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Hints, and How to Get There
Planning your travel to / in Peru
We would recommend not to make (too many) pre-reservations (i.e. pre-payments) for your travel in Peru (except for a possible first overnight in Lima after arrival and your course at the EDEAQ), or at least to be fairly reluctant in doing so. – Example: you travel from Lima to Arequipa (by bus or by plane), Arequipa is thus (after Lima) your second stop/destination in Peru. Subsequent to your language study stay at the EDEAQ in Arequipa, a tour to the Colca Canyon as well as to Puno and Cuzco are on your itinerary. We recommend not to book from home hotels (for Puno or Cuzco), transport (bus or flight to Cuzco or Puno), tours (Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, etc.), a car rental (e.g. ex Arequipa) etc. You can make all these reservations when you are here, i.e. from Arequipa, and later from Puno, Cuzco, etc.
Why is this more suitable? 1. It is most likely that you find, once on the spot in Peru, less expensive options, i.e. we can provide pertinent advice in this respect. 2. Our experience says that travellers of all age groups and origins, once in Peru, tend to change their plans or would like to do so, i.e., changing the route or staying more time in one place and less in another. But having booked and prepaid services (accommodations, tours, flights, bus transports, car rentals) from home, it would be a difficult undertaking to cancel or change something and get a refund for something already paid. One of the exceptions in this respect is the EDEAQ: no pre-payment is required, and you can change, in principle, your arrival and/or departure date (i.e. your coursed dates), also at short notice. – Important/Exception: Should you plan to attend an event that normally attracts thousands of visitors (for example the Inti Raymi celebration in Cuzco/Sacsayhuamán, every year between 21 and 24 June), then we recommend to make reservations (accommodations, tours, flights, bus transports, car rentals, etc.) well in advance.
How to get to Peru (Lima) and Arequipa?
Quite a number of European, Latin-American and North American airlines offer regular flights to Peru’s capital city of Lima (Jorge Chávez International Airport [LIM]). In principle, you will always get a flight to and from Lima at short notice - the question is at what price? Please be aware that intercontinental flights to and from Lima tend to be extremely well or often fully booked between July and October as well as in December/January. In the event that your travel plans fall into months other than those mentioned above, it is nevertheless highly advisable to make flight reservations as early as possible.
In particular, during the peak seasons (as mentioned above July to October and December/January), lower cost airlines operate between European hubs (in particular Madrid and Paris) and Lima. Your travel agent and pertinent Internet brokers will be able to provide an overview on these options. From Europe. For students from Europe, the best options are KLM [www.klm.com] (code sharing with Alitalia and Air France), departing Amsterdam at 10.00 h, arriving Lima at 15.45 h (non-stop service) and IBERIA [www.iberia.com] (code sharing with British Airways), departing Madrid at 12.40 h and arriving Lima at 17.35 h or departing Madrid 00.35 h and arriving Lima 06.00 h (both non-stop service). Another option is Lufthansa [www.lufthansa.com] from Frankfurt (dep. 11.30 h) through Caracas (Venezuela) with good LAN or TACA connections (arr. Lima 20.55 h) or through São Paulo (Brazil) (dep. Frankfurt 22.05 h, arr. Lima [following day] 11.45 h). Your travel agent and pertinent Internet brokers will be able to provide information on other options (American, Continental, Delta, Swiss, LAN, etc.), in particular those via the United States (Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Miami, Newark, New York, etc.).
From the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. Students from the United States, Canada or the Caribbean can count on a series of direct flights or good connections through Atlanta, Houston, Miami, Los Angeles, Newark, Toronto, Bogotá (Colombia), Caracas (Venezuela), Mexico City, Quito (Ecuador), Panamá or San José de Costa Rica, operated by carriers such as American, Air Canada, Avianca, Continental, COPA, Delta, LAN, TACA, etc.
From Japan and the Far East. The best option for students from Japan and the Far East are the services provided by Aerolíneas Argentinas, American, Continental, Delta, AeroMexico or LAN (possibly in connection with Japanese or other carriers based in the region) through Los Angeles, Houston, Sidney, Auckland or Mexico City.
