Peru

Cusco to Manu

• November 2018
  • Trip Report
  • Species List
• October 2022 (Machu Picchu Extension List)
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• October 2023
  • Species List

Northern Peru

• July 2019
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• July 2022
  • Species List
• October 2022
  • Species List
• July 2023
  • Species List
  • Trip Report

This information is important for being prepared for your journey; we want you to have the best experience possible. If you only read one section, this one is key!

Ahead of Your Tour

• Make sure your passport will be valid at least six months after the date of your scheduled return to the U.S. Travelers with a U.S. passport do not need to apply for a visa. It is free and issued at the port of entry. If you are from another country, please contact the Peru embassy website for guidelines.
• Please check current CDC recommendations for travel to Peru and consult with your doctor about general travel vaccinations you should have as precaution for travel. See the “Health and Inoculations” section below.
• Travel insurance in case of serious medical emergency is strongly recommended. Full health coverage and repatriation is available through Allianz Travel Insurance.
• Plan your flight reservations arriving into and departing from Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM) in Lima. Send a copy of your itinerary to the Naturalist Journeys office, please.
• Soft sided luggage/duffel bags are easiest for packing the vans. Pack essential medications in your carry-on luggage, as well as one day of clothing and optics in case of luggage delay. Unlike typical international travel with a 50 lb. weight limit, domestic airlines within Peru are slightly less. They typically allow one checked bag, 20 KG (44 lbs.), one personal item and one carry on (carry-on weight 17 lbs. but they rarely weigh them).

Arrival in Lima, Peru (LIM)

Please arrive in Lima at your leisure; we recommend arriving at an hour that allows you to rest before the start of the trip, which begins promptly the next morning. After arriving at the Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM) in Lima and passing through immigration and customs, the first night’s hotel is just across the street, so there is no need for a shuttle—just a simple walk across the median and you can check in!

Dinner this night is at the hotel and is a great chance to meet up with your guides and travelling companions.

Please exchange money into Peruvian Soles at the airport. This is very important! ATM’s are not widely available once out of Lima.

Please check the Travel Details section of this tour for additional information and updates.

Departures from Lima, Peru (LIM)

Please plan departures in the evening of the last day of both the main tour and the extension from Machu Picchu. Many flights to the United States leave at or around midnight, so be sure to check (and double check!) your dates/times carefully.

The departure tax (your expense) from Peru is a part of your international airline ticket, however if you continue regionally to another Latin American country, a tax may apply.

Please check the Travel Details section of this tour for additional information and updates.

Passports, Visas & Documents

Guidelines and regulations can change. It is always advisable to double-check the country’s documentation requirements 60-90 days ahead of traveling. Information for U.S. citizens can be found at: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Peru.html. If you are from another country, please contact the Peru embassy website for guidelines. 

Passport: At the time of writing, you must have a passport valid for six months beyond your scheduled return date. Check your expiration date! Your passport should have at least one blank page per entry stamp. The blank pages need to say “Visas” at the top. Pages marked “Amendments and Endorsements” will not be accepted. 

Visa: On the airplane or upon arrival in Peru, you will receive paperwork to fill out for an automatic VISA, good for 90 days; Keep this document in a safe place as it is required for exit.

Please carry a copy of our Emergency Contact List with your travel documents. This is very handy when passing through immigration where they will ask you where you are going and what the phone number is. If you experience any flight delays or problems contact us at the first night hotel, or call our Peru tour operator, Neblina Forest, listed on the contact information sheet.

As a precaution for lost or misplaced documents you carry on your person during travel, we highly recommend you keep hard and digital backup copies on your phone (either photo or PDF scan), as well as a hard copy left with your emergency contact at home. The recommended important documents to copy include, but are not limited to; your passport ID page, travel visa, the front and back of your credit card(s), the airline barcode on your luggage. This will greatly expedite getting new ones if necessary – we hope everyone will always keep travel documents close so that losing them will not be an issue.

General Health & Inoculations Information – Be Prepared!

We will share your health information with your guide. This information will be kept confidential but is very important as we want to be best prepared in case of medical emergency. 

Vaccinations: Bring your up-to-date vaccination records with you. At the time of writing, there are no required vaccinations to enter Peru but things change; it is always a good idea to check with your doctor and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) webpage for Peru 4-6 weeks before departure.

