TRIP ADVICE

Peru is located in the central and western part of South America. Its surface is  1 ' 285.215 km2 and has a considered population of 28 ' 000.000 inhabitants, with Andean origin in the mountainous areas and crossed in the coast, with a considerable European influence, mainly Spanish.

Country of vast geography, Peru owns 28 types of climate and 84 of the 103 ecological zones that exist in the world. Its territory is distributed in three longitudinally natural regions from north to the south: the coast, narrow and desert strip, where one is Lima and the main cities of Peru; the mountain range, of impressive mountainous landscapes and colorful towns; and the forest, of ebullient verdure and great variety of flora and fauna.

CURRENCY

Our official currency is the new Sun (1 US$ = 2,75 NS/.). American dollars are accepted in all the country but he is recommendable to have small bills of $10, $20 and $50 (in Peru the tickets are only accepted in good state, without breakage, etc.). Mastercard and VISA are the accepted credit cards mostly in hotels, some restaurants and businesses. It is also possible to use it in the ATM's which are at the airports or banks. The Traveller checks are accepted in houses of changes but with a commission.

The Airports Taxes are $5,00 for domestic flights and $28,00 for international flights.

CLIMATE

Unlike other equatorial countries, Peru does not present an exclusively tropical climate; the influence of the Andes and the Current of Humboldt grants a great climatic diversity to the Peruvian territory.

The Central and South coast of the country present a subtropical or desert arid, with a temperature average of 18°C and annual precipitations of 150 mm, by action of the cold sea influence. However, the North coast owns a tropical arid, due to the tropical sea, with a temperature average over the 24 °C and rains during the summer. When there is occurrence of the phenomenon of El Niño, the temperature average of all the coast rises (with a maximum of up to 40 °C) and rains are increased significantly in the North and central coast.

In the mountain range the following climates are observed: temperate climate sub-humid, in areas between the 1,000 and the 3,000m, with temperatures around 20 °C and precipitations between 500 and 1,200 mm a year. Cold climate between  3,000 and 4,000 m, with annual temperatures of 12 °C and frozen average during the winter. Cold climate, in areas between 4,000 and 5,000 m, with a temperature  average of 6°C and annual precipitations of 700 mm. And frozen snow climate  in zones over the 5,000 m, with temperatures underneath the 0 °C and snow.

In the forest there are two types of climate: very humid semi-tropical climate in the high forest, with precipitations superior to 2,000 mm a year and temperatures average around 22 °C; and the humid tropical climate in the low forest, with precipitations that oscillate around 2,000 mm a year and temperatures average of 27°C.

PASSPORTS AND DOCUMENTS

You will need to carry the valid passport (valid up to 6 months after the visit). When entering the country you will have to fill a form of migrations (boarding pass). This card is very important as it is asked for the respective exit (keep it in your passport). We recommend you to do 2 sets of photocopy of all documents before the trip, to leave one in your house and to keep the other apart from the original ones in your luggage (in case of loss of the original ones). The Trip´s Insurance is essential, ask your travel agent for greater information. If you plan to drive during your journey in Peru bring your International Driving License with his respective translation. In order to visit the Peruvian forest it is necessary to be vaccinated against yellow fever.

VISAS

The visa is not necessary in the majority of the countries (ask in the embassy of Peru in your country). The tourist visa allows you to stay 90 days in Peru; you can realize extensions of 30 days by a maximum of 3 times, being able to remain 180 days (6 months) in Peru. Each visa extension will cost to you around $ 25. You must consider to go to Bolivia or Chile, if you need more time in Peru. This will take you approximately two days and you will have guaranteed other 90 days.

HEALTH PREVENTION

It is recommended that previously from the trip the clients go through a medical examination, buy a health insurance and consult their doctor on necessary vaccines. You must be protected against the typhoid, polio, tetanus and hepatitis. You will only need a vaccine against the yellow fever if it is going to go to the forest. Review the prophylaxis against malaria for all the low and rural zones that you are going to visit (there is no malaria in Cusco). Vaccine against the rage is not needed. You can get major information on the vaccine, health hazards, etc. in the local clinic of his agency.

ALTITUDE SICKNESS

Some people experience some inconveniences, mainly those that travel to higher places of the residence place. We recommend you to have some rest at least a pair of hours before the beginning of a tour or of another activity. The symptoms of altitude sickness or altitude sickness are: headache stomach, dizziness, upheavals and fatigue. You can struggle against these symptoms with abundant consumption of liquids, especially coca tea, as well as eating light and good sleep.

SUN BURNS

Take care of the sun burns in the heights. The ultraviolet rays are extremely strong. The air is also excessively dry in the heights and you must know that if your skin is dry, you will have to humidificate it. Also it is important to regularly wash your hands with water and soap.

It is extremely important that you communicate us if you have some problem of health, medical allergies, prescriptions, etc. We recommended to bring your own first aid.