From Australia and New Zealand. The best option is LAN from Sydney and Auckland to Santiago de Chile, with good connecting flights to Lima.
From South Africa. The best/only option is South African Airways from Johannesburg to São Paulo (Brazil) or Buenos aires (Argentina), with good connecting flights to Lima. Flights Lima (LIM) - Arequipa (AQP). There are two airlines operating scheduled flights between Lima and Arequipa (flying time one hour and ten minutes), LANPeru [www.lan.com] and Peruvian Airlines [www.peruvianairlines.pe]. Peruvian Airlines is a kind of “low-cost carrier”, while LANPeru is the largest and most reliable Peruvian airline and offers up to eight flights per day between Lima and Arequipa. In addition, it also operates internationally to and from the United States as well as to and from neighbouring Latin-American countries and Europe. – Passengers arriving (i.e. from Europe by KLM or IBERIA) three hours prior to the departure of the last LAN flights to Arequipa (which leave at 19:00 h and 19:45 h respectively), can thus continue their journey to Arequipa on the same day. – Please note that for departing passengers on domestic flights, the Lima airport tax is approximately USD 6.00. ___________________________________________________________________
Flights Arequipa (AQP) - Lima (LIM). There are two airlines operating scheduled flights between Arequipa and Lima (flying time one hour and ten minutes), LANPeru [www.lan.com] and Peruvian Airlines [www.peruvianairlines.pe]. Peruvian Airlines is a kind of “low-cost carrier”, while LANPeru is the largest and most reliable Peruvian airline and offers up to eight flights per day between Arequipa and Lima. In addition, it also operates internationally to and from the United States as well as to and from neighbouring Latin-American countries and Europe. – Please note that for departing passengers on domestic flights, the Arequipa airport tax is approximately USD 6.00.
Change of timetables (domestic flights). Be aware that departure and arrival times of domestic flights in Peru can change at short or without notice, especially in the end of March and in the end of October, when most European countries change from winter to summer time and vice versa. Please check all details with your travel agent or verify them on the corresponding Internet sites. You can, of course, always contact the EDEAQ by e-mail [contact@edeaq.com], so that we can inform about accurate timetables.
Overnight in Lima. In the event that your incoming flight does not allow you to catch a connecting flight to Arequipa on the same day, or you prefer to rest in Lima after a long journey from Europe or Asia, the EDEAQ is more than happy to arrange a reservation for you in a Lima middle class hotel. We suggest two options:
The above mentioned hotels are standard middle class establishments. We will also be happy to assist you in securing accommodation in a four or five star hotel.
Travel documents / Visa
Passport validity. Your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months when you start your trip.
Entry permit regulations. Travellers from the United States, Canada, and most European countries (EU Member States plus Switzerland, Norway. Liechtenstein and others), as well as Israel, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Japan, do not need a visa to enter Peru. Upon arrival you will receive a stamp in your passport which entitles you to a stay of up to 180 days. – EDEAQ’s recommendation: request explicitly 180 days [ciento ochenta días]). The so called tourist card (“Tarjeta de Embarque”) is a form you complete in the plane before arrival (if not, it will be made available at Immigrations), and it must be surrendered when leaving the country. Check that the length of your stay (180 days) is indicated correctly. Be informed that you cannot extend your stay, i.e. after 180 days you have to leave the country and re-enter. Over drafting your 180 days will cost you, when you leave the country, USD 1.00 per day (to be paid in Soles at the exchange rate of the day).
Second document. In addition to your passport, it is highly recommended that you carry a second document of identification, e.g. an ID card as well as photocopies of the most important pages of your passport, which you should keep separate from of your passport. We also recommend that you bring along two recent passport photos.
Money / Change / Credit Card(s)
The Peruvian currency is the "Nuevo Sol," abbreviated "S/.” or officially PEN (caution: the S/. or PEN are also often indicated by the dollar character [$]). Instead of talking about a “Nuevo Sol”, most Peruvians still use the term “Sol” (plural “Soles”). The denominations of the bills are 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10 Soles. There are coins of 5, 2 and 1 Soles as well as of 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 céntimos in current circulation. – The current rate of exchange of the USD (and of other currencies) against the PEN can be asked through Oanda [www.oanda.com/convert/classic].
