Legal

Privacy Policy

Last Updated: December 2024

1. Introduction

At Machu Picchu Shamans, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, share, and protect your data when you use our tourism services.

By booking a tour or using our website, you agree to the practices described in this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1. Personal Information

We collect the following information when you make a reservation or contact us:

Full name
Email address
Phone number
Country of residence and nationality
Passport number (when required for specific tours like Machu Picchu)
Date of birth (to verify age requirements)
Dietary preferences and relevant medical conditions (optional, for your safety)

2.2. Payment Information

Payment data is processed securely through certified payment processors. We do not store complete credit card information on our servers.

2.3. Browsing Information

When you visit our website, we automatically collect:

IP address
Browser type and device
Pages visited and browsing time
Referral source (how you found our site)

3. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience on our website:

Essential cookies: Necessary for basic site functionality
Analytics cookies: Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager to understand how visitors use our site
Marketing cookies: To display relevant content and advertisements

You can control cookie usage through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect site functionality.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information to:

Process and confirm your tour bookings
Communicate with you about your trip (confirmations, itineraries, changes)
Coordinate with local operators and tour guides
Manage payments and invoicing
Provide customer support
Comply with legal and regulatory requirements (e.g., visitor records for Machu Picchu)
Improve our services and personalize your experience
Send you information about tours and offers (only with your consent)
Prevent fraud and ensure security

5. Sharing Your Information with Third Parties

We may share your personal information with:

5.1. Local Tour Operators

We share your name, contact details, and preferences with certified local tour guides and operators who conduct the tours you have booked. This is essential to provide the service.

5.2. Service Providers

We work with third-party providers who help us operate our business:

Payment processors (for secure transactions)
Email and messaging services (for communications)
Cloud hosting and storage providers
Analytics tools (Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager)

5.3. Government Authorities

We share information when required by law, such as with Peru's Ministry of Culture for visitor registration at Machu Picchu and other protected archaeological sites.

We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

6. Data Security

We implement technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, loss, destruction, or alteration. This includes:

SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission
Restricted access to personal information
Secure and certified payment systems
Regular backups
Staff training on data protection

However, no method of internet transmission is 100% secure. We recommend you also take steps to protect your information.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:

Provide the services you have contracted
Comply with legal and tax obligations (minimum 5 years under Peruvian law)
Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements

After this period, we securely delete or anonymize your information.

8. Your Privacy Rights

You have the right to:

Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete information
Erasure: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal obligations)
Objection: Object to processing of your data for certain purposes
Portability: Receive your data in a structured, commonly used format
Withdraw consent: Unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@machupicchushamans.com

9. International Data Transfers

Some of our service providers may be located outside of Peru. When we transfer data to other countries, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information, complying with international standards such as GDPR.

10. Children's Privacy

Our services are directed at adults. We do not intentionally collect information from minors under 18 without parental or guardian consent. If a parent or guardian believes their child has provided us personal information without consent, they should contact us immediately.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy occasionally to reflect changes in our practices or for legal reasons. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the new policy on our website and updating the "Last Updated" date.

We recommend reviewing this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.