PERU AT A GLANCE.

POPULATION: Approx. 25 mill.
GEOGRAFIA: 1 285 216 Km2.
CAPITAL: Lima, founded January 18, 1535.
LOCATION: 12º SOUTH OF THE equator, on the Pacific coast of north-central South America.
OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Spanish, Quechua and Aimara.
RELIGION: Catholic, all catholic holidays are observed nationwide.

WELCOME TO PERU AND BOLIVIA

THINGS YOU WILL NEED:
- passport and copy of passport;
- money and travelers checks or either one;
* Please make sure that your money has no damage to it such as a tiny rip or tear because it will not be accepted.
* Remember there will be a fee of 5/6% each time you exchange your travelers checks.
- a journey book
- money belt;
- camera/camcorder;
- film and batteries (they are both hard to find in Peru);
- flashlight with extra batteries;
- toiletry: shampoo, soap, toothpaste etc. Ladies please remember to include sanitary napkins/tampons. (The elevation can sometimes affect your menstrual cycle).
- 1 or 2 rolls of toilet paper. - bring your daily medicines. It is advisable and wisely suggested to include in your personal effects (just in case), medicines for the following symptoms: diarrhea, bad digestion, air sickness and headache.
- Enzymes tablets --- High altitude can sometimes affect our digestion. We suggest the use of these tablets since enzymes are a necessary ingrediant for our digestion. Enzymes products can be found at all natural food stores;
- sun blocker;
- mosquito repellent;
- canteen;
- medium size carry on; (to be used for packing your personal belongings when we go to our 5 day (INKA TRAIL) journey to Machu Picchu/Sacred Valley. Remaining luggage will be place in storage in our hotel in Cusco;
- bathing suit (for the mineral bath in Aguas Calientes);
- sandals (be used when we go to the mineral bath);
- sweatshirt and sweatpants - provide added comfort and flexibility in our hiking agendas;
- extra t-shirts, underwear and socks (enough for the entire trip). Laundry facilities are available but not enought time for it;
- sweaters, gloves and scarfs. Peru is know for it's exquisite knit handiwork. Perhaps you may decide to purchase these items there, as there will be a beautiful selections to chose from.
- windbreaker with a hood or parka;
- earmuffs;
- 2 pairs of comfortable walking shoes - very important;
- a raincoat or a poncho;
- a present (something personal that has your energy as we will be making an offering to Pachamama, the 'Mother Earth', in one of our ritual in Machu Picchu);
- If you have a drum, a rattle or any other musical instrument, feel free to bring it with you. It can be used in our rituals and celebrations.
- If you have a personal POWER OBJECT, this journey is an opportunity to bring it with you to be energized and recharged at several POWER PLACES AND TEMPLES we will be visiting.
- For our Sunrise Ritual in Machu Picchu (Paxs of our spiritual tours) we suggest that everyone dresses in YELLOW. Remember that it will be cold around 5:30 a.m. (the time we will be leaving our hotel to go to Machu Picchu for our Sunrise Ritual). After we finish our Ritual we will be walking and exploring Machu Picchu. By 10:00 a.m., the weather will start to warm up. A sweatshirt, with a light t-shirt underneath and sweatpants, is suggested. As the day gets warmer, you can take off your sweatshirt and continue the rest of the day with your light t-shirt.

NUTRITION: Only drink bottled water. Bottled water is available and can be purchased in many locations. Foods such as red meat, eggs, raw onions and fat foods, should be avoided. Foods of this nature are difficult to digest while in high altitude. Food such as soups, vegetables creams, potatoes, corn, rice, pasta, and pizza are a better choice.
Bring your favorite snacks with you such as dried fruits, snacks, "power bars", chocolates, etc. Usually we choose to spend more time in the temples rather than stop for lunch .
GENERAL JOURNEY ETIQUETTE: In consideration and respect for all of our passengers, alcoholic beverages and smoking are not permitted on our transport vehicles.
PASSPORT VISAS: A valid passport must be carried at all times. Canadian, American, British, Australian and New Zealand travellers do not need a Visa to enter Peru. Other travellers should check with the peruvian Embassy or Consulate in their Country to see if they need a Visa.
VACCINATION: Vaccinations are not required to travel to Peru. However, we do advise each passenger to contact their local health department. Please state the country and cities you will be visiting. The health dept. will confirm if any vaccinations are necessary at that time.

