Health
Medical care is generally good in
Lima and usually adequate in other major cities, but
it is less soelsewhere.
Urban private health care facilities are often better
staffed and equipped than public or rural ones. Public
hospital facilities in Cuzco are generally inadequate
to handle serious medical conditions. One private
facility in Cuzco is adequate for acute care.
Visitors to high-altitude Andean destinations such
as Cusco (3400m), Machu Picchu (2400m), or Lake Titicaca
(3800m) should discuss the trip with their personal
physician prior to arrival. Travel to high altitudes
can pose a serious risk of illness, hospitalisation,
and even death, particularly if the traveler has a
medical condition that affects blood circulation or
breathing. Several tourists have died in Peru from
medical conditions exacerbated by the high altitude.
All people, even healthy and fit persons, will feel
symptoms of hypoxia (lack of oxygen) upon arrival
at high-altitude. Most people will have increased
respiration and increased heart rate. Many people
will have headaches, difficulty sleeping, lack of
appetite, minor gastric and intestinal upsets, and
mood changes. Most people may need time to adjust
to the altitude. To help prevent these complications,
consider taking acetazolamide (Diamox) after consulting
your personal physician, avoid alcohol and smoking
for at least one week after arrival at high altitudes,
and limit physical activity for the first 36 to 48
hours after arrival at high altitudes.
Vaccinations
Recommended though not compulsory vaccinations
are Hepatitis A and B; Rabies; Yellow Fever; Typhoid;
tetanus-diphtheria and measles. Travelers to the Amazonas,
Loreto, Ucayali and San Martin departments are recommended
to take antimalarial
Medication.
Travelers who visit the city of Lima or the
highland areas of Cuzco, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca,
Arequipa, Puerto Maldonado, Tambopata are not at risk
for malaria
See www.masta.org for up-to-date health advice for
travellers.
Best time to go
Peru is a fascinating country in that it
has four distinct geographical regions. Not many countries
can offer beaches, mountains, rainforests and deserts
all in on one visit. Because of these distinct regions,
there really is no best time to travel which is why
we offer tours all year-round.
June to August are considered the
driest months in the highlands or Amazon basin and
are the best if you would like to visit these places
or would like to go trekking or climbing. However,
even during the rainy season in the Amazon, the rains
fall only for a few hours at a time. In the Andes,
the rainy season can sometimes just mean a bit of
overcast weather. The advantage of traveling at this
time is that many other travellers make the mistake
of postponing their plans until the dry season, leaving
you with more of Peru to yourself.
The best time to visit the mysterious Nazca Lines
or the coastal areas is from December to April. In
theend, just pick a date that works best for your
schedule.
Upon arrival
Most flights arrive quite late in the evening,
or early in the morning. Once you’ve reclaimed
your baggage and cleared customs, you will see our
unmistakable board in the arrivals lounge with your
names clearly marked. Our friendly staff will warmly
welcome you to Peru, assist you with your luggage
and take you to your hotel by private air-conditioned
minivan/bus. Please do not leave the airport terminal
building unless you have made contact with Amazing
Peru staff. Also ignore the calls from taxi drivers
as your private transport has been provided for you.
Food and drink
Drink only bottled water. Pasteurised milk
is widely available. Avoid dairy products that are
likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Avoid
street food vendors and the cheaper restaurants.
What to eat
To try some typical foods, here is a selection
of what we recommend.
Cuy - or guinea pig, a delicacy in the highlands
Lomo Saltado – A stir-fried beef dish with onions,
ginger, chili, tomatoes and fried potatoes, served
with rice.
Papas Rellenas - Stuffed baked potatoes found in the
highland regions.
Ceviche - Along the coastal areas. Can be made with
all types of seafood or sea bass. The most typical
dish of Peru.
Palta Rellena - Avocado stuffed with chicken salad.
Choclo con queso - Corn on the cob with cheese
Caucau - A stew made with tripe, potatoes, peppers
and parsley popular in the Colca Canyon region.
Rocoto Relleno – Pepper stuffed with beef and
vegetables.
Cocada al horno – Sweet dish made with coconut,
egg yolk, sesame seeds, wine and butter.
Picarones - Cassava flour fritters made with eggs
and deep fried, served in honey.
Tejas - A sugar candy wrapped in waxed paper.
What to drink
Inca Cola - A soda pop that tastes life fizzy bubble
gum or cream soda.
Pisco Sour – The drink of Peru. Made with white
grape brandy and served with whipped egg white.
Mate de coca – A tea made from coca leaves and
proven to help with altitude sickness.
Beer - Cuzqueña and Arequipeña –
Excellent beers available in white and malta (black)
varieties.
Guinda - A sweet cherry brandy.
The main reason for a visit to Peru is to
see for oneself the sheer majesty of the ruins at
Machu Picchu – preserved on their isolated mountain-top
site above the waters of the sacred Urubamba River.
The site is only a few hours by train from Cuzco,
the ancient capital of the Inca empire. A colonial
city with countless churches and museums on its cobbled
streets and leafy squares. Linking Cuzco and Machu
Picchu is the Sacred Valley of the Incas - the larder
of the Inca culture - where temples, villages and
fortresses delight the visitor.