You should carry a sufficient amount of USD in cash, in small denominations, i.e. banknotes/bills of USD 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 (no Euro and no other European currencies, only US-Dollars). In the event that you do not have an ATM-card, bring enough US-Dollars, either in cash or in Traveller’s Cheques. Important: Do not bring damaged, stained, worn-out, torn, crinkled, etc. banknotes/bills, as they will not be accepted in Peru, and particularly not in Arequipa. – Be aware that changing currencies other than the USD (e.g. € or £) will result in exchange rate losses of approximately 10%.
Do not fully rely on your credit card(s) as your primary means of payment (except for car rentals). It is of course possible to pay with credit cards (Visa, Eurocard/ MasterCard, and, to a lesser extent, American Express) at many places in Peru (in cities and larger towns, but not in the countryside). However, you will often be charged somewhat higher prices than if you had paid cash. It is also quite likely that the discounted or special sales prices advertised are granted only to those who pay cash. In other words, do not be surprised to be told - for instance, in a hotel - that the promotion rate applies to cash payments only, or that the front desk manager has added a five percent "commission" on your bill because you paid by credit card instead of cash, etc.
Please note that the EDEAQ will not accept credit cards. Payments must be made in cash (USD or Soles).
Driving licence / Car rental
Do not forget to bring your driving licence (in case you would like to rent a car), and your credit card(s) for possible rental deposits. It is not necessary to have a so called “International Driving Licence”, your national (or EU) licence will do it.
Before you rent a car through a travel agency at home or online, we recommend that you contact the EDEAQ in order to get pertinent advice.
Your mobile phone / Internet
Most likely, there is a roaming agreement between your mobile phone company at home and at least one of the providers in Peru such as Claro (Telmex) or Moviestar (Telefónica). This means that you will be able to use your mobile phone in Peru. Outgoing and incoming long distance calls will be quite expensive. When using your mobile phone for domestic calls, topped-up local rates will be applied, meaning that you can call from Arequipa to Lima or any other place in Peru (or vice versa) or within Arequipa at topped-up local rates, regardless whether you communicate with a landline or an other mobile number.
The country code for Peru is 51; the area code for Arequipa is 054 (calling from abroad, dial +5154). Other relevant area codes are: Ayacucho 066, Cajamarca 044, Callao 01, Chiclayo 074, Cuzco and Machu Picchu 084, Huaraz 043, Ica 056, Juliaca 051, Lambayeque 074, Lima 01, Iquitos 065, Piura 073, Pucalpa 065, Puno 051, Tacna 052, Trujillo 044.
In the event that you call a mobile phone, the area codes read as follows: Arequipa 05495, Ayacucho 0669, Cajamarca 0449, Callao 019, Chiclayo 0749, Cuzco und Machu Picchu 0849, Huaraz 0439, Ica 0569, Iquitos 0659, Juliaca 0519, Lambayeque 07497, Lima 019, Piura 07396, Pucalpa 0659, Puno 0519, Tacna 0529, Trujillo 04494.
Mobile phones are available for rental or purchasing (in conjunction with the purchase of a prepaid SIM card) at the Lima International Airport and in all larger towns. These options are popular among foreign visitors.
Internet/e-mail. Two desktop computers (with cameras and microphones) plus one laser printer are available. You may also bring your personal laptop and use the wireless network (WiFi). Please note, however, that (possible) (re)configuration of the settings of your laptop to be compatible with our network will be at your expense. – Internet cafes are plentiful in Arequipa and are very inexpensive (less than USD 0.40/€ 0.30 per hour). Hours of operation are usually from 09:00 h to 22:00 h. – Be also aware that EDEAQ’s host families and the hostels/hotels co-operating with the EDEAQ (refer to “Accommodations Plans”) provide internet access.
Electricity
Peru uses 220 volts, 60 cycles AC, except Arequipa, which is on 50 cycles. The major hotels provide 110/220 volt outlets in bathrooms for the use of shavers or hairdryers.