At the time of writing, the yellow fever vaccination is recommended to enter Peru. Many international travelers will either already have one or get one for this trip and it will be good for other destinations in the future. The CDC also recommends that most travelers to Peru, and most South American countries in general, be vaccinated for Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Please speak with your general physician before any trip abroad. He or she may recommend other preventative immunizations like DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis), which is recommended every 10 years. Public health clinics can administer these if you do not currently work with a doctor or your doctor is not able to provide this service.

Travel Tip: If you cannot get a vaccine due to age and caution on that by your physician, then bring a physician letter saying you are in good health, but they do not recommend due to age that you get the vaccine. Yellow fever vaccine recommendations in Peru map: www.cdc.gov/travel-static/yellowbook/2020/map_2-23.pdf

Prescriptions: It is a good idea to pack any meds you take regularly in your carry-on luggage.  Bring an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses. Bring an adequate supply of any prescription medications you use, a copy of the prescription and a list of generic names of your medicines as “back-up” in case it is necessary to purchase drugs while abroad. You’ll want to keep medications in their original, labeled containers. 

Allergies: To be prepared for environmental triggers to allergies or breathing difficulties, please bring your allergy and/or asthma medication(s).  If you have severe allergies talk to your doctor about carrying an EPI pen and notify your guides. It is also recommended to carry with you an up-to-date record of known allergies, chronic medical problems and Medic Alerts so that, if necessary, emergency treatment can be carried out without endangering your health.

Common Ailments: We recommend that you bring a travel-sized first aid kit and a supply of standard over-the-counter medications for prevention or treatment of common ailments (such as diarrhea, constipation, stomach upset, cough, congestion, head or body aches, insect bites and sunburn); as well as ointments, moisturizer, sunscreen, oral rehydration salts, band-aids, moleskin for blisters, cotton swabs, nail clippers, and tweezers, etc.

Altitude sickness: High altitude will be encountered on this trip - it can affect some people and, if there is a concern, be prepared. The most general symptoms are headache and occasionally fatigue and dizziness. You’ll want to take it easy, particularly at first. The likelihood or severity of these symptoms can be reduced by resting, drinking plenty of water, avoiding alcohol and taking aspirin. If you have worries about the altitude, ask your physician about medications (such as Diamox) that may be right for you. 

• Cusco is 11, 152 ft above sea level
• Manu National Park is 13,123 ft
• Machu Picchu is 7,972 ft

For additional helpful information from CDC, see https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2024/environmental-hazards-risks/high-elevation-travel-and-altitude-illness.

Weather & Climate

July is a wonderful time to visit Peru. Temperatures and humidity will range widely as we move through the various locations. Especially with elevation changes, we could have anything from freezing temperatures at night to highs in the 90s during the day. Layers to protect from both sun and cold will keep you comfortable wherever you go are recommended. Check your favorite weather website closer to your departure to better predict what the weather will be on your adventure.

Annoyances & Hazards

While mosquitoes and other biting insects are not as common in this cooler, drier season, they can occur. It is best to come prepared by wearing long sleeves and neutral colored clothing and to bring insect repellent.

Peru is close to the Equator and we are at high elevation – it is very important to protect yourself from the sun, even during the winter!

Food & Drinks

At the tourist hotels you are using, it is generally  safe to sample the local cuisine, and it is always smart to ask about getting bottled water and being able to use ice. The hotels should have treated water in the restaurant areas, and you can fill your bottles there for daily use.

In general, in Peru you do NOT want to drink any tap water, nor should you eat fresh, uncooked vegetables from street vendors (hotels that we frequent should be fine), shellfish or ceviche outside of higher-end restaurants or well-established tourist facilities. Tap water may be potable at some of our hotels (the Front Desk will advise) but it still can contain minerals that upset your stomach – best to proceed with caution. Bottled water is available in the bar at most hotels, and we recommend you take advantage of that. Neblina Forest will provide water when out in the field. We also recommend buying a Steri Pen so you can treat water in a few seconds or consider bringing a water bottle that includes a filter, like LifeStraw. We want to reduce use of plastics where possible!

