Required documents
All travelers to Peru are required to have a passport valid for at least six months from date of entry. Visas are not required for E.U., U.S., Canadian, Australian or New Zealand passport holders. For other nationalities, please consult the nearest Peruvian embassy or consulate. An onward ticket and proof of funds may also be required at entry and should be available to show to immigration. Traveler’s checks, currency, or a bank statement, from the bank or printed off the internet, are sufficient for proof of funds.
Required immunizations
Travelers may wish to receive hepatitis vaccinations and should be current on all other standard vaccinations. The rainforest area of Peru (approx. 3500 ft. and below, east of the Andes) is a malarial and yellow fever zone. The yellow fever vaccination is reccomended and travelers may wish to take malarial prophylaxis. Please consult your physician or local health department for more information.
Things to bring
One should come prepared for outdoor activity at temperatures ranging from 35° to 85° Fahrenheit / 2° to 30° Celsius, and for extremes of sun and the possibility of rain. A recommended list of things to bring:Please note: We provide a sleeping bag, foam mat, and of course tent. While hiking the Inca Trail, porters will accompany us to carry most of our things, including all the camping gear. Each passenger is allowed 15 pounds of personal items which will also be carried by the porters. Such items would include warm clothing for camping, toiletries, a book, music, or other entertainment, etc. During the day we’ll be using a daypack and will just need to carry water, snacks, rain gear, and a layer or two for changing weather conditions. Most people also carry a camera.
- Passport and, if necessary, visa
- ATM card (notify your bank you will be travelling to Peru)
- Airline ticket
- Photocopies of airline ticket and documents
- Wearable pouch for documents and money
- Sturdy backpack or suitcase
- Smaller, comfortable day pack
- Hiking boots or sneakers, comfortable and worn-in
- Sandals or flip-flops
- Rain poncho or jacket
- Waterproof pants
- Sun hat
- Hat for cold weather
- Warm clothing for cold weather (think layers)
- T-shirts
- Socks (thin wool or biking socks are best), undergarments
- Swimsuit for hot springs
- Camelback or Nalgene refillable bottle (optional)
- Flashlight and/or head lamp
- Sunscreen (biodegradable & eco-friendly)
- Insect repellent (biodegradable & eco-friendly)
- Lip balm
- Earplugs
- Alarm clock or watch
- Sanitizing hand wipes or gel
- Camera / Camera batteries
- Binoculars
- Reading material
- Toiletries
It is best to bring from home such items as prescription medications, eyewear and care, unusual film and camera batteries. Please bring all used batteries back home with you to recycle!
Baggage
For your international flights, please check with your airline. Within Peru, you are allowed 20 kilos (44 lbs) of checked baggage, as well as one carry-on and another small, purse-like item. The carry-on size regulations are the same as international carry-on size regulations.
Climate
Rain is possible at any time of year, especially in high mountains and cloud forest, and one should always be prepared. The climate in sites we will visit is as follows:
Cusco and the Sacred Valley: days are warm if sunny, slightly chilly if cloudy. Nights are chilly in Cusco.
Lake Titicaca: similar to Cusco but colder.
Lima: warm to hot days, cool evenings, almost never any rain.
Amazon basin: hot and humid year-round. We recommend light clothing (in weight and in color) that fully cover arms and legs to avoid mosquito bites.
Money guide
The unit of currency in Peru is the nuevo sol. Automatic cash points are available in Lima and Cuzco. Visa, MasterCard, Plus, and Cirrus are the most common usable types of cards. Traveler’s checks are difficult to cash (American Express is best but you may be charged 5-8% to cash) or a Visa or MasterCard for cash advances are also options. Do not bring Money Grams or International Money Orders, as they are extremely difficult to exchange. Banks and exchange houses are available in Lima and Cuzco. For currency, U.S. dollars are recommended and most easily exchanged. Please note that cash must be untorn. It can be older-looking, but even the slightest tear on an edge will make it un-changeable. Acceptable bills come out of the ATMs in country. Expect to spend about US$3-10 on a meal, US$2 on a beer, water or soft drink in Peru. Artisan market prices are usually lower than people expect. Alpaca sweaters, for example, run between $5 and $30. Currency Converter
