Peru Explorer

Altitude
I wasn't affected greatly by altitude but there are two ways of looking at it. There is being affected where you suffer symptoms of altitude sickness, which can be very serious. But then there is just feeling, or your body being aware, of the altitude you're at. So this is much more common and covers feeling out of breath, tiredness, headaches, aching limbs - uncomfortable but quite common and not serious of treated with plenty of sleep, lots of drinking water, some headache tablets and taking it easy until your body acclimitises.
If you're flying into Cuzco (as lost people do), then you'll probably feel it when you land. When I arrived I spent part of the afternoon sleeping, which helps. As long as you drink lots of water, take it VERY easy and don't exert yourself too much, you shouldn't have any problems. It's a good idea to have some Neurofen on hand, just in case of a headache though.
If you get altitude sickness on trek, or begin to show symptoms of it, then you are usually taken down as quickly as possible. The exact details will depend on how bad you feel and where exactly you are but the leaders and guides are well versed in watching out for it.

Weather
It can be chilly at places like Puno and Cusco, as they are so high, but mainly in the evenings when the sun goes down. But the rest of the time it should be t-shirts as the weather should be sunny and blue skies. It can also be a bit windy in the Andean steppe.
If you're doing the Moonstone trek, you do trek up to about 4570m, a pretty high altitude so temperatures will definitely drop compared to the rest of the trip. It's quite dry most of the year, which usually means lower temperatures as you'll have very clear skies at night and in the mornings. Once the sun comes up it should warm quickly but you should expect it to be possibly freezing or slightly below.
In the Amazon it can be quite misty most of the time, and damp and tropical. There will be definitely sunshine, or there should be at least (if it's not cloudy or raining!).

Equipment & clothing
Layers are definitely the way to go. It can get down to freezing near Lake Titicaca, and a warm jacket is a must. I have a standard kind of padded jacket which did me, and a light fleece for other times. What else helps? A warm woolly hat, gloves, a warm scarf and some warm layers underneath. These are generally the things that will make life more comfortable. Some good sunglasses are a must as the sun is very strong at times and the glare can hurt your eyes.

The Amazon
If you're going into the Amazon for a couple of nights, you just take a small overnight bag. So if you're taking your own sleeping bag, it's left with your main bags in Peurto Maldonado.

Money
The leader will also help with advice on what amounts are best. I just took all dollars and changed it as I went along. You can use ATMs along the way, so don't need to take all cash.

Gifts
If you're doing the homestay on Lake Titicaca, it's traditional to take a gift for the family you're staying with. In terms of what to take, as they are such poor communities, practical gifts such as cooking oil and rice are best. The leader will help organise when you are on your way there, you don't take from home!

Rebecca Caldicott - Peru Operations

The lodge we use in the Amazon rainforest is very comfortable. There is a main building where all meals are eaten and there is a small bar area as well, with indoor and outside seating. The bedrooms are located in small lodges, and are en-suite. They are all sealed with mosquito nets, and there are individual nets over each bed as well. There are showers in the bathrooms but the water is heated through solar panels so hot water is not guaranteed all the time. The rooms are very comfortable and their fit serenely into their surroundings.

Rebecca Caldicott - Peru operations

You will only need a small overnight bag for your trip to the Amazon rainforest. You will fly with your entire luggage to Puerto Maldonado and then be given a small overnight bag from the lodge or you can use your own day pack for the things you will need in the Amazon. You do not need very much for your stay in the Amazon, just make sure you pack your torch and mosquito spray! The rest of your luggage will then be securely locked away at the lodge office in Puerto Maldonado.

Rebecca Caldicott - Peru Operations

If you are flying from the UK to Lima via an airport in Europe
Your hold baggage will be checked all the way through to Lima, with no need to collect it in the transit airport. You should reclaim your baggage at Lima airport and clear customs as normal.

