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WHO TRAVELS WITH AMAZONAS EXPLORER?
From wonderfully differing backgrounds and countries, our genuinely small groups of 4 – 16 clients, typically share a passion for the outdoors, a healthy appetite for adventure and a love of the good life. No previous experience is necessary for any of our trips unless specified in the adventure
RECOMMENDED READING
The White Rock or Cochineal Red - Hugh Thomson
Last days of the Incas – Kim MacQuarrie
Exploring Cusco - Peter Frost
Field guide to the birds of Machu Picchu - Barry Walker
The birds of Peru – Clive Byers
A Neo-tropical Companion -John C.Kricher (1997 [second edition] Princeton University Press)
A Guide to the Birds of Colombia - Stephen Hilty & William Brown (Princeton University Press)
The bridge of San Luis Rey - Thornton Wilder
Conquest of the Incas - John Hemmingway
The Inca Trail - Richard Danbury
Heart of the Amazon – Yossi Ghinsberg (Macmillan 1999)
Running the Amazon - Joe Kane
Into the forests of the night - John Simpson
Touching the Void - Joe Simpson
Inca Kola – Matthew Parris
Inca Gold - Clive Cussler
Realm of the Incas – Max Milligan
Manu or Where the Andes meets the Amazon – Andre Baertschi & Kim MacQuarrie
Senor Vivo and the Coca Lord by Loius de Bernieres
Exploration Fawcett - Colonel Percy Harrison Fawcett (Century 1988)
WHAT INNOCULATIONS DO I NEED?
A doctor should always be consulted for the latest information and what is suitable for you.
Generally: Polio, Tetanus, Hepatitis A.
Jungle Areas only: Yellow fever and Malaria
Local Epidemics: Typhoid and Cholera
There is a very effective dog rabies vaccination program in Peru but if remote Mountain biking or trekking is to be undertaken Rabies vaccines should be considered. In emergencies this is available locally.
WHAT IS AN AVERAGE TREKKING DAY?
Wake up call at 0600 with a cup of tea and bowl of water for washing. You then have one hour to pack up your rucksack before breakfast at 0700. This enables the porters to take down your tents whilst you are eating.
0730 Start trekking.
1100 Snack break
1230 – 1330 Lunch break
1530 Arrival at camp. The porters will have set up camp and have hot drinks and snacks waiting.
1800 Three-course dinner and hot drinks
Trekking is at a leisurely pace with plenty of time for rests and exploring the ruins on route. This itinerary is flexible depending on the weather and group health.
WHAT IS AN AVERAGE RAFTING DAY?
0700 Wakeup call and time to pack up gear and tents.
0800 Breakfast whilst guides load kit on the rafts.
0830-0900 Begin rafting
1100 Snack time
1230 – 1330 Lunch break
1530 Stop rafting and set up camp
1800 Dinner
Rafting is at the speed deemed safe by the raft guides at the water conditions at the time. Plenty if time is allowed for portaging/walking the rapids deemed to dangerous to run.
WHAT IS AN AVERAGE BIKING DAY?
0700 Wakeup call and time to pack up gear and tents.
0800 Breakfast and load support truck.
0830 Begin Biking
1230 – 1330 Lunch break
1530 Stop Biking & set up camp
1800 Dinner
This itinerary is flexible depending on the weather and group health.
WHERE DO I STORE ALL MY RAFTING GEAR WHILE BIKING?
All excess gear may be stored in either the Hotels, support vehicles or in the Amazonas Explorer deposit whilst on alternative activities.
WHAT TYPE OF ACCOMMODATION SHOULD I EXPECT?
A 4* Hotel is used on arrival in Lima. All other hotels are clean and functioning 3* Hotels with laundry service, hot water & cable TV standard in Cusco, Puno & Arequipa. Further afield we use charming local hostals where standards vary but our aim is to provide a comfortable bed, clean rooms and hot water where available.
WHAT DIETARY REQUIREMENTS DO YOU PROVIDE FOR:
All dietary requirements from vegans, Lacto-allergies and general dislikes can be catered for so long as prior warning is given when booking the trip.
HOW MANY PEOPLE IN A RAFT?
We pride ourselves on our high guide to passenger staff ratio.
Optimal weather and water conditions would give four or six passengers in paddle rafts (raft size depending). We do not pack eight people into any raft. In high water Oar frames are used for extra safety, these may have two or four passengers. Tail frames are also often used to provide more safety.
WHAT WASHING / TOILET FACILLITIES ARE PROVIDED ON TRIPS?
Camping toilets and toilet tents are provided on all but the remotest expeditions.
On the rafting the river is generally used for washing and clean water supplied for drinking and teeth brushing.
On the Inca trail bowls of hot water are supplied in the morning and night. Clean hand washing water is available at all meal times.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO?
The dry season is considered April – October.
The trips in November and December are chosen with slightly wetter, warmer weather in mind.
The rainy season is considered January to Mid-March and Amazonas Explorer do not operate camping trips in these months. The Inca Trail is closed in February to prevent erosion in the rainy season. However no guarantees are given for perfect weather at any time of year.
WHAT DO I DO IN MY FREE TIME IN TOWNS?
Your guides will advise you of all possible options during the trip. Cusco has an abundance of good artisan markets, local ruins, internet cafes, bars, restaurants and night-clubs. Sleeping and reading books is also popular between activities.
WHAT IS THE MINIMUM / MAXIMUM AGE?
The minimum age for the most adventure trips is sixteen years. Occasionally younger clients can be taken prior previous consultation with Amazonas Explorer.
Private trips can be arranged for passengers and friends under sixteen years old.
There is no maximum age limit but individuals are asked to be realistic of their capabilities when choosing an adventure trip.
