DETAILED ITINERARY PACKAGE DETAILS RESERVATION FORM TRIP TRAVEL INFO
Bullet’s Travel Adventures
Glimpses and Perspectives on PERU
ENTRY AND EXIT REQUIREMENTS
A valid Canadian or US passport is required to enter and depart Peru. Tourists must also provide evidence of return travel. You do not need a visa. Allowed, is a tourist stay of 90 days. Those, whose passports are lost or stolen in Peru, must obtain a new passport and present it, together with a police report of the loss or theft, to the main immigration office in the capital city of Lima to obtain permission to depart. An airport tax of $30 per person must be paid in U.S. currency when departing Peru. There is also a small airport fee of $8 for each and every domestic flight.
WEATHER CONDITIONS
The Mountains (Machu Picchu, Cusco,)
November - Mid April This is considered the 'wet season', but with most rain in coming in January and February. It's usually clear and dry in the mornings with occasional outbursts of rain in the afternoons. The daily temperatures are typically 18°C with only a small drop at night, 15°C.The Inca Trail is much less crowded during this period and there's a more abundant fresh water supply, but of course be well equipped for the rain.
Medications and Hygiene
The altitudes experienced in the Andes may have an adverse effect on you if you are not used to such heights. I found that it affects about 1 in 20 people, so one of us will feel a bit off the first couple of days. It is usually me. ☺ A visit to your physician prior to coming to Perú is recommended. Diamox is a good medication for altitude sickness. You may also want to discuss with your physician other medications such as antibiotics to take along with you.
Tap water in Peru is not safe to drink, especially for foreign stomachs.
One recommendation for visitors is to drink bottled water, even for things such as brushing your teeth.
One observation regarding Perú, is the unavailability of toilet paper in most public places. Major hotels and most restaurants will have some, but do not be surprised to go into a public bathroom, such as at Machu Picchu, and find that toilet paper is either unavailable or available only for sale. Bring an ample amount of tissues that you can take around with you on your journeys.
The recommendation for travelers is to avoid eating from street vendors or in places where health conditions are not guaranteed; following these simple measures will prevent uncomfortable moments. Bring some IMODIUM just in case those moments do arrive. I have never had any problem there, but good to be safe than sorry.
It is recommended that you bring plenty of insect repellent that has the ingredient D.E.E.T. with you. There are bugs there that secretly bite you and you don”t know till the next day, with a red mark on your arms and legs. This is only really at Machu Picchu.
ALTITUDE SICKNESS
On reaching heights above 10,000 feet, heart pounding and shortness of breath are a normal response to the lack of oxygen in the air. However, for some visitors these symptoms can deteriorate into a condition known as Soroche (or acute mountain sickness) when you can start to experience headaches, loss of appetite, extreme tiredness, sleeplessness and often nausea. Symptoms usually develop within the first day at altitude. To prevent Soroche, we have planned to take things easy as soon as we arrive. Once settled in your hotel room, I suggest that you have a lie down for a while and drink plenty of fluids. Drinking mate de coca (also called coca tea) may help. If symptoms become more severe and prolonged it is best to quickly seek medical attention and make arrangements to descend to a lower altitude. We descend to the Sacred Inca Valley on the third day, and what effect you might be feeling will disappear. This is usually a onetime condition and most likely, when we return to Cuzco, you will not feel the effects again.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Before you travel make sure that you take out travel and medical insurance.
Money Exchange and Carrying Money:
When you arrive in Peru, it is best to do so with U.S. dollars. While most western currency can be exchanged for Peruvian Soles rather easily, any shop, restaurant, or business will take U.S. dollars as payment. This cannot be said readily of all other western currency. Be prepared however to receive your change in Soles. It is a good idea not to use bills in excess of $10-$20 U.S., as you might find it difficult for the merchant to change anything larger. There are money changing booths almost everywhere and can be easily found in every major Peruvian city in the Plaza de Armas and their hours and rates are usually better than the local banks. But be aware, regardless of what western currency you are carrying you will find that when you exchange it, the moneychanger will look it over with a fine-toothed comb. Not so much to judge its authenticity, but to examine the condition of the bill. You will find it difficult if not impossible to exchange bills, regardless of their authenticity, if they are not in pristine condition. That means no torn edges, no tape, no missing pieces, no writing, and/or no stamp marks on them. Do not take bills to Perú that do not meet these conditions or you will wind up taking them back home with you. When you exchange your money for Peruvian Soles, tell the moneychanger not to give you bills larger than 50 Soles as these are sometimes hard to get change for. 10 & 20 Soles bills are the easiest method of payment in Perú. If you find it necessary to carry traveler’s checks, be aware that they are not as easy to exchange and some banks may require a surcharge to change them. Some money exchange locations may not even take them with a surcharge. Carry only as much money as you think you will need for the worst case scenario of your outing.
