Independent tour operator Perú InsideOut has launched a new partnership with Arequipa-based educational charity Put Them First. The initiative is aimed at helping meet the needs of local children, and to raise funds to assist in improving their education and nutrition. To achieve this, Perú InsideOut will work closely with Put Them First to regularly donate books, clothes, school supplies and human resources. In addition, the tour operator will raise awareness of the needs of this community among its clients.
Roberto D’Amico, Owner of Perú InsideOut, said: “We believe passionately that as travellers we have a responsibility to support the local communities and people that kindly welcome us into their lives and homes, and who share their culture with us. For this reason, we are committed to continue our support for children’s educational charity Put Them First. Thank you to all Perú InsideOut clients who have supported this worthy cause!”
Commenting on the partnership, Emma Doherty, Co-Founder and Director, said: “We are extremely grateful to Perú InsideOut for partnering with us and for supporting our projects and the children of Put Them First. Thank you again to the founder, staff, and clients of Perú InsideOut for helping the children of Put Them First!”
For more information, contact:
• Roberto D’Amico: Perú InsideOut / info@peruinsideout.com / 07827752096
• Emma Doherty: Put Them First contact / emmad@putthemfirst.org /
NOTES FOR EDITORS
• Perú InsideOut is a Peruvian tour operator owned and run by Europeans, expert in organising escorted tours in Southern Peru. To find out more about the Perú InsideOut offering, visit www.peruinsideout.com .
• Put Them First is a UK-registered charity (registration number, 1148282) based in Arequipa, Peru. Put Them First promotes the educational advancement and well-being of children living in impoverished areas of the world. They encourage and globally promote volunteers to support the children scholastically, and raise funds to assist with their nutrition. To learn more about the communities and children supported by Put Them First, visit www.putthemfirst.org
• Laguna de Moron: Located at Km.231 on the Panamericana Highway, in the middle of the desert of Ica, near the village of Bernales. The lagoon is little known and is surrounded by spectacular dunes; the shoreline is home to ducks, coots, cardinals, curious lizards and various insects. From the top of the dune, one can witness a beautiful sunset against the background of the Paracas Peninsula. To reach Laguna de Moron takes just under an hour of walking.
• Archipelago of Wiñaymarca – Isla Anapia: Located 128 km from Puno, and just 30 minutes by motor boat from the port of Punta Hermosa, the archipelago’s main island, Anapia, is located on Lago Menor Wiñaymarca or assembly of Lake Titicaca. The archipelago of Wiñaymarca is populated by people who have retained their native customs, fishing being one of their main activities. Ecological pockets have unique native flora throughout the region, as well as abundant wildlife and sandy beaches. Yuspique Island, the largest in the archipelago, is used by the community to raise vicuñas.
• La Caleta de San José: Only 3 hours from the city of Arequipa, between the ports of Matarani and Quilca, the southern Peruvian coast contains exclusive beaches, which can be reached only by boat. Characterized by a volcanic beach and salmon-colored desert, there is an eco-lodge in this area of Peru, Caleta San Jose, which has won awards for three consecutive years for the most virgin and natural beach in Peru. Its scenic beauty and the variety of marine life in the surrounding waters is remarkable and is perfect for sports such as snorkeling, trekking, fishing and others.
If you’re considering touring to Machu Picchu you need to know the new Regulations.
Travelers considering a trip to Machu Picchu need to be aware of the new Regulations that can affect their Machu Picchu tour. Several tourists have found themselves unable to access “The Lost City of the Inca” because of this lack of information.
The new regulations for entering Machu Picchu have become stricter, and many Machu Picchu visitors have been forced to spend the remainder of their vacation in Cusco; while waiting for their ticket to finally visit The Machu Picchu Sanctuary. Optimistic backpackers touring South America have been forced to stay longer than they had previously planned, and some have chosen instead to leave Peru without visiting the new 7th wonder of the world.
Machu Picchu travelers need to be aware that since last year the number of visitors that can enter Machu Picchu has been dramatically dropped to 2,500 people. Machu Picchu tourists who just “show up” in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu pueblo) to obtain tickets at the entry gate have on several occasions been denied due to a lack of available access. In order to avoid this, Machu Picchu travelers should consider purchasing their tickets in advance.