WORDS TO THE WISE.
RECOMMENDATIONS. (This recommendations is specially for Lima)
Do not wear jewelry of any kind when out in the street. If you wear a watch, be sure it is hidden by your shirt sleeve Shoulder bags, camera cases and knapsacks can be slit open from below or behind. Keep purses and packages on your lap when traveling, not on a seat nor the floor beside you do not deal with any individuals calling at your hotel room, approaching you in the hotel lobby or in the street you could be cheated it is highly recommended that you carry some I.D. at all times. Do not leave Lima without your passport. Contact your consulate if your passport is lost or missing.

CUSTOMS.
Objects of archaelogical, historical or artistic value may be taken out of the country only if you carry the proper permission. Perú has international agreements with most countries for the confiscation and the return of the objects when taken abroad, so do not take any risks.

WATER AND MEALS.
While you are here, it is advised that you drink only bottled water. Most tap water in Peru is processed differently than abroad and therefore could make you sick . avoid eating from any of the vendors cooking in pushcarts along the street there have been incidents of typhoid and other diseases among their customers!

DRUGS.
As far as drugs are concerned, Peruvian law is clear and concise as well as very strict forbidding all possession of, use of and dealing in narcotics, including marijuana and cocaine. Violators are not deported but are jailed and tried under Peruvian law. Foreign offenders are usually dealt eith as international traffickers with sentences ranging from 15 years to life. The entire legal process from arrest to sentencing can take nine months to two years. There is no bail. Your consulate can provide moral support and little else!

GUIDELINESFOR THE CONSERVATION OF NATURE.
The Peruvian foundation for the conservation of nature, FPCN, recommends that all visitors bear in mind the following:
- Never harass or chase wildlife.
- Refrain from shouting and making unnecessary noise when in wildlife areas.
- Hunting is strictly forbidden, capture or trade of any of the spedies of wild animals found in the jungle regions, whether they be mammal, bird or reptile is punishable by law.
- The trade of vicuña is strictly forbidden throughout the country with the exception of dealers approved by the Grupo Inca. Vicuña goods that are not bought from authorized dealers may be confiscated by authorities.

TIP AND TIDBITS.
CLIMATE:
September is the winter in Lima a cool and breeze month where humidity levels reach 99%. The rest of the coast enjoys sun and moderate temperatures. The highlands anre dry and sunny. Hot and rainy describes the jungle all year round.

TIME.
Lima time coincides with Eastern Standard time in the U.S. and is five hours behind G.M.T.

WEIGTH AND MEASURES.
Kilograms and metric system.

ELECTRIC CURRENT.
220 volts, 60 cycles.

TIPPING.
Most restaurants add the 10% tip (service charge), however , some do not. The total tip should be about 15%. Doorkeepers shoul be tipped 1 US$ per bag. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip.

INTERNATIONAL PHONE CALLS.
Dial 108 for the assistance of an international operator or place your call through your hotel's front desk to place a direct call, dial 00 followed by the country and city codes.

AIRPORT TAXES.
Lima Airport:
Internatinal departure taxs: US$ 28.24
Natinal deaprture taxs: US$ 5.04 (domestic flights)
Cusco Airport: Departure taxs: US$ 3.6 (domestic flights)
TRANNSPORTATION.
Taxis and special services.
There are many taxis in Lima, but none use meter fares. It is best to agree on a price before you get in. we suggest that you only use yellow cabs or call special services of transportation who have reliable drivers. This also applies to transportation outside Lima. Minimum charge is approx. US$ 2.0/ 3.00 for short distances. Fares run from approx. US$ 5.00 from downtown to most suburbs and approx. US$ 25.00 not More) to the airport from outer Lima. Prices increase 35-50% after midnight and on holidays.

TRANSPORTATION BETWEEN CITIES.
There are a lot of transportation companies. And they have different terminals to operate. (MOST OF THE ROADS ARE PAVED)

TRAIN RIDES.
You should bear in mind that trains connecting Puno-Cusco-Machupicchu are tourist trains and you can to expect a comfortable trip or good services.
The trains Arequipa-Puno are not tourist trains. Alternatively, these trains not only provide regular services, but offer rides with spectacular scenes of extraordinary land-scapes.