Good morning everyone,
As I have had quite a few questions on the Peru tour, I thought I would copy in the information we send out to customers who have booked on, as you'll see below it contains all sorts of wonderful information on everything Peru!
I hope this helps!
Kindest,
Ben
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*Information correct as of 27/07/2012
GENERAL INFORMATION FOR PERU
Please find below some general information and guidelines for your forthcoming holiday with us.
Currency Information
Nuevo (new) Sol (PEN; symbol S/.) = 100 céntimos. Nuevo Sol notes are in denominations of S/.200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of S/.5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 céntimos.
Note: US Dollars are also in use and accepted for payment, particularly in tourist areas. While effectively interchangeable, it is best to use local currency wherever possible.
USD $ can be exchanged in resort and your Tour Manager will be happy to advise during the tour.
Currency restriction
There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency, but amounts exceeding US$10,000 must be declared.
Credit cards
All major credit cards are accepted, but usage may be limited outside of Lima and tourist areas. Visa and MasterCard are the most commonly accepted. It is also sensible to carry some cash rather than rely on cards.
ATM
ATMs are now generally regarded as one of the best ways to obtain money in Peru. They are found almost everywhere, including in small towns, although when travelling in remote places it is best to have some cash just in case the nearby ATMs are not working or have run out of money. In bigger cities, use ATMs inside banks for greater security, especially at night. Many banks have gun-carrying security guards.
Tipping
Tipping has not been part of the British way of life but it is a common practice in most holiday destinations. It is a way of saying thank you to someone who has given good service or for a job well done. It is also an important source of income for people working in the tourism industry, whether it is the driver, local guide or hotel staff. Your Tour Manager will be able to advise you of what an appropriate amount is and when to give it.
Generally as a guideline, a suggested amount for the guide would be £1 - £2 per person per day, and £1 per person, per day for the driver (or the equivalent in local currency 4.25 PEN – 8.50 PEN) or USD $ 3-4$.
Tipping for your Tour Manager is at your discretion, however you may wish to show your appreciation if you have received an excellent service.
Tips or gratuities are not included in the holiday cost and are totally at your discretion.
Duty-free allowance
The following items may be imported by visitors over 18 years of age into Peru without incurring customs duty:
• 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
• Alcoholic beverages not exceeding 2.5l.
• Gifts or new articles for personal use up to a value of US$300.
• 2kg of processed food.
Note: If importing sausages, salami, ham or cheese, a sanitary certificate from the manufacturer is required.
Banned imports
The import of raw ham from Italy and Portugal is prohibited.
Banned exports
The export of artistic or cultural articles is prohibited. Taking protected plant and animal species out of Peru is also prohibited – this can include products containing seeds and feathers
Climate & Clothing
Dec-April - are much warmer months and still warm at altitude. The mornings and evenings can be quite cold as you are higher but the daytime temperatures in the sun can be very warm indeed.
June-August – can be very cold and warm, winter clothing is required - especially at night time. There is a huge difference in climate from the arid desert coastline and the Andean region.
Rain can be expected in the Andes between December and April. Showers are generally torrential but brief. Due to altitude the nights are cold year round.
Required Clothing
For travel in Peru, a variety of clothes are necessary. You will need very lightweight clothes for summer on the coast, and thermals, hats, gloves and ski jackets for winter up in the mountains. It can become freezing at night at altitude and remain hot and sticky during the nights in the jungle. Waterproof clothing is recommended for the rainy season. Please advise clients that they will also require a pair of flips or comfortable flat shoes to wear around their lodge in the jungle (Only if you are doing the Amazon extension).
Altitude
This tour visits high altitudes in excess of 12,000 feet, where altitude sickness can occur. This tour has been designed to allow a more gradual increase in altitude, giving you more time to adjust to the lower oxygen levels. Other simple measures, such as eating light meals and drinking lots of fluids can also help to alleviate the symptoms. It is advisable to limit alcoholic drinks which can be dehydrating. Some hotels will provide coca tea, a local remedy, which can help. Walking slowly and allowing time to rest is important.
If you have any medical queries it is always advisable to check with your doctor. If you have access to the internet the website www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk can give some good free information on all medical areas.
The highest point you will reach is 4321 metres (14,176 feet) en route between Cuzco and Puno. As a rough guide other high altitudes are at Cuzco (3360m, 11,023 feet), Puno (3827m, 12,555 feet) and Lake Titicaca (3812m, 12,507 feet).
Food & Drink
The hot and spicy nature of Peruvian food, created by ají and ajo (garlic and hot pepper), has become celebrated at home and abroad. However, there are plenty of non-spicy dishes going too, so you’ll be able to find something you like.
