Climate

Amazon:
The Amazon watershed begins at the peaks of the Andes, but the rainforest area termed the eastern lowlands begins at an elevation of about 1200 feet and slopes down gently northeastward to 300-400 feet. The eastern lowlands are covered with dense tropical rainforest. It is always hot and humid in the jungle regions, with two seasons. In the dry season from May to October, sunny days heat up to the high 80s, with occasional cold fronts bringing rain in the southern Peruvian Amazon. Daily rain showers characterize the rainy season from November to April; at this time it may be difficult to get around in the jungle.

The Andes:
Known as the backbone of South America, the Andes consist of two parallel ranges, the eastern and western cordilleras, extending from the northwest to the southeast, and comprise the second highest mountain range in the world. 160 miles inland from the Pacific, the Andes jut up to heights of 20,000 feet. Most of Peru's Andes lie between 9,840 feet to 13,120 feet, with peaks separated by deep canyons. The weather in the high sierra separates into two defined seasons: in summer, from May to October, days are sunny; nights are cold and rain scarce. Rainfall is abundant from December to March. Temperatures in the highlands fluctuate between 35° F and 68° F.

Pacific Coast:
Peru's dry coast is a narrow ribbon of desert between the Pacific Ocean and the steep foothills of the Andes. It rarely rains here, except when the El Niño phenomenon takes place every five to six years. The ocean's cool Humboldt Current brings rich sea and shore life to Peru's coast.

Despite lying only 12 degrees from the Equator, the coast has two distinctive seasons: in the summer, from December to March, temperatures reach 80° F. In the winter, from May to October, temperatures may fall to the low 50s amidst high humidity. Winter is typically a season of foggy mists (known as garúa) and drizzle. At the northern tip of coast, temperatures may climb to the high 90s.

Health

For the latest health information and vaccine recommendations for Peru, contact your physician, travel clinic or visit the Center for Disease Control website.

Altitude Sickness

On arrival in Andean cities, which are at elevations of 11,000 to 12,000 feet above sea level, your body must adapt to the lesser amount of oxygen. During the first day or two, avoid strenuous activity and alcohol. Eat lightly but drink plenty of water and "mate de coca" (fresh coca-leaf tea). Most visitors are only mildly affected. If so (symptoms are an insignificant headache that disappears with one to two ordinary headache tablets, nausea and general malaise, or slight dizziness), you can continue on your excursions.

However, other visitors (a few percent) are severely affected. Symptoms are a severe, enduring headache, which is not cured by a couple of ordinary painkillers; marked nausea and repeated vomiting; irritating dizziness or actual difficulty with balance and direction; regular visual disturbances with flickering vision and problems judging distance; pressure in the chest, rapid breathing and pulse rate, crackles in breathing and shortness of breath; swelling beneath the skin, typically around the eyes and in some cases swollen ankles and hands; confusion; or convulsions. If you experience any of these symptoms, ask your guide to give you the emegency oxygen and take you to the lower elevation of the Sacred Valley, where your hotel is located. If symptoms persist, seek immediate medical attention. If you have reason to believe you are or may be susceptible to altitude sickness, it is important to consult your physician about Diamox and Paracetamol.

Sunburn

The sun can be intense at high elevation and near the equator. Watch out for sunburn: use High Protection Factor (HPF) sunscreen.

Tupac Revenge

Cipro, a prescription medication, is recommended in case of traveler's diarrhea, as is NSF, an extract from the sap of the Croton lechleri tree that has been used for centuries by shamans, or traditional healers, in the Amazon rainforest. However, if you adhere to our food and drink advice, you shouldn't have a problem.

Currency and Money Exchange

Peruvian currency is known as the NUEVO SOL, written as (S/). It comes in bills of 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 nuevo soles, and coins of 5, 10, 20, and 50 centimos, 1 sol, and 5 soles. The latest exchange rates can be found at http://www.xe.com/. US dollars are welcome at many shops, restaurants and service stations at the current exchange rate. When changing U.S. dollars, use new or undamaged bills, as torn or heavily crinkled bills are not accepted.

