General Information How to Prepare Yourself for our Journey to Peru

Suggestions for your Journey to Peru

IF THE USE OF VITAMINS IS PART OF YOUR EVERY DAY ROUTINE IN LIFE, GOOD FOR YOU! WE HOPE YOU WILL KEEP UP AND STAY WITH YOUR ROUTINE. IF YOU ARE NOT CURRENTLY TAKING VITAMINS, WE WOULD STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT YOU START NOW, SO AS TO BUILD ENERGY AND A STRONGER PHYSICAL IMMUNE SYSTEM. THIS CAN BE ACHIEVED BY TAKING VITAMIN "C" AND "B" EVERY DAY AND THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE DURATION OF YOUR JOURNEY.

IT IS VERY COMMON FOR TRAVELERS TO GET THE FLU OR A COLD WHILE IN PERU. WE BELIEVE THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE FOLLOWING REASONS: ALTITUDE AND WEATHER AND BECAUSE WE EXERT A GREAT DEAL OF PHYSICAL ENERGY WHEN WE WALK. THEREFORE, YOUR BODY WILL NEED AND CONSUME VITAMINS AT A FASTER RATE. THIS IS THE REASON WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A GOOD SUPPLY OF ENERGY BUILT UP IN YOUR BODY AND IN RESERVE, SO PLEASE START AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

1. Vera will be announcing daily, the scheduled time we will be boarding the bus for our days' journeys. It is requested that you arrive ON TIME at our designated meeting place. Please allow enough time before departure for breakfast, exchanges of money, the use of the bathroom, etc.

2. TIME ZONES: Lima is Eastern Standard Time. (Based on Chicago (Central) time: Summer time is the same; Winter time is 1 hour ahead - this varies from state to state).

3. DOCUMENTS: you'll need two important documents during the trip.

a) VALID PASSPORT, no visa is required;

b) IN/OUT PERUVIAN CARD

During the flight to Lima: You will receive a special information card that you will need to complete (please print). Please make sure you press your pen hard enough so your information will appear on both copies. When you arrive in Lima this paper must be presented with your passport at customs. Please pay special attention to the date that customs stamps on your passport, this date should match your arrival date.

The original copy of the IN/OUT CARD you filled out on the airplane will remain with Customs and the second copy will be your I.D in Peru. When you leave Peru you should present the other copy of this document with your passport. Your passport will be stamped again with the date of departure from Customs in Peru. Customs will retain the second copy of the IN/OUT CARD.

4. EXCHANGE: The name of their currency is NUEVO SOL (in English this means the New Sun). Many establishments as well as sole proprietors accept U.S. Dollars. There is no limit of the amount of foreign currency you can take to Peru. Money can be changed at the airport, in most of the banks in the larger cities, in money exchanges and also by money dealers who operate around the busiest streets. Whichever method you choose, be careful to check the money you are given back. This is absolutely necessary in street operations. The US Dollar is the most convenient foreign currency to take with you. Other currencies can only be exchanged in certain banks in the Capital and this is, a very time-consuming operation. If you have Soles left when you leave Peru, you can easily exchange them at the bank in the airport back to dollars.

Travelers Checks: The only place that will exchange your travelers' checks is the banks where you will be charged a fee of 10%. DURING OUR DAY SCHEDULES, WE DO NOT HAVE MANY CHANCES TO GO TO THE BANK. It will be easier if you bring cash (AMERICAN DOLLARS).

5. LUGGAGE: Each passenger must pick up their own luggage at the Peruvian airport. Luggage carts are available. Follow their system of red or green lights passing through customs. If there is a red light, you need to stop and open your luggage. If it is green, you can pass through. After that, exit the airport. Vera will be waiting outside for you. Once outside, you need to leave your luggage cart. A local helper will transport your luggage to the bus. Please follow Vera to the bus and after you verify that your luggage has been placed on the bus, go and sit down inside of this vehicle. A courtesy tip will be expected from you as a gratuity to the helpers. While in the bus, Vera will collect the courtesy tips individually and present it to the appropriate helpers. We than travel to the hotel. Once the bus has arrived at the hotel, make sure that your luggage has been removed from the bus and ensure that your luggage has arrived in the reception area. (Do the same in all hotels during the trip.)