Peruvians enjoy a wide variety of vegetables; there are over 2,000 kinds of indigenous and cultivated potatoes alone. Table service is the norm in hotels and restaurants and many also offer buffet-type lunches. The menús del día are a good way to experience local foods at low prices, but brace yourself for lots of carbs and unidentifiable meats. While you’re at the coastal regions in particular you should take advantage of the cheap, delicious and varied fruits available from the markets (but don’t forget to peel them!).
Specialities
• Ceviche (uncooked fish marinated in lemon or lime juice and hot chilli pepper).
• Cuy (roasted guinea pig, a Peruvian speciality; served complete with head, teeth, claws and whiskers).
• Causa relleña (potato cakes with chicken in the centre, but also cooked with avocado or crabmeat).
• Tamales (boiled corn dumplings filled with meat and wrapped in a banana leaf).
• Mazamorra morada (purple maize and sweet potato starch jelly cooked with lemons, dried fruits, cinnamon and cloves).
• Salchipapas (particularly popular in Chiclayo, this sausage and chips dish is eaten as an evening snack in many fast food-style restaurants).
• Papas a la Huancaína (boiled sliced potatoes served on lettuce with a slightly spicy cheese sauce, and either a piece of hard-boiled egg or olives; popular in Lima and along the central coast, and often part of menús del día).
• Pollo a la Brasa (chargrilled chicken which has been gutted and cooked over a flame; served with chips and salad with sauces).
• Chicharrones (salted pork fried in its own fat).
N.B Due to the altitude in Cuzco and at Lake Titicaca it is best to act with restraint if consuming alcohol.
Things to know
On the coast, the fish that comes with menús del día is good quality. In the mountain towns, expect to eat a lot of soup/broth with your menús. You can find excellent foods of all types in Lima, particularly in Miraflores. Every town has a market, and you can create your own picnics and shop for dinner here.
Tipping
Service charges of 10% are added to bills. Additional tips of 5-10% are expected in better restaurants, while rounding up the bill or adding a few Soles is appreciated in small restaurants.
Electricity Voltage
The standard voltage in Peru is 220 volts AC, 60Hz.
For your safety
If you’re exploring on your own we recommend you carry a card or brochure from the hotel with its name on it which you can then give to a taxi driver in case you become lost.
Please make a note of our local agent's telephone number in-case you encounter any difficulties during your stay and your representative/Tour Manager is not contactable:
Problems of pick-pocketing of handbags and passports can be common in South America especially in the major cities, as in any major tourist destination. We would warn you always to be careful of your personal belongings and not to carry your passports/extra cash/credit cards etc unless necessary. These should be left in a hotel safe where possible.
You should be particularly careful of handbags and wallets - where you need to carry money and documents it is advisable to use a money belt under your clothes rather than an exposed one.
Immunisations
At the time of writing no compulsory vaccinations are required by UK residents visiting Peru but immunisation against Yellow Fever, Malaria, Typhoid and Polio are advised, however we recommend you consult your doctor or Local Health Authority nearer to your date of travel for up-to-date advice.
*A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate must be presented on arrival to the country if you are coming from a Yellow Fever-infected country. Such countries include Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, French Guyana, Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Cameroon, Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Gambia and Sudan.
A leaflet entitled 'Health Advice for Travellers' is available from the Department of Health and you can contact them for a copy on 0800 555 777 (this is a free-phone number).
Health insurance is recommended. Reliable medical services are available. Standards of health and hygiene are among the best in Latin America, although public facilities may not come up to par with developed countries.
Accommodation
You will find that in some hotels in Peru there is not always uniformity of rooms, so size and shape may vary a great deal. We cannot therefore guarantee that all rooms for our customers will be the same in each property.
Hotels in South America do not have Coffee and Tea making facilities in the rooms.
Tap water
Mains water is normally heavily chlorinated and, whilst relatively safe, may cause mild abdominal upsets. Drinking water outside main cities and towns may be contaminated and sterilisation is advisable. Bottled water is available and is advised for the duration of the stay. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.
Time zones
Peru is 5 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Coaches
Some coaches used on our South American tours may be equipped with toilets and washbasin however this cannot be guaranteed. In all cases, regular comfort stops are made to ensure a relaxing journey.
Please note that smoking is not permitted on any of our coaches.
Extra charges
Please note that payment for any extras such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls extras luggage and meals other than those included in your tour price, must be made directly to your hotel prior to departure
Lost property
We will endeavour to trace any lost property and provide you with contact details in order that you may recover your property.
Shopping
Many of our tours take in local shops and markets and some will visit factory shops or outlets, selling a range of goods. However we cannot accept responsibility for the quality of the goods you have purchased or for any costs you may incur in having them delivered to your home address.
Please ensure you have a clear understanding of the price you have agreed with the vendor and the conversion rate of local currency to sterling pounds, before signing for the sale either in cash or using your credit card. Please exercise care when using your PIN number abroad making sure it is not visible to others.
