ARRIVING IN PERU

Volunteers arriving in Peru will land at Lima International airport and will then connect to an internal flight through to the Puerto Maldonado. In Puerto Maldonado a member of the Projects Abroad team will be waiting for you. You will then have a brief stay to adjust to the humidiy and recover from the jet lag before moving on to your final destination deep in the jungle.

If you are doing a joint project, with conservation as the second project, then a flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado will be bought for you by a member of Projects Abroad staff whilst you are in Peru.

Note: For those volunteers arranging their own flights it is important to inform Projects Abroad of your travel details at least six weeks prior to your arrival in Puerto Maldonado, Peru.

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DEALING WITH MOSQUITOES

You are certain to encounter biting insects. The majority of bites can be avoided by using common sense. In fact in the dry season (Jun-Oct) one is seldom bothered by the bugs. The worst time for mosquitoes is dusk so long-sleeves and repellent should be used at this time. In addition to this it would be recommended to use repellent on treks and for time spent in one place observing the wildlife.

As for types of repellent then clothes and mosquito nets can be sprayed with 100% DEET. However this is not a pleasant chemical and for use on your skin you should try to find a repellent with no more than 50% DEET. In some cases DEET can cause skin irritations and other alternatives are repellents that contain citrinella oil (eg Mosiguard). Mosquitoes appear to have a repulsion to Vitamin B and many visitors to the jungle find that the use of vitamin supplements reduces their susceptibility to being bitten.

A traveller on a short visit would be very unlikely to catch malaria - it is not common in most parts of the Amazon. However we recommend taking an appropriate course of prophylactics as suggested by your doctor. Remember to tell the doctor if and where you plan to travel after leaving the jungle as this may dictate the type of medication prescribed.

In conclusion, any visitor to the rainforest is going to be bitten at some point but with common sense and a few practical tips the mosquitoes need not be a major problem.

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MONEY FACTS

It is recommended to bring most of your spending money in US dollars cash and travellers cheques. Traveller's cheques can be cashed in major towns and cities, including Puerto Maldonado, but it would be sensible to change $50 worth into Soles, the local currency, when you enter the country. There is a bank with an ATM machine in Puerto Maldonado that accepts VISA cards but not Mastercard.

For day-to-day living you'll probably want between £30 and £40 a week, but with the option of spending much less. When travelling in Peru you should, as a rough guide, allow £80 and £100 for a week's quite comfortable touring. You could do it for a great deal less (these sums are high to most Peruvians) or a lot more if you want to stay in expensive hotels.

Household goods and toiletries are half the UK price and a meal in a small restaurant will leave you with change from £3. Alternatively, a good meal in a modest hotel might cost £6.

It is difficult to open a bank account in Peru, but it is possible to find a good safe-deposit.

Major credit and debit cards are accepted in big towns and cities and can be used for cash withdrawal. VISA is the most widely accepted.

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WHAT TO TAKE

It may be possible to get many things that you need in the larger towns, but essential personal items should be taken with you.

You may prefer to travel light, but whatever you do, don't forget a pair of binoculars (8 x 40 are best, but not essential).

Clothing

Volunteers will need to take sheets and a pillowcase and a mosquito net will also be a good idea if you have one already; although these can be purchased locally on arrival. You may decide to bring a light sleeping bag as it can sometimes get chilly at night. This is an especially good idea if you plan to continue travelling in Peru after your placement.

Clothing should be lightweight and dry quickly. A pair of synthetic or cotton (Please note that some people are prone to heat rash wearing synthetics in a humid climate) athletics trousers are light enough to stop you getting hot and sweaty and long enough to keep the insects off. They also reduce the chances of scratches and infections when out on the jungle trail. Even better are trousers designed specifically for the hot humid conditions (eg Berghaus, North Face, Lowe Alpine..)

Two or three lightweight cotton-mix shirts/blouses with long sleeves are ideal. Also take a few t-shirts or tops to wear when you are not on the move and a lightweight jumper to keep the occasionally chilly nights bearable.

Shorts are good for time spent around the lodge and in the drier periods of the year can be used for trekking also.

Stout walking boots are recommended and in some cases rubber boots will also be appropriate although smaller sizes can be bought once out in Peru. (Rubber boots will be essential for the wet season (Oct- April/May).

When you are not trekking, rubber sandals give your feet a breather and are good for tramping around boats, towns and villages.

Take a swimsuit or shorts if you like swimming, plus something to cover your shoulders in case of sunburn.

A lightweight, compact raincoat or poncho is good for the inevitable downpour and a broad-brimmed hat offers protection from the sun.

If you plan to visit Cusco or Lima so you ought to take a smartish set of clothes for posher restaurants and functions. A pair of casual trousers and a shirt, or separates and/or a dress along with a pair of clean shoes that will get you into most restaurants.

In some Andean cities the altitude can make it quite chilly at night so you'll need to take a jacket or fleece if you're staying there.

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Arriving in Peru | Dealing with Mosquitoes
Money Facts | Suggested Reading | What to take

ARRIVING IN PERU

DEALING WITH MOSQUITOES

MONEY FACTS

SUGGESTED READING

WHAT TO TAKE