PERU TRAVEL TIPS & INFORMATION

WEATHER

The rainy season in Cusco starts from November through March. Students may still walk the Inca Trail; however, it may be wet at times. During the dry season, from April to October, the weather is usually sunny. Temperatures are hot during the day and cold at night. It is recommended that students bring a rain coat and a warm coat for the nights and inside buildings, as they don't have heating.

CURRENCY & MONEY EXCHANGE IN PERU

The currency of Peru is the Nuevo Sol. At the time of writing USD $1.00 was equal to S/.2.81 There are a number of automatic cash machines that take credit cards and there are numerous "Casas de Cambio" exchange stores where Travelers Checks may be cashed. There are ATM machines, which are in the Banco Latino and Banco del Sur. Banco BCP. Scotia bank. It is useful to arrive with some American dollars, euros, or pounds

TAXES

In Peru, all goods and services are taxed a 19% (IGV). Restaurants and hotels add a 10% service fee.

By law, all traders have the obligation to show the client the final price, including taxes.

On the other hand, tour packages contracted outside the country are tax exempted.

OTHER EXPENSES

The following list gives you some indication of what you may wish to plan for during your stay in Cusco. Taxi cabs $1.50; local bus transportation $0.50; a set meal/menu in restaurant $ 4.50 maybe more; a beer in a nightclub $3.00; a cappuccino in a trendy café/bar $2.00; international phone call $0.50 per minute; laundry service $1.50 per kilo; email service $0.50/hr. you can easy move around Peru by bus or flights.

HEALTH CARE HOSPITALS, CLINICS AND DRUGSTORES ARE ALL AT YOUR SERVICE 24 HOURS A DAY.

It is recommended that prior to arrival; students undertake a thorough medical examination, purchase health insurance and consult their physician about the necessary injections or shots. You should be protected against typhoid, polio, tetanus and hepatitis. A yellow fever vaccination is only required if you are going to the jungle. Check malaria prophylactics for all lowland rural areas to be visited (there is no malaria in the Cusco area!). Vaccination against cholera is not necessary. Further information on health risks abroad, vaccinations etc. may be available from your local clinic.

THINGS YOU NEED TO BRING WHEN YOU ARE PLANNING TO HIKE THE MOUNTAINS

Dictionary; Spanish grammar book in your own language (there are no Spanish grammar books or dictionaries available in Cusco); email addresses; a guidebook; novels; a small gift for the guest family only if you are staying with quechuan community or local family a warm jumper/sweater; a raincoat; walking shoes/hiking boots; sleeping bag (For Inca Trail, although these can be rented as well); water purification tablets (can be bought in Cusco as well); pocket knife; torch/flashlight. Good sun screen. Rain wear, poncho/raincoat

ALTITUDE SICKNESS (SOROCHE)

Some people experience some discomfort at this altitude. We recommend at least half day resting. Before start to walk into the city but if you are doing the inka trail salkantay trek or any mountain trip you must have at least 2 day to get acclimatized

The symptoms of altitude sickness or soroche are headaches, dizziness, stomach upset and tiredness. These symptoms can be managed by reducing the alcohol intake; drinking lots of fluids (coca tea is a good idea); eating light meals and getting plenty of rest at least for the first day when you arrive.

PERU LANGUAGE

Peru's official languages are Spanish and Quechua.

Spanish is spoken in practically every city and town in the country, while Quechua is mainly spoken in a few places of the Andes.

In the highland plains, called altiplano, in the Puno region, Aymara is also spoken, although it is not held to be an official language.

Same as in the jungle people speak over 80 different dialects

LODGING IN PERU

Lima and the main cities in Peru offer different choices in accommodations. The visitor can choose between youth hostels and hostels for about US$ 10.00 to US$40.00 or apart-hotels and hotels for about US$40.00 to US$250.00 or much more, the last one means five-star hotels.

It is advised to arrive with previous hotel reservations because in some seasons there are increases in the rates and it could even be hard to find a room at a reasonable price.

TRAVELLING BETWEEN LIMA AND CUSCO

The fastest and easiest way to travel between Lima and Cusco is undoubtedly by plane. Flights are between $ 90.00 and $ 125.00 for a one way ticket and run between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. only. Most travelers arriving from Lima do so by air.

If you want to go overland, there are two options. The first route will lead you to Cusco via Ayacucho, Andahuaylas and Abancay and is really beautiful. However, most part of the road is unpaved (and the buses and the hotels are very bad) and it might be a little too much for the traveler who has just arrived to Peru. All together, it will take you about 48 hours to get to Cusco. There are several bus companies that offer this service throughout the year; however, the route is too dangerous to consider it during the rainy season.

The second option will be going to Arequipa first, and then to Cusco. The Lima - Arequipa part is fast: most of the trip is via the Panamerican highway, along the coast. Buses are fine and depart about every half an hour from Lima. Arequipa is a beautiful, colonial city, where the traveler might want to consider staying a day or so before continuing the trip. But if you prefer, there is a direct connection to Cusco that departs between 4:00pm and 8:00pm.

The road is not too good, it might be freezing cold at night and the bus crowded. Now you will start traversing the Andes, this is the real side of Peru! You will arrive in Cusco in the early morning, between 4:00am and 8:00am.

IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION CONTACT US BY SKYPE OR EMAIL WITH OUR MANAGERS: EDWARD JHON MONTALVO LATORRE OR NESTOR SULLCA TTITO.