Before you go on your trip to Peru check these handy travel tips to help make your mountaineering experience more enjoyable
Visas and entry requirements
If you are coming from Australia, New Zealand, US, UK, Ireland or Canada, you do not need a pre-arranged visa. If you are coming from France, Germany, etc. please check with the appropriate authority in your country prior to booking. All travellers are given an Andean immigration card upon arrival. This card should be kept safe and with your passport, and must be presented on departure from Peru. Failure to produce this card may result in delays until a replacement is obtained. Most nationalities are lawfully allowed to stay in Perú for 180 days, however, if you intend to stay longer than 30 days it is recommended that you make this known to immigration when you arrive. They may stamp your passport with a 30 day entry and you may be liable to pay a fine when you leave the country, for each day over your permit.
Passport:
As with most international destinations, your passport must be current and valid for at least 6 months from the date of your departure.
Money
Currency:
Perú uses the Peruvian Nuevo Sol, simply the ‘Sol’.
Approximate exchange rates in June 2019 were:
1 USD = 3.3 Soles
1 EUR = 3.7 Soles
1 AUD = 2.25 Soles
1 NZD = 2.15 Soles
1 GBP = 4.2 Soles
You cannot purchase the Peruvian Sol PEN overseas so you’ll need to arrive with new bills in the major currencies. Old, tattered or torn USD won’t be accepted at the smaller exchanges (which usually have the best rate). Traveling with large amounts of cash in Perú is not recommended. There are numerous ATM’s in Huaraz which accept debit cards, VISA and Mastercard. It’s a good idea to have a mixture of payment facilities. Our trips generally include all expenses except some meals back in town, so it’s a good idea to have about $50USD per day for meals and other miscellaneous costs.
Perú uses the Peruvian Nuevo Sol, simply the ‘Sol’.
Approximate exchange rates in June 2019 were:
1 USD = 3.3 Soles
1 EUR = 3.7 Soles
1 AUD = 2.25 Soles
1 NZD = 2.15 Soles
1 GBP = 4.2 Soles
You cannot purchase the Peruvian Sol PEN overseas so you’ll need to arrive with new bills in the major currencies. Old, tattered or torn USD won’t be accepted at the smaller exchanges (which usually have the best rate). Traveling with large amounts of cash in Perú is not recommended. There are numerous ATM’s in Huaraz which accept debit cards, VISA and Mastercard. It’s a good idea to have a mixture of payment facilities. Our trips generally include all expenses except some meals back in town, so it’s a good idea to have about $50USD per day for meals and other miscellaneous costs.
Insurance
Recommended Cover:
Cover is compulsory on all Peruvian expeditions. Make sure you have both personal travel and high mountain insurance. In order to make best use of the insurance, purchase it as soon as you pay your expedition deposit. First Light Guiding cannot carry the burden for any losses due to cancellation, curtailment or variation from the normal schedule. Please make sure you carry a printed version of your insurance documents with you.
Cover is compulsory on all Peruvian expeditions. Make sure you have both personal travel and high mountain insurance. In order to make best use of the insurance, purchase it as soon as you pay your expedition deposit. First Light Guiding cannot carry the burden for any losses due to cancellation, curtailment or variation from the normal schedule. Please make sure you carry a printed version of your insurance documents with you.
Travel Insurance:
Travel insurance is widely available and easy to obtain. This should cover you in any event related to your travel to and from Peru as well as your entry into the mountains but will not normally include mountaineering. Make sure to purchase the most comprehensive insurance you can find to allow for cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances.
High Mountain Insurance:
Mountaineering Insurance can be acquired from the New Zealand Alpine Club and a number of mountaineering councils. This insurance covers most mountaineering and some restrictions may apply above certain elevations, so check your insurance carefully. Check with the Austrian Alpine Club, the British Mountaineering Council, Dogtag and others.
health and vaccinations
Health:
Staying healthy in Perú is usually as easy as following common sense – Only consume bottled water in town, and don’t drink directly from the streams in the mountains. All water will be boiled for at least three minutes for drinking, dish-washing and cooking purposes. Be vigilant about where and what you eat and that you wash your hands frequently. Carry a small bottle of hand sanitiser for extra security.
Staying healthy in Perú is usually as easy as following common sense – Only consume bottled water in town, and don’t drink directly from the streams in the mountains. All water will be boiled for at least three minutes for drinking, dish-washing and cooking purposes. Be vigilant about where and what you eat and that you wash your hands frequently. Carry a small bottle of hand sanitiser for extra security.