Taxis as Transportation:
It is recommended that you have your hotel call a taxi for you when you plan to leave for several reasons. First, all reputable hotels have a working relationship with at least one radio dispatched taxi company. They know the taxi company and they will set the rate for you before you leave. This leaves little chance of being overcharged. Secondly, it is not uncommon, when you just hail a taxi from the street, to have one rate agreed upon, only to find that the rate has changed when you reach your destination, or the driver doesn't have enough change when you get there. While this is not the general rule, it does happen, so let your hotel arrange for your taxi service. In Cusco, we are close to the main plaza and I suggest walking there. If we do need taxis, Rossio and I will arrange them to ensure everyone is safe and comfortable.
Street Safety:
One of the things that are immediately apparent upon arrival to Cuzco and other major cities in Perú is the plethora of cabs and mini buses. They are small by western standards. There are some traffic lights and stop signs, but don't expect everyone to use them. When strolling around, especially in the evening, always be very careful at intersections. Many of the headlights don't work and not very many drivers have figured out what a turn signal is or how to use it. It is kind of quirky and adds to the charm of Perú. While we have never experienced anything even resembling a troublesome situation, you cannot help but feel for the little children on the street. When we go to Perú, bring pencils, writing tablets, and little toys such as bubbles, troll dolls, and matchbox cars. These gifts are very much appreciated and will draw a crowd faster than anything I have ever seen. This is more preferable to just handing out a few Soles, and will give you something to remember forever. Dollar Store stuff!
Safety
During the visit to Peru, it is important to take the precautions that are shared among the world’s main cities and tourist destinations, such as not neglecting personal belongings in public places or avoiding deserted places at night. Besides, we recommend taking the following precautions:
- Consider getting a copy of the passport, airplane tickets, and credit cards; likewise, think about the option of leaving personal documents in the safekeeping of the hotel and taking the copies with you.
- Discover where the unsafe areas of the city are and avoid visiting them, especially at night. Also consult the appropriate hours for visiting tourist attractions.
- If you must exchange money, do so in banks, exchange houses, or in your hotel. Avoid doing this in plain sight.
- Always travel in a group, not alone, a group of 4 or more is the best. You will be bigger than most of the population, so this oversize is an advantage for us as well.
Packing Tips
• Make an itemized list of everything you want to take. Check off each item as you put it in the suitcase so you don’t forget anything.
Leave a list at home for insurance purposes.
• Pack toiletries in a resealable plastic bag to prevent leakage.
• Bring clothing that can be mixed and matched - plan to wear each outfit at least twice
• Pack labels that are preprinted with addresses to make sending postcards
Recommended Clothing
- Two pairs of shorts
- Two pairs of pants
- Three long sleeve shirts
- Five short sleeve shirts
- One light jacket or sweatshirt
- Rain jacket or poncho
- One nicer outfit for going to Church
- One bathing suit - Aguas Callientes (Hot water Spring)
- Socks and underwear for every day
- Pajamas
- Comfortable walking/hiking shoes
- Lightweight casual shoes or sandals
- Practical sun hat or baseball cap
Recommended Toiletries
- Hairbrush
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Shampoo/Conditioner
- Deodorant
- Medicines (clearly labeled) - prescriptions, motion
- sickness medications, Tylenol, anti-diarrheal
- Small first aid kit
- Sunscreen and aloe vera
- Insect repellent
Miscellaneous Gear
- Travel Alarm Clock
- Watch
- Plastic bags to keep wet/dirty clothes
- Anti-bacterial gel or handwipes
- Mini Flash-light, batteries
- Practical backpack for day trips
Other Items to Consider
- Language phrase books
- Copy of your eyeglass prescription and a spare pair of glasses or contacts
- Money belt or passport holder, for security of passport and money
- Photocopy of the inside cover of your passport and credit cards
- Book, magazine, and playing cards, Scriptures
- Sunglasses
Internet and E-Mail:
Internet cafes are common and they all seem to have DSL or ADSL fast connections. Explorer, Netscape, and Hotmail are readily available at every internet stop. Expect to pay about 2 1/2 Soles (75 cents) for 1/2 hour of internet time, more than enough to keep in touch with the folks back home on a daily basis if you wish. I have noticed that there are lots of internet signals that can be used if you bring your laptop computer. This is also very handy for downloading all your pictures.
First time visitors to Perú will be intoxicated by its beauty and diversity. I have seen no other place in the world with as many natural wonders and treasures as I have found in Perú. From the amazing Amazon and its countless numbers of birds and natural wildlife, to Andean pre-colonial cities like Cuzco, to the ancient temples of Machu Picchu, I can think of no other country that contains as much to see in such a small a geographic area. Perú gets into your blood, and once there, you will want to go back.
Stirring your Soul!
dcbullet@hotmail.com
Phone (403) 327-5751(w) - (403) 758-3134 (h) - (403) 332-1434 (c)
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