are readily available and often come with a battery kit. You must assess the power needs of your CPAP and bring the battery(s) needed to operate it for each night of your travels. We’re typically able to accommodate the transportation of your machine and accessories on the trip; however, please understand that despite efforts to protect your equipment we can’t guarantee your machine and accessories won’t suffer water or impact damage and therefore we recommend additional protective case(s) for your machine & accessories.
DIETARY RESTRICTIONS
We need to know as soon as possible about any dietary restrictions we must consider in planning your trip. If you have food allergies or restrictions, we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
Beyond our standard menu, we can provide options for vegetarian, vegan, and many allergy-restricted diets. However, we cannot always provide the same diversity or sophistication for restricted diets as we do for our regular menu.
We cannot guarantee that cross-contamination from allergens will not occur during meal prep, and reserve the right to refuse service to anyone as it relates to safety, including the potential for a medical emergency caused by a severe food allergy. Also, due to the availability of ingredients or specialty items in remote locations, and limited packing space, we may be unable to cater to dietary preferences (likes or dislikes).
BEVERAGES/WATER
Drinking Water
We recommend you drink only bottled or previously boiled water, and that you bring a refillable water bottle or similar device, especially when traveling in remote locations. A limited supply of bottled water is provided; at times you may wish to purchase water.
Beverages / Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages are not included in the cost of your Peruvian adventure but are readily available at lodgings and restaurants.
Electricity
Peru uses an electrical current of 220 volts. If your electrical devices work only with 110 volts, you should bring a converter. While some hotels may have outlets to accommodate 110 volts or have a limited supply of converters to loan, you may want to bring your own to be certain.
Outlets in Peru are primarily type A, which don’t require an adapter for most modern electronics. We recommend you bring a power plug adapter to avoid any problems using the electrical outlets.
Cameras
We strongly recommend you take out a rider on your homeowner’s policy to cover your camera—especially if it’s fine equipment. If you are planning on bringing a digital camera make sure to bring additional memory cards, batteries, and any other extras you will need.
Electronics & Technology
The use of electronic devices, especially music players and flying drones, on your trip may represent an intrusion to your fellow guests. We ask that you please be mindful of the impacts on others and respect the cultural nature of the trip. Please bring headphones if you intend to listen to music during the trip and leave your drone at home*.
On a trip like this, there is always the risk of damage to smartphones and other electronic devices. If you intend to take your phone with you, consider investing in a protective case just for your phone.
*The use of drones is prohibited in Machu Picchu sanctuary.
Communication
Once you are on your adventure there will be times with limited communication with the “outside world.” However, the majority of the region has cellular coverage and hotels offer internet (but not all). If you have someone that needs to contact you about an emergency at home, they should call our office (800-346-6277). If possible, we will relay the message to you. Keep in mind it could be several days or longer before the message actually reaches you. For your family at home, you should define for them what you consider an emergency and provide them with instructions to call our office in the event one occurs during your vacation.
Weather
We recommend you check one week prior to your trip for an up-to-date weather forecast for Cusco, Peru.
Average High/Low Temperature & Rainfall for Cusco
| Day/Night (°F) | Rainfall | Day/Night (°F) | Rainfall | ||
| January | 68/46 | 6.1″ | July | 68/34 | 0.3″ |
| February | 68/46 | 4.7″ | August | 69/37 | 0.4″ |
| March | 68/46 | 4.4″ | September | 71/41 | 0.5″ |
| April | 69/43 | 1.6″ | October | 71/44 | 1.8″ |
| May | 70/38 | 0.3″ | November | 71/45 | 3.0″ |
| June | 69/35 | 0.7″ | December | 70/46 | 4.5″ |
Average High/Low Temperature & Rainfall for Aguas Calientes
| Day/Night (°F) | Rainfall | Day/Night (°F) | Rainfall | ||
| January | 65/42 | 5.9″ | July | 66/32 | 2.0″ |
| February | 65/42 | 7.6″ | August | 66/34 | 2.5″ |
| March | 66/42 | 6.6″ | September | 68/39 | 3.5″ |
| April | 66/41 | 6.1″ | October | 68/41 | 4.7″ |
| May | 66/36 | 3.2″ | November | 68/42 | 6.1″ |
| June | 66/32 | 3.1″ | December | 68/42 | 6.2″ |
Packing for Your Trip
We want you to be prepared and comfortable for your trip. Below you’ll find some general tips for how to dress and what to pack and a comprehensive packing checklist. The need for warm weather or cold weather items should be based on a reliable weather forecast leading up to your trip.
