Peru Expedition Traveling Information

Transcription

1 PLANNING YOUR FLIGHT & ARRIVAL IN PERU Make your flight reservation from your departure city on October 17th through to Cusco, Peru (airport code CUZ). Flights will arrive first in Lima, Peru typically late in the evening on the 17 th or very early morning of the 18 th. When making your reservation pick a flight to Cusco that will arrive in early morning 800 AM or so. Your departure flight should leave on October 30 th from Juliaca, Peru (JUL) in the afternoon through to your home town which you will arrive in on October 31 st. When you arrive in Lima you will need to go through Customs/Immigration and gather your baggage even though your ticket says you go all the way to Cusco. You will have to check-in with the airline for your Cusco flight and then board your plane to Cusco in the Domestic Concourse. If you have a long layover in Lima, you may choose to spend the night at a local hotel close to the airport (on your own). Most people choose to stay overnight at the Lima airport as flights come into Lima in the late evening/early morning hours. The shops and restaurants in the Lima Airport stay open all night and there is also a place to receive wonderful chair massages at a reasonable price. Rainbow Jaguar staff in Cusco will be facilitating all hotel/airport transfers for group arrivals into Cusco as scheduled in Tour Itinerary). You will be picked up at the Cusco airport and as a group we will drive via coach bus to the train station and onto Machu Picchu. At arrival in Cusco our staff people will be waiting for you with a Rainbow Jaguar or Golden Light Healing placard outside the airport exit. Make sure your luggage has a distinctive label, colored yarn or ribbon for easy recognition at airports and hotels. *Independent arrivals (not arriving on October 18 th into Cusco) should notify us about your flight arrangements. If you would like, our Peru staff can help you with airport and hotel transfers. If you arrive before the starting date of our trip, you will be financially responsible for your own taxi transfers, hotel accommodations before the trip starts, and transportation to where ever the group is meeting. Earlier arrivals or arrivals not scheduled with our office in Peru are at their own risk. For individuals arriving early and staying in Lima and wishing to rent a hotel on their own, there is a Taxi Booth right at the Airport exit door. Fares are usually $25 US and no tips are expected. The hotel we use in Lima is Hotel Exclusive in downtown Miraflores (40 min. from the airport). Their phone number is If you arrive early and plan on staying in Cusco, there are a number of wonderful hostals to choose from. Amaru Hostal is located in the San Blas artist district and is a favorite. ( ) PASSPORT A valid passport is required for entry into Peru, and a ninety day visa is given to US citizens automatically upon entry. For US Citizens, you can go to the web site at for renewing your passport or go to your local post office to obtain one. Make sure your passport is not due to expire within 60 days of your departure from Peru. You will want to carry a second form of photo ID, such as a driver s license, and have a photocopy of the personal data page of your passport. Your copy of your passport is the easiest way to prove your identity if you were to lose your passport. If you are traveling with a passport from a different country other than the USA, you can also check the requirements for each country by logging onto 1

2 Once you enter Peru you will receive your visa paper which is a small paper inside your passport, you must SAVE this paper until you exit the country! CONTACT NUMBERS The phone numbers of Rainbow Jaguar s Peru office are Tel/ fax and or rainbowjaguar@msn.com. service is widely available at Internet Cafes throughout Peruvian cities. If necessary, you can have the Rainbow Jaguar office receive your messages. Ms Ita Choque is in charge of manning all operations and any requests should be addressed to her at the or numbers above. FORMS 60 days prior to this trip you will need to send to Golden Light Healing the following forms/information: Copy of your Flight Itinerary Emergency Travel Form Release Form ADDITIONAL TRAVELING INFORMATION HEALTH This is a demanding trip physically. We will be hiking at elevations of 9,000-15,000 ft. The altitude will challenge our bodies and it will be important that your condition in general be good for your enjoyment of the journey. We suggest that you begin an exercise regimen through walks, aerobics, hikes, cycling, etc. Good physical condition is no guarantee against altitude sickness. Symptoms vary from dizziness, headaches, sleeplessness, lack of appetite, and shortness of breath, to the more severe and dangerous symptoms of high altitude pulmonary or cerebral edema. Anyone with a history of lung or heart disease, other serious medical problems, or a history of severe reactions at high altitudes should not undertake such a journey. CLIMATE The high mountains where we will be traveling only have two seasons: rainy and dry. From April through October the Andean skies are blue with starry nights. Daytime temperatures fluctuate between degrees and nighttime degrees. Make sure you have enough warm layers. In the mountain the temperatures are considerably colder. Cusco 11,400 elevation, high 60 s day, low 50 s night. Sacred Valley 8,500 elevation, high 60 s to 70 day, high 40 s to 50 s night. MONEY The Peruvian Sol has been stable for the past few years. The current exchange rate is roughly 3.09 Soles per 1 US Dollar. It is usually easiest to exchange your money right at the airport in Lima when you arrive. You can also obtain money from ATMs located in most cities in Peru. Or you may work with your local bank to obtain 2