If you are flying from the UK to Lima via an airport in the USA
Generally, you will need to collect your hold baggage in the transit airport in the USA after clearing US immigration. Once you have collected your bag and gone through customs, you will be directed to an area where you can re-check your bag onto the onward flight.
Occasionally, it is possible to get your bags checked all the way through to Peru, with no need to collect it in the USA, but this is not always the case – please ask the check-in staff at your departure airport if you will need to collect your bag.

If you are flying from the UK to a Peruvian domestic airport via Lima with Lan
Your hold baggage will be checked all the way to Lima, so there is no need to collect it in Madrid, but you will need to claim your bag in Lima and clear Peruvian customs before boarding your onward domestic flight.
After clearing immigration, you should collect your bag and clear customs then head to the Lan check-in desks to deposit your bag for the domestic flight. This process generally takes less than an hour from the time the international flight reaches the gate.

NOTE: DUTY FREE
Please note that if you purchase liquids in bottles of over 100ml in Lima as part of your duty free allowance and take them in your hand baggage, they may be confiscated when you change planes in Europe or the USA due to current security regulations regarding the carriage of liquids.

Peru has a very varied climate. Between April and November is the dry season. The Amazon stays very warm throughout the year, with temperatures in the high twenties and early thirties, with humidity, and a very small chance of rain. Along the coast, the temperature will be in the mid twenties earlier in the year, getting colder July – September. In the sacred valley the temperature will be a little lower than that of the coast, and as you get closer to Machu Picchu and the cloud forest it will get colder and there will be more cloud cover. In the Andes, and around Lake Titicaca, because of the altitude it will be colder, dropping into the low teens and even possibly single figures between July and September.

Rebecca Caldicott - Peru Operations

The best currency to take for Peru is US dollars, and then you can change small amounts into local Peruvian Sol as you need it. I would advise taking smaller denomination dollar notes with you as most restaurants and shops will accept dollars as payment instead of Sol. There are also ATM machines in most of the cities, such as Lima, Cuzco, Puno and Arequipa. Peru is a relatively in-expensive country, meals tend to cost between $15-20 depending on what you drink (a beer costs approx $3 and soft drinks $1).

Rebecca Caldicott - Peru Operations

If you want to truly immerse yourself into Peruvian culture, then you need to try the local delicacy that is roast Guinea Pig or Alpaca! They are very tasty, although the Guinea Pig can look rather off putting! The traditional drink in Peru is the Pisco Sour which is a cocktail made from Pisco (a liquor distilled from grapes), with lime juice, egg whites and bitters. Its very refreshing after a long day of sightseeing!

Rebecca Caldicott - Peru Operations

Peru has a great variety of food. Peru claims to be the home of the potatoes, so there are plenty of potato options available. The staple dish is chicken, but restaurants also offer a variety of beef dishes, and the more local delicacies of Alpaca and Guinea pig! Most meals are served with rice or potato. Peruvians also have a great love of Chinese and Italian food, so these are also almost always available. Local drinks include pisco and Andean beer!

Rebecca Caldicott - Peru Operations

Please visit the Exodus Travel Guide to Peru where you can find out what plugs they use, as well as more detailed Country information in the menu on the left of the page.

Bottled water is available everywhere in Peru. If you are doing the Inca Trail, the cooks treat the water and the leader makes sure everyone has plenty throughout the trek.

Olly Leicester - Sales

If you are used to walking with poles then they will be useful, especially when tackling those famous Inca steps! However they are not essential, and you can manage quite well without them.

Rebecca Caldicott - Peru Operations

Most clients are eligible to travel via the US under the US Visa Waiver Programme, however to do this you must register for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority). This must be done prior to departure - more details can be found at www.exodus.co.uk/usvisa.

Rebecca Caldicott - Customer Operations

All the staff at Exodus share a passion for adventure travel, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. You can find an expert for the area you are interested in here and can contact them to get further information. If you don't see your specific country listed, please email customerops@exodus.co.uk and they will get the answers you need!