Peru:
Peru's capital is Lima and has the international airport where your team will land. Peru has
three major geographical areas, the Coast, the Andean mountains and the Rainforest. These 3 areas have
different climates, cultures, and people groups. The official language of Peru is
Spanish, but there are many other languages spoken by the different people groups.
Iquitos:
Iquitos is hot and humid so plan on dressing for hot weather, usually shorts and tee shirts.
There are not to many mosquitos in the city, but the further you go from the center
the more you will find, so bring mosquito repellent, and something for bug bites once
you are bitten. You do not want to appear wealthy so please do not wear jewlery
or fancy clothes.
General Informtion:
When it is Summer in the U.S. it is Summer in the rainforest, which just means less rain,
but it is Winter in Lima, so plan on dressing warm while you are in Lima. Winter in Lima is
cold and cloudy, there is usually a fog over Lima the whole winter. So pack for both
cold and hot weather. Ladies pack t.p., public restrooms here do not supply it, so you have to
carry your own. Like any third world country, watch out for pick pockets and thieves,
always stay in groups to avoid problems.
$80 to $120 = Flight to Iquitos - Each way - There may be deals as low as $64 at times
$22.50 = Hotel - Per person, per day - Room with 2 beds for $25, Room with 3 beds for $35
$18.00 = Food - Per person, per day
$ 5.00 = Transportation - Per person, per day
$ 4.00 = Water - Per case of 12 bottles - each person should drink at least 2 bottles a day, per person
$100.00 = River Ministry - Boat, food and water for the day trip for the whole team.
Costs while in Lima:
$950.00 = Flight to Lima - Approx from LAX depending if direct flight
$30.00 = Food - Per person, per day
$15.00 = Transportation - Per person, per day
$ 4.00 = Water - Per case of 12 bottles
$ 8.00 = Tours - Per Person, per tour
Dollars
Dollars should be in good shape, no tears, no writing on them.
Denominations of $20's, $50's & $100's are easiest to exchange into Soles.
$100 bills with the serial number starting with CB will not be accepted in Iquitos
due to counterfeit bills starting with the same serial number.
The current exchange rate varies between 2.53 & 2.55 soles per dollar, (or 253 soles per $100)
How do we get there?
Lima, Peru's capital is an 8 hour flight from LAX airport.
Iquitos is about a 90 minute plane ride from Lima. The plane ticket cost is about $80 to $120 per
person, each way. There are no longer exit fees. You are only allowed one 50lb. suitcase for domestic flights.
(from Lima to Iquitos). Some airlines will honor your 2 suitcases straight through
to Iquitos, if your flight is within 24 hours.
Prescription medicines, (test all new medicines before leaving)
Things to consider taking:
Malaria Pills
Imodium D
Fanny pack
Things not to take:
Expensive items
Jewelry
Good watches
Candy for the children, unless you also bring toothbrushes and toothpaste for all of them.
Designer clothes (you do not want to appear wealthy)
Medicines:
Check with your Doctor or local Center for Disease Control ,
tell them you will be going to Iquitos, in the rainforests of Peru, and they will
check their chart for what you need. Yellow Fever shots are recommened at this time.
Have any recommended shots weeks before you leave, in case of reaction, do not wait until
the last week before travelling to have your shots.
Imodium D (One person in group should carry some of this)
Pack all necessities like prescription medicines, toothbrush, sweatshirt or light jacket,
Bible, camera, hat in backpack, and carry that on plane with you, in case luggage is lost.
Suitcases; 50 lbs. per suit case: 2 suitcases allowed internationally - only 1 suit case
allowed for domestic flights (to Iquitos). Some airlines will honor your 2 suitcases straight through
to Iquitos, if your flight is within 24 hours.
Test all new equipment, like tennis shoes, a few weeks before travellilng.
Mark all of your teams suitcases with the same bright color using yarn, ribbon etc….
so everyone on your team can easily ID them at airports.