3 soles before your trip. Be sure to contact your bank before coming to the country to inform them that you will be traveling abroad and to make sure you have access to foreign ATMs. MEDICAL No immunizations are required for travel in Peru in the high mountains. If you take any prescription medicines make sure to bring enough for your travels. Containers should be clearly labeled with prescription forms to avoid problems at customs. You can visit the CDC web site for US government information and recommendations about traveling to Peru ( ). You are responsible for your own personal health. PERSONAL HEALTH It is important that you let Golden Light Healing LLC or Rainbow Jaguar LLC know of any medical problems, allergies, etc. you may have. Golden Light Healing LLC (GLH) or Rainbow Jaguar LLC (RJ) has the right to disqualify anyone at any time during the trip if GLH or RJ feels it is medically necessary. Refunds are not normally given under such circumstances. Golden Light Healing or Rainbow Jaguar assumes no liability regarding provision of medical care. FOOD AND WATER Most illnesses in journeys are caused by contamination of food or water. These are some precautions we suggest to observe: Use bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth. Do not use ice cubes unless you know them to be safe. Do not drink from streams. Beware of uncooked food (including salads), and food from sidewalk vendors. This leaves freshly cooked food, preferably eaten while still hot, and fresh fruit that you peel yourself. Adequate fluid intake is important and easy to overlook, especially when hiking at high altitudes. It is fine to eat what you like at the hotels we will be staying at, as their hygiene and food preparation standards are very high. It not advisable to drink tap water, or to eat from street vendors, as our digestive systems are not used to the local food. Bottled water is available at markets and shops LUGGAGE Many airlines have changed their luggage weight rules and the number of bags allowed. Check with your airline for their current regulations. Be sure to include in your carry-on an extra change of clothes, hiking shoes, and any other essentials you may need in case your luggage gets lost or delayed. Everything else should fit inside your main, checked suitcase/s. Also remember to leave some space in your main bag (or bring an extra bag) for souvenir purchases. 3

4 CONTACTING HOME International phone cards are available at the airport and some stores in Peru for a nominal fee. You can also check with your mobile phone carrier about international plans. Most towns have Internet Cafes as well. Cell phone reception is unreliable. WHAT TO BRING These are suggested items to consider: Reusable water bottle and coffee mug Backpack and/or Fanny pack (you will use to carry your things for our day trips does not have to be huge, but should be comfortable for an extended hike) Good Hiking boots and Sneakers be sure to wear them in well before the trip Sun-screen SPF 30 or higher, Lip balm. Sun Hat and Sun Glasses. Warm thick socks & moisture wicking hiking socks. Flashlight and extra Batteries or Head Lamp. Camera, extra digital card & batteries Items of a personal nature Hair Dryer and 110 volt electric socket converter for South America or go natural! Personal hygiene products, Toiletries toilet paper, hand wipes, shampoo, etc. First Aid kit or supplies Emergen-C (electrolyte) packets & protein bars (granola bars), nuts, trail mix, etc. if you want snacks during the day Layered clothing for day hiking. Zip-off pants are great. Ideally you could wear all your clothes layers at once if needed (tank under button-down hiking shirt under fleece under rain gear.) Hiking pants, comfortable Jeans, yoga pants, etc. Short and Long-sleeved light weight shirts --moisture wicking are best Down vest and/or warm jacket for night time. Rain Gear (Breathable waterproof garment). Swimsuit & towel Pajamas Warm hat and gloves (or buy alpaca ones in Peru!) Long underwear for nighttime Pack what you feel you absolutely NEED but LESS IS MORE! TIPS We like to collect tips for the medicine people, cook, bus driver and porters to thank and honor their time and talents they have shared with us. We recommend a $100-$150 donation per person collected by a volunteer at the beginning of the trip to be given as a group to them. HEALING OPPORTUNITIES/COCOA LEAF READINGS The shamans may be available on free evenings to do healing work, cocoa leaf readings or despacho ceremonies by individual request. If you choose to participate in one of these you will pay the shaman directly. 4

