US citizens traveling to PeruAbout Chavin de Hauntar Hotel check in If
Cielle or Jeffrey are not able to meet you at the front desk, please
check yourself in. We will make your reservation. You will pay for your room.
Meals Breakfast and Lunch: on the days we have ceremony, eat a light breakfast; we will not eat lunch. Dinner is included on the nights we have ceremony. You will buy your own meals on the days we do not have ceremony. You will want Peruvian soles
for buying meals in Chavin. The restaurants in Chavin are not likely to accept dollars or credit cards. There is an ATM machine in the bank on the Plaza de Armas, a 2 min walk from our lodging, so you will be able to use a debit card to withdraw soles. Most ATM machines in Peru charge about $7 for each transaction so it is best to plan ahead rather than withdraw funds frequently. To plan for this
expense, count up the number of meals you are likely to eat,
in light of your arrival and departure plans. Our itinerary page will help you determine the days we will not have ceremony. Those are the days you will want to eat out.
Money The
Peruvian currency is the ‘Sol’. The current exchange rate is (as of January 2016) approx. 3.2 soles per 1 US dollar. There are many ‘cambios’ or money changing places in the Lima airport. We find the exchange places in the Lima airport offer good exchange rates. At various and unpredictable points in your journey you may encounter local people offering handcrafts, textiles and simple jewelry. If you want to make a purchase from them, you'll need to bring extra soles along to make your purchase.
Options for obtaining Soles or exchanging Dollars into Soles ATM machines - We strongly recommend that you bring a debit card with you. ATM machines are found in most cities and are an easy way to obtain Soles. Exchange rate is generally good. No lines, 24 hour availability. Clearly marked machines are even sometimes available at open air markets. You will probably be charged the equivalent of $7 per transaction. You will be able to withdraw either US dollars or Peruvian Soles from an ATM machine. We recommend that you withdraw Soles for use in Peru. If you withdraw US dollars you will then have to find a "cambio" to exchange them to Soles. Please let you bank know that you will be traveling in Peru. If they do not know this ahead of time they may put a block on your account when they see credit or debit card use happening abroad. Cash
Travelers checks – very safe but it can be very difficult to find a place that accepts them. Generally only exchangeable at a bank. This is time-consuming as there are frequently very long lines at banks and banks are not always open. You will probably pay a 1% commission to your US bank to purchase travelers checks as well as a commission to exchange them. We do not recommend travelers checks as your primary means of funds. Expect to bargain the price of almost everything from cab rides to souvenir purchases.
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Being only slightly south of the equator, the temperature is fairly consistent and pleasant year round. June is during the dry season. We are unlikely to have rain that time of year but it is still possible.
Daily high in October is 85 Fahrenheit
Night time low in October is 65 Fahrenheit
Sun hat and sun screen are recommended
Altitude
The altitude is about 10,430 feet above sea level. For those who know that they have difficulty adjusting to altitude we have several recommendations.
- Upon arrival at high altitude rest and refrain from eating but keep hydrated. This is especially important if you are tired from traveling.
- Chlorophyll drops - This helps build red blood cells to increase oxygen pick up and transfer in the body. Best to start with 1 full dropper full in water 3 times a day 3 week before reaching high altitude and continued at high altitude. You can also find this product in gel caps.
- Alka-Seltzer (original formula) can help with the effects of altitude
- Coca tea and Coca leaves - Most restaurants in the Andes will have coca tea on their menu. The coca tea is very good for adjusting to altitude. Another tea that we consider second best for altitude is Munya tea (probably spelled with a Spanish "n" will a "tilda" over it). Chewing coca leaves is also very good. Jeffrey can help you find a storethat sells the leaves.
- Prescription medication - some prefer to bring high altitude prescription medication with them
- Acclimatizing at a lower altitude of 7,000-8,000 for 3-4 nights before traveling up to Chavin. Jeffrey and Cielle have suggestions for this if you are interested.
Attitude
Your most important resource, and your gift to those around you. Advance preparation encouraged ... trust and commitment essential.
What to bring
Keep in mind that we are likely to be in places with stairs, cobble stone roads, etc. In other words, areas where wheeled suitcases will need to be carried. Best to pack lightly as there may be times when no one can help you carry your bag. Keeping "light packing" in mind, start with whatever you'd usually take on a trip away from home: Your personal clothing, toiletries, writing paper and pen, etc.
On ceremony nights we will spend the night on Jack's property. Jack has many inflatable sleeping pads and lots of heavy wool blankets.
