Before You Book

PREPARING TO GO TO PERU

 

 

CAPITAL

Lima

LANGUAGE

Spanish & Quechua is the official language of Peru. English is generally used for official and business purposes.

ELECTRICITY

220 volts. Sockets are a mixture of the European, two-pronged round variety and US flat-pin.

LOCAL TIME

The standard time for Peru is calculated from Lima. Peru Time (PET) is 5 hours behind GMT.

PASSPORT & VISA

A valid passport is required by all nationals. All Passengers are responsible for securing proper documentation prior to joining the tour. Please ensure that passport/s are valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond the intended date of return and contain between 2-6 blank “Visa” pages. You should have at least two free pages in your passport. Please access the Travel & Visa Requirements Section on the top of this page for the latest visa entry requirements for the country/ies you are visiting. Passports are required; in addition, travelers are also advised to check with local consulates for full details regarding visa requirements. Please note securing a valid visa for entry is the sole responsibility of the traveler.

ANDEAN MIGRATION CARD

When landing in countries belonging to the Andean Community (Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador) from abroad, passengers receive the Andean Migration Card (TAM in Spanish) - a document that registers the entry and exit of the country. The flight crew or the airport staff will hand it in print, or, in the case of Peru, travelers can download it from the Migration website.

                                                     PRINTED VERSION                                     |                                 DIGITAL VERSION

Passengers MUST KEEP this document throughout their stay and hand it in when leaving the country. Without it, authorities will open an immigration regularization procedure, and they will not be able to board their return flights.

TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN

Please note that to protect children and teenagers from potential harm, Peru has implemented a new law (Ley N° 30802) that requires travellers to carry documentation with them when travelling with minors.

If you are travelling with a child/children please not the following requirements:

For children travelling with one or both parents:

• Passport of the minor as well as the long form birth certificate (includes both parents’ names)
• Passport of the parent(s) travelling with a minor.

For children travelling with a responsible person (such as grandmother, or chaperone):

• Written authorization by both parents, notarized.  
• Passport of the responsible person
• Passport of the minor as well as the long form birth certificate (includes both parents’ names)

For children travelling with a teacher:

• Documentation that shows the legal or judicial relationship of the tutor with the minor
• Passport of the tutor

• Passport of the minor as well as the long form birth certificate (includes both parents’ names)

If these documents are not in either English or Spanish, please ensure you have these documents legally translated so that immigration offices/hotel reception staff can verify the documents to ensure you don’t have any inconveniences while travelling in Peru.

VISITING MACHU PICCHU:

Passport information is necessary to issue Machu Picchu entrance and train tickets.

Rules have been implemented with regards to bags entering the archaeological site:

• Backpacks cannot exceed 40 x 35 x 20 cms   or a capacity larger than 20 litres.
• At the entrance of the citadel, security staff will measure any bags that do not seem to confirm to the rules.

 

Backpacks that exceed the indicated measures will need to be checked in to the storage facility at a cost of approximate $2.

Please also note that single-use plastic bottles, plastic bags, plastic straws, or Styrofoam containers are banned from Machu Picchu. We recommend bringing a reusable water bottle.

LOCAL CURRENCY

Nuevo (new) Sol (PEN; symbol S/.) = 100 céntimos. Nuevo Sol notes are in denominations of S/.200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of S/.5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 céntimos.

Note: US Dollars are also in use and accepted for payment, particularly in tourist areas. While effectively interchangeable, it is best to use local currency wherever possible, and it is always good for tourists to have some local currency in small denominations, to pay for buses, taxis and goods in some small establishments.

Credit cards:

All major credit cards are accepted, but usage may be limited outside of Lima and tourist areas. Visa and MasterCard are the most commonly accepted. It is also sensible to carry some cash rather than rely on cards.

ATM:

ATMs are now generally regarded as one of the best ways to obtain money in Peru. They are found almost everywhere, including in small towns, although when travelling in remote places it is best to have some cash just in case the nearby ATMs are not working or have run out of money. In bigger cities, use ATMs inside banks for greater security, especially at night. Many banks have gun-carrying security guards.

Banking hours:

Mon – Fri, 0900am -1800pm, Sat 0900am -1300pm (may vary during the summer).

CLOTHING

As a general guideline, clothing should be lightweight, loose fitting, hard-wearing and easily washed. In the hot summer months, cotton clothing is much more comfortable than man-made materials like nylon. Be prepared for cooler evenings - for this reason you will generally find it better to pack several thin layers rather than one thick layer. A fleece can be invaluable and double as a pillow. Water resistant jackets and trousers are essential during the rainy season between November and April.

Internet
As with everywhere, the easiest and cheapest form of communication is via the Internet. You will find Internet cafés in every major Peruvian town/city. The average cost is approx. US$0.40c per hour. Connection is generally slower in the smaller more remote places, do your emailing in Lima, Arequipa, and Cuzco if possible. These bigger cities are now starting to offer internet phone calls which can cost as little as US$0.15 per minute to anywhere in the world.