5 PERSONAL INFORMATION FOR ALL TRAVEL DOCUMENTS PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING TWO FORMS AND MAIL ALONG WITH YOUR FLIGHT ITINERARY TO: Golden Light Healing, 7100 Sundew Road, Sobieski, WI NAME (as in Passport): ADDRESS: CITY, STATE, ZIP: PHONE NUMBER: SECONDARY PHONE NUMBER: DATE OF BIRTH: OCCUPATION: NATIONALITY: PASSPORT NUMBER: EMERGENCY CONTACT PERSON: PHONE NUMBER: 5

6 Release and Assumption of Risk and Responsibility Journey to Peru I (print name): am aware that the program, workshop, journey, retreat, trip, class, activity, teaching that I am about to engage in with Jose Luis Herrera, Rainbow Jaguar Traditions/Expeditions and Amy or David Wilinski, Golden Light Healing, can or may contain risks to my physical, emotional, mental or spiritual self or my belongings. These risks could include, but are not limited to hiking, forces of nature, travel by air, bus, boat, or other modes of transportation, on roads, mountains, waterways, land, accidents, hazards, illness, temperatures and inclement weather which can result in serious injury or death. With even partial payment or consideration of my privilege to participate in the aforementioned activities and services arranged through Jose Luis Herrera, Rainbow Jaguar Traditions/Expeditions and Amy Wilinski, Golden Light Healing, I hereby assume all risks and responsibilities and voluntarily release and waive all claims against them and their affiliates, assistants, officers, directors, employees, teachers, agents, representatives, or any of their family members, and hold them harmless from any and all liability, action, cause of action, debts, negligence, claims, demands, and damages of every conceivable kind or nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, contingent, consequential or otherwise arising out of, related to, or which may be brought by myself or a third party in connection with my participation in the activity or any other activities arranged by, through or with Jose Luis Herrera, Rainbow Jaguar Traditions/Expeditions or Amy Wilinski, Golden Light Healing. This agreement shall serve as a release, assumption of risk and responsibility and hold harmless provision for me, my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, and all members of my family, including any minors. I also understand that photos may be taken during the activities, which may include me, and could be used for future promotion by the aforementioned individual or companies without gain to me. By signing this form, I also agree and understand that all materials presented in Rainbow Jaguar s workshops, expeditions, teleconferences, Web site and any other material are protected by United States copyright law and may not be recorded, reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Rainbow Jaguar LLC, or in the case of third party materials, the owner of that content. Material disseminated is for your personal, noncommercial use only. I have read and agree to these terms and conditions. Jose Luis Herrera, Rainbow Jaguar Traditions, or Amy or David Wilinski, Golden Light Healing, will rely on this release in allowing me to participate in these activities. Date Signature Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian if under 18 years of age Emergency Contact (Name and Phone Number) Rainbow Jaguar Institute, Box 522,Herndon, VA USA rainbowjaguar@msn.com US Toll Free: Peru: or Amy or David Wilinski, Golden Light Healing, 7100 Sundew Road, Sobieski, WI GoldenLightHealing@bayland.net