Frequently asked questions
The most common questions — answered warmly.
Twenty answers to the questions we get most about YouAskWePlan, payments, Machu Picchu, Peru logistics, safety, and food. If you don't find what you're looking for, write to us — we reply within 24 hours.
About YouAskWePlan
- What exactly is YouAskWePlan?
- YouAskWePlan is a human-assisted real-time travel companion that crafts premium journeys in Peru, tailored to you. You talk with us, we draft a sketch in minutes, we validate with local operators, and we accompany you before, during, and after the trip. Nothing off the shelf, no standalone tickets.
- Why the name YouAskWePlan?
- The name says exactly how it works: you tell us what you're after, and we plan it around you — with time and care, not as a tourism transaction.
- Who is behind YouAskWePlan?
- A small team split between Lima and Cusco, working with a network of accredited local operators across Peru. People who live here and know the ground first-hand, not from a catalogue. We tell the longer story on the About page.
Payments and cancellations
- How do payments work?
- 30/70 structure: 30% at journey confirmation as a deposit, the remaining 70% 30 days before the trip. Applies to all journeys regardless of total. USD only for now — we're evaluating other currencies for future product versions.
- Can I cancel?
- Yes. More than 60 days before the trip, 90% refund (10% retained for handling). Between 30 and 60 days, 50%. Less than 30 days, no refund. Force majeure (documented illness, certified emergency): case-by-case, with the option to reschedule at no cost.
- What if I pay the deposit and something turns out to be unavailable?
- We validate real availability with operators within 12 hours of the deposit. If something doesn't fit (Machu Picchu sold out, hotel booked) we offer alternative dates, an equivalent journey without the experience, or a full refund. You choose — no fine print.
- What's the typical ticket size?
- YouAskWePlan trips range between $2K and $5K USD per person, depending on duration, hotels, and experiences. Works well for couples, families, and small premium groups. We're not built for backpackers on a tight budget, or for coachloads of forty.
What your journey includes
- What's included in the price, and what isn't?
- Included: hotels, transfers, guided experiences, the tables we hold for you where it's worth it, and our coordination from start to finish. The Lima–Cusco flight goes in at a referential fare. Separate: international flights, travel insurance, and optional add-ons. Every line is itemized, so you always see what you're paying for.
- Do I travel in a group, or privately?
- It depends on the style. In Classic, several departures run as a shared service, on fixed schedules with small groups — that's part of what keeps it accessible, and every shared item is marked as such in your itinerary. In Luxury everything is private: your guide, your vehicle, your timing. Arrival into Lima is private in both.
- Does my trip still run if we're only a few?
- Yes. Your journey doesn't wait for a quota to fill: it's designed for you and for your dates. Classic's shared departures do run on the operator's fixed schedule, which is exactly why we tell you up front rather than on the day.
- I'm travelling solo — how does pricing work?
- The prices you see are per person in a double room, which is how most people travel. Travelling solo changes nothing about the design; the single room is calculated separately and shown as its own line, so you can see exactly what it weighs.
- Can I add extra nights?
- Yes, and it isn't a bolt-on: the journey is built around your arrival and departure dates. If you want longer in Cusco, or a few days in Lima before flying home, it goes into the design and shows up in the total.
- Will someone meet us at the airport?
- Yes. When you land in Lima someone is waiting with a YouAskWePlan sign to take you to your hotel — that arrival is private in every style. On your way home we collect you from the hotel and take you to the airport.
Machu Picchu
- How far in advance should we book Machu Picchu?
- Ideally 3 to 6 months ahead, especially if you want specific circuits (Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain) or the Inca Trail. Tickets are managed by Peru's Ministry of Culture with limited daily quotas.
- When's the best time to visit Machu Picchu?
- May and September tend to be ideal: dry weather, fewer peak-season crowds. June through August is high season (more availability, more people). January and February bring rain and the Inca Trail closes in February for maintenance. If you have flexibility, we help you choose.
