Passport and Visa:

There’s no need of a Visa request, just an electronic whose expiration date is later than 6 months after your return.

Our Advice:

Conditions can change, that’s why it is recommendable to contact with the Peruvian Embassy Consulate in your country before your depart.

Repatriation Insurance:

It is obligatory since the moment you purchase your international flight ticket with your credit card (Visa, Masters Card Gold…), although we advice to review this information in your commercial flight documents.

At your arrival, NOVALYS ask you for the insurance confirmation document.

Health:

Because of the climate and the height, it is recommendable to be in good physical shape and good health. We advised a visit to the doctor before your coming, specially aged travellers of those with respiratory or cardio disease, who won’t be able to go higher than 2500 beyond sea level . Also patients with : blook disease, psychiatric problems, pregnanat women, babies younger than 18 months, all people with cronica bronchitis, asthma or other case needing special care.

Obligatory Vaccines:

• Diphtheria, Tetanus, polio: DTP.
• Hepatitis A and B.
• Typhoid for the prolonged trips.
• Yellow fever, minimum 10 days before the exit. (Amazon Trips)
• And other vaccination your doctor prescribe in complement to this list.
• Personal Pharmacy:
• Is always good to take a first-aid kit. We recommend:

Antibiotics.

• Antidiarrheal drugs (eg loperamide).
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or aspirin.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs (eg ibuprofen).
• Antihistamines (for hay fever and allergic reactions).
• Antibacterial ointment (eg Bactroban; for cuts and abrasions).
• Steroid cream or cortisone (for poison ivy and other allergic rashes).
• Bandages, gauze, gauze rolls.
• Adhesive or paper tape.
• Scissors, safety pins, tweezers.
• Thermometer.
• Pocket-knife.
• Insect repellent containing DEET (for the skin).
• Insect spray containing permethrin (for clothing, tents and bed nets).
• Sunblock cream.
• Oral rehydration salts.
• Iodine tablets (for water purification).
• Syringes and sterile needles.
• Acetazolamide (Diamox; for altitude sickness).

Suitcases:

You will have frequent transfers in Peru, for that reason it is advised to travel “light” and to bring just what you’d really need (a great suitcase or travel backpack and a handbag or vanity case with your important documents may be enough). This you’ll be able to make some local shopping without increasing the authorized weight at your return.

These items could be helpful in your handbag:

• Passport Photocopy.
• Travel Insurance Attestation.
• NOVALYS Travel Documents (Trip Schedule, Vouchers, etc).
• Our Emergency Telephone Numbers : 00511.627.77.98 or 00511.991.947.625 (24h / 7days).
• Photographic Camera.
• Sunglasses, Hut or Cap.
• Toilette case.
• Hot clothing (Polar, Thermal Overall).

GENERAL INFORMATIONS

Altitude sickness (Commonly known as Soroche):

What is it?

It is a consequence of poor oxygen sumministration in the human body. This ambulatory disease affects to non acclimated people who travel over 2400M. Most of our travelers will probably visit Cusco where the atmospheric pressure goes over 680 milibares (1000 at the level of the sea), which causes a decrease of 30% of oxygen values. The symptoms often appearr during the first 48 hours of ascent (they can appear later too). The mainly symptoms are: headaches, nausea, vomits, hungry less state , sleep alterations, oppression, vertigos, tachycardia, concentration problems, even lung edema problems.

Altitude sickness develops when the rate of ascent into higher altitudes outpaces the body’s ability to adjust to those altitudes. So our body reacts producing more red blood cells (erythrocytes) to resist the lower oxygen suministration. That’s why you may feel tired in the first two days. In order to reestablish basal values, you should wait the acclimatization process ( 1 month) a month is, nevertheless after 15 days, you’ll have ¾ of your red blood cells and after one week you already have an acclimatization level.

Prevention:

One way to avoid altitude sickness is allowing the body to get used to the altitude slowly.

Acclimatization is the process by which the body adjusts to high altitudes.

The goal of acclimatization is to increase ventilation (breathing) to compensate for lower oxygen content in the air.

To compensate for this extra ventilation, blood needs to have a lower pH. In response, the kidneys excrete bicarbonate into the urine, which in turn lowers the body’s pH to accommodate for this extra respiratory effort.

Treatment:

Descending to lower altitudes or delaying further ascent are treatments for acute altitude sickness until symptoms are gone.

• A Gamow bag may be used if descent is not feasible.
• Oxygen (2-4 liters per minute) will improve oxygen saturation of blood.
• Aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be taken for headache.
• For nausea, the doctor may prescribe prochlorperazine (Compazine), an antinausea medication that also enhances the body’s ability to increase the breathing rate in response to low-oxygen environments.
• Sleeping pills for insomnia should not be taken. They are potentially dangerous because they can slow breathing.
• Acetazolamide (Diamox) may be prescribed to hasten acclimatization.
• Acetazolamide is a diuretic (a drug that increases urine output) that increases kidney excretion of bicarbonate. This decreases the blood pH, thereby stimulating extra breathing, which results in higher oxygen levels in the blood.
• In addition, acetazolamide corrects nighttime pauses in breathing known as periodic breathing. Acetazolamide also improves symptoms of insomnia.

Currency:

The Sol de Oro was national currency and 1931 until 1985 and was replaced by the Inti until 1991. Its devaluation was so strong that PERU required a new currency: (S/.) (PEN) NUEVO SOL PERUANO. This one is still used.

• The USD is accepted in every stores, bars, coffee, and restaurants of the big cities.
• The EURO can be changed in the numerous currency agencies or in the hotels.
• The Credit card: VISA, Card Masters, Diners or AMEX are accepted almost everywhere. Although VISA is most popular.

The TRAVELER’S CHECKS have a limited utilization.

• While using your credit card…
• When paying with credit cards make sure that the account should first appear in soles and then it may be change in USD or EUR.
• While paying, you must move to the cashier place to dial your code. You should never leave your card to other people. Concentrate while your paying; do not let anybody distract you.

Airport Taxes

In Peru, you will have to pay airport rates for domestic and international flights.

• Domestic flight Lima: 6,05 USD.
• International flight: 30,25 USD.

Banks and Cash Dispensers:

The bank public attention schedules in Peru are: Monday to Friday 9h – 18h. Most of the banks open Saturday until the 12m.

In all the important cities automatic tellers exist. Although you should verify that there are security guards at the bank’s door, in order to get some help in case of criminal attack. We beg you to respect these advices, to assure your stay in Peru.

Security:

We recommend to not taking high value articles (diamonds, expensive jewelry, etc), to not attract criminal eyes. To have your money and documents in a safety place (can leave them in the safe box at the hotel.

You must be carefull, specially in very frequented touristic places like: markets, boulevards. Also, be attentive to the criminal use of “scopolamine “,a drug that being mixed with a drink or food or inhaled inflict in the will, the conscience and a temporary amnesia.

Earthquake Risk:

The Peru this located in a zone of strong seismic activity. In case victima is You of impase seismic, grants the following recommendations to him:

Inside:

To move away from windows, from walls, and other home furniture.

To protect yourself under a table or other hard furniture, stand up under a doorframe.

Outside:

Try to find a free space, far from the electrical trees, posts, walls or buildings; in the car: stop on the board of the highway and to wait until the end of the shocks.

You must always keep calm down, follow the recommendations and wait for special aid if it is necessary. Every earthquake is often a sequence of multiple shocks.

We also recommend to contact your family and friends to assure them and communicate how you are. In case you have communication problems, you can always count on us or your Origin Country Embassy.

Do not hesitate to contact us for any other complementary information you may need.