Clothing for physical activity should be quick-drying and made of synthetics or merino wool. Warmth and comfort are the main objectives of this outline. Weather conditions can vary considerably. It’s important to dress in layers so that you can maintain a comfortable body temperature no matter what Mother Nature may have in store. The inner base layer should move perspiration outside, where it can evaporate. The intermediate layer should insulate while the outside layer should act as a barrier to wind and rain.
Clothing
Day & hiking wear—For most days of the adventure, casual, comfortable clothing is best. Consider long sleeves and pants for sun and bug protection. Quick-dry clothing packs light and cleans easily. For rafting, start with sunscreen, a swimsuit or shorts, and a long-sleeved shirt to protect you from the sun. You can add additional layers, such as the splash jacket and pants depending on the weather. Keep lightweight merino synthetic or wool layers handy, to keep warm as temperatures vary as our elevations change.
Evening wear—After a long day on the river or trail, you will want to refresh and change into clean comfortable clothing. Soft, loose-fitting shorts or pants, t-shirts, etc. will allow you to truly relax in the evening and you will want to have something dry and warm such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, and fleece. Casual travel wear is appropriate throughout the trip.
To avoid being cold—Synthetic or Merino wool long underwear is a must-have on adventure trips. It can be worn under shorts, rain gear, T-shirts, etc., then stripped off when temperatures rise. It keeps you warm even if it’s wet (which can happen easily), dries quickly, and is compact enough to be stuffed into your daypack after you take it off. It can be layered under your waterproof rain jacket and pants. Be aware that cotton items, once wet, do not insulate; only synthetic and wool materials will keep you warm if wet.
Something warm for your top & bottom—You need to be prepared for inclement weather. Bring a good fleece or wool top and bottom, along with a warm hat and gloves. You’ll want to double up on your synthetic layers so that you’ll have a set to wear in the boat and a set of warm, dry clothes for the evening.
Footwear
For the trail, you’ll need a pair of sturdy, comfortable hiking boots or shoes with good tread, waterproof, and possibly ankle support. If you plan to buy footwear for the trip, make sure you have time to break them in until they’re comfortable—if your feet hurt you won’t enjoy the trip.
While rafting—The best choice is an amphibious shoe that drains water, protects your toes, and won’t come off in a swirling currents. A retired pair of athletic shoes can work well, too. Sport sandals with a heel strap are another good option. Find professional-grade options made by Chaco®, the official footwear sponsor of OARS guides. We can provide wetsuit booties with a rubber sole, as well.
Headwear
A wide-brimmed hat or ball cap is a good choice for sun protection. A warm beanie for chilly nights and mornings is recommended.
Rain Gear
We recommend a jacket and pants that are 100% waterproof and breathable, not just water resistant. A hooded jacket is recommended, as well as good secure closures around your head, neck, wrists, and ankles. Many folks like having a poncho, as well, as a poncho provides coverage for a daypack.
Sun Protection
This trip takes place at very high elevations and protecting yourself from the sun should be taken very seriously! In many cases, a long-sleeve shirt is the best method for preventing sunburn on your upper body. Lightweight long pants may also be appropriate to protect your legs. A hat, sunscreen, lip balm, and sunglasses are also a must.
Bugs & Mosquitoes
Bugs and mosquitoes vary depending on location and time of year. It’s a good idea to come prepared with insect repellent. Long-sleeved shirts and pants may be desirable at times.
MENSTRUAL CYCLE
Even if you aren’t anticipating your menstrual period, come prepared for it. We recommend you bring some sandwich-size Ziploc™ bags. These bags can be used to store products during the day. Used pads or tampons can be disposed of in the trash at the lodge. We provide some menstrual products for emergencies.
Packing List
Equipment and Personal Items
☐ Water bottle: durable and reusable
☐ Polarized sunglasses with securing strap (consider bringing a spare)
☐ Daypack
☐ Toiletries
☐ Sunscreen and lip protection: waterproof & SPF 30 or higher
☐ Moisturizing lotion or cream
☐ Insect repellent
☐ Personal first-aid kit (Band-aids, antibiotic ointment, ibuprofen, moleskin, eye drops, etc.)
☐ Spare pair of glasses and/or contacts
☐ Cash for gratuities and incidentals
Footwear
☐ Athletic shoes or light hikers
☐ Comfortable shoes for evenings (sandals or flip-flops)
☐ River shoes or sandals with a heel strap (such as those made by Chaco®)
☐ Hiking socks
Clothing
☐ Long-sleeved shirts: lightweight and light color for sun protection
☐ Long pants: lightweight and light color for sun protection
☐ Casual wear: comfortable and lightweight for travel and evenings
☐ Shorts
☐ T-shirts
☐ Shade hat or visor with securing strap and a spare
☐ Rain jacket and pants
☐ Swimwear: tankinis and board shorts are a great option
☐ Underwear: quick-drying
☐ T-shirts/tops
☐ Warm fleece or insulated jacket
Optional Items
☐ Headlamp or flashlight (consider bringing spare batteries)
☐ Camera and accessories
☐ Small bags: stuff sacks, zip locks, or similar for organizing items in your dry bag
☐ Sarong: useful for sun protection, evaporative cooling, changing clothes, etc
☐ Sketchbook, notebook and pen, paperback book
☐ Bandana
☐ Binoculars
☐ Ankle gaiters (to keep dirt & mud out of your shoes)
Packing Your Gear
Soft-sided luggage is ideal for transporting throughout your trip, as we’ll be loading bags into our van on a daily basis. Bringing only what is necessary will save time packing and repacking. Extra baggage can be an unwanted burden for yourself and others.
