VISAS:
Citizens from the USA/Canada need a valid passport for a stay of up to 60 days in Peru, Chile and Argentina. A tourist card will be given to you on the plane. Fill it out and upon arrival in Peru the Immigration officer will keep one copy. Save the original for your return.
USA citizen need a Visa to visit Brazil. For more information check always with the correspondant consulate.
VACCINATIONS:
No inoculations are required when entering or leaving Peru. For precaution some passengers take yellow fever pills before traveling to the Amazon, and a tetanus injection is recommended. Like most tropical and many temperate regions on earth, Manu contains certain endemic diseases worth avoiding, notably malaria and leishmaniasis.
They are both avoidable by wearing tightly-woven clothing and using insect repellent. Nevertheless, before you plan a trip to a tropical rain forest region, consult your physician regarding appropriate precautions.
CUSTOMS:
You may bring free of customs duties all items of personal use including video camera/fishing gear. If you want to bring along large amounts of gifts, donations, medicine. Please consult with the appropiate consulate.
TRANSFERS:
Our ground tour operators will meet you at the airports of the different cities outlined in your program, and transfer you to your hotel, they will carry a sign with your name. Normally, we will ask for air tickets in order to reconfirm reservations, as well as the vouchers. All our guides and operators speak English.
AMAZON & MANU WEATHER:
The weather in the Amazon is hot and humid because you are in tropical rain forest, one degree below the Equator.
Temperatures range between 77-82ºF. Rainy season is from December-April and means that the Amazon basin will be flooded between February-May. This period is excellent for mammal observation and bird-watching, but almost all activities are by boat or canoe. The rest of the year is dryer, but you can expect at least one daily heavy, 30-45 minute-long downpour.
CLIMATE:
There is a great variety of climates in Peru, ranging from the muggy tropical of the rain forests to the intense cold of the mountainous regions.
For Coastal summer, (Dec.-April) warm temperatures, average 80ºF--you need tropical light dresses with a sweater for the evenings. The Coastal winter weather (June-Oct) damp and misty.
Temperatures never fall below 50ºF. Wool suits/dresses and sweaters are needed.
In the Highlands, (Cuzco, Puno etc.) sunny days and chilly evenings all year round. rainy weather from Dec.-March.
Dry the rest of the year. You will need light and heavy sports clothes and a raincoat.
In the Rainforest (Iquitos/Manu) there are only two seasons -- low water season (June- November) and high water season, when the river level rises due to melting ice and snow from the mountains and from the rainy season in the upper jungle. Low water season corresponds to the winter in the southern hemisphere.
The difference in the water level is approximately 45 feet although the climate itself changes very little.
High temperatures are about 88 F and nighttime lows about 72F with a relatively constant high humidity. It usually rains once a day (200-250 days out of the year), a good hard rain usually lasting about an hour, and at any time of day.
More walking excursions are offered during the low water season and more boating excursions during the high water.
HOW TO DRESS IN THE AMAZON / MANU:
In the Amazon and Manu wear cotton T-shirts, shorts, sandals, thongs, sneakers during the day, long sleeved shirts and pants at night.
For trekking please bring heavier boots and perhaps an extra pair of sneakers in case one pair need time to dry out. Don't forget a hat and cotton socks and plenty of insect repellent. All should fit in backpack or duffel bag.
CURRENCY:
The Nuevo Sol is the monetary unit. US dollars are widely accepted (small bills) or can be exchanged at banks, restaurants. Major credit cards are accepted.
TIPPING:
This is left at the passengers discretion, but we recommend 10-15% at restaurants, in the Amazon lodges there is usually a "tip box" for gratuities to the hotel help. Guides are tipped separately.
ELECTRICITY:
220 Volts and 50 cycles. In the Amazon the lodges use solar panels and kerosene lamps in keeping with a commitment to help the environment. Electric power is provided during certain hours by generator for recharging batteries etc.