One of the other factors trekkers should take into consideration is that since last year, the maximum number of Huayna Picchu visitors has been limited to 400. That means that hikers have to reserve their ticket to the Huayna Picchu Sanctuary well in advance in order to access this beautiful Peruvian travel destination.
Finally, Machu Picchu travelers should take into consideration the fact that in order to hike the Huayna Picchu Sanctuary the “first come first served” system is no longer in-place. Furthermore, the Huayna Picchu site is only accessible from 7AM to 8AM and from 10AM to 11AM. Therefore, hikers must hold a valid ticket prior to entering the site.
Perú InsideOut offers Peru tourists an opportunity to make their trip to Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu an unforgettable experience, without the fear of being unable to access “The Lost City of the Inca”. One of the few companies offering free real-time status updates on the availability of tickets.
Your tour to Machu Picchu is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, that is why you want it to be well organised.
One of the New Seven Wonders of the world– and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983–the Lost City can be reached by foot or by train. So, let’s see how a visit to Machu Picchu can be a rewarding and exciting experience.
By Foot
The famous Inca Trail, a rigorous 4-day hike, as well as an unforgettable experience– is one way of getting to Machu Picchu. Please bear in mind, though, that the booking for this particular tour must be made months in advance. In fact, the Peruvian government allows only 500 travellers per day on the trail itself. To enjoy your experience, you need to plan your trekking experience well (and well in advance) and understand the weather in the Andes, too.
Altitude on the Inca Trail hike ranges from 2,000 to 4,000 meters (6,500to 13,000 feet); it starts in the Andes and finishes in the cloud forest. This means that you will encounter many different types of weather.
The first thing to know is that in the Andes we basically have two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. The best months to hike the Inca Trail are those in the dry season, running from April to October, which is generally considered the best period to hike in the Andes. Please be aware, though, that during this period, although temperatures during the day may reach 20° C (68°F), nights are rather cold and can get down to freezing (0° C, or 32° F).
Hiking the Inca Trail during the rainy season can be quite different. You should avoid going to Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail between January and February (when, typically, the Inca Trail is closed because of rain –and for maintenance). November, December, and March, though, are acceptable months for hiking the Inca Trail, though the trail may be slippery.
By Train
If you decide to travel to Machu Picchu by train, planning is completely different. Since trains depart from Ollantaytambo, Urubamba and Poroy (and travel up to the Machu Picchu village of AguasCalientes), the trip to Machu Picchu is possible all year round.
Bear in mind, though, that even travel by train must be organised in advance because of the limited number of people who are allowed to enter Machu Picchu each day (2,500).
Visiting Machu Picchu? Navigating Lake Titicaca? Flying over the mysterious Nazca Lines? Your visit to Peru is going to be a wonderful experience: lost cities, the driest desert in the world, geoglyphs, the majestic Andes (which are second only to the Himalayas in height), as well as the deepest canyons in the world! You don’t want to overlook things when planning for such an adventurous trip.
Visa requirements to go to Peru: Check your passport to ensure it hasn’t expired!
Many travellers may find it surprising, but to visit Peru as a tourist is easy! There is no need to acquire a visa before coming to Peru. Peru is a very open country, and aside from a very few countries, travellers from around the world are granted a visa upon arrival at the airport – from 30 days up to 183 days.
The only requirement is that you check your passport expiration date. It is required, in fact, that your passport be valid passport for at least six months following your departure date. So, please check your passport before your trip to Peru- and if you need to renew it, don’t delay. Think a few months ahead, not a few weeks, to allow time for renewal.
TAM
When you arrive in Peru, you will be handed a TAM (Tarjeta Andina de Migracíones); it’s an official card – not unlike an index card. You carry it with you throughout Peru. Please take care of it because you will be asked for it before leaving the country. Also, please note that the presentation of the TAM means you won’t pay the 18% VAT (tax) when you stay in hotels in Peru.
