PREPARATIONS AND GEAR
FOR AYAHUASCA / HUACHUMA SPIRITQUEST
IN THE PERUVIAN AMAZON

  ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAVEL TO PERU

       1.  valid passport
            2. airline tickets (international roundtrip tickets to Lima are required to enter Peru unless have a residency visa.
                Visitors are issued a tourist pass by Peruvian immigration authorities upon entering the country.
                This pass must be surrendered when you leave the country.  BE SURE to keep it secure with your passport at all times.
            3. Airport departure taxes ... approximately US$40 for international departures and around US$5.00 for each departure within Perú
            4. cash/ATM/credit cards for cash while traveling.
            5. money belt for money/passport security

INFORMATION ON TRAVEL WITHIN PERU

LIMA AIRPORT
http://goperu.about.com/od/gettingaroundperu/p/Lima-Airport.htm

CDC HEALTH INFORMATION FOR TRAVEL TO PERU
http://goperu.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=goperu&cdn=travel&tm
=1356&f=10&tt=3&bt=0&bts=1&zu=http%3A//wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/peru.htm

VACCINATIONS FOR PERU
http://goperu.about.com/od/healthandsafety/tp/Vaccinations-For-Peru.htm

ALTITUDE SICKNESS IN PERU (Does not apply to the Amazon)
http://goperu.about.com/od/healthandsafety/a/Altitude-Sickness-In-Peru.htm

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN LIMA
http://goperu.about.com/od/citiesandregions/tp/Top-10-Things-To-Do-In-Lima.htm

CRIME  IN PERU: OPPORTUNISTIC THEFT
http://goperu.about.com/od/healthandsafety/a/Crime-In-Peru-Opportunistic-Theft.htm

SWINDLES AND SCAMS  IN PERU
http://goperu.about.com/od/healthandsafety/tp/Swindles-And-Scams-In-Peru.htm

CURRENCY - MONEY

Because of complications in exchanging foreign currency in Peru, it's a good idea to use your ATM card to withdraw cash from ATM machines from your home accounts as needed.  ATM machines are available in airports, banks, and on the street in larger cities.  This will assure your currency is negotiable within Peru.

IMPORTANT: Be sure to notify your bank card provider that you will be traveling in Peru to assure they do not block your card for security reasons.

Upon arrival at the Lima airport, we recommend you exchange $200-300 USD to Peruvian soles at the airport currency exchange center.
This will assure you have Peruvian money for expenses such as tips, taxi, meals, etc.

US dollars and other foreign currency must be in perfect condtion to be negotiable in Peru.  Bills which are torn (even a small tear along the edge), chipped,
worn out, heavily creased, or inked are usually not accepted in Peru.  Be sure your bills meet these criteria.  Always carefully inspect money you receive to be sure
it is genuine and in perfect condition.

If you bring cash with you, be sure to bring clean and untorn U.S. dollars concealed in a money belt inside your clothing.  It is safe to carry money in this way.
Keep only what you need for expenses in your pocket, wallet, or handbag.  Never, under any circumstances, remove money from your money belt in public.
Someone is always watching.  If you must remove money from your concealed money belt, go into a rest room to do it.

Its a good idea to carry your bills in plastic sandwich bags inside your money belt to keep them dry and undamaged.

Remember, Your currency must be untorn (even small tears along the edges will disqualify them), unchipped, and not heavily creased or inked.

Bring $50 and $20 USD bills rather than $100 USD bills.  If you bring $100 dollar bills, make certain they are not in the CB serial number series.
These bills are not accepted in Perú.

Traveler´s checks are not recommended in Peru.  Many merchants and restaurants do not accept them.  They are generally negotiable only at banks and cannot be cashed on weekends.  Banks also charge a fee to cash traveler's checks and there are always lines, so it can be a very time-consuming process.

The currency exchange rate in Peru changes daily.  On March 28, 2012 the bank exchange rate is S/.2.60 peruvian soles per US dollar.

PERSONAL GEAR

   CLOTHING
     lightweight sturdy water resistant walking or hiking shoes for outings
      sandals or thongs for casual time at the Sanctuary
      1 pair of pants - light weight or quick-dry / two pair walking shorts
      1 light long sleeve shirt + 2-4 short sleeve shirts or T-shirts
      5 pair of socks and underwear
      sleeping and traveling clothes
      lightweight rain poncho
      light windbreaker
      sunglasses
      swimming attire
      hat or cap

   RAINFOREST AND RIVER OUTINGS
   day pack
      one liter water bottle
      ziplock bags to protect belongings from moisture and water
      digital camera (a good point-and-shoot camera is recommended)
      lightweight AA-cell flashlight with extra batteries

    Optional items
      compact inflatable sitting cushion
      journal and pens and/or tape recorder and tapes for personal notes
     compact binoculars

  Recommended
     personal mp3 player (iPod or cd player)

  Personal Items
    Toiletries
     dental care items
      lip balm
      comb/brush
      personal soap and shampoo (biodegradable)
      light wash cloth (towels are provided at the sanctuary)

  Health Preparations and Precautions
    sunscreen for maximum ultraviolet protection - the equatorial sun is strong!
     personal medications and vitamins
     insect repellent (organic options recommended ... DEET is most effective)
     anti-diarrheal medication - Motril is effective in most cases.
   Note: All food  and drink at the Sanctuary is prepared with purified bottled water
    compact personal first aid kit
    tetanus vaccination should be up to date.