PRECAUTIONS AND DIETS

The best form to enjoy the trip is to begin well rested and with good health.

Generally the health problems are due to stomach disorders, caused to ingest washed or not cooked foods. By this we recommend you not to buy foods of the salesmen in the streets and to take a lot of water to eliminate toxins.

IMMUNIZATIONS

• In order to enter the countries of Latin America they are not require of previous vaccines.
• For trips to the forest it would need a vaccine, Yellow Fever.
• The Malaria can be a problem in the forest, consults your doctor on the best prevention, according to your personal need.
• The punctures can be diminished with appropriate clothes (long sleeves) and effective repulsive.

GRATUITIES AND GIFTS

• The salary in Peru in their majority are basic and it has become custom to give gratuities for good services.
• In some Restaurants and Hotels a 10% tax service is included.
• Unfortunately it has become frequent also that young people in the street or in the countryside beg for gratuities request. We requested you not to give them money. Give them instead fruits or gifts like pencil or other equipment for his studies.
• In some of our routes we will visit Schools or rural Schools remote, where the students appreciate these small presents.

ROBBERIES

• Security
• If it is possible use the authorized taxis (a telephone number in the ceiling identifies them).
• Avoid the dark streets.
• Do not travel so far away by foot at night.
• Do not take all your money and credit cards with you.
• Be careful with your properties (cameras, bag pack, etc).
• Be careful after going to bars and discos.
• Do not buy or  take drugs (It is illegal).

In order to change dollars or traveler's checks it is recommended to use the “Houses of Change” (There are many in the neighborhood of Main Square Plaza das Armas, and in the Av. Of The Sun) You can also realize it in commercial hotels, restaurants, and stores but with a higher exchange rate.

If you wish to use your card Visa, Master Card and Cirrus, it exists ATM around the Main square and the majority of the banks are located in the Av. Of The Sun.

The change for 1 Euro is approximately: S/.3.70.

BEFORE YOUR TRIP

• Inform yourself in detail about everything regarding the place to visit.
• Be sure your travel agency inform you about its concrete principles of eco-tourism and the conditions of the place to visit.

RESPECT THE LOCAL CULTURE

Contract local people as guides when it is possible and consume regional products as soon as these are enough for the local population.

• Learn a bit about the language of local people.
• Inquire on correct behaviors in saluting, eating and hospitality. Ask your local guide about the customs and how to suitably be thankful for the received hospitality.
• Be diplomatic while ordering gifts. Give gifts only after having established a relation with people. Many children will request small gifts. We asked you not to give them sweet but to bring scholastic equipment like notebooks, colors, toothbrushes etc. Clothes that you don´t use anymore are welcomed as well.
• Give a well-balanced image of the western culture that has more material influence. Help local people to appreciate its own atmosphere and culture.
• Take only photos from people with its consent. Respect the privacy desire. Accept that a favor is requested for them to appear on your photos.
• Do not make promises that cannot fulfill, like sending photos…
• Buy memories and handicrafts if it is possible from producers.
• Modesty is adapted in each culture. It avoids an impression outlandish superior and through his behavior, clothes and equipment.
• Avoid using local clothes and jewels if you are not totally familiarized with his cultural and ritual meaning. Dress suitably like in your own culture.
• Visit cultural shows in the place of your visit.
• Listen and learn. Do not criticize cultural practices.

BE AN INVISIBLE OBSERVER

During your trip

• Move carefully and quietly in natural areas not to hinder animal nor to damage the flora.
• Do not collect natural memories: respect the integrity of the ecosystem.
• Avoid recordings, baits or noises to attract birds or wild animals for better view. Do not try to touch or to feed wild animals. Maintain your distance and use binoculars and telephoto lenses for observation and photography.
• Respect local rules in protected areas and follow the instructions and recommendations of your local guide.
• The best you can do to the nature is not to leave tracks of your visit.
• Do not leave any garbage (especially plastic). Pick up garbage left by other visitors and local people.
• Use existing hygienic services, in case of not having them, bury your leftover and burn toilet paper. Make your needs to good distance of water point.
• Only use soap and biodegradable detergent or does not use it.
• Do not distribute gifts made of none biodegradable or materials eager to brake and objects with not-biodegradable packaging. Leave additional packaging of photographic rolls, clothes, accessories of cleanliness and food at home.
• Avoids the use or the acquisition of plant or animal products that come from the wild and uncontrolled places. In many countries this is illegal anyway.
• Accept that where there is little firewood, bonfires are not adapted.
• Avoid the direct contact with the natives if you have a contagious disease.

APPLY WHAT YOU LEARNED AND YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES - BE ACTIVE

After your trip

• Give to your travel agency ideas on changes that have a positive impact in the preservation of the culture and nature.
• Be an active member or economically support organizations protecting the national and international environment.
• Spread information on negative attitudes like positive innovations in the area of the eco-tourism.