Maximum weight 70 pounds (32kgs) per piece
(including one carry-on piece that fits under your seat
on the plane that can be a maxium of 12x15 inches)

Excess Luggage:
* Luggage allowance in Peru is based on weight;
* Excess baggage will be charged for oversized or overweight luggage.
* US $50 will be charged for each additional piece of luggage.

LUGGAGE Tips:
* Always carry your valuables (medicines, money, valuable documents, jewelry) in your hand luggage;
* Lock your luggage;
* Identify (name and address) your luggage inside and out;
* If your baggage is missing or damaged, report to a Faucett representative before leaving the luggage area.

Restricted Articles:
* Dangerous articles such as compressed gases, flammables, corrosives, explosives, etc., are not permitted on board of aircraft.

6. TIPS: All our tour guides, drivers, helpers and luggage carriers (in/out hotel and airport) are tipped by the individual.

7. YOUR STAY IN THE HOTEL: When you get to your room, please verify that everything is okay and working properly (for instance check the sink, shower, toilet, etc.). In case something is not working properly, please contact Vera or the local tour operator. She will be at the reception area for approximately the first 30 minutes after our arrival to resolve these kind of problems.

8. TEMPERATURE: The temperature in Lima, Ica and Nazca is about 45-55F. Cusco's average temperature during early morning and at night is 40F. During the day the temperature can go up to 65F. In Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, during the day is much like spring with an average temperature of 65F. At night the temperature ranges from 45-55F.

9. ALTITUDE: Lima is sea level. Cusco 12,000 ft. Machu Picchu 9,000 feet.

10. ELECTRICITY: 220 volts, bring adaptor if your appliance runs on 110/120 volts.

11. SHOPPING: You will be able to make purchases during the whole trip. Most hand-crafted items are the same in Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. Lima is normally more expensive. You will have numerous opportunities to buy things in the stores or through street sales. Prices are negotiable. Never buy anything at the first asking price. Please do not shop while on the bus. This will delay our program. You will have many other opportunities to shop so there will be no need to hurry.

12. SECURITY: Never go out walking or shopping by yourself. Use the "buddy system" and always go in a group of two or more. Try not to wear jewelry, as you may lose it. Only carry with you what is absolutely necessary. You can bring a camera or a camcorder but please be careful with it. Always carry with you some money and the Peruvian card. To safeguard your valuables, each hotel provides security boxes for your convenience.

ATTENTION - When you use the safe in the hotel, make sure your valuables are secured in a closed envelope. Seal the envelope with scotch tape and then sign your name between the tape and the paper.

13. OUR AGENCY IN PERU: PERU MYSTIC AND ECOLOGICAL TOURS

14. THINGS YOU WILL NEED:

- passport and copy of passport;

- money and travelers checks or either one;

* Please make sure that your money has no damage to it such as a tiny rip or tear because it will not be accepted.

* Remember there will be a fee of 10% each time you exchange your travelers checks.

- a journey book;

- a pen; or many pens (they make good give away gifts to the natives, and they love it);

- money belt;

- camera/camcorder;

- film and batteries (they are both hard to find in Peru);

- flashlight with extra batteries;

- toiletry: shampoo, soap, toothpaste etc. Ladies please remember to include sanitary napkins/tampons. (The elevation can sometimes affect your menstrual cycle).

- 1 or 2 rolls of toilet paper. A word of caution -- please do not put or flush down the toilet any of your sanitary items or toilet paper at anytime or anywhere in South America. Their waste disposal system is not able to break down these articles, and back up can occur.

- bring your daily medicines. It is advisable and wisely suggested to include in your personal effects (just in case), medicines for the following symptoms: diarrhea, bad digestion, air sickness and headache.

