Entering Peru

A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and depart Peru.

U.S. citizens do not need a visa for a tourist stay of 90 days or less.

U.S. citizens whose passports are lost or stolen in Peru must obtain a new passport and present it, together with a police report of the loss or theft, to the main immigration office in the capital city of Lima to obtain permission to depart.

There is a $6.05 airport per person fee must be paid in cash, in U.S. currency or local currency for domestic flights.

For further information regarding entry requirements, travelers should contact the Peruvian Embassy at 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 605, Washington, DC20036; telephone (202) 462-1084 or 462-1085; Internet http://www.peruemb.org; or the Peruvian Consulate in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Patterson (NJ), San Francisco, or San Juan.

Exiting Peru

Make sure not to lose the Immigration form you were given at the time you entered Peru as you need it when you leave the country as well.

An airport tax of $30.25 per person must be paid in cash, in U.S. currency or local currency when departing Peru.

Currency

The national currency is the Nuevo Sol and its abbreviation is the S/. sign.
It is recommended to carry US dollars while in Peru. Check current rates

www.oanda.com. US$ may be exchanged by Soles at any "cambista" (money changer) identified with a photo id. You will find several money exchange offices around the main plaza in Cusco. Be prepared to pay 3% commission for Travelers Checks and up to 10% commission for credit cards. Your best choice is to carry an ATM card and withdraw money as needed.

Immunizations

Consult your physician. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends several vaccines for travelers to Peru, as appropriate for your age, your health status and other factors. The vaccines are: hepatitis A or immune globulin; typhoid; yellow fever; booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles; and, in certain instances, hepatitis B and rabies. The CDC says the tourist areas of Machu Picchu are not a risk for malaria, but risk exists in other areas of Peru. For more information, visit the CDCUs Travelers Health site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/

What to pack and bring

Keep in mind that you are restricted to 44 pounds on flights within Peru.

Luggage tags and locks although do not lock your bags when checking in for international flights from or through the U.S. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screens every piece of checked luggage at commercial airports throughout the U.S. According to the TSA, baggage handling agents may require access to the contents of your luggage and will break locks as required

A day-pack or small backpack keeps your hands free. Use it for your water, camera gear, sunscreen, etc.

Choose clothing with multiple uses.

Find toiletries in sample sizes.

A fleece jacket with layers that can be removed if too hot is very useful.

Over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medicine to take if you have diarrhea.

Iodine tablets and water filters to purify water if bottled water is not available.

Sun block, sunglasses, hat.

Prescription medications: make sure you have enough to last during your trip, as well as a copy of the prescriptions)

Personal medical kit including Tylenol with codeine for any medication for pain, to be used in case of an emergency.

If the Amazon is included in your program:

A long-sleeved shirt and long pants to wear while outside whenever possible, to prevent illnesses carried by insects (e.g., malaria, dengue, filariasis, leishmaniasis, and onchocerciasis) or plants.

Insect repellent containing DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide), in 30%–35% strength for adults and 6%–10% for children.

Travelers who are not staying in air-conditioned or well-screened housing should purchase a bed net impregnated with the insecticide permethrin. (Bed nets can be purchased in camping or military supply stores.)

What you bring for an Adventure Program:

• Backpack and Sleeping bag
• Medium Flashlight
• Water bottle
• Although boiled water is provided, tablets to purify water are always useful
• Mosquito repellents
• Sun glasses, sun blocks
• Several T-Shirts,
• Shorts, socks, underclothes, sweater. 
• Good hiking shoes. 
• Hat or cap for the sun. 
• Raincoat or plastic poncho
• Swimming suit for the thermal baths in Aguas Calientes village.
• Personal toiletries
• Extra money, preferably in local currency: Soles.

Electric current

220 volts AC. 60 cycles. Some major hotels have special 110 volt outlets in bathrooms for their guests; some are marked exclusively for the use of shavers. Two or more plug adapters. There is no electricity in the Jungle.

Photo gear and video
Extra Film or Memory Cards
Batteries
Flash
Battery Charger
Telephoto Lens
UV Filter
Video camera

Cusco Climate
Weather can fluctuate from 40 degrees to 85 degrees between Cusco and Machu Picchu. You need to wear layers to add or remove depending on weather conditions. A light rain poncho is a must. Tourist high season in Machu Picchu is during the "dry" season that runs from June through October. The low or "wet" season typically runs from November to April. January, February and March are summer months in Peru, while June, July and August fall in the winter. It is recommended to visit the archaeological sites during the dry season although it might be a bit cooler.

Altitude Sickness
Allow time for your body to adjust to the high altitudes of the Andes, where the air is thinner and the amount of breathable oxygen decreases. Typical symptoms include headaches, nausea and insomnia. During the first 12 to 24 hours at high altitudes, particularly upon arrival in Cusco, you should rest and not eat big meals.

Tipping
Most restaurants automatically add a 10% tip (service charge), however, some do not. The total tip should be about 15%. Porters should be tipped US$ 1.00 per bag. Taxi drivers usually do not expect a tip.

Inca Trail Closures
Be aware that typically, each year during February, some sections of the Inca Trail are closed for maintenance purposes. There are alternative paths at Km. 82 Piscacucho, which includes Patallacta, O'ente, Paqaymayo Bajo, Chachabamba, Wiñaywayna and Machu Picchu. No overnight at Wiñaywayna.

In case of an assault, aggression or robbery
In Peru you can file a police report in any Police Station (Delegación Policial), but the Tourist Police is specialized in foreigners and will provide translation services at the time of filing a report. The Tourist Police is located at:

In Lima:
Jirón More 268
Magdalena
Tel: 460-0965 / 460-0921
Fax: 460-1060

In Cusco:
Saphi 510, 2do. Piso
Tel: (084) 22-1961

In Arequipa:
Jerusalem 315,
Arequipa Cercado
Tel: (054) 23-9888

In Puno:
Jr. Deustua 538
Tel: (054) 71-4141

Medical Care and Medical Travel Insurance
Your US medical insurance might not cover you during your stay in Peru. The cost of private physicians and clinics are higher than in the US and the clinics will request a guarantee of payment before you be attended. Therefore, you will not be released until the bill has been fully settled. Clinics in Lima are equipped to cope with serious emergencies.

Migrations: Dirección General de Migraciones
Av. España, cdra. 7
Lima
Tel: 330-4020

Useful Telephone Numbers
Airlines:
American Airlines 211-7000
Lan Peru 215-1818
Delta Airlines 211-9211
Continental Airlines 221-6987
Lan Chile 241-5522

KUMARU´Q - Life Experience E.I..R.L.
Urb. los Alamos A- 3
Cusco - Perú
Phone & Fax:
(51-84) 244428
info@kumaruq.com
www.kumaruq.com