Pacha Mama
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Population: Around 29 millions
Area: 1,285,215 square kilometers / 501,234 square miles (five times larger than Great Britain)
Capital city: Lima (population 8 million)
Language: Official languages are Spanish, Quechua and Aymara.
People: 45Full Indian blood residing in the Peruvian highlands, 37Mestizo (mixed European and Indian descent), 15European descent, 3Black, Japanese, Chinese descent and 200,000 Amazon natives who are divided into 53 ethnic groups.
Religion: 90Roman Catholic, 10many other religions.
Climate: Peru's climate can be divided into two seasons-wet and dry - though the weather varies greatly depending on the geographic region. Because Peru is in the Southern Hemisphere, the "summer” is considered to be from January to March. During these months, the weather is usually sunny and warm on the coast and on the western slopes of the Andes. Coastal temperatures are normally between 75 and 85 degrees in the summer. In the high Andes, however, January to March is the wet season, when rains can be heavy but the vegetation much greener. Summer temperatures at high altitudes are usually mild during the day, 55-70 degrees, and colder at night, 40-50 degrees.
During the winter, or dry season (April to November), the coast is usually cloudy and colder. In the high Andes regions, the weather is dry and sunny during the day, but temperatures can drop below freezing at night and early morning. The dry season is the most popular for travel in the Andes and the jungle areas.
Electricity: 220 volts, 60 hertz, so adaptors are need for any electrical apparatus running on 110 volts. Most of five stars hotels have the two alternatives 110 volts and 220 volts.
Currency: The average exchange rate is $1.00 = 3.30 Nuevo Soles (although this may vary slightly). It is advised to have enough dollars, in cash, at hand. Credit Cards and Traveler's Cheques are welcomed in most cities (Visa, MasterCard, Club, and American Express), but bring cash for small towns or pueblos. It may be difficult to change Traveler's Cheques for cash, and 3-5is usually charged for the service. Visa is the most widely accepted credit card. Automatic Teller Machines are located throughout the bigger cities. Dollars or Soles can be withdrawn using major credit cards, again with a service charge. For credit card purchases in stores or restaurants, 5-8is added. Change for Dollars or Soles is usually scarce, so it is recommended to carry small bills and coins in Soles.
Visa and Passport: Citizens of United States, Canada, United Kingdom, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia do not require visas to enter to Peru as tourists nor do residents of any other European or Latin American country. Passports should be valid for at least 6 months after arrival date. Upon arrival in Peru, travelers are asked to fill out a white embarkation card. DO NOT LOSE THIS PIECE OF PAPER; you will need it to leave the country.
Tipping: Is a great way for foreign travelers to give money to the people who need it the most –the guides, waiters, hotel staff, drivers, porters, horse drivers and other frontline workers of the tourism industry. Restaurants do not include a tip on the bill, they include a 10for services. Locals do not leave very big tips, but at least 10 to 15is recommended if the service is good. Taxi drivers are not tipped and the fare should be negotiated beforehand. If on a tour with a company, we suggest tipping guides, drivers, cooks, porters who carry baggage and mule wranglers where applicable and if satisfied with the service.
Taxes: In most airports, a security tax must be paid which is not included in our service costs. For national flights, the cost is approximately US$5.32 or S/12.00 Soles and can vary. The international departure tax is US$32.00, paid in Soles or Dollars at the Lima airport. Sales tax on goods and services in shops and restaurants is 19and is generally included in the prices shown or quoted.
Health and Safety.
Immunisations: No vaccinations are required but the following are recommended. The CDC website has more specific and up to date information, Click Here to access their site.
Typhoid: Recommended for travel in developing countries
Yellow Fever: Recommended for all travelers older than 9 months who go outside urban areas, especially in lower elevations or jungle regions. The CDC web site has more specific information on what areas have reported cases.
Malaria: Recommended for those traveling to low-altitude, jungle areas where insects are prevalent. The CDC has more specific information on areas with reported cases.
Booster shots: As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles.
Note: See your doctor 4-6 weeks before your trip to discuss medical history and to allow time for shots to take effect.
Other precautions:
Traveler's Diarrhea: The most common travel-related ailment. The prevention is food and water precautions as outlined below. Treatments are anti diarrhea medications or antibiotics; however, if the symptoms are not severe, it is best to drink plenty of fluids and let it run its course.
Altitude Sickness: May occur in travelers who ascend rapidly to altitudes greater than 2000m / 6560ft, including Cusco (3360m / 11020ft) and Lake Titicaca (4000m / 13120ft). Drugs can be taken to prevent the altitude sickness, so consult your personal doctor. In most cases, the best way to treat or prevent altitude sickness is to drink fluids before and during your state at the altitude. (Including Coca tea and excluding alcohol).
Food and Water: The food in Peru is varied and delicious, but it is not recommended to eat from street vendors or markets, uncooked salads or unpeeled fruits. Ceviche, or raw fish, is only recommended at the highest quality restaurants. Avoid cooked foods that are no longer hot. We recommend that travelers drink bottled water, which is widely available and inexpensive. Avoid unbolted beverages and drinks with ice.
Crime: Petty theft is the most common crime in Peru, just like any other developing country where poverty is high. This is more prevalent in big cities and tourist areas. The best precaution is to not carry valuables or wear them visibly. Carry all important documents and money in a money belt under clothing and take precautions not to leave bags unattended or out of sight. Also, only take taxis that are marked with a sign as professional companies. Most people who take these precautions will have no problems while traveling in Peru.
Insurance:
Most medical insurance will not cover you while traveling abroad, so most Peru travelers buy overseas medical insurance. Go with a reputable insurance company, or you will have trouble collecting claims. We strongly recommend the use of a travel / medical insurance plan. We do not provide or include an accident or travel insurance policy in our cost. However, if a member of the group gets sick or is incapacitated, we take care of him or her by getting a qualified doctor or immediate medical attention. In these cases, the extra costs are assumed by the individual client, including hospitalization if necessary. In the case of accident and / or necessary emergency evacuation, all costs are assumed by the individual client.
Recommended Reading:
Ross Wehner and Renée Del Gaudio, Moon Handbooks
Hemming, John. The Conquest of the Incas. London. 1970.
Pearson, David L. and Les Beletsky. Peru: The Eco-travelers' Wildlife Guide.
Academic Press. 2001.
Bradt, Hilary. Backpacking and Trekking in Peru and Bolivia. Hunter Publishing, USA. 1989.
Fjeldsa, Jon and Niels Krabbe. Birds of the High Andes. U. Copenhagen Zoological Museum. Svendborg, Denmark, 1990.
Frost, Peter and Jim Bartle. Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary. Nuevas Imagines S.A., Lima, Peru. 1995.
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