Packing

We suggest that you carry as few clothes and additional items with which you are comfortable. It will be easier for you as move about the country if you have a minimal amount of bags to worry about. On South American airlines we are limited to one item of hand luggage weighing no more than 10 lbs. Two bags are allowed for check in. We suggest that a day backpack be your hand luggage. It will be beneficial for you if you can restrict yourself to one main bag, preferably a soft holdall type bag. You can pack another bag in your main bag for bringing home souvenirs, or you may prefer to buy a beautiful bag in one of the market places in Peru for a great price.

Tops: Pack both long and short-sleeved T-shirts and shirts. Although it will be warm during the day it will get quite cool in the evenings, especially on the islands on Lake Titicaca. Layering is very effective.

Bottoms: Again with leg wear, it is advisable to bring both shorts and long trousers. Zip-off outdoor trousers can be useful, because they can be worn both as short and long trousers.

Outerwear: You can either bring a couple of sweaters or take advantage of the beautiful knitwear available in Peru. They are relatively inexpensive…and you will be supporting the locals. You can get a beautiful sweater for as little as $20.00. Also include a light fleece/body warmer and a light rain/windproof jacket.

Footwear: A pair of walking boots/shoes with good traction (Make sure they are broken in.) and appropriate socks. Walking sandals e.g. Merrells and a good pair of trainers will also be useful. And a pair of smarter shoes if you wish!

Hat: A wide brimmed hat will be useful to protect you from the sun. Again you could wait and buy one in Peru…the locals will be delighted if you do!

For those who don't want to carry cash, travellers cheques are the safest option. If you do bring travellers cheques bring them in small denominations. The Peruvian sol fluctuates in value so it is best to buy currency in Peru, either at the airport or hotel. Please note, the sol cannot be purchased in the UK. If you are carrying cash be careful not to bring any torn bills, because with even the slightest tear, your money will be refused. Bring the newest bills you can get. Most Peruvians are happy to accept American Dollars. If traveling from the UK it will be useful to have a variety of denominations of dollar bills.

You will want to plan on cash for tips and you will need approximately $50.00 to exit Peru as well as paying tax on internal flights - the exit tax at airports must be paid in cash . Each airport has its own airport tax rates.

Cash can be drawn at some banks and ATMs that accept most international credit cards. If you plan on carrying credit cards make a note of their numbers and the telephone numbers to call if lost while out of the country.

In addition to packing your passport, it is advisable to bring two photocopies of your passport picture page - if you lose your passport it is the easiest way to prove you identity.

The hotels we stay in are at least 3 star ratings, so you will not be roughing it! While what we offer is not typical tourism, we are usually in twin rooms with private baths. If you have been told that there isn't toilet paper in Peru that is not true, there is plenty. When you use the paper it is placed in the waste bins because the pipes used for plumbing are small and cannot handle that amount of paper. You can book single occupancy for a supplement, but please book this early as this facility can be scarce in some places.

None are required, although, some are suggested. In the UK, yellow fever vaccination is recommended if you intend to visit other countries where this is a problem.

As you will probably know, or have experienced, not all sanitation in Peru is up to western standards. As a consequence, always drink bottled water. Because you will always want to have water with you it will be useful if you have a water bottle carrier or a water canteen on a strap. These can be purchased in Peru. Always avoid ice cubes in your drinks. In case you do succumb to an intestinal complaint, a natural herb that will be useful is Black Walnut which provides intestinal support. Another natural medicine for dealing with travellers’ indigestion is citricidal pills. And of course, bring along any other favourite remedy which you use at home.

Most people cope pretty well with the altitude as long as they take it nice and easy from the start and avoid attempting to break land speed records for getting from A to B! The herb ginkgo bilboa has been tested and found to reduce altitude sickness. Take 100 milligrams twice a day, starting a few days before going to high altitudes. Good physical condition is no guarantee against altitude sickness, which can occur as low as 8,000 ft. The sickness can manifest as disorientation, headaches, sleeplessness, and shortness of breath. Anyone that has a history of lung or heart disease, or other serious medical problems should not take the journey. If you have any doubts over your ability to cope then you must visit your GP before committing to the journey.

If you wish, and still have room in your bag, you could pack some healthy snack bars since sometimes when visiting sacred sites we cannot stop for meals. These can also be bought in Peru.