- Do I need to be in good shape for Machu Picchu?
- For the basic citadel visit, no — it's accessible at a calm pace. For Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain you do need reasonable fitness (steep stairs, altitude). The 4-day Inca Trail requires prior cardiovascular preparation.
- What if Machu Picchu closes during my trip?
- Closures due to extreme weather or governmental decisions count as force majeure. We work with you to reschedule or, if not viable, refund according to circumstances. We have a clear protocol and direct contacts with local operators to react fast.
Logistics
- Are international flights included?
- No. International flights are on you — you'll likely want to book through your preferred miles program or airline. We do coordinate domestic flights within Peru (Lima-Cusco, etc.) when they apply to your journey.
- Who handles transfers within Peru?
- Accredited local operators we work with directly. Airport-to-hotel transfers are private, door to door, in every style. Within Classic, some departures run as a shared service with small groups — and when they do, your itinerary says so. In Luxury everything is private.
- How do you choose hotels?
- Curated one by one. We look for places with character — boutique hotels with history, lodges with a view, family-run places in key locations. We don't recommend whatever shows up on a comparison site. If you have a preference (family-friendly, ultra-luxury, eco) we discuss it.
Safety and health
- Is it safe to travel to Peru?
- Premium tourist zones (Cusco, Sacred Valley, Lima Miraflores/Barranco) are safe with standard travel precautions. We coordinate private transport, trusted hotels, and accredited guides. If there are relevant government updates, we let you know before the trip.
- How do I handle altitude in Cusco?
- Cusco sits at 3,400m. We recommend arriving and resting on day one, drinking lots of water, local coca tea, and avoiding alcohol the first 24 hours. If you're sensitive to altitude, we can design the journey starting from lower-altitude destinations like the Sacred Valley at 2,800m.
- Do I need vaccines or medical preparation?
- For standard tourist zones (Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lima) no mandatory vaccines are required. For Amazon trips, yellow fever is recommended. Always check with your doctor. We let you know if your journey includes destinations with specific considerations.
Before you travel
- Do I need a visa for Peru?
- Most travellers — from the US, Canada, the EU, the UK and nearly all of Latin America — don't need a tourist visa. It depends on your passport, so confirm with the Peruvian consulate before you fly. What you do need is a passport that's still valid.
- Do I need travel insurance?
- It isn't included, and we genuinely recommend it — especially if your journey touches altitude or hiking. Look for cover that includes cancellation, medical costs and evacuation. It's among the cheapest things you'll pay for and the only one you hope not to use.
- What currency should I bring?
- The country runs on the sol. Dollars are accepted in busier areas, almost always at a worse rate than an exchange house would give you. Cards work fine in city hotels and restaurants; for markets, tips and small towns, cash in soles is easier. Our prices are in US dollars.
- What language is spoken?
- Spanish across the country, and Quechua through much of the highlands — in Cusco and the Valley you'll hear it every day. English is common with hotels, guides and restaurants along the route.
Food and culture
- I have dietary restrictions — is that a problem?
- No. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, specific allergies, kosher, halal — we relay restrictions to operators and hotels before the trip. Premium Peruvian cuisine has lots of versatility, and curated restaurant chefs handle these particularities seamlessly.
- Do I need to speak Spanish?
- No. Operators and guides we work with are bilingual (Spanish/English). Some also speak French or Portuguese. In premium Cusco and Lima English is standard. If you want a guide in another specific language, we coordinate it.
- How does tipping work in Peru?
- In restaurants service is usually included (typical 10%) — extra tip is for great service, not mandatory. For guides and drivers, tipping at the end of the experience is customary (10-15% of service cost in USD if it was excellent). We orient you case by case.
Question not here?
The fastest path is asking the chat on our homepage — it understands context and responds in the moment. For topics you'd rather handle in writing, reach us directly.
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