Let’s get the paperwork out of the way so we can focus on the fun stuff.

Your passport must

• be valid for at least six months after your return.

• match your name and birthday on file with EF.

• have three blank pages available.

A visa may be required for travel depending on where you're traveling and/or your citizenship.

For more information on passports and visas, visit our Passports & Visas help center article.

Traveler tip: Make two photocopies of your passport and any additional travel documents: one to bring with you and one to leave at home.

Not to sound cliché, but we can’t say this enough: pack light! Different airlines have different carry-on policies and checked bag fees, so ensure your bag meets their guidelines by checking your specific airline's baggage policy.

Most travelers find it easiest to go without checking bag. Here are some tips for getting as much as possible into that carry-on suitcase:

• Wear your bulkiest shoes on the plane and pack the lighter ones. Same thing goes for jackets and heavier clothing.

• Packing cubes or vacuum seal bags can save space and help you stay organized.

• Make the most of your personal item by using a tote bag or backpack that you can reuse throughout the trip.

• Roll your clothes instead of folding them. Pack the bigger items first and use smaller items like socks and underwear to fill in the gaps.

Traveler tip: You'll be traveling by train on this itinerary, where very limited space is available. With that in mind, we highly recommend a carry-on for your travels.

Remember to pack light! You'll be toting your own luggage around at airports and hotels, so bring only what you need and ideally in a carry-on bag.

To see a full packing list, visit our What to Pack article in the help center.

To get started, here are the essentials:

• Passport—bring a photo copy and leave one at home too

• Visa—if applicable

• ATM card—call your bank prior to departure to alert them of your upcoming travel

• Purse or small day bag with a zipper

• Converter/adapter for any electronics

• Toiletries

• Medications and a copy of any prescriptions*

• Comfortable, casual clothing check the weather before you pack!

• Dressier outfit

• Raincoat and umbrella

• Reusable water bottle

• Comfortable walking shoes for example, one pair of sneakers and one pair of sandals

• Versatile layers

• Comfortable, casual clothing in breathable, lightweight fabrics

• Bathing suit

• Comfortable shoes like sneakers and waterproof sandals

• Pack layers, as the temperature can fluctuate throughout the day

• Hat, reef-safe sunscreen, and bug spray

• EF’s emergency numbers

  • Calling from within the US: 1-800-873-2250

  • Calling from abroad: 001-617-619-2913

 *All medications should be in their original containers. Put medications in your carry-on bag only in case a checked bag gets lost or delayed.

Traveler tip: Bring a daypack! The train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes limits larger luggage. Usually, travelers will leave their suitcase in Ollantaytambo and just bring the essentials in a daypack for the one-night stay in Aguas Calientes.

The best things in the world are free (like snapping the perfect selfie in front of Machu Picchu). Still, a little spending money can go a long way while you're abroad:

• Spending money: Budget $30 to $50 per day for pocket money. This will cover lunch each day, souvenirs, and additional activities. If you’re an especially avid souvenir hunter, you’ll want to give yourself more wiggle room—financially and in your suitcase.

• Currency: Peruvian Sol. We don’t recommend traveling with large sums of cash. At the start of your program, we recommend bringing the equivalent of $60 in the currency of the initial destination. After that, ATMs are the most convenient way to withdraw cash since they accept a wide variety of bank and credit cards.

• Tipping: We suggest $8 per day for your Field Director, inclusive of the day you arrive and meet your Field Director and ending the day you depart for home.

Traveler tip: Be sure to let your bank know you’ll be traveling so they can put an alert on your account and inform you of any international fees.

Imagine it: you’ve finally arrived. It’s been a few hours since you left home, but your feet are firmly planted on the ground again. Today’s challenge? Fight off jetlag and make the most of the day.

Unless you arrive at night, be prepared to hit the ground running. Staying awake on arrival day is the best way to fight jet lag and adjust to any time difference. If there are other groups on your program, you may wait at the airport for them to arrive. To make things a bit easier:

• Pack toiletries and a change of clothes in your carry-on for when you land.

• Stay hydrated—it helps reduce jetlag.

• Travel in comfort, not necessarily in style, and get as much sleep as you can on the flight before.

Your dedicated Field Director—a physical and cultural guide—will be with you throughout your program. Our Field Directors work tirelessly behind the scenes to coordinate logistics like managing reservations and making sure everything flows seamlessly, so that you can enjoy your time without sweating the details. They are there to acquaint you with each new city and make sure everyone is safe, confident, and making the most of every moment.

You'll spend most of your time abroad learning and exploring, but you should also know what to expect when you settle in for the night.

