ORIENTATION
Peru is located on the central west coast of South America. Its neighboring countries are: Ecuador and Colombia to the N; Chile to the S; Brazil and Bolivia to the E; and the Pacific Ocean to the W. It is the third largest country in South America, with a surface area of 1 285 215,6 km2 (larger than France, Spain, and Germany combined) distributed approximately in the following manner: 12% coastal territory, 28% Andean highlands and 60% Amazon jungle. Its capital, Lima, is located in the coastal area, where the country's greatest economic activities take place.
TIME ZONE
Peruvian time is five hours past Greenwich Mean Time and is similar to Eastern Standard Time in the United States (except when the U.S. goes on daylight savings time from April to October). In reference to other cities, when it is noon in Peru, it is:
Santiago de Chile and Caracas 13:00
Rio de Janeiro 14:00
New York 12:00
Madrid 18:00
Londres 17:00
Tokyo 03:00
TEMPERATURE
Being such a geographically diverse country within the tropical belt, the weather in Peru is determined both by altitude and season. However, it also means that there is almost invariably sunshine somewhere in Peru ! Below is a summary of the weather conditions you can expect to find in each different region of the country at different times of the year.
Coast (Ica, Chiclayo, Lima, Piura, Trujillo, Tumbes) Northern region: warm year-round with highs of up to 35°C in the summer. Central and southern regions: two well-defined seasons, winter between April and October, and summer between November and March. Highlands (Ancash, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Cusco, Puno) This region has two seasons, dry season between April and rainy season between November and March. Rainforest (Iquitos, Madre de Dios, Manu) High rainforest (over 2,300 feet asl): has a temperate, subtropical climate with abundant rainfall.
WE RECOMMEND YOU TO
· Use comfortable shoes the whole time during walking tours.
· Take lots of liquids during long excursions.
WHAT TO BRING
· Hiking boots, sneakers and shoes.
· Long pants or slacks.
· Long-sleeved shirts.
· T-shirts.
· Sweaters and a jacket.
· Rain wear for rainy season.
· Camera.
· Insect Repellent.
· Personal toilet items and first-aid kit.
· Medicine to arrest or prevent the so called” Soroche” or altitude sickness.
Please consult your physician what medicine is best suited for your organism.
WEATHER
Peru's climate may be divided into two: The Western Andes and the Desert Coast. On the Coast, it does not rain and the temperature is warm through the year. On the other hand, in the Andes, there are two seasons: Rainy and dry. Cusco is located in the Eastern Andes, so their rainy season is from October to May, the rest of the year it is dry. Rainy time, starting in October/ November has its own maximum in January, continuing until March/ April. In years of pouring rain there are landslides, floods, etc. On the highlands, it is cold in the evenings but sunny and warm in the mornings. It is even possible to wear t-shirts, but when the sun sets it gets really chilly so please bring a warm sweater (or buy an alpaca one in Cusco) and a good jacket. Finally, the weather in general does not represent a limit to provide any tourist services, except during some particularly bad years.
ALTITUDE
Lima: Sea level, 54 m.a.s.l. Nazca: 588 m.a.s.l. Paracas: Sea level, 5 m.a.s.l. Cusco: 3360 m.a.s.l. Machupicchu: 2400 m.a.s.l. Urubamba Valley: 2850 m.a.s.l.
WATER
Tap water in most of Peru is potable, but the chemical content varies from place to place. To avoid problems, we recommend you to always drink bottled water.
VISAS
All travelers should contact the nearest Peruvian consulate in order to ascertain what visa rules apply, since these may change without previous notice. For more information click here: Type of visa to enter
AIRPORT SECURITY TIPS
· Maintain control and do not leave personal items (purses, briefcases, electronic equipment, carry-on bags, etc.) unattended at any time in the airport or at curbside.
· Passengers are not allowed to enter areas posted as Restricted Area or Authorized Personnel Only. Please request assistance from nearest airport personnel
· Report unattended items or suspicious activity immediately to airline personnel
LANGUAGE
The official languages of Peru are Spanish, spoken by 73% of the population, and Quechua spoken by 24% of Peruvians. English is widely spoken in hotels and shops.
CURRENCY
Peru's official currency is the Nuevo sol ; its symbol is S/. The denominations in circulation are bills of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 nuevos soles; coins of 1, 2, and 5 nuevos soles; and coins of 5, 10, 20 and 50 céntimos of a nuevo sol. US$ are widely accepted. At the moment, US$ 1.00 is worth around 2.80 Nuevos Soles.
TIPPING
Whilst tipping is a personal matter, we are happy to give some guidelines: Most restaurants add a 10% tip. The total tip should be about 15%. Doorkeepers should be tipped 1 US$ per bag. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip.
Full-day excursion: US$6.00 per person Half-day excursion : US$3.00 per person
PHOTOGRAPHY
If you are taking photographs of local people, always ask their permission beforehand. Your guide can assist you in this. Do not take photographs of military installations or airports. Film is readily available in all tourist areas. It is advisable to carry your camera in a dust-proof bag. Photography or camera fees are applicable at most sights and museums; your guide can give you details of the latest charges.
ELECTRICITY
Power voltage in Peru is 220 Volts AC, 60 Hz. Most modern electrical appliances do not need adapters since they will accept both 110 as well as 220 AC voltages. Please make sure to check the voltage options of those artefacts you intend to take with you during your trip, such as hair dryers, battery chargers, notebooks and lap tops, video cameras, etc. Most of these do not usually need a special adapter, but it is important that you make sure of that before leaving your country of origin in order not to have to buy special 110 V / 220 V AC adapters, which, however, can be found in the local market here in Peru.
HEALTH
Vaccinations Full details of the latest health requirements should be obtained from an authorized medical source, such as your doctor. There are no mandatory health requirements for Peru. Because you are visiting Andean areas, don't forget to take precautions to avoid altitude sickness. Be sure to try hot tea or infusion of coca leaves on your arrival in the altitude; during your first day move slowly and eat lightly.
PERUVIAN GASTRONOMY
Peruvian cuisine is highly varied and spicy. Some of our typical dishes are: "cebiche" (raw fish marinated in lemon juice), "aji de gallina" (de-boned chicken cooked in a milk and aji sauce), and "anticuchos" (shish kebabs of beef heart and meat), apart from the typical dishes from each region. Be sure to try "Pisco Sour", Peru's typical mixed drink prepared with pisco, lemon, egg white and sugar.
Restaurants during your trip In Lima: International, vegetarian, local food restaurants and franchises of international fast food chains. In Paracas and Nazca: International and local sea food restaurants. In Cusco: International, vegetarian and local food restaurants.
DRESS CODE
Dress in general is very casual unless you want to eat in one of the more expensive restaurants in Lima for example, in which case a tie and/or jacket will be required and smarter ladies' wear. Due to the altitude, it is important to remember whatever the season, to take some warmer woollens for the nighttimes drop in temperature.
IMPORTANT: We reserve the right to make changes to the order of the trip, without prior notice, due to changes in climate conditions, river water levels, flight or bus arrival and departure times or any other reason relevant to the best development of the trip.
