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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.

Highlights
Cuzco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu

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.