Proyecto Peru helps you with the preparation for your trip to Peru. Below we have listed the most important subjects.
How long does the trip to Peru take?
Peru is a very big country, about 2.5 times bigger than France. So be aware of your travel preparation, and that it takes a lot of time to travel these distances. Between the coast and the inner land lies the Andean chain. There are some peaks between 3,000 and 4,000 meters (if not higher!) That you have to cross.
From Lima to Cusco you have to expend 24 hours by bus (or 1.5 hours by plane). If you take the bus, it is recommended to make some stops along the way, such as in Ica, where you can see the Nazca lines, and Arequipa.
Preparation for the journey: Where are you going? And when?
Now it is about determining the weather in the different regions during your journey. Let me remind you that Peru is in the southern hemisphere. The seasons are, in comparison to Europe and North America, exactly the opposite.
On the coast
In the coastal regions, the hottest months are between December and February and the coldest between June and August. This means that even in these months the temperature fluctuates between 15º to 20°C.But you should know that in Lima is foggy between May and September. That can be a bit depressing, right?
In the Andes
Between December and April it is rainy season in the mountains. It is then 15º to 20°C during the day, but at night it is chilly and you should wear a cardigan and a hat. Travel during the rainy season should be reconsidered, as there may be landslides. This is not necessarily dangerous, but it can block some roads. Thus, you may get in trouble with your planned itinerary.
The right time of year to travel in the Andes is between May and October, when it does not rain anymore. Usually the mountains are cloudless and you can take beautiful pictures. The weather during these months ranges between 20ºC during the midday and below 0ºC at night.
In the Amazon
Here is also rainy season between December and April and when it rains in the Amazon, it can quickly lead to floods. So stay here between May and October, if you have the chance to go deep into the jungle and play Indiana Jones!
Vaccinations before you travel to Peru
This point is easy to check off in your preparations. To travel to Peru, you do not need special vaccinations. But your vaccination certificate should be up to date and universal vaccines such as diphtheria, tetanus, polio, pertussis and hepatitis B should be available.
If you travel to the Amazon, it is recommended that you have a vaccine against yellow fever. Depending on how long you plan your trip, you plan the vaccine against typhoid and hepatitis as well.
Proyecto Peru also recommends to take out a travel insurance with return transport for your Peru trip.
What do I pack in my suitcase for Peru?
Of course, that also depends on which regions you will travel to. We recommend traveling as you will take a lot of bus and public transport in Peru. Since the climate is often unpredictable, consider the following equipment:
- Good hiking boots.
- A hat or cap and sunglasses.
- A raincoat and warm clothes for the night.
- Short pants or pants that you can take off, T-shirts.
- Shirts made of a material that allows perspiration to pass through.
- Warm jacket and good socks to avoid blisters.
- A wool hat for cold nights (which you can also buy locally).
- Sunscreen and anti-mosquito cream.
- All personal medicines.
- Outside the cities, it is not always common in Peru to find toilet paper. Also remember to throw your used toilet paper not in the toilet, but in the appropriate bin.
Necessary medicines
Of course, all major cities in Peru have pharmacies. There you will find all the necessary elements for a basic first aid kit. So you do not have to take so much yourself. However, if you follow a certain treatment, it is better to bring your own medication.
Altitude sickness
Altitude sickness depends on you (and it has nothing to do with your physical condition). It may be that you have altitude sickness from a height of 2500 m. The symptoms are headache, nausea, and possibly loss of appetite.
If you follow some rules, the altitude sickness should be over after 2 days. Do not exercise, eat healthy and light, drink a lot and take a deep breaths. It is said that coca leaves help to chew, but this is not the case for everyone. If your condition does not improve, it is recommended to leave the altitude and descend, until you feel better. After that you can slowly get back up.
Have we missed any important subjects that you might like to know? Let us know by writing a message below!
Translated and adapted from Phima Voyages