• Hotels: Our hotel partners absolutely must meet our standards for quality, safety and cleanliness. That means your rooms will be safe, clean, comfortable, and equipped with private bathrooms. Hotels are typically 30–45 minutes from the city center by coach bus or public transit or conveniently located to the sites you'll be visiting, which comes in handy if you want to explore different areas.

• What to expect: Hotels abroad may feature smaller rooms than you’re used to and may not have air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, television, or elevators. All the more reason to get out and explore.

• Rooming: You may share a room with someone from another group if you’re traveling with more than one college or university—which has led to more than a few incredible cross-country friendships. Since hotels vary from city to city, room assignments might also be different from one hotel to the next. Standard accommodations vary based on age. For more information, visit our Rooms & Roommates help center article.

Traveler tip: Electrical outlets in different countries may be different from the ones we're used to. Make sure you research what type of converter and/or adapter is needed for your travels!

P.S. Hotels in Peru can vary quite a bit in style - meaning anything from larger Western-style  to smaller family-owned hotels. Since hot water in most hotels in Peru is limited, showers should be kept brief. Heating and room temperature in Peruvian hotels are generally cooler than the U.S., and extra blankets are usually provided at hotels.

Kick off each day with an included continental breakfast. All dinners will be included, too. We work with local restaurants to provide plated meals inspired by the region, giving you the opportunity to experience authentic dishes.

Traveling to Peru is a truly memorable culinary experience. Lima is home to some of the top restaurants in the world and throughout the country you will find dishes inspired by cuisines from all over the world, as well as Peru’s own unique traditions.

• Soups and stews are commonly served with lunch or dinner

• Other typical dishes: Ceviche, chicken, quinoa, lomo saltado

• If you’re feeling adventurous, try the guinea pig, a local delicacy.

Traveler tip: Tap water is not considered safe to drink in Peru. Instead, bottle water is available for purchase everywhere.

Here's how you'll get around to make the most of your travels.

• Flights: Into and home from Lima. Your departure flight after the final day will be late at night or early the next morning.

• Internal flights: Lima to Cuzco & Cuzco to Lima.

• Bus: Primary mode of transportation on the ground.

• Train: You will travel by train from the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes and continue on to Machu Picchu by bus.

• Walking/hiking: Hands down the best way to explore a new place. Be ready to walk a ton (we're talking 5-7 miles per day) to see as much as possible. 

You will be covering a lot of ground in nine days, so this program will feel fast! In order to maximize your time each day, you will leave the hotel bright and early and return some time in the evening. Most days will be pretty packed with activities and there will be limited exploration time. You'll have a mix of time on the bus, train and walking to get around. Be prepared to walk between 5-7 miles per day.

You'll spend 1-2 nights in each hotel before moving on to the next, meaning there’s no time to waste! Your group will hit the ground running in each new place.

Exploration time can vary depending on a few factors: the number of planned activities, whether or not your group has decided to add any optional excursions, and general travel variables like traffic. How you spend your exploration time is entirely up to you. You could sit in a café and people-watch, grab a few friends and discover a new part of the city, or do some souvenir shopping. On busier days, you might just have enough exploration time for a quick lunch.

Here is a rough breakdown of exploration time on your itinerary:

• Lima: Afternoon

• Cuzco: Afternoon

There is so much to see and do, so do some research and plan ahead. If you need inspiration, here are our exploration time suggestions:

• Explore the Inca Market in the Miraflores district

• Visit the Lima Art Museum

• Walk along the coast for stunning photo opportunities

Do learn common words and phrases:

• Hola = hello

• Buenos dias = good morning

• Buenas tardes = good afternoon

• Buenas noches = good night

• Gracias = thank you

The mountains of Peru are at a high altitude. Many people come to Peru to experience the natural wonders of the Andes, and it is important to stay hydrated and rest when at high altitudes, especially in the first couple of days of adjustment. When you arrive in Cusco take about 1 day to get adjusted to altitude make sure that you are watching what you are eating, drinking, and alcohol consumption. 

At Machu Pichu, the restrooms are located outside the entrance to the site and no re-entry is allowed. That means once you enter, you will likely not have access to a bathroom during the 3-4 hour visit.

Norms around personal space are different in Peru than they are in the US. Typically Peruvians will stand much closer to each other than Americans when having a conversation.

In terms of clothing, in the more traditional, indigenous regions of Peru, you should dress conservatively, long (knee high) shorts or pants and tee shirt or long sleeved shirt. Also, practicality here is important, the sun is extremely strong so generally people try to protect themselves from it. You should follow their lead.

Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. In restaurants, a tip of 10% is generally expected if service is not included in the bill.