- Enzymes tablets --- High altitude can sometimes affect our digestion. We suggest the use of these tablets since enzymes are a necessary ingrediant for our digestion. Enzymes products can be found at all natural food stores;

- sun blocker;

- mosquito repellent;

- canteen;

- pocket knife;

- medium size carry on; (to be used for packing your personal belongings when we go to our 4 day journey to Machu Picchu/Sacred Valley. Remaining luggage will be place in storage in our hotel in Cusco;

- bathing suit (for the mineral bath in Aguas Calientes);

- sandals (be used when we go to the mineral bath);

- sweatshirt and sweatpants - provide added comfort and flexibility in our hiking agendas;

- extra t-shirts, underwear and socks (enough for the entire trip). Laundry facilities are not available;

- sweaters, gloves and scarfs. Peru is know for itıs exquisite knit handiwork. Perhaps you may decide to purchase these items there, as there will be a beautiful selections to chose from.

- windbreaker with a hood or parka;

- earmuffs;

- 2 pairs of comfortable walking shoes - very important;

- a raincoat or a poncho;

- a present (something personal that has your energy as we will be making an offering to Pachamama, the 'Mother Earth', in one of our ritual in Machu Picchu);

- If you have a drum, a rattle or any other musical instrument, feel free to bring it with you. It can be used in our rituals and celebrations.

- If you have a personal POWER OBJECT, this journey is an opportunity to bring it with you to be energized and recharged at several POWER PLACES AND TEMPLES we will be visiting.

- For our Sunrise Ritual in Machu Picchu we suggest that everyone dresses in YELLOW. Remember that it will be cold around 5:30 a.m. (the time we will be leaving our hotel to go to Machu Picchu for our Sunrise Ritual). After we finish our Ritual we will be walking and exploring Machu Picchu. By 10:00 a.m., the weather will start to warm up. A sweatshirt, with a light t-shirt underneath and sweatpants, is suggested. As the day gets warmer, you can take off your sweatshirt and continue the rest of the day with your light t-shirt.

15. NUTRITION: Only drink bottled water. Bottled water is available and can be purchased in many locations. Foods such as red meat, eggs, raw onions and fat foods, should be avoided. Foods of this nature are difficult to digest while in high altitude. Food such as soups, vegetables creams, potatoes, corn, rice, pasta, and pizza are a better choice.

Bring your favorite snacks with you such as dried fruits, snacks, "power bars", chocolates, etc. Usually we choose to spend more time in the temples rather than stop for lunch .

16. SUGGESTION: The Peruvian people are very poor and in desperate need of clothing, shoes or anything you have outgrown. Your charity would be greatly appreciated and humbly accepted. The CHILDREN are especially delighted and joyful with any small gift such as toys, candies, pens, pencils, school material, etc. Usually what we personally do before our departure, is make a special visit to a store called "Every thing for One Dollar". There you will find a great variety of gifts for the children such as look-alike Barbie dolls and a wide assortment of cars, trucks and many other small items, all for $1.00.

To see the children of Peru, their eyes light up which are so expressive and to feel and share in their delight and joy is an undescribable experience in itself. An experience you will always remember. For Vera, itıs a treasured and magical moment, one in which she feels that she has received much more than she have given, and it will be the same for you too!

17. GENERAL JOURNEY ETIQUETTE: In consideration and respect for all of our passengers, alcoholic beverages and smoking are not permitted on our transport vehicles.

18. PASSPORT & VISAS: A valid passport must be carried at all times. No Visa is required for Peru.

19. VACCINATION: Vaccinations are not required to travel to Peru. However, we do advise each passenger to contact their local health department. Please state the country and cities you will be visiting. The health dept. will confirm if any vaccinations are necessary at that time.

VJ Enterprises Attn: Vera Lopez Shapiro 9324 Home Court Des Plaines, IL 60016 (USA) Phone/Fax: (847) 699-9701 lopezshapiro@hotmail.com

This page was designed exclusively for VJ Enterprises by Don Bright ©1996 A Bright Design