Most establishments accept major credit cards, including Visa, Master Card, Diners Club and American Express, but there is often an additional charge; you may want to inquire about this before ordering or purchasing anything with a credit card. Although they may be exchanged at banks and hotels, the use of traveler's checks as a form of payment is not as common; ask if they are accepted before using them.

If you have Peruvian currency left over at the end of your trip, you can exchange them for dollars at the airport or use them to pay your departure tax.

Baggage

We recommend that each person bring one suitcase, one overnight bag and a day pack for the excursions. This variety of baggage will allow for the flexibility in packing needed to make travel to Machu Picchu and the Amazon Rainforest the most convenient. Free airline baggage allowance per person is one carry-on bag and two checked bags per person. Extra charges may apply to items that exceed size or weight limitations or are in excess of the free allowance.

Packing for Machu Picchu

If possible, travel to Machu Picchu with only an overnight bag or a day pack -- we'll take care of everything else until your return to Cuzco. Upon your morning arrival at the hotel, you'll check in and be able to use your room. Check-out time on the following day is early -- 9 am -- but you can store any items you wish and use the facilities until you depart for the train station at mid-afternoon.

Packing for The Manu Wildlife Center

It's not necessary to bring all of your baggage with you. You'll enjoy your expedition more if you bring only the essentials. We recommend that you prepare an overnight bag the day before your flight. There is a limit of 22 pounds/10 kilograms per person. If you have excess weight and space is available, you'll be charged directly in Cuzco. However, you can safely store excess baggage at your hotel or our office in Cuzco.

Manu Wildlife Center Pre-Departure Information

Number and type of baggage allowed: 1 carry-on (camera, film, binoculars and other small items you'll need during the half-hour flight). Size allowed: No specified dimensions, but must fit underneath seat, which typically can accommodate 21.6 in x 9.8 in x 13.7 in/55 cm x 25 cm x 35 cm Maximum free weight allowed: Not specified

Number and type of baggage allowed: 1 checked (clothes and all other items you won't need during the flight) Size allowed: No specified dimensions Maximum free weight allowed: 22 lbs/10 kgs Excess weight: $.50 per lb/$1 per kg, if space is available.

Packing for the Sandoval Lake Lodge & Heath River Wildlife Center

It's not necessary to bring all of your baggage with you. You'll enjoy your expedition more if you bring only the essentials. We recommend that you prepare an overnight bag the day before your flight. While the allowance on the flight to Puerto Maldonado is that shown in Free baggage allowance on national flights, the weight limit on the riverboat is considerably less: 5.5 kilograms (12.1 pounds). However, you can safely store excess baggage at your hotel in Cuzco, our office in that city or our office in Puerto Maldonado. Sandoval Lake & Heath River Pre-Departure Information.

Crafts of Peru

The most characteristic crafts of Peru are textiles, elaborate silver and gold pieces, and ceramic vessels, called "huacos". In Cuzco, there are family-run studios that hand-carve furniture in the distinctive style of colonial Cuzco, and others that create religious sculptures in original and traditional styles.

Textiles

If you'd like to bring back a souvenir, we recommend that you consider textiles. In the Sacred Valley's pueblo of Chinchero, they are especially fine. Traditional weaving is preserved, in part, through the efforts of The Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco. SeeDescendents of the Incas for a photo essay on the weavers and weaving. Large textiles cost around $100 and will provide a lifetime of memories.

Silver & Gold

The finest pieces are by Carlos Chaquiras at Triunfo No. 375 in Cuzco. His sculptures of Incas, princesses, chasquis and miners are fashioned of silver, gold and precious stones. These museum-quality works of art capture the enchantment of ancient times and ought not be missed.

Ceramics

For ceramics, visit the Taller de Ceramica Pre-Inca of artisan Juan Garboza at Tanda Pata No. 676 in Cuzco. His studio is just above the fountain of the Plazoleta San Blas.