  PREVENTATIVE HEALTH CARE AND MALARIA

CDC HEALTH INFORMATION FOR TRAVEL TO PERU
http://goperu.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=goperu&cdn=travel&tm
=1356&f=10&tt=3&bt=0&bts=1&zu=http%3A//wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/peru.htm

VACCINATIONS FOR PERU
http://goperu.about.com/od/healthandsafety/tp/Vaccinations-For-Peru.htm

      Though malaria is not a high risk for visits to the Peruvian Amazon ,  preventative measures are recommended.

       The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends either mefloquine (Lariam) or Malarone as the malaria preventatives of choice.

       Malarone is taken daily while Lariam is taken only once weekly.   Unpleasant side-effects are rare, and neither Lariam nor malarone show any special
       contraindications when taken in conjunction with Ayahuasca.

       NOTE:  Doxycycline is NOT recommended as a malaria preventative in conjunction with Ayahuasca.

       B-complex vitamins commenced three days before arrival may reduce frequency of insect bites.

        INSECT REPELLENTS

       Use insect repellent on uncovered skin.
        Look for a repellent that contains one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin (KBR 3023), Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus/PMD, or IR3535.
        Always follow the instructions on the label when you use the repellent.
 
       The most effective repellent is DEET (30-35%) which is not considered hazardous in short term use.
        If sunscreen is needed, apply before applying insect repellent.

       Wear loose, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.
       For more protection, clothing may be sprayed with a repellent containing permethrin. (Don't use permethrin on skin.)

       Grapfruit seed extract is reputed to offer protection agains insect bites and malaria.

       Skin So Soft lotion is an effective insect repellent for many people and is pleasant and safe to use.

      Jungle Juice Insect Repellent manufactured by NutriBiotic contains clove oil, lemon oil, and peppermint oil but no harsh or toxic chemicals.
       It must be re-applied more often than DEET, but is entirely organic and safe with no known harmful effects. Other organic repellents
      contain citronella which is also effective. These can be found in sporting goods stores, alternative health stores, and many pharmacies.

      Yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, cholera, and typhoid vaccinations are NOT needed to visit SpiritQuest Sanctuary and environs.
      One is highly unlikely to contact any of these diseases during a month or so in Peru.

      Purified bottled drinking water is used for all food preparation and drinking water at the Sanctuary.  Sanctuary food services staff are licensed
      by local health and food service authorities.

    Climate Data for Locations in Peru
    http://www.limaperunet.com/climateall.html
 

SpiritQuest Shamanic Sanctuary
Healing and Ceremonial Retreat Center

The Eden-like spiritually-inspired SpiritQuest Shamanic Sanctuary is an extraordinary rainforest ceremonial retreat center dedicated exclusively to holistic healing and evolution of higher consciousness.  The SSS is the perfect place to encounter deep healing and spiritual realization through communion with the sacred plants and impeccable human company in intimate contact with nature.  The centrally-located temple maloca in which our ceremonies are conducted is of pyramidal design with a circular base, incorporating metaphysical geometry which is itself a vehicle of higher consciousness.

The Sanctuary features comfortable guest accommodations with spacious screened rooms, private bathrooms, convenient shower access, electricity for lighting and charging your devices, free wi fi internet access, excellent organic meals, an extensive topical reference library, and friendly family-style guest services.   Though standard accommodation is double occupancy, single rooms are usually available at no added cost.

SpiritQuest Sanctuary sustains, protects, and manages a beautiful 250-acre rainforest nature reserve teeming with plant and wildlife diversity.  SpiritQuest Nature Reserve is a significant and enduring contribution to the preservation of the Amazon rainforest.   An extensive trail network is maintained for guided and casual walks through the verdant splendor of old-growth rainforest.  Everything at SpiritQuest Sanctuary is integrated with nature, and so shall you be as well.  Activities vary according to weather conditions and time of year.  We have a small fleet of canoes for outings on the beautiful Rio Momón or our own creeks and sloughs at our front door.

OUR STYLE
At SpiritQuest Sanctuary, spiritual love, compassion, ancient wisdom, and natural beauty combine to produce the perfect ambience for deep personal shamanic healing and spiritual realization.  SpiritQuest Sanctuary is unquestionably among the premiere retreat centers dedicated exclusively to Amazonian/Andean shamanism.

Our plant medicines are potent and prepared from carefully-selected plants which are cultivated or wild-crafted and ethically harvested.    Our mastery of the ceremony process and the movement of the energy is second to none.

Our message speaks from the heart and from ancient wisdom which we readily share with those who bring an honest and sincere intention for themselves and others.  We are genuine and would expect you to be also.

Our work stands apart from all the others in the depth of our experience and knowledge in the principles and practice of core shamanism.  There is much more to work with the healer-teacher plants than what's in the cup, and we'll help you realize it in ways few can.  Deep experience, high integrity, and consummate professionalism defines our work, which emphasizes quality and intended for the sophisticated seeker of shamanic healing and transformation.

Travel Insurance
Emergency, Health, and Theft

                                     Travel insurance may be a good idea for peace of mind and emergencies when traveling to Peru.
                                                 However  it is not essential and many travel without it with no problems.

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updated  April 10, 2012