Machu Picchu by train on Peru Rail: Weight regulations for Peru Rail limit travelers to one carry-on backpack with a maximum weight of 11 lbs (5 kg) and one checked bag with a maximum weight of 22 lbs (10 kg). Therefore, we will provide you with a small duffel bag that you can pack into, bringing only what you need for these two nights. We will provide storage for your travel bag, reducing your total luggage weight when traveling to and from Machu Picchu by train.
Airlines often restrict baggage and charge for additional weight and/or bags can be expensive. Check with your carrier for their regulations.
Extra Luggage
If you have extra luggage it can be stored at our hotel in Cusco and retrieved upon return on day 6.
Valuables
We recommend that you check your personal insurance policy before traveling to ensure that you are covered for theft and loss while traveling. As a safety precaution, do not travel with excessive cash or jewelry if it is not necessary.
HELPFUL LINKS
- Find all the gear you need for your trip online in the OARStore and 15% of your purchase helps provide under-resourced youth with outdoor adventure experiences.
- Shop for the latest in top-quality clothing, footwear & outdoor gear at REI.
- Recommended Reading: The Best Machu Picchu Books to Read Before You Go
Reminders
GRATUITIES
If you feel your guides have provided a very special trip for you, you may leave a gratuity with the trip leader to be shared among the crew. This tip is entirely at your discretion, though we recommend a general tipping guideline of anything between 10% and 15% of trip cost. If you plan to tip, remember to have cash. ATMs are available in Cusco and the Sacred Valley.
- Principal guide: $5-10 per person per day
- Assistant guide: $3-5 per person per day (only present for larger groups)
- Raft and zipline guides: $5-10 per person
- Driver: $3 per person per day
- Airport and hotel bellboys: $2 for luggage
- Restaurants: $10-15 per waiter for the group
SOMETHING VOLUNTARY
In reviewing your statement, you’ll notice a $1 per person per day donation to International Rivers, a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to protecting rivers and defending the rights of the surrounding communities. Their work helps stop destructive dams and promotes water and energy solutions for a just and sustainable world. One hundred percent of these funds go directly to protecting rivers, and your contribution is tax-deductible. Please notify our office to delete the donation from your balance.
Terms & Conditions
Reservations and Deposits
A $500/person deposit is required at the time of reservation. Deposits may be made by check, money order, or Visa/Mastercard (American Express and Discover incur a 3% processing fee). Prices are in US Dollars, and all payments must be made in US Dollars. Payment of the deposit establishes your acceptance of our complete Terms and Conditions. Individual departures and trip capacity are strictly limited by the managing agency.
Canceling your trip after your deposit is processed will incur cancellation fees because OARS has absorbed costs on your behalf and will turn others away who would like to book the spaces we’re holding for you. Final payment is due 90 days before departure. Accounts on which final payment has not been received 80 days prior to the departure date will be canceled without exception.
Cancellations and Refunds
Your deposit is fully refundable, less a 3% processing fee, for 7 days after you book when you submit a deposit 7 days or more before the final payment due date.
If you must cancel your reservation after the rescission period described above, your cancellation fee will be determined according to the schedule below. We regret we cannot make exceptions to the cancellation policy for any reason, including foul weather, poor air quality, wildfire activity, acts of terrorism, civil unrest, or personal emergencies. There is no refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early. For these reasons, we strongly urge you to consider purchasing a travel protection plan.
| DATE OF CANCELLATION | CANCELLATION FEE |
| 90 or more days prior to your trip | Deposit |
| 89 to 30 days prior | 50% of the trip price/person |
| 29 to 0 days prior to your trip | 100% of the trip price/person |
Requests to transfer a date will be treated as a cancellation, per the terms above.
Canceled Trips
OARS International and the outfitter Apumayo Expediciones reserve the right to cancel any trip due to insufficient registration or other factors that make the trip impractical to operate. Do not make nonrefundable travel arrangements unless you have spoken to your Adventure Consultant regarding the status of your trip.
