Peru Travel Journal

-PERU TRAVEL JOURNAL

2017

ON BEHALF OF

Contents

COMMUNICATION & CONTACTS 4

Emergency Contacts 4

General Communications Guidelines 4

TRAVELLING TO PERU 5

Starting your trip 5

Passports 5

Visa 5

Transportation 6

En route observations 6

Flight check in and reconfirming 6

Telephone Codes 7

Language 7

Etiquette 8

Taking Pictures 8

Smoking & Drinking Policies 8

Use of Mobile Phones 8

Tipping 8

Public Holidays 9

Electricity 9

Time 9

Toilets 9

Post & Parcels 9

National Reserves and Parks in Peru 9

Interactive sustainability Programs 10

Luggage Information 10

Laundry 11

WEATHER 12

Coast (Lima) average temperatures and rainfall 12

Highlands (Cusco) average temperatures and rainfall 12

Amazon Rainforest (Iquitos) average temperatures and rainfall 13

HEALTH & SAFETY GUIDELINES 14

Medical Conditions 14

Water 14

Altitude Sickness 14

Travelling with Disabilities 15

Yellow Fever and Malaria 15

Safety Measures and Precautions 15

Insurance 16

CURRENCY & CREDIT CARDS 18

Information on Soles 18

Money Exchange 18

ATMs 18

Credit Cards 18

Banking Hours 18

COMMUNICATION & CONTACTS

Emergency Contacts

We are proud to say that our journeys and trips typically run like clockwork, but sometimes unforeseen circumstances may have an effect on the vacation we have planned for you. Therefore, below you will find our emergency contact information should you have any questions or wish to make a change to your itinerary.

Emergency number (Piero Tarazona – Operations): + 51 9 9418 1330

Emergency email:

You can also contact your Experience Concierge who is fully aware of your itinerary. The number of your Experience Concierge is in the welcome kit Preliminary Itinerary provided upon arrival at your first destination in Peru.

Included here we have provided you with the contact information for local emergency services in case you have any issue that might need their assistance;

Tourist Police Station (Lima) + 51 1 423 3005

Tourist Police Station (Miraflores) +51 1 243 2190

Tourist Police Station (Barranco) +51 1 247 1383

Tourist Police Station (Cusco) +51 84 23 5123

Tourist Police Station (Cusco Center) +51 84 24 9659

General Communications Guidelines

In the urban areas of Peru, there are many easily accessible methods of telecommunication. However, please note that many hotels and lodges you may be visiting could be located in remote or hilly areas, and often do not have reliable systems of communication.

Most of our passengers we provide with a local cellphone that already has all the necessary numbers programmed and allows you to make national phone calls as well as navigate the internet. This cellphone is also the first number we will call in case we need to get hold of you. If we cannot get hold of you that way, we will contact you via the hotel, guides or drivers. The cellphone is in your welcome kit along with the instructions. The cellphone must be handed back at the end of your trip to your final transfer person.

However, most hotels are equipped with Wi-Fi and phones that can call outside of Peru. There are also public phones and Internet cafes that you can use. Mobile phone rental is available at Lima Airport or you can check with your own mobile service provider what their international calling plans are. Also, please note that we provide free Wi-Fi in almost all of our vehicles.

TRAVELLING TO PERU

Starting your trip

Upon landing in Peru, you must pass through immigration control and present a completed country entry form or Andean Immigration Card (provided aboard the aircraft by the airline personnel), as well as your passports and other identity documents. The Andean Immigration Card will be stamped indicating your date of entry and how much time you are allowed to stay in Peru. This document is very important because you have to show it when checking-in to your hotels in order to be exempt from the 18% sales tax. Always keep the Andean Immigration Card within your passport and do not lose it, because you need to hand it back when leaving the country.

Please keep in mind that this document is gradually being taken out of circulation and that this is being replaced with an electronic version. For most arrivals to Lima airport you will no longer be provided with the physical Andean Immigration Card. Your entry to Peru will instead be automatically registered online by the immigration officer. For most of the land borders the physical Andean Immigration Card is still in place.

