GEAR
AND PREPARATIONS
FOR TRAVEL
IN PERU
BASIC
GUIDELINES FOR TRAVEL TO PERU
. valid passport
2. airline tickets (international roundtrip tickets to Lima is required
to enter the country. One way tickets are not allowed unless you
have a visa to reside in Peru. Visitors are issued a tourist pass
by Peruvian immigration authorities upon entering the country.
This pass must be surrendered when you leave the country, so be sure to
keep it secure with your passport.
3 We can book your domestic flights within Perú at costs below
internet or discount ticketers in most cases.
3. Airport departure taxes ... approximately $31 USD for international
departures and about $5.00 USD for each departure within Perú
4. cash/ATM/credit cards to secure cash while traveling.
5. money belt for money/passport security
CURRENCY
ISSUES - MONEY
Because of currency
complications in Peru, we recommend you 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.
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 in Peru is not recommended. They are accepted only by banks
and cannot be cashed on weekends. Most banks charge a fee to
cash traveler's checks and it can be a very time-consuming process.
The currency exchange
rate in Peru changes daily. On September 8, 2008 the rate of exchange
is S/.2.90 peruvian soles per US dollar.
PERSONAL
GEAR
CLOTHING
Lightweight water resistant hiking shoes for outings / sandals or thongs
for casual time at the Sanctuary
waterproof rain poncho (lightweight)
light jacket/windbreaker
Sun/rain hat
sunglasses
2 pair of pants - light weight or quick-dry / two pair walking shorts
1 light long sleeve shirts + 2-4 short sleeve shirts or T-shirts
5 pair of socks and underwear
sleeping and traveling clothes
bathing suit
FOOTWARE
Sturdy
pair of water resistant closed-toe walking shoes/(low or medium top) -
Heavy hiking shoes not requried
Sandals for casual time
RAINFOREST AND RIVER EXCURSIONS
light 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)
Small lightweight AA-cell flashlight with extra batteries.
sunscreen
insect repellent
Optional items
compact inflatable sitting cushion
journal and pens and/or tape recorder and tapes for personal notes
small 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
Health Preparations and Precautions
sunscreen for maximum ultraviolet protection - the equatorial sun is strong!
personal medications and vitamins
anti-diarrheal medication - Motril is effective in most cases. Brief travelers'
diarrhea is sometimes experienced upon arrival
as the system adjusts to new climate and foods. This generally passes in
24 hours as one acclimates to tropical conditions.
All food and drink at the Sanctuary is prepared with purified bottled
water for your safety and protection.
compact personal first aid kit with topical antibiotic ointment (bacitracin,
neosporin), benadryl cream, band aids, alcohol sterile wipes,
gauze, adhesive tape, etc.
tetanus vaccination - make sure it is up to date.
MALARIA AND OTHER DISEASE PREVENTION
Though actually a very small risk, malaria prevention is an important consideration
since two forms of malaria (Plasmodium vivax
and Plasmodium falciparum) occur in the Peruvian Amazon. Though
malaria is normally not a high risk for short term visits, attention
to preventative measures is wise.
The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends either mefloquine
(Lariam) or Malarone as the pharmacological risk preventative
for travel to the Peruvian Amazon.
Some people have unpleasant side effects from Lariam and long-term use
may be harmful to the liver and kidneys.
Short term use of a few weeks is not considered a risk.
Malarone is relatively new and CDC reports unpleasant side effects are
rare. There are no known contraindications in taking Lariam
or Malarone in conjunction with Ayahuasca but it is a good idea to take
no medications in such a case..
Do not take Doxycycline, since antibiotics are contraindicated in
conjunction with Ayahuasca.
B-complex vitamins commenced a few days before departure is recommended
to reduce insect bites.
Grapfruit seed extract is said to offer some protection from malarial infection
but this is not documented.
Bring and use an effective insect repellent. The standard recommended repellent
is DEET (30-35%) which is not considered hazardous
in short term use. DEET is much more effective and lasts longer than
the alternatives.
Skin So Soft lotion works as an 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.
Risk of hepatitis A infection is not great, but, as everywhere, some
risk exists. You should consider whether vaccination is warranted
in your case
given your short and long-term travel plans. If you plan to travel
frequently in developing countries it would be a good idea to have it.
Yellow fever, hepatitis B, cholera and typhoid vaccinations are not needed
unless you plan travel to more remote jungle destinations.
One is highly unlikely to contact any of these diseases during a month
or so in Peru.
We provide bottled purified drinking water at the Sanctuary. Our food is
washed with purified water and prepared in a sanitary manner from market-fresh
or home-grown foods acquired daily. Our food services
and staff are licensed by local authorities. We spare no effort
to insure your safety, health
and welfare. You are not likely to contract any illness during
your stay at the Sanctuary.
Climate Data for Locations
in Peru
http://www.limaperunet.com/climateall.html
SpiritQuest
Shamanic Sanctuary
Ceremonial
Retreat Center
SpiritQuest Shamanic
Sanctuary Ceremonial Retreat Center is among the pre-eminent facilities
of it's kind in the Peruvian Amazon. Designed in harmony with nature
and local culture, it embodies the spiritual energy and organic vitality
of the Amazon, providing a comfortable ambience in which to relax
and focus on personal healing and spiritual rejuvenation. SpiritQuest
Sanctuary is not a tourist lodge. It is a ceremonial retreat center
hosting professionally facilitated shamanic retreats dedicated to holistic
healing and the evolution of higher consciousness.
Double-occupancy
guest quarters flank the ceremonial maloca with six single-occupancy
quarters nerby. Maximum capacity is twenty-four guests.
Personal quarters
at the Sanctuary feature private tiled bathrooms, high quality mattresses
(no cots or mats on the floor), convenient shower access, 220 volt solar
and generator- powered electricity, and wi fi internet access. You
can bring your laptop to stay in touch as needed.
Our congenial
professional staff will attend to all your needs, so don't hesitate to
ask if you need anything at any time. .
We form an ideal
transcultural bridge between modern contemporary global culture and the
real old-time shamanic healing and transformational practices of ancient
Peru. We embrace the principles and traditions of archaic Peruvian
shamanism while bringing it's great blessings of healing and higher consciousness
to the modern world for those who seek it.
Travel Emergency,
Health, and Theft Insurance
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 and have no problems.
For travel insurance
rates and services contact these vendors
AllTrip
Travel Insurance
http://www.travelguard.com/products/sensesecurity1202/coverage.asp
http://www.travelinsurancenow.com/
Remember ... you'll be financially responsible for your personal
medical needs and emergencies as well as any losses
due to theft regardless of circumstances. In the unlikely event
of a problem, we will of course provide all possible support
and assistance
we
are Peruvian and fully licensed in Perú