| |
| General
Information |
| |
Climate,
Clothing 
|
In the Peruvian Andes the
seasons are limited to rainy and dry season. In November
and December, at the beginning of the summer, the first
rain falls. January, February and March usually are
months with a lot of rain; although it is surprising
how fast the skies clear up after heavy rainfall and
the sun comes out again. The temperatures vary between
12 and 25 degrees Celsius.
The actual dry season, the Peruvian winter, lasts from
March until October. Particularly in the high Andes
during this time there are big differences in temperature
between day and night and between sun and shade (altitude
climate). While one can feel really hot during the daytime,
the nights are very cold, especially in the months of
June and July when the temperatures in the mountains
outside the city can sometimes be below zero. On the
coast, on the other hand, it hardly ever rains. The
summers are tropical and humid and usually very hot.
Throughout any season one will need both warm and light
clothing:
Good and sturdy shoes, a warm jacket, sunglasses, suntan
lotion with a high protection factor, lip protection,
some light head cover; rain gear in the months November
through April. |
| Vaccinations,
Health
|
In Cusco and Lima there are
no vaccination requirements; although in general, vaccinations
against typhoid and hepatitis A are recommended. Further
information can be obtained from the public health department.
If you are considering to travel to the Peruvian lowlands,
for example to Puerto Maldonado, you should be vaccinated
against yellow fever and take malaria tablets with you.
Travelers who suffer heart or circulation problems are
recommended to consult their doctor regarding the high
altitude. Usually the human body needs one or two days
to get used to the altitude, i.e. to the lower oxygen
content of the air. For possible trouble (soroche) during
the adjustment, like headache or nausea, there is effective
and well tolerated medication available at local chemists.
Especially good help is the so called "mate de
coca" (tea from coca leaves).
In case you are taking a first aid kit, you can limit
its contents to a minimum:
Aspirin, diarrhea tablets. At the local chemists you
will find a good selection of international medication
available without prescription. |
| Health-Travel-Insurance
|
| Most private health insurance
companies cover health expenses, even in case of short
term stay overseas. If you do not have a private health
insurance, you should get an additional travel insurance.
An insurance for your luggage is strongly recommended.
|
| Security
|
During your trip you should
keep your money and documents in a money belt or in
a pouch around your waist.
In Cusco you may leave your valuables in the safe of
the German Consulate. Please don't take precious watches
or jewelry with you. Pickpockets have an eye for the
smallest carelessness, therefore please never leave
your luggage unattended. When taking a walk or an excursion
in Lima please leave your documents, passport and valuables
at the hotel. After your arrival in Cusco you will get
a legalized photocopy of your passport at the German
Consulate. |
| Embassies
in Lima-Peru
|
| Canada: |
Av. Libertad 130 (Miraflores), Tel.: + 51- 1-
444 4015 |
| Denmark: |
Av. Bernardo Monteagudo 201 (San Isidro), Tel.:
+ 51- 1- 264 3620 |
| Germany: |
Av. Arequipa 4210 (Miraflores), Tel.: + 51-
1- 422 4919 |
| Great Britain: |
Natalio Sánchez 125, Edif. Washington
4th floor,
Tel.: + 51- 1- 433 8923 / 4738 |
| Netherlands: |
Av. Principal 190, 4th. floor, Santa Catalina
(La Victoria),
Tel.: + 51- 1- 476 1069 |
| Norway: |
Carnaval y Moreyra 595 (San Isidro), Tel.: +
51- 1- 440 4048 |
| Sweden: |
Camino Real 348, 9th. floor (San Isidro),
Tel.: + 51- 1- 421 3400 / 3421 |
| Switzerland: |
Av. Salaverry 3240 (San Isidro), Tel.: + 51-
1- 264 0305 |
| U.S.A.: |
La Encalada Cuadra 17 (Monterrico), Tel.: +
51- 1- 433 4511 |
|
| Passport
Validity, Visa
|
Your passport must be valid
for a minimum of 6 months when you start your trip.
Travelers from U.S.A., Canada and most European countries
do not need a visa to enter Peru. On arrival you will
get a stamp in your passport which entitles you to stay
up to 181 days, and a tourist card (Tarjeta de Embarque)
which has to be surrendered on leaving the country.
An extension of your stay for another month can be requested
in Cusco and it costs $ 24.- |
| Money
and Legal Tender
|
The Peruvian currency is
the Nuevo Sol S/. Over the last years the exchange
rate to the American dollar has been relatively stable,
1 US$ is about S/: 3,20
For your stay in Peru you should take money and travelers
checks in US dollars or in Euro.
Amongst the international credit cards Visa is the
most recommended.
Traveller Cheques Cancelling
American Express: 001 800 860 2908
Credit Cards Cancelling
Visa: 001 800 428 1858 / 011 410 581 0120
MasterCard: 01 311 6000
American Express: 525 326 2660 (Collect call through
operator 108)
Diners Club: 01 221 2050 |
| Flight
Connections
|
| There are several international
airlines that go to Lima even more than once a week;
although it is worthwhile comparing prices. For example,
many airlines offer convenient reductions for students.