Each expedition requires a medical form to be completed in the presence of your doctor.It’s important that you arrive for your trip in the best possible shape to ensure you get the most out of your adventure. Mountaineering is the best training for climbing mountains, but hiking with your pack laden (15-20kg) on 6-8 hour treks can go a long way in strengthening all the muscles, tendons and ligaments required for a mountain adventure. Regular gym workouts that incorporate balance and endurance such as Cross Fit, Body Attack or kick boxing can also help enormously. Read this in depth insight into peak performance training for mountaineering. Remember also to arrive mentally strong and flexible, gaining adequate rest, stretching daily and double checking your pre trip organization.
Vaccines:
You should check this with your doctor prior to leaving for Perú. It is also recommended that you find out as much as possible from the appropriate authority in your country. All our expeditions are at altitude, eliminating many of the infectious diseases found lower down in the jungle. You may still want to bring mosquito repellent as well as being mindful of other health related issues.
Language
Peruvian Languages:
Spanish is the most widely spoken language in Peru but approximately 13% of the population speak Quechuan as a first language, and many of the people we meet in the mountain villages will be cheerful if you greet them in their own tongue.
Learning as much Spanish as you can will enhance your experience enormously.
Spanish is the most widely spoken language in Peru but approximately 13% of the population speak Quechuan as a first language, and many of the people we meet in the mountain villages will be cheerful if you greet them in their own tongue.
Learning as much Spanish as you can will enhance your experience enormously.
Getting there
Getting to Perú:
Commercial flights to Lima, Perú’s capital, are available from most major hub airports in North America, Europe and other South American countries. Latam operate flights from Sydney via Auckland to Santiago de Chile, where you can pick up a connection to Lima. Air New Zealand operate a daily flight to Buenos Aires with onwards connections to Lima.
Commercial flights to Lima, Perú’s capital, are available from most major hub airports in North America, Europe and other South American countries. Latam operate flights from Sydney via Auckland to Santiago de Chile, where you can pick up a connection to Lima. Air New Zealand operate a daily flight to Buenos Aires with onwards connections to Lima.
Getting to Huaraz:
Huaraz is an 8-9 hour bus ride from Lima and climbs up to 4,000m over a journey of 400km. There are numerous bus companies operating twice daily departures, and you can enjoy the fascinating journey by daytime, or get some rest on the overnight shuttle. Huaraz has a small airport, and there are flights every few days to Lima.
Altitude
The effects of altitude on the body and mind differ greatly from person to person and are often extremely difficult to predict. The best approach to altitude is to acclimatise slowly and ‘climb high, sleep low’, aiming to gain no more than 300m of altitude above where you slept the previous day. Hydration is paramount in the thinner, drier air and eating small amounts, more frequently as opposed to large meals, will also help you avoid nausea and lightheadedness.
Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of altitude sickness, high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) and high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). There is a lot of literature available on line.
Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of altitude sickness, high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) and high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). There is a lot of literature available on line.
Seasons and Weather
The dry season in Huaraz is between May and September. Outside of these months mountaineering it is no longer recommended. From May to September the weather is surprisingly predictable. In the Cordillera Blanca, you can expect temperatures between about 2ºC at night and 20ºC during the day, with very occasional rain. Being at relatively high altitude, the wind can make it feel much colder. In the mountains and at higher altitude, temperatures – both hot and cold – can be extreme.
Groups sizes
Most expeditions are operated with a 1:1 guide to client ratio. The Self Mastery through Mountaineering course is run 1:2. These ratios are lower than many of the other guiding agencies to ensure your complete safety and satisfaction.
Customised private itineraries can be arranged to suit individuals on request.
Customised private itineraries can be arranged to suit individuals on request.
Cultural sensitivity
Travellers are reminded to show respect when visiting cultural, historical and sacred sites. Travellers are subject to local laws and inappropriate and/or indecent behaviour could lead to arrest.
Customized itineraries and photography
The options for climbing routes in the Cordillera Blanca are enormous. There are still many ridges and faces left unclimbed for those willing to venture into remote locations. A tailor made adventure during the typical climbing season (May to Sept) can be arranged to suit your individual requirements. At the conclusion of every trip, I provide you with high-quality photography so that your mountain memories can be shared and savoured again and again. If you wish to hire my photographic services to document a specific trip, I’m more than happy to consult with you.