Climate
As a result of its immense geographic diversity and significant differences in altitude, each region in Peru has more or less its own climate pattern, without mentioning a myriad of different microclimates. – The pattern for Arequipa (2330 m / 7,644 ft.) above sea level) reads as follows:
April to October: Winter. Cloudless sky and intensive solar insolation. Day-time temperatures at 14.00 h between 20 °C (68 F) and 25 °C (77 F). Night-time temperatures around 15 °C (59 F), between July and August occasionally lower, i.e. around 10 °C (50 F) or even lower.
November and December: beginning of Summer (“veranillo arequipeño”). The first occasional light rainfalls usually occur in the afternoon (less than 10% probability). In general cloudless sky and intensive solar insolation. Day-time temperatures at 14.00 h between 21 °C (69.8 F) and 26 °C (78.8 F). Night-time temperatures around 15 °C (59 F) or slightly lower.
January to March: Summer, characterised by some precipitation in the afternoons (less than 20% probability), although it is surprising how fast the skies clear up after some rainfall and the sun comes out again. Day-time temperatures at 14.00 h between 22 °C (71.6 F) and 27 °C (80.6 F). Night-time temperatures around 15 °C or slightly lower.
Clothing / Equipment
Throughout any season one will need both warm and light clothing as well as good sturdy shoes and lighter, more urban footwear. Light head cover and rain gear are advisable, and do not forget your swimming suit. For more rustic excursions, e.g. hiking and trekking in the Andes, warm and solid clothing is indispensable, as are hiking boots, and a sleeping bag together with an isolating/sleeping mat (which is normally made available by the operators/outfitters). – Ascent of El Misti and Chachani: warm clothes (that includes thermo underwear with long sleeves, gloves, face protecting cap), plus a knapsack/backpack (min. 60 l), headlamp, electric torch/pocket lamp, binoculars, water bottle, Swiss Army Knife, your personal medical supplies, suntan lotion (with a high protection factor, and lip protection), sunglasses, possibly hiking sticks (hiking poles) (Chachani: the standard route requires crampons and an ice axe).
Being a visitor to Arequipa, dressing like Arequipa middle class people is advisable, applying the “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” principle. At all costs, avoid at multi-coloured flashy clothes or typical (beach or backpacker) tourist outfits during your stay in Arequipa. It is recommended that you dress discreetly and inconspicuously. In any case, please bring at least one elegant, formal dress with appropriate shoes, i.e. suitable for more formal events and surroundings.
Health / Vaccinations
No vaccinations required. For those arriving directly from Europe, the United States, Canada, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, and most Latin-American countries, there are no vaccination requirements; although in general, vaccinations against tetanus, polio, typhoid and hepatitis A are recommended. If you are considering travelling to the Peruvian lowlands, you may consider being vaccinated against yellow fever and taking malaria tablets. – Your medical doctor or a clinic specialising in tropical medicine can advise which (additional) vaccinations and precautions might be required.
Altitude. Travellers who suffer heart or circulation problems are advised to consult their doctor regarding the high altitude, even though Arequipa’s location at 2330 m (7644 ft.) is not considered a critical zone. Usually the human body needs two or three days to get acclimatised to the altitude, meaning to the lower oxygen content in the air. For possible trouble such as “soroche”/altitude sickness (headache and nausea) which are common symptoms during the adjustment phase, there is effective, time-tested and well tolerated medication available at local pharmaceutical chemists. Especially good help is the so-called "mate de coca" (tea from coca leaves).
Jet lag. Students coming from Europe, Israel. Australia, New Zealand, South Africa or the Far East will certainly suffer under the jet lag, i.e. they will feel a bit exhausted and sleepy during their first days in Arequipa until the “inner clock” will have made the necessary adjustments.
Digestive troubles. Please carry sufficient medicine with which you are familiar to cope with stomach/intestinal irritation or digestive trouble in general. However, risks have, in this respect, decreased considerably within the last twenty years thanks to improved hygienic standards and practices.
Insurance
Most private health insurance companies cover health expenses, even in case of short term stays overseas. If you do not have a private health insurance you should get an additional travel insurance. Insurance for your luggage is strongly recommended as well.