Woodwork

Cuzco is famous for its artisans in wood, who create masterfully carved frames and furniture in the Cuzqueña style, combining Baroque and indigenous elements. Perhaps, the finest is Miguel Angel Leon at Cordova del Tucuman No. 372, near the Plaza de las Nazarenas. Others will be found in the San Blas artisans' quarter.

Negotiating with Natives

In Cuzco and other cities, it will be difficult to discern whether the textiles are hand-crafted or not. If you wish to be sure that you are purchasing truly hand-woven pieces, we recommend making purchases at the market in Chinchero or from local weavers in other villages. Be aware that most silver, gold and ceramic works are mass-produced in molds. Since they don't require the time to make that handmade objects do, you may be able to negotiate a greater discount.

Security

Assume that whatever security restrictions exist in the U.S. and Europe will exist in South America. Consult the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) web site for current regulations

Electricity

220V is standard voltage in Peru, but most four- and five-star hotels also have 110V power available. Our system of rainforest lodges also uses 220V; keep this in mind when bringing recharging equipment.

National Flights

Flights are typically about one hour from Lima to just about anywhere in Peru: to Cuzco is 1 hour and 15 minutes, to Arequipa is 1 hours and 25 minutes, to Trujillo is 1 hour and 5 minutes and to Chiclayo is 1 hour and 25 minutes. Another common flight, from Arequipa to Cuzco is 55 minutes. Since weather conditions in the Andes can sometimes prevent scheduled take-offs and landings, we book our guests on early flights to minimize the chance of an overnight delay.

Entry and Exit Regulations

US Citizens visiting Peru as tourists do not need a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least six months after your date of arrival. Tourists may stay a maximum 90 days; longer stays require an extension from the Peruvian immigration authorities (Migraciones). Non-US citizens should contact the Peruvian Consulate in their country of residence to check visa requirements.

All visitors fill out and receive a copy of a tourist card. These short applications are provided on your flight to Peru or at border crossings. While traveling in Peru, keep your copy with your passport and present it to authorities when departing the country.

The international departure tax is $30.25 (as of October 2007) for international departures and $6.05 for each domestic flight to be paid in USD or local currency after check-in.

Language

Spanish is the official language of Peru; Quechua and Aymara are spoken in many highlands regions by indigenous groups. During your travels in Peru you will find that most people working in the travel industry (airlines, hotels, et cetera) speak English as a second language. You should find little trouble getting around most of the common tourist locations; however knowing a little Spanish goes a long way, particularly in dealing with clerks at kiosks and in stores. If you don't know any Spanish, it's a good idea to bring along a phrasebook.

Official Time

Peru observes the same time as Eastern Standard Time (EST) in the U.S. Peru does not use Daylight Savings Time.

USA Travelers Info

The U.S. Embassy in Peru is located at:

Avendia la Encalada
Cuadra 17 s/n
Monterrico (Surco), Lima 33
tel. (511) 434-3000; fax. (511) 434-3037
Home page: http://usembassy.state.gov/lima

The embassy is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday, except U.S. and some Peruvian holidays. The American Citizen Services section is open to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The mailing address from the United States is:

American Embassy Lima
APO AA 34031 (use U.S. domestic postage rates).

The Consular Agency in Cuzco is located at:

Anda Tullamayu 125
Tel. (51) (84) 224112 or (51) (84) 239451
fax. (51) (84) 233541.

Emergency information concerning Americans traveling abroad may be obtained from the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at (202) 647-5225. For after-hours emergencies, Sundays and holidays, call 202-647-4000.

Peru has a specialized body of the National Police of Peru whose mission is security and protection for tourists. These policemen are usually located in the main commercial areas, hotels, archeological centers, museums, etc., that are frequently visited by tourists. Generally they speak English.

The central headquarters of the Tourism Police are located in the city of Lima at:

2465 Javier Prado Este Avenue
San Borja (in the local of the Museo de la Nación)
Telephone: +(51 1) 225-8698 / 225-8699 / 476-9882
Fax: +(51 1) 476-7708