Packing, Clothing & Laundry

Please, pack light. You move around a lot and take an internal flight. Soft-sided luggage or duffel bags are easier to manage in the minivans than hard sided suitcases. While international limits are normally 50 lb. per bag, domestic airlines within Peru are slightly less. They typically allow one checked bag, 20 KG (44 lbs.), one personal item and one carry on (carry-on weight 17 lbs. but they rarely weigh them).

To pare down, we recommend laying out the items you hope to take and then do a serious paring down! Refer to the Suggested Packing section. 

TRAVEL TIP: Imagine NOT getting your suitcase. Bring a change of clothes and a pair of shoes you can use for the tour in your carry-on, just in case. And please DO NOT pack any essential medications, or your vital optics, in your checked luggage!

Dress is very informal. You may wish to change for dinners, but casual dress is suitable at all locations. We strongly recommend neutral or dark-colored clothing for every area that we will visit on the tour. Clothing should be unobtrusive, i.e. no bright yellows, reds or white, as this can disturb wildlife and makes us very conspicuous. 

Dressing in layers works perfectly for the conditions. Rain is likely so have a good wind-breaking layer that can double as raingear; shoes with good tread and support are essential. Lightweight long-sleeved shirts and long pants make ideal field clothing, as they are more protective from sun and vegetation. Shorts are worn most commonly by tourists, they are not practical in the field and we do not recommend them. Lightweight pants also let you blend in more while exploring. Choose clothing you don’t mind getting dirty, and that is comfortable and easy to launder. Loose clothing discourages insects and is very cool.

Most of your hotels offer laundry service; just make sure that you will be there long enough to get it back in time! You may wish to pack clothing that is easy to hand wash and fast drying for washing in your room.

Spending Money

The Sol is the official currency of Peru. For the current exchange rate, please refer to online converter tools like www.xe.com or your bank. The U.S. Dollar is also an accepted currency in Peru (especially in hotels or businesses that cater to visitors). We advise you carry a mix of different types of payments, such as the U.S. dollars and local currency, an ATM card, and a credit card.

Bring crisp, unsoiled U.S. dollars in good condition in SMALL denominations ($1, $5, $10, $20) for purchases and tipping. Bring large U.S. bills ($50 or $100) that will give you the better rate when exchanging to local currency. However, not every business (smaller shops and restaurants) will accept U.S. dollars. For that reason, we still recommend converting some money into Sols.

You can exchange money in Peru. The easiest way is to withdraw funds from a local ATM. The airport is a convenient place. ATM machines are readily available in large cities, like Lima, and become less available in rural areas. The ATMs provide local money and your bank will convert that into U.S. Dollars. Many banks charge a fee of $1 - $5 each time you use a foreign ATM. Others may charge you a percentage of the amount you withdraw. Check with your bank before departure. You must become familiar with how to use your ATM card and PIN number ahead of the journey.

Credit cards are accepted, but not as widely as in the USA. We suggest you have more than one card available. You may want to bring more than one brand of card (one Visa, and one MasterCard; American Express is less accepted), if possible. Not every shop will accept every card. Some machines are set up for both, while some will only service one or the other. Also, we recommend that you advise your bank or credit card company that you will be traveling to Peru to avoid questions, card freezes, or charges. For handicrafts and smaller purchases, such as drinks with dinner, it is easiest to have cash available, preferably in Peruvian Soles.

Traveler’s checks can be difficult to use in Peru, especially in villages and small towns. We do not recommend that you use them.

Many people ask how much money to plan to bring for spending money. Part of that depends on how much you want to shop. Typical items people purchase include: local souvenirs and T-shirts, carvings, beads, textiles, artworks, drinks before or with dinner, maps and natural history books. Cash is also handy for your drinks from the bar.

Gratuities

Tipping throughout the tour is at your discretion. Some guidelines follow. At larger (mostly city) hotels, tip maids and bar service as you would at home. At eco-lodges, there is typically a staff tip box in a public area; the going rate per person is $6-$10 a day, which is shared among staff for maid service, and general staff service at the lodges. Gratuities for group meals are already included. Your Naturalist Journeys host will take care of smaller tips such field trip services by boat drivers, night drive outings, single activities. Your additional tip is encouraged for birding tour guides and drivers who are with you for several days or the full trip; $10-$15 per day per guest is standard for guide service, and half that for a driver. If you have more than one local guide at a location, they will share the daily amount. We encourage tipping for the local teams hosting you; anything extra for your Naturalist Journeys host is at your discretion.