Phone
Another option is to go into one of the many phone offices and pay approx. US$0.60- 0.80 per minute or buy a phone card which will cost about the same but will allow you to call from any phone in Peru (it has a free phone number on the back of the card with pin number and instructions in Spanish and English).

Post
The postal service is good, and stamps are available everywhere.

WEATHER & CLIMATE

Peru is unique in its wide variety of ecosystems ranging from the driest/hottest desert in the Americas, to the high Andean peaks (over 7,600m above sea level); and a two-thousand-kilometer-long belt of cloud forest, rich in flora and fauna, to a vast area of lowland Amazon jungle, covering more than half the country. The three main zones of Peru are known as La Costa (the coast), La Sierra (the mountains) and La Selva (the jungle). Over the last few years, the Peruvian weather has been rather unsettled possibly because of global warming. However, it still rarely rains on the coast, although the Lima region does experience substantial smog, coastal fogs, or mists and even drizzle, particularly between the months of May and November. The climate in the Sierra and Selva regions can be divided into a wet season (Nov-April) and a dry season (May-Oct). There is, of course, some rain during the dry season, but it is much heavier and much more frequent in the wet season. Don’t be put off by the expression “rainy season” however, as this normally means a couple of downpours each day rather than continuous rain. Again, weather conditions have been quite unsettled in these regions over the last ten years or so, with the Altiplano zone around Puno being affected by serious droughts, which have left the water level of Lake Titicaca at its lowest for years.

Lima: (approx)

Cusco: (approx)

Iquitos: (approx)

FOOD

Peru’s basic diet focuses on chicken, beef or seafood, mostly with French fries or rice (or both) and possibly a little salad. Soups are also common and good value. Coastal dishes are seafood based and include “ceviche” which is fish marinated in lemon juice, onion and hot peppers traditionally served with corn on the cob, cancha (toasted corn), yucca and sweet potatoes. “Escabeche” is fish with onions, green and red peppers, prawns, cumin, hard boiled eggs, olives and sprinkled with cheese. The most common fish is “corvina” (sea bass) which can come simply grilled or fried or with sauces. “Chupe de camerones”, a prawn stew, is another delicious dish certainly worth trying.

Corn and potatoes are Peru’s main vegetables – particularly in the highlands. “Causa” is a dish made from yellow potatoes, lemons, peppers, hard-boiled eggs, olives, lettuce, sweet corn, sweet potato, and cheese and onion sauce. “Choclo con queso” is a large corn on the cob snack with very salty cheese. Other local favorites include “tamales” which is like a boiled corn dumpling filled with chicken and wrapped in banana leaf and “lomo saltado” which is a kind of stir-fry beef with tomatoes, onions, fried potatoes on a bed of rice. An interesting local specialty is cuy (pronounced: cooee). This is roasted guinea pig which some people say tastes like chicken, others, like cooked cardboard!

In most of the larger cities and towns you will find an array of international cuisine. There are pizzerias on every corner and Chinese (chifas) food is very common. In places like Cuzco even Indian and Japanese restaurants have now opened. A cheap, filling 3 course lunch (normally called a “menú económico”) can often be had for about US$1.50.

Specialties:

• Ceviche (uncooked fish marinated in lemon or lime juice and hot chili pepper).
• Cuy (roasted guinea pig, a Peruvian specialty; served complete with head, teeth, claws, and whiskers).
• Causa relleña (potato cakes with chicken in the centre, but also cooked with avocado or crabmeat).
• Tamales (boiled corn dumplings filled with meat and wrapped in a banana leaf).
• Mazamorra morada (purple maize and sweet potato starch jelly cooked with lemons, dried fruits, cinnamon, and cloves).
• Salchipapas (particularly popular in Chiclayo, this sausage and chips dish is eaten as an evening snack in many fast food-style restaurants).
• Papas a la Huancaína (boiled sliced potatoes served on lettuce with a slightly spicy cheese sauce, and either a piece of hard-boiled egg or olives; popular in Lima and along the central coast, and often part of menús del día).
• Pollo a la Brasa (chargrilled chicken which has been gutted and cooked over a flame; served with chips and salad with sauces).
• Chicharrones (salted pork fried in its own fat).

DRINKS

You should be wary of drinking the local tap water. Unfortunately, the country’s public drinking water has not caught up to its tourism industry in terms of modernity, so avoid sipping the tap water. Most hotels will leave you bottles of water in the bathroom for brushing your teeth, but be sure to pick up more yourself in case you need it.

Bottled water, carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices are widely available and are generally safe to drink. Please note however that fruit juices are sometimes made with unboiled tap water and could upset your stomach. An easy way around this is to order juice “con leche” (with milk) instead. The choice of different juices is incredible eg. mora (blackberry), piña (pineapple), naranjilla (mixture between mandarin and orange), maracuya (passion fruit), tomato de arbol (like a tomato but with a harder texture and sweeter), guanabana (custard apple) and curia (which has a great taste – just try it!).