After picking up your luggage, proceed to the customs area, where you must present the Customs Declaration Form of Accompanied Baggage (provided on board the aircraft by the airline personnel). You must use this form to declare cash, checks, or other negotiable instruments valued at more than US$10,000 (ten thousand American Dollars). The Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima is located in Callao, 13 miles north of Lima. It takes anywhere from 40 to 60 minutes, depending on the traffic, to get from the airport to the residential and touristic districts of Lima. As you leave customs, make your way to the main hall of the airport where our Guest Service Representative will meet you. Please look for a sign with your name written on it.

Please see our airport map.

If for some reason you do not make contact with our Guest Service Representative, please contact our emergency number: + 51 994181330 or emergency email

Passports

International visitors travelling to Peru require a valid passport together with onward travel documents. Ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months (180 days) after your entry date. When in ground transit between towns and cities, always keep your passport on hand. Legally, you must have it ready for police controls. In the cities, it is probably best to leave your passport in your hotel safe, and carry a photocopy of your passport with you. It is also a good idea to have a scanned copy of your passport in your emails so you have access to this if necessary.

Visa

All passport holders should verify with their travel agent or relevant consultant concerning visa entry requirements. If you are extending your journey to other countries, please fulfill entry requirements for those countries as well. Please ensure that you have all the necessary visas prior to departure. The staff and agents at The Peru Empire Co. and their tour operators cannot be held liable. Further visa information is available on the following website: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/peru/passport-visa

We are providing this website as a guideline for further information. The Peru Empire Co. is not responsible for its content.

Transportation

The Peru Empire Co. ensures that our travelers always have access to a clean, well-maintained vehicle, appropriately sized and fully equipped for the territory and itinerary. We provide Wi-Fi in almost all our vehicles. We also provide coolers stocked with snacks and water unless otherwise requested. Smoking and the consumption of alcoholic beverages is not permitted within our vehicles. All of our drivers are professionals with years of experience and all vehicles have the necessary licenses and insurances for the driver and all passengers.

En route observations

We pride ourselves on providing quality itineraries and offering the best experience possible in remote locations. If there is anything you feel that we can do to enhance your experience, please do not hesitate to contact our Experience Concierge, or anyone at The Peru Empire Co. If you have a problem during your trip, please bring it to our attention at the time and give us a chance to correct it. If you do not communicate with a Peru Empire Co. representative at the time, your problem may be more difficult to resolve later on.

Flight check in and reconfirming

Please check in early at all airports according to the following recommendations:

· At least two (2) hours prior to domestic flights

· Three (3) hours for international flights, due to additional security procedures

Please be aware that during peak season (from June to September as well as December), queues may be longer, and delays more common on scheduled flights.

· For domestic flights, The Peru Empire Co. will be in charge of reconfirming the flights, seat assignment and boarding pass, ONLY in the case that The Peru Empire Co. has purchased the ticket in Peru.

· When domestic flight tickets have been purchased by the passenger or their travel agency abroad, the Peru Empire Co. will not be able to reconfirm flights, assign seats, nor provide the boarding pass to the passenger. Please ensure that your onward flights are reconfirmed, when applicable, at least 72 hours prior to flying. If you are uncertain please check with your travel agent.

Listed here are the websites for the most commonly used airlines. Here you can do your online check in.

LATAM www.latam.com

IBERIA www.iberia.com

KLM www.klm.com

AMERICAN AIRLINES www.aa.com

DELTA www.delta.com

UNITED www.united.com

AVIANCA www.avianca.com

AIR CANADA www.aircanada.com

We are providing these websites as guidance. The Peru Empire Co. is not responsible for their content.

Telephone Codes

The country code for Peru is + 51

When calling a Peruvian landline from abroad, dial: the country code + the city code + phone number.