Family trips are specifically aimed at ten to eighteen years olds travelling with their parents. However we can customize family trips for just about any age and even have equipment for babies and toddlers if required/ we can even provide nannies and baby sitters.
WHAT MEDICAL PROBLEMS ARE CONSIDRED A RISK?
Most of the adventure trips are at altitudes greater than 2,800m where altitude effects can be felt.
Altitude tends to aggravate any pre-existing medical condition. Travellers with anemia, lung conditions, heart conditions, aneurisms, thrombosis and high blood pressure should check with their doctors before undertaking travel at altitude.
A multi-activity adventure with no altitude involved is the Christmas TUMBES trip.
WHAT IS THE CURRENCY?
The Peruvian New Sol is the current currency. US Dollars can be used in most restaurants (at a poorer exchange rate). UK pounds and Euros are not recommended.
Current exchange rates (as of Nov 2009):
1GBP = 5.3 soles 1US$ = 2.85 Soles
WHAT MONEY CHANGING FACILLITIES ARE AVAILABLE?
All large towns and airports have ATM’s that accept Credit (Visa preferred) & normal bank cards (Connect, Cirrus).
Banks will accept paper credit card withdrawals – but the hours and queues are annoyingly unsociable.
Money changing houses are available in all towns. US Dollars are the preferred currency; GB Sterling is not widely accepted.
Out of towns try to have as many small coins and notes as possible as change is not widely available.
WHAT LANGUAGES ARE SPOKEN IN PERU?
The official language is Spanish.
Quechua, the language of the Incas, has finally received some official status and is widely used in the mountains. Aymara is the language of the mountain people of Lake Titicaca and Bolivia.
The jungle tribes have their own dialects.
English is not widely spoken outside the tourist industry & the normal tourist routes.
WHAT IS THE INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL FLIGHT BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE?
International flight allowances vary between 20kg and 64kg – please check with your ticket agent.
National flights generally have baggage weight restrictions of between 20-kg per passenger. Passengers are responsible for their own excess baggage charges. These are currently $2.50 per kilogram. We always try to book the most lenient airline for passengers travelling with bikes or extra baggage if notified at the time of booking. Hand luggage is also strictly controlled and must not weigh more than 8kg nor be much bigger than a small day-pack. Security is tight in the airports so remember to pack any pocket-knives, tools and sharp objects in your check-in luggage.
WHAT IS THE ORIENT EXPRESS TRAIN BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE?
Orient express have introduced a new baggage allowance. Only 5kg day-packs of total dimensions <157cm are allowed to travel with you in the train carriages. Extra baggage will be carried on a separate train at the discretion of Orient express. Excess baggage train times 0853 to Machu Picchu and 1400 return to Ollantaytambo; costs $1.80/kg after 10kg .
HOW OFTEN IS THE MACCHU PICCHU TRAIN CANCELLED?
Orient Express has a virtual monopoly on the trains to Machu Picchu and Puno and charge and do exactly what they want. All trains are cancelled at the first sign of Industrial action and clients must apply for alternative trains. If a train is not full they also cancel these trains and place clients on other trains of Orient Express’s choice. Time-tables, costs and rules are changed regularly at short notice. Passports are required to travel with your ticket or you will be asked to disembark.
WHAT ELECTRICITY SUPPLY IS THERE?
220V, 60Hz, American Style two-pin plugs
WHAT SHOULD I TIP IN PERU?
Generally in restaurants you only tip if the service is good up to 10% of the cost of the meal.
Hotel porters may receive a tip again if you believe they have provided a good service.
Street children & other beggars in the country. We believe in paying only for services rendered, helping with water bottles, directions or posing for photographs. There are some ladies in Cusco whose occupation is posing for photographs in full traditional costume with Llamas, this is their livelihood and payment is required for photographs.
A rough tip system has been set for the guides & porters. This varies with service, length of trip & size of group.
The North American influence has led the Inca Trail porters to expect around 100 - 200 soles / $60 per person split between them in the following way:
Drivers / Porters $10-$15
Head porter/ toilet carrier / Assistant cook $20
Head cook $40-$50
Other tips possible are:
Drivers $10-$15
Day guides for Biking, Rafting & Cultural tours $20
Inca Trail / Raft Guide / Bike guide /Tour Conductor $60-$100
Most good sporting equipment is unavailable in Peru. Equipment given in lieu of a cash tip is very much appreciated.
HOW CAN I STAY IN TOUCH WITH HOME?
The office may be contacted directly in case of emergencies. There are numerous Internet cafes in Cusco for e-mailing home, direct dial phone cards are widely available and telephone calls can be made from most hotels. Tri-band cellular phones also work in the major cities. On remote expeditions we carry a satellite phone but this is exclusively for emergency use. Wifi is available in most major towns.
HOW SAFE IS PERU?
Petty theft is wide-spread with thieves being quick and clever, most of the time people are unaware they have been robbed until later. Being vigilant with possessions, use a money belt, hooking your rucksack through your leg whilst sitting at tables and checking in and not carrying expensive items of value on display late at night in busy markets and stations avoids most losses. At night in towns the normal street rules apply so do not walk alone. Ensure any taxi your take is an official taxi. In your rooms and campsites keep valuables hidden to avoid temptation. On the whole Peru is still safer than most European cities. If you are really worried about loosing anything precious then leave it at home.
HOW CAN I WORK FOR AMAZONAS EXPLORER?
We do occasionally employ ‘Western’ river guides. The necessary qualifications include:
1. Fluent Spanish speaking.
2. Wilderness first aid qualification.
3. Swift-water rescue qualification.
4. Current Peruvian residency or work permit.
5. Existing local knowledge.
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