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To fully enjoy your next trip to Peru at its fullest we have prepared the following information to let you know what you might expect.
PACKING YOUR LUGGAGE
Peru is a mega diverse country where many different micro-climates, ranging from desert coastal regions, high altitude mountains to humid tropical rainforests, demanding different luggage considerations. Packing smartly may be a key factor for enjoying to the utmost your next trip to Peru. Hence, we have prepared the following list of basic items which should not be missing in your luggage:
- Backpack
- Comfortable hiking boots or sneakers
- Rain gear if traveling to Amazon regions or during the rainy season
- Camera and extra supply of batteries
- A fleece jacket
- Short and long sleeved t-shirts
- Lip balm and sun block – especially when traveling to high altitude regions
- Insect repellent, required in the Amazon and some coastal regions
- Comfortable trousers
- Personal medical kit
- More formal clothing for dinners
HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS
Vaccinations are not officially required in most areas. However, Peruvian authorities demand a Yellow Fever vaccination administrated at least 10 days before arrival. Therefore, visitors are advised to take precautions especially if planning to travel to jungle regions.
The most common ailments for travelers are diarrhea and altitude sickness. Health care is good in the major cities, but a health insurance is essential.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We highly recommend travelers to take an Insurance covering expenses incurred by unexpected cancellations, illness and medical expenses.
ACCLIMATIZATION
Acclimatization is the process of the body adjusting to the decreased availability of oxygen at high altitudes. Based on the altitude of the destinations, travelers shall to try to go first to the lower ones before ascending to higher places. It is a slow process that could take place over a couple of days. Given enough time, your body will adapt to the decreased oxygen atmosphere at a specific altitude.
COMMUNICATION/TELEPHONE
The country code for Peru is +51, and the outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the UK). City /area codes are in use, e.g. (01) for Lima, (051) for Puno and (084) for Cusco. A mobile phone operator provides a GSM 1900 network with coverage limited to major towns and cities. Peru is well connected to the World Wide Web with Internet connections in most hotels and city hotel rooms. Most mobile phones, including Blackberries, work well in the region.
TRAVEL RECOMMENDATIONS
In order to fully appreciate and enjoy this remote region at its finest, we have prepared the following information in order to know what to expect. Please read this as you get ready for a most astounding and mind blowing travel experiences of your life.
TRANSPORT & ROUTES
There are several ways to travel and depart from Lake Titicaca which connects to the other important destinations in Peru such as Cusco and Arequipa, as well as to Bolivia.
BY PLANE
Titilaka is located 1.50 hours from the Juliaca airport (flights from Lima, Cusco and Arequipa) by car and boat (approx. 80 km.), 45 minutes south of the city of Puno and 20 minutes by speedboat from the Taquile and 1 hour from Amantani Island, between Puno and the Bolivian border.
It can be reached by car, train from Cusco and also by car from Arequipa. You can also arrive at Titilaka from Bolivia.
BY LAND - CUSCO TO JULIACA
PRIVATE CAR
By private car one can reach or depart Cusco to Puno, gateway to Lake Titicaca, via the southeast highway with many interesting places along the route, to include Andahuaylillas, Piquillacta, Racqhi, Sicuani, the La Raya Pass, the highest point at 4,330 meters above sea level.
PERU RAIL
One can travel via train from Cusco to Juliaca, gateway to the beautiful Lake Titicaca from the San Pedro Train Station. On the journey the train makes a gentle climb to higher, and cooler, altitudes, the first half of the journey, dominated by the magnificent Andean mountains which tower over the deep valleys of the meandering Huatanay River and then reaches the gentler, rolling Andean Plains, where vicuñas and alpacas can be seen. The journey is broken by a scenic stop at La Raya, which is also the highest point on the route. Travelers can choose to travel on either the first class carriages of the Andean Explorer or the Backpacker carriages.
EXPERIENCE PACE
Three days guided tour within the lake and surroundings, archeological sites, and communities with some time to adjust to the high altitude (3,800 meters above sea level) and free time at leisure.
TERRAIN
The terrain is rustic, rural setting on the lake, some archeological sites, churches, mostly pastoral / mountainous environment all throughout. Most people may need time to adjust to the altitude.
TRANSPORT & SPECIAL FACTORS
Car and boat transportation is available. Agility is required for visiting archeological sites and temples at high altitudes of 3,800 meters above sea level. Not appropriate for wheelchair or other mobility aids.
ALTITUDE SICKNESS PREVENTION
Altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS) or soroche is a pathological condition caused by acute exposure to low air pressure usually above 2,400 meters (approximately 8,000 feet). The main cause of altitude sickness is going too high too quickly. To avoid altitude sickness, before your travel to a high altitude destination, avoid eating too much, especially on the arrival day itself. If you stay at a high altitude, rest, drink plenty of liquid and limit any walking or activity. You can explore the area, but take it easy. Drink plenty of water-it is suggested to drink 4 times more than average- and avoid taking alcoholic beverages.
WEATHER & WHAT TO WEAR
From May to November the climate around Lake Titicaca is mostly dry, pleasantly cool and sunny with an average temperature of 8ºC-12ºC, but can be bitterly cold at nights with a big drop in temperatures down to -3ºC when frosts occur, especially during the months of June, July and August. Rainy months are from December to April with a maximum of 18ºC to a minimum of 1º. Wear light clothing during the day when it’s sunny and warm clothes at night, due to extreme drop in temperature. For rainy months, it’s best to bring a windbreaker or parka jackets for day time and warmer clothes for night time. Irradiation levels are high and humidity levels low at this altitude, so using plenty of sun block and lip balm is advised.
CURRENCY/FOREIGN EXCHANGE
The official currency is Nuevo Sol (PEN) divided into 100 céntimos. Visa is the most widely accepted credit card, but all major international credit cards, including American Express and MasterCard, are accepted in many, but not all, establishments, and outside Lima facilities may be even more limited. Travelers’ checks may also be difficult to exchange in small towns and villages, and travelers are advised to have cash on hand. US Dollars are the easiest currency to exchange and plenty of restaurants, hotels and shops in the main cities accept dollars for payment. Casas de cambio (exchange bureau) often give better rates than hotels and banks and can be found in any town on the tourist circuit. ATMs are available in the main cities.
COMMUNICATION/TELEPHONE
The country code for Peru is +51, and the outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the UK). City /area codes are in use, e.g. (01) for Lima, (051) for Puno and (084) for Cusco. A mobile phone operator provides a GSM 1900 network with coverage limited to major towns and cities. Peru is well connected to the Internet with Internet connections in most hotels and city hotel rooms. Titilaka has international phone and Internet service.
HEALTH/INSURANCE
Vaccinations are officially required in this area. However, visitors are advised to take precautions especially if planning to travel to jungle regions. The most common ailments for travelers are diarrhea and altitude sickness. Health care is good in the major cities, but a health insurance is essential.
CONCIERGE SERVICES
The Experience Concierge team has in-depth local knowledge and expertise to personally assist you throughout your visit, rising to every challenge, exceeding expectations and needs. With our prestigious contacts and exclusive partners we can arrange for your personal preferences and requirements.
From Andean rituals to sailing around Lake Titicaca, our Experience Concierge can help you make the most of your stay by maximizing your valuable time.
The Experience Concierge team has in-depth local knowledge and expertise to personally assist you throughout your visit, rising to every challenge and exceeding expectations. With our prestigious contacts and exclusive partners we can arrange for your personal preferences and requirements, enabling us to uniquely achieve the impossible for our guests.
 CONTACT US
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