Area Codes:

Lima 1

Arequipa 54

Cusco 84

Ica 56

La Libertad 44 (Trujillo)

Lambayeque 74 (Chiclayo)

Madre de Dios 82 (Puerto Maldonado)

Puno 51

Ucayali 94 (Iquitos)

Language

There are many officially recognized languages in Peru. The two main languages are Spanish and Quechua. However, travel in Peru is mainly conducted in Spanish and English. Peruvians are very appreciative of visitors who make an effort to speak at least a few words in their language. Keep in mind that Spanish words are generally pronounced as written, with each vowel and consonant sounded.

Spanish Quechua

What’s your name? Cómo te llamas? Imataq sutiki?

Good Morning Buenos Dias Rimaykunky

Good Afternoon/Evening Buenas Tardes Allillanchu

Good Night Buenas Noches Allintuta

Informal greeting to say “hello” Hola Rimaykullayki

Please Por Favor Allinchu

Thank You Gracias Añay

How are you? Como está? Imayhnallon?

Fine Bien Sumaq

Excuse me Perdón Paskay

Excuse me when speaking to a number of people Permiso Ashuykuy

Etiquette

Make sure that your behavior and activities don´t disturb or offend others. Special attention should be paid while visiting churches: don´t intrude during church services and processions, and please dress appropriately.

Taking Pictures

Please be courteous and respectful of others when filming or taking photos. Do not treat people as part of the landscape. Ask permission if you would like a picture of an individual or their property. Sometimes locals will expect compensation for the picture. Also, please be aware of rules regarding flash photography in churches, museums, and art galleries.

Smoking & Drinking Policies

Smoking in public places such as restaurants, bars, restrooms, and other enclosed areas is strictly forbidden. Smoking in archeological sites and protected environmental areas is inappropriate. The drinking age in Peru is 18 years old, and we recommend you drink responsibly.

Use of Mobile Phones

Most people come to Peru with the intention of relaxing and disconnecting, so we must ask that you be courteous to those around you when using mobile phones and other electronic devices.

Tipping

Tipping is not mandatory but of course much appreciated. If you feel that the services provided surpassed your expectations and would like to give your guide/host a tip, here are some open indications. These are based on full day excursions – if you would have a shorter excursion these amounts can of course be proportionated;

· Specialized Guides; US$10 per person for a full day excursion

· Drivers; US$5 per person for a full day excursion or transfer

· Restaurants; for the higher end restaurants a tip of 10% on the bill is customary

· Bellboys; a small tip (US$1-2) is appreciated when assisting with your luggage

Some services providers such as the Rainforest Cruises or Trekking operators provide tipping guidelines. Please keep in mind that these are voluntary and therefore do not state any obligation. If you would be traveling with a group (> 8 people) these amounts can of course be slightly lower. Finally, we would like to mention that tips can be provided both in US Dollars as well as Peruvian Soles – whatever would suit you best.

Public Holidays

Every town and city celebrates its own festivals and holidays, especially in the Andean highlands where most of the population still celebrate their city´s patron saints. These festivals can be very interesting and a great opportunity to see traditional Peruvian festivities.

Official holidays in Peru

· January 1: New Year

· Easter: Maundy Thursday and Good Friday

· May 1: Labor Day

· June 29: Saint Peter & Saint Paul

· July 28 - July 29: National Independence Holidays

· August 30: St. Rose of Lima

· October 8: The Naval Battle of Angamos

· November 1: All Saints Day

· December 8: The Immaculate Conception

· December 25: Christmas

Electricity

All electrical appliances run on 220 volts, and most upscale hotels offer 110 volt plugs. Outlets are typically round three-pin, 15-amp plugs. Most modern appliances have a voltage convertor or adaptor built into the device. Most hotels that we recommend have a variety of plugs or the reception can provide adaptors.

Time

Peru’s Standard Time is five hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT-5). Peru does not have daylight savings time.

Toilets

Please keep in mind that due to antiquated drainage systems throughout Peru toilet paper cannot be flushed, not even in the high end hotels and restaurants toilets.

Public restrooms in Peru are few and far between, and not always desirable. Restaurants and cafes may charge for the use of their restrooms, and don´t always provide toilet paper. We will do our best to accommodate your immediate needs, but please be aware and plan accordingly.

Post & Parcels