What to bring
Arequipa offers quite well stocked supermarkets (food and non-food), department stores of respectable dimensions displaying a fair choice of quality (also international) goods, and small, but rather modern shopping centres, including a large number of specialised shops. In other words: there is actually a lot available (but the variety is less impressive than in Lima), with the exception of tricky, quite special little items, e.g. your particular contact lens solution, any peculiar battery you may need for your camera, etc. Some of these items can eventually be found in Arequipa, but to do so can be very difficult and a time-consuming process, and very often, you hear the phrase “in Lima yes, but not here.” In other words: it is very easy to buy a house or a car in Arequipa (not talking about clothes, shoes, home electronics, etc.), but trying to find the special battery charger for your digital camera that you forgot at home might be a difficult undertaking.
What you should bring along without question: your personal medical supplies (amongst others, diarrhoea tablets you are familiar with), suntan lotion (with a high protection factor, and lip protection), sunglasses, a small alarm clock, a sufficient supply of batteries for your battery-operated electrical devices, and possibly a plug adapter (in Peru, electric outlets correspond to US-American norms, but the voltage is “European”, i.e. 220 V). And do not forget your sports equipment (tennis racket, swimsuit, jogging shoes, etc.).
Your own computer (laptop). If you decide to travel with your own laptop, put it into your carry on luggage or a special computer bag, which will be your “second carry on piece” (airlines allow this). Carry all necessary accessories (external drive, memory stick, battery charger, etc.) together with your laptop, i.e. in the same piece of luggage. – Please note that (possible) configuration of your laptop to be compatible with the network of your host family or your hotel/hostel will be at your expense.
Travel Guide
All the pertinent publishing houses offer travel guides about Peru. We would mention (in alphabetic order) the following: Adventure Guides (Hunter Publishing), Footprint Travel Guides (South American Handbook), Frommer’s Travel Guides, Let’s Go Travel Guides, Lonely Planet, Insight Guides, Rough Guides. – The leading travel guide in German is the Reise Know-How.
Didactic material for your language course
You will receive all necessary didactic material (except a dictionary) for your Spanish classes here in Arequipa, but it goes without saying that you need to supply your own notebooks, pencils, etc.
Your host family / Addresses
The address of your host family or hotel/hostel will be forwarded to you one week before you arrive in Arequipa. Please refrain from calling your host family or your hotel/hostel before you arrival. For any kind of questions that you might have, also related your host family or your hotel/hostel, please contact the EDEAQ, by e-mail or, if urgent, by phone (+51 54 956 82 17 or +51 54 27 25 17 or +51 54 934 26 60).
Security As Peru’s urban centres have swollen, so has petty crime. Pickpockets and thieves have become more and more common in Lima and Cuzco (and recently in Arequipa too), and they are amazingly adept at slitting open shoulder bags, camera cases and backpacks. Security is a relative concept. Given the proper precautions and basic common sense, personal security should not become an issue. The most important rules are: never exhibit values (money, jewellery, etc.) in public! Have your back protected! Concentrate on what you are doing and never do two things at a time! Do not allow yourself to be distracted by individuals telling you that your coat is spotted, that you have dropped your handkerchief, etc.! Avoid contacts with over friendly strangers or nationals who may want to get you involved in criminal deals! Be aware that buying, selling, trafficking or possessing drugs is a crime that may result in a long term prison sentence (up to ten years)! Perhaps the decisive factor related to your personal security, after all, is you - your attitude and behaviour in public, and in particular the way you dress. In the event that you walk through Arequipa in shorts, sandals (possibly without stockings) and a sleeveless undershirt, you will be immediately recognised as a foreigner and thus an extremely visible target for pickpockets and thieves and surprising assaults. Our recommendation is to dress discretely (inconspicuously), i.e. “conservatively”, avoiding flashy colours as well as the typical backpacker-/leisure outfit.
More Hints and Information
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EDEAQ - Escuela de Español Ari Quipay +51 54 27 25 17 or +51 54 95 956 82 17 or +51 54 95 934 26 60 or +51 54 95 999 29 95 Phone (Saturday / Sunday: 09:00 h to 14:00 h and 18:30 h to 21:00 h) +51 54 27 25 17 or +51 54 95 956 82 17 or +51 54 95 934 26 60 or +51 54 95 999 29 95
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