Regional drinks:

• Pisco (the national spirit, a brandy distilled from grapes).
• Pisco sour (the national cocktail, a bittersweet pisco-based drink made with lime juice, egg white and sugar).
• Other pisco-based drinks are algarrobina (pisco and carob syrup), chilcano (pisco and ginger ale) and capitán (pisco and   vermouth).
• Chicha de jora (a strongly alcoholic drink made of fermented maize).
• Chicha morada (non-alcoholic purple corn juice, a cheap and popular drink dating from Inca times; usually found in big vats in local restaurants, it tastes like cold mulled wine).
• Inca Kola (the bottled soft drink of choice, beating Coca-Cola on sales; it’s nothing like cola, and is bright yellow).
• Peruvian beers include Cuzqueña from Cusco and Arequipeña from Arequipa, along with Pilsen and Cristal.
• Peruvian wine is traditionally quite sweet, and you can visit the vineyards at Ica to try different types.

SUGGESTED TIPPING SCALE

It is a way of showing your appreciation and will be welcomed by the recipient, although if you decide not to tip in a particular circumstance, this doesn’t mean you’ll receive a lower level of service. Ultimately, tipping is discretionary and should be done at a level that feels comfortable.

Here are some guidelines that you may find helpful:

 *As a general rule there is a percentage sales tax and a percentage gratuity added to all restaurant bills.  These taxes and gratuities vary from location to location, but the percentages being charged are always printed on the bill.  It is customary to leave an additional tip so that the total percentage of gratuity comes to 15 - 20% for good to excellent service.

HEALTH & MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS & GUIDELINES

As a general recommendation, it is advisable to check with your family doctor or travel clinic for latest health information.

ALTITUDE SICKNESS

Sickness can strike even the fittest, healthiest traveler. As soon as you pass the 8,000 feet mark, you are at risk from acute mountain sickness (AMS), the mildest and most common form of the condition. There is no way to know beforehand if you are susceptible to altitude sickness.

Parts of your trip go above 2800 metres / 9200 feet where it is common for travellers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude - regardless of your age, gender, and fitness. Some pre-existing medical conditions are known to severely worsen at high altitude and be difficult to adequately treat on the ground, leading to more serious consequences. It is imperative that you discuss your pre-existing medical condition/s with your doctor.

We understand certain medications are reported to aid acclimatizing to high altitude and we highly recommend that you contact your doctor or local travel health clinic to discuss this and any other health issues that might be of concern to you.

Altitude Sickness Prevention

Successful prevention is obviously preferable to treatment, so keep the following guidelines in mind before heading to high altitude locations:

• A slow ascent is always the best option. Whenever possible, give your body time to adjust to the altitude. Proper acclimatization is the best defense against altitude sickness.
• Take it easy for the first 24 hours at altitude -- don’t overexert yourself and don’t go any higher. This is particularly important if you’re arriving by plane.
• Avoid alcohol, tobacco and sleeping pills.
• Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
• Eat high-carbohydrate foods (such as pasta, potatoes, and bread).
• Drink coca tea or chew coca leaves upon arrival at altitude and during your stay. While largely unproven scientifically, the locals swear by it. Be aware that coca leaves, while legal in Peru, can make a drug test prove positive for cocaine.
• Medication is also an option. Always consult your doctor before taking altitude sickness medication.

Altitude Sickness Symptoms and Treatment

Symptoms of acute altitude sickness include:

• headaches
• nausea
• vomiting
• dizziness
• lethargy
• poor sleep
• loss of appetite

** In all cases, the best treatment is descent. If heading to a lower altitude isn’t an option, stay where you are and rest for a day or two.

Here are some notable destinations located close to 8,000 feet or above:

• Cerro de Pasco 14,200 feet (4,330m)
• Puno and Lake Titicaca 12,500 feet (3,811m)
• Cusco 11,152 feet (3,399m)
• Huancayo 10,692 feet (3,259m)
• Huaraz 10,013 feet (3,052m)
• Ollantaytambo 9,160 feet (2,792m)
• Ayacucho 9,058 feet (2,761m)
• Machu Picchu 7,972 feet (2,430m)

HEALTH & MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS & GUIDELINES

As a general recommendation, it is advisable to check with your family doctor or travel clinic for latest health information.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance. Your home country health plan may only provide limited coverage while traveling outside of the country. Indus Travels can offer you a complete travel insurance package. Some credit cards do offer travel insurance; however, they do not always provide adequate coverage. Review and understand the terms of your credit card insurance policy. Extra travel insurance can be purchased. Most insurance companies do have exclusions in their coverage. Pre-existing medical conditions are not insurable.