You may wish to bring small gifts for local people that you meet and enjoy (this is totally optional!). T-shirts, school supplies like pens and small notebooks, inexpensive watches and baseball caps are always popular. Your guides can pass along school supplies to a local school if you bring them. They also love any nature books/coloring books.

Cell Phones & Internet Service

If you plan on using your cell phone on this trip, please check with your wireless provider to see if your phone and service will work in Peru. Options include activating international roaming, purchasing a local SIM card at the airport (newer phones may not accept SIM cards), or simply turning off cellular service and relying on Wi-Fi to make calls and access the internet. Make sure if you do NOT want to use your cell phone that you turn off your cellular data. You could incur huge charges if you are not on Wi-Fi. Putting your phone in airplane mode if you mainly use it for photos will save the battery as well.

When dialing from the US, the country code for PERU is 51. Dialing to the USA starts with 001, then area code.

Phone cards are readily available and likely cheaper than using your cell phone. Hotel calls can be made and charged to the hotel, but ask for rates before using. For those calling you in Peru, advise they use the USA exit code, 011 and then the full number including country code.

If bringing a laptop or tablet, get a good dustcover to protect it at all times. Internet cafes are readily available in Lima for both email and internet-based calls. Most but not all of our lodgings have Wi-Fi service.

Please refrain from taking or making cell phone calls in the vehicles when traveling with other passengers, unless it appears to be an emergency. This disrupts other guests, plan on cell phone call use on your own time

Language

The official language of Peru is Spanish. Quechua is the native language and is spoken by many indigenous people. English is NOT readily spoken, with the exception of large city hotels and shops. A pocket dictionary is a great idea, and you can gift it to someone if you don’t want to haul it back! There are also dictionary apps for your phone, and quick learning programs such as Duo Lingo if you want to practice a bit.

Electricity

PERU uses 220 AC voltages at 60 Hz so you will need an adapter for many of your appliances. Do check your appliances, as these days many will work on this voltage automatically – they have a built-in converter in the little box on the cord. If not, you will need a converter as well. In Peru, power sockets are type A or C. Type A sockets take flats of equal width, so a simple adapter from unequal width flat plugs is very helpful where you find USA style plug ins. Also there are fewer grounded plugs, so a 3-prong to 2 prong (available in hardware stores) is helpful. More information can be found at www.power-plugs-sockets.com.

Time

Peru is UTC/GMT -5hrs and observes the PET (Peru Time) time zone. You can check time differences conveniently on www.timeanddate.com.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone at our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey!

Pace of the Tour & What to Expect

You will receive a Schedule-at-a-Glance and list of hotels (our eContact List) a few weeks before your departure. This will serve as an outline for each day and alert you to any recent changes made in the schedule or to our hotels, if needed.

Our journeys are set up to follow the rhythm of nature. Our focus is on birding and nature; we offer full, well-planned field days and often get up early for that magical time around dawn. We generally follow the published itinerary, but we stay flexible to the weather, wildlife opportunities and the interests of the group. Your guide will keep you apprised of the next day’s schedule at each evening meal, noting what to bring and what to prepare for. Questions and/or concerns are welcome.

The pace of our Naturalist Journeys tours is moderate; to fully participate you should be able to get in and out of vehicles several times a day, and walk 1-3 miles over uneven terrain. It is important to participate with a flexible attitude as adjustments may be made in our schedule to make the most of our time in the field or for other purposes at your guide's discretion. We are not a “listing” bird company that drills down on target species, but at times we do wait for those special species unique to the places we visit. During the day, we take time to stop for photos and for educational opportunities to learn about conservation projects, landscapes, and geology. We appreciate other taxa as well as birds, with mammals often the biggest draw but plants and butterflies are also very popular. Our clients often lend their own expertise to the mix.

We like to make meals a fun and memorable part of the experience, too. Breakfasts are often at hotels, and we carry snacks, fruit, and water in the vans each day. Lunches are a mix of picnics in the field (weather dependent) and a chance to dine with locals at small cafes and restaurants. For dinner, we pride ourselves in our homework to keep up with the best choices for dining, choosing restaurants with atmosphere that specialize in local foods. On occasion we keep dinner simple to go back out in the field for sunset wildlife viewing or night walks. In some remote locations, our choices are limited. If you are tired, room service for dinner may be an option you can choose.