Airport Tax in Peru domestic flight: US$. 6,10
International flight: US$ 30,25
Flight Information
domestic and international flights from and to
Lima:
Tel.: (0051-1) 575 1712 und 5745529
or internet: http://www.lap.com.pe
Train Service: Peru-Rail
Email: reservas@perurail.com / Website: www.perurail.com
Adress in Cusco
Estaciòn Wanchaq, Tel: 084 23 8722 / 22 1992
Monday through Sunday 7.00 to 13.00 hours and 14.00
to 16.00 hours |
| Peruvian
Holidays
|
| 1rst of January - Easter week:
Monday afternoon (only in Cusco), Thursday afternoon,
Good Friday 1st of May - Corpus Cristi (only in Cusco)
- 24th of June (only in Cusco) - 29th of June - 28th
and 29th of July - 30th of August - 8th of October -
1st of November - 2nd of November (only in Cusco) -
8th of December - 25th of December - 31st of December
afternoon. |
| Time
Difference
|
US East coast: +1 hour
US West coast: -2 hours |
| Internet
|
| Cusco has a multitude of
internet cafes throughout its downtown area and other
neighborhoods. Many of the internet cafes also offer
international telephone call service at affordable
rates. ACUPARI has two computers with internet and
wireless connection available to its students for
FREE. |
| Telephone
|
| Your cell phone in Peru
- Bring your cell phone with you and for only 15 soles
you can by a chip to use it in Peru to make and receive
calls; and to send and receive text messages.
|
| Airmail
|
Your may have your airmail
sent to the mailbox of ACUPARI, usually it takes between
5 and 8 days.:
Name, c/o ACUPARI, Correo Central, Casilla 1128, Cusco
- Peru |
| Transfer
|
If you wish ACUPARI can arrange
a pick-up service for you in Lima from the airport to
your hotel and vice versa.
The airport transfer upon your arrival in Cusco as well
as your departure after the completed language course
is included in the overall price. |
| Hotels
in Lima
|
On request ACUPARI can arrange
the reservation for your overnight accommodation in
Lima (expenses for overnight accommodation are not included
in the overall price).
Our recommended middle-class hotel is in Miraflores,
only a few minutes by foot from the Pacific coast. Single
room US$ 30,00 and double room US$ 45,00 |
| Hotels
in Cusco
|
During your time here in Cusco,
if you prefer to stay in a hostel or hotel instead of
a homestay, Acupari can arrange your hotel reservations
according to your wishes. Below is general information
regarding the different classes of hotels in Cusco from
which you can choose.
Class B:
SR (Single Room) from US $90 and upward.
Comfortable rooms that include breakfast, hot water,
private bathroom, television, telephone, in a nice and
friendly atmosphere.
Class C: SR
(Single Room) from US to US $60; DR (Double Room) from
US $75.
Includes breakfast, hot water, private bathroom, television,
telephone, nice and friendly atmosphere.
Class
D: SR (Single Room) from US $25 to US $35;
DR (Double Room) from US $35 to US $45.
Includes breakfast, hot water, private bathroom, clean
and friendly atmosphere. |
| Hotels in Cusco can be booked
for months in advance for the high season, and during
holidays such as Holy Week, Inti Raymi in June (festival
of the summer solstice), and during National holidays
such as Independence Day (end of July). Therefore, please
understand that Acupari may not be able to accommodate
your exact reservation according to your price and class
range, but we’ll do the best that we can. |
| Voltage
|
| 220 V - adapter plugs that
might be necessary can also be obtained in Cusco. |
| Photography
|
| When choosing your film material
and filters please take into account the high ultraviolet
radiation in higher altitudes. |
| Excursions,
Surroundings
|
Apart from our excursion program,
there is a variety of attractive destinations nearby
the city. Half-a-day excursions to pre-Colombian ruins
as well as short hikes or sight-seeing outside of Cusco
can be arranged on short notice.
Furthermore, Cusco is the ideal starting point for the
famous Inka-Trail to Machu Picchu (4-day hike), a stay
at the Amazon lowlands (30 minutes flight to Puerto
Maldonado), a jungle tour in the cultural zone of the
National Manu Park, a trip with the Andean railway to
Lake Titicaca and from there to La Paz in Bolivia.
The South American Explorers Club has available a good
selection of Excursion maps
Email: Iimaclub@saexplorers.org and Website: www.saexplorers.org
In Cusco: Calle Choquechaca 188 - No 4
Tel.: (51 84) 245-484 Email: cuscoclub@saexplorers.org
In Lima: Av. Republica de Portugal 146, Breña,
Lima
Tel: 01- 425 0142 |
| Last
but not least ... |
| ... We are looking forward
to seeing you in Cusco and wish you an interesting and
successful stay at a place, whose magical attraction
hardly anybody has been able to resist. |
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