If a trip must be canceled or postponed due to force majeure (factors outside the control of OARS), OARS will provide full credit for payments made toward future travel, or a refund less a 5% service fee plus any nonrefundable payments made on your behalf to 3rd-party suppliers. OARS will make good faith efforts to recover deposits made on your behalf to 3rd-party suppliers, however, we can’t guarantee recovery of any or all of the advance payments made. OARS is not responsible for expenses incurred by participants in preparation for a canceled trip.
Medical
Under most circumstances, if you are of an adventurous spirit and in reasonably good health, you should have no problem enjoying an OARS trip. People with medical conditions, including pregnancy, should have a physician’s approval before taking an adventure travel trip.
Travel Protection
Because there are costs that you will incur if you cancel the spaces on this trip that we’re now holding for you, or in the event you need to be evacuated during the trip due to an unforeseen illness or injury, we strongly encourage our guests to purchase an optional travel protection plan. A travel protection plan may help reimburse the cost of your pre-paid, non-refundable payments in the event you are prevented from taking your trip for a covered reason. Trip participants must understand that in the event of an illness or injury on a wilderness trip, evacuation can be prolonged, difficult, and expensive. Learn more about the plan we recommend.
Please note: To be eligible for coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, you must purchase the plan within 21 days of your initial trip payment and you must be medically fit to travel at the time you pay for the plan.
In order to take part in this trip, each participant must have a minimum of Emergency Medical Evacuation coverage in place for the dates of the trip. This can be purchased as a stand-alone coverage, independent of a comprehensive travel protection plan. You can get a quote for this type of policy by entering a Trip Cost amount of $0 when getting a quote.
Please note: By entering a Trip Cost amount of $0, the plan will not include Trip Cancellation coverage and you may not be eligible for Emergency Medical Expense benefits relating to any pre-existing conditions.
Liability Release / Assumption of Risk
Everyone is required to sign a standard liability release/assumption of risk form before the trip, confirming awareness that there are inherent risks associated with the trip. Due to the nature of the activities, a condition of your participation is that you will sign this form and return it to our office before the trip begins. Anyone who refuses to sign the form will not be allowed to participate, and consistent with OARS International’s cancellation policy, there will be no refund of the trip fees at that time.
Responsibility – An Important Notice
O.A.R.S. International, Inc., Apumayo Expediciones, and cooperating agencies act only in the capacity of agent for the participants in all matters relating to transportation and/or all other related travel services and assume no responsibility however caused for injury, loss, or damage to person or property in connection with any service, including but not limited to that resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, detention, annoyance, delays and expenses arising from quarantine, pandemics, strikes, theft, pilferage, force majeure, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, civil disturbances, government restrictions or regulations, and discrepancies or change in transit over which it has no control. Reasonable changes in the itinerary may be made where deemed advisable for the comfort and well-being of the participants, including cancellation due to water fluctuation, insufficient bookings (this trip requires a minimum of 4 guests), and other factors. There is risk in whitewater rafting, particularly during high-water conditions. Rafts, dories, and kayaks do capsize. You could be swept overboard. Your guide will make every attempt to assist, but you must be strong and agile enough to “self-help” and “float-it-out” without further endangering yourself or others. We reserve the right not to accept passengers weighing more than 260 pounds or with a waist/chest size exceeding 56 inches. We may decide, at any time, to exclude any person or group for any reason we feel is related to the safety of our trips. We are experienced in accommodating people with various disabilities. Please give us an opportunity to make you feel welcome. We need to discuss any special requirements ahead of time. On advancement of deposit, the depositor agrees to be bound by the above-recited terms and conditions. Prices subject to change without notice. We are experienced in accommodating people with various disabilities. Please give us an opportunity to make you feel welcome. However, we need to discuss any special requirements ahead of time. We may decide, at any time, to exclude any person or group for any reason we feel is related to the safety of our trips.
OARS trips occur in areas where unpredictable environmental conditions are to be expected. To moderate dangerous situations for our guests and guides, all travelers must obey the rules and regulations as determined by the managing agencies and the Trip Leader and demonstrate reasonable consideration for other guests and OARS employees. We reserve the right to remove any guest from a trip if, in our opinion, that guest’s actions or behaviors pose a threat to the safety of her/himself or others, or if those actions or behaviors compromise the enjoyment of the trip for others. Should a guest be asked to leave a trip, there will be no refund for the unused portion, nor will OARS be responsible for additional expenses incurred by the guest for accommodations, return transport, change fees, etc. Prices subject to change without notice. OARS is an equal opportunity provider.
Apumayo Expediciones
Apumayo Expediciones, a travel partner of OARS. International, is the operator of this trip. Upon arrival, a representative will meet you and escort you throughout the program. These staff members are the very best and will strive to ensure your complete satisfaction.