Return plane ticket
You may be asked to present a valid return ticket – by the airlines in your country or at the airport in Lima (though Peruvian officials seldom do this!). If you don’t have one, please show that you are going to continue on your trip to other South American countries, for which you have a valid ticket. If this is not the case, simply prove that you have sufficient funds to live in Peru (your credit card will be guarantee enough).
Health and vaccination information: Yellow fever and malaria
Generally speaking, vaccinations are not required for travel to Peru. That is, no particular vaccinations are compulsory. A few important points must be made, though. See below.
(For those of you residing in the U.S., the best source for information on vaccinations and your health while travelling in Peru is the CDC website (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention): http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/peru.htm).
Yellow fever
Considering an Indiana Jones type of exploration in the Peruvian Amazonian jungle? Exploring the Amazon river perhaps? Sailing the Madre de Dios River? Visiting Tambopata Park to spot caimans at night or capybaras along the banks of Tambopata River?
Well, in that case, a yellow fever vaccination is a must. Yellow fever can be lethal and you don’t want to take chances. According to the World Health Organization, yellow fever is still present in Peru. The good news is that in 2011 only 13 cases were registered. So, if you’re travelling to Peru, please be inoculated for yellow fever.
Malaria
Anti-malaria precautions must be taken into account before travelling into the Amazon rainforest. This is particularly true if you are planning to venture up the Amazon or travel to Iquitos. If you go instead to the south, to the Amazonian jungle reserves of Manu Biosphere Reserve and Tambopata Park, there are fewer cases of malaria and precaution becomes a personal choice.
The most common form of prevention is Malarone, which seems to have fewer side effects than Doxycycline. Please, before leaving your country, consult with your personal physician or a local public health agency. Many of the public health agencies run Travel Clinics, where travel/health information is available and immunizations are administered.
Other recommended vaccinations
Six weeks prior to your trip to Peru, consult with your doctor(or public health agency) to ensure you have the correct vaccinations – for example: Hepatitis A/B, typhoid, polio, tetanus-diphtheria and measles, etc.
We also recommend bringing a good sun-blocker/sunscreen due to exposure to the sun at exceedingly high altitudes in the Andes (3,000 meters+, or 10,000 feet+), as well as mosquito repellent.
For other health requirements, you may want to check our Key Travel Information section.
Altitude
Please be advised that in Peru, the most interesting cultural sites are located at very high altitudes. The Amazon basin and coastline of Peru aside, once you travel into the Andes you may rarely be below 3,000 meters above sea level (10,000 feet). So, how does this impact your visit to Peru?
Altitude sickness may sometimes be the cause of nausea, a bit of vomiting, headache, loss of appetite. This happens primarily when you ascend rapidly above the 2,500 meters (8,200 feet).How do you avoid this?
First and foremost, you should ascend in to the Andes gradually. A good plan to adopt is to acclimate at a lower elevation before heading to Cusco or the Colca Canyon. Good choices include the Sacred Valley and Arequipa, both located at around 2,400 meters (7,800 feet). A two-day layover is what you need. Local herbs, brewed in a tea, such as mate de coca or chewing coca leaves will help.
Other suggestions for combating altitude sickness: take it easy, don’t run, don’t rush, and do not eat like you’ve never seen food before. (That last recommendation may be difficult considering the world-renown cuisine of Peru.)
To more aggressively avoid altitude sickness problems, it’s suggested that you take acetazolamide (Diamox) 24 hours before you head to high altitude–and for 48 hours after your arrival. If, despite precautions, you still feel uneasy, remain calm, rest, and the next day you will feel much better.
Safety
Today, Peru is a very safe country. If we exclude average criminal activity (experienced in every large city around the world), tourists travelling in Peru enjoy a very safe and comfortable trip. Peru has experienced some problems with drug trafficking in certain areas near the Amazonian jungle but this doesn’t represent any real problems whatsoever for tourists.
Travel Insurance
It is advisable to buy travel insurance before coming to Peru. This will protect you in case of delays, flight cancellations, strikes, or injuries. The best healthcare in Peru is found in private-care facilities, as opposed to public hospitals.