Our sleeping options will include:
- by the fire, under the stars
- under the covered dining area
- in a small straw "hut" - Jack has about 6 of these. Couples can easily share one.
- in your own tent - you are welcome to bring your own tent if you prefer.
Here are items specific to this area and this trip.
- Refillable water bottle
- Flashlight. (You'll need a light to move around at night)
- Light-weight shirts
- Long pants
- Jacket for cool nights
- Sunscreen
- Light-weight hat for protection from sun
- Comfortable closed shoes for mountain walks and hikes
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad (if you will bring your won tent)
- Extra batteries for your flashlight
- optional - high altitude remedies (see suggestions above)
- optional - small water filter or SteriPen
- optional - camera
- optional - bathing suit - there are thermal baths in Chavin
- optional - musical instrument, rattle or drum (later in the night of ceremonies you may want to share some music with us)
- optional - sacred medicine bundle, mesa or sacred objects
Telephone service
There's
no phone service at the hostel.
Unless you have an international plan with your cell phone (these are now pretty common), your US cell phone will not work in Peru. If
you do have an international cell phone, you will probably need to
purchase a special Peruvian "chip" or SIM card in order to make and
receive calls to and from your cell phone. These chips can be purchased
at most cell phone stores in Peru for less than $15. As of April, 2012 you can purchase a Peruvian
SIM card for an internationally compatible cell phone at the airport of
Lima, close to the entrance of the national terminal by the food court. You may also have to purchase minutes for your phone.
If you buy a SIM card and cell phone minutes in Peru, make sure the shop you purchase it from gets it set up and working, especially if you do not speak Spanish.
We do not recommend renting a phone while you are in Peru unless you plan to make calls to phones in Peru or check that the rental phone is capable of making international calls. Be sure to check the price of international calls from a rented phone. They can be very high.
The two cell phone service providers in Peru are Movistar and Claro.
Electrical current and outlets
In Peru:
Current is 220 volts opposed to the US where it is 120 volts.
- The power cords for most laptop computers include a rectangular shaped power supply that accepts voltage ranging from 100-240 volts. The power supply should state the voltage range.
- You may research and purchase step down converters on-line for under $20. There are a variety of these converters suitable for different types of appliances.
The wall receptacles are generally the same shape as the 2 prong receptacles one finds in the US.
- There are rarely 3 prong receptacles (that 3rd prong is the grounding prong). A 3 to 2 prong converter may be useful if your appliance uses a 3 prong power cord. These are readily available in hardware sections of discount stores in the US
- Some outlets in Peru, only accept a plug with round prongs. We have purchased adapters for this situation in hardware stores in Peru for very little cost.
Also recommended is a portable surge-protector; the current is less stable than in the US.
Emergency contact information
To be posted
Tips
While
it is true that Peruvians are not big tippers, tipping is a great way
to show your appreciation to the people serving you and to have your
dollars go straight into the pockets of the people who need it most. A
10% tip will be warmly accepted at any restaurant and will put a
surprised smile on a person's face.
Taxi drivers do not expect tips. Fares are negotiated prior to initiating the trip. DO confirm the fare when you get in the cab.
Hotel porters and bell boys expect a tip of $1 (3 soles) per bag.
Clean unblemished dollar bills are readily accepted as tips - I generally bring 20 one dollar bills for this purpose
Language
Peru's official languages are Spanish and in certain areas Quechua and Aymara. For many living outside of large cities, Spanish is their second language.
Time zone
Peru does not adjust for Daylight Savings. During the months that the US applies Daylight Savings Time , the time in Peru is the same as the Central Daylight Time in the US. This is the time zone that Chicago is in.
Photographing the People of Peru
Ask permission first and give those you have photographed a tip following taking their photograph. 1 Sol per person is adequate.
Public Restrooms
There
is generally a charge of 1 Sol to use public restrooms. Toilet paper is
not always available in public restrooms, even in restaurants. It is a good idea to bring
some with you.
Airport taxes:
Usually
the airport taxes have been added to the price of your airline ticket.
If airport taxes are not pre-paid then you will pay
them at the airport. These taxes can be paid in Soles or US dollars at the airport.
Lima to US - $30.
Travel Insurance
You may want to purchase travel insurance before departure. It is perfect protection in case you have to cancel your trip, miss a flight, return home early or need to seek emergency medical treatment while traveling. It must be purchased before you leave for your trip. I have purchased it in the past from www.travelguard.com