Naturalist Journeys International Trips: Guide Role

Naturalist Journeys supports ecotourism and the development of excellent local guides. Once we know our international partners and guides well, we can send out small groups working directly with these trusted partners, adding a Naturalist Journeys guide to assist the local expert when we have a group of 6-7 or more. This helps us keep your costs down while retaining tour quality. The local guide is your main guide. You can expect your Naturalist Journeys guide to be well-researched and often they are experienced in the destination, but their role is not to be primary, it is to help to organize logistics, help you find birds, mammals, and interesting other species in the field, keep reports, help facilitate group interactions, and to keep the trip within Naturalist Journeys' style. Local guides live in the countries we travel to, know the destinations intimately, and are often the strongest force for conservation in their countries. They open many doors for us to have a rich experience.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle or in any situation where the group is participating in an activity together, such as a vehicle excursion or a guided walk. Please respect all designated smoking areas at hotels and restaurants.

Transportation

As a courtesy to each other, we ask that all travelers please rotate seating. On international trips we may all be in one small bus, on some trips we are in vans, particularly the roomy Sprinter Vans when available. Some areas require us to be in smaller 4-wheel drive or safari vehicles. Rotation allows you to sit with different drivers and alternate front and back seating.

Photo Release & Sharing

We take many group photos and will share photos with the group. And after your tour, we will organize a chance to share photos via Dropbox or Google Photos. Please note that this is our policy and if you prefer to be excluded, we need to know ahead of your tour.

By registering for this tour, you agree to grant to Naturalist Journeys and its authorized representatives’ permission to record on photography film and/or video, pictures of my participation in the tour. You further agree that any or all of the material photographed may be used, in any form, as part of any future publications, brochure, or other printed materials used to promote Naturalist Journeys, and further that such use shall be without payment of fees, royalties, special credit or other compensation.

Travel Insurance

You are traveling in remote areas. Naturalist Journeys strongly recommends you have full medical and evacuation insurance from a company such as Allianz, for all international travel. If you do not have medical coverage or evacuation coverage on your existing travel insurance policy or for some reason elected not to take that out, we advise getting an evacuation plan with Global Rescue, World Nomads, Medjet, Allianz (they can do evacuation only) or a similar company. These plans are typically $300-$400 for a year for multiple destinations. This coverage may be a part of a larger Travel Insurance policy but can also be purchased on its own.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey.

Please Pack Light!

Soft luggage is much easier for us to pack than a more rigid hard sided piece, so if you have the choice, please use your soft luggage. Be sure to have your name and address on the inside of the bag, as well as on the luggage tag on the handle. It is our hope that you can pack in one checked suitcase that does not exceed 45 pounds. Be sure to pack your personal medication, airline tickets, passport, binoculars, camera, and other essential items in your carry-on bag. You will want a day pack for field trips, so this is an ideal carry-on. Please reconfirm your airline’s baggage weight and size restrictions about a week or so before departure.

July is a wonderful time to visit Peru. Temperatures and humidity will range widely as we move through the various locations. Especially with elevation changes, we could have anything from freezing temperatures at night to highs in the 90s during the day. Layers to protect from both sun and cold will keep you comfortable wherever you go are recommended. Check your favorite weather website closer to your departure to better predict what the weather will be on your adventure.

Dress is very informal. Layering is your best strategy for comfort. Rain is likely so do have a good wind-breaking layer that can double as raingear; shoes with good tread and support are essential. Lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and long pants make ideal field clothing; they protect you from sun, insects, and vegetation. Shorts are worn most commonly by tourists; they are not practical in the field and we do not recommend them. Lightweight pants also let you blend in more while exploring. Choose clothes you can get dirty – and things that are comfortable and easy. Loose clothing discourages insects and is very cool. Several lodges offer laundry service.

We recommend muted colors of tan, brown, khaki, grey or green, as they are spotted less easily than white or bright colors; camouflage clothing is not recommended. It is possible to purchase field clothing permeated with insect repellent such as the Craghoppers Insect Shield collection. Another approach is to purchase Permethrin spray (online or from REI) to treat your field clothing and socks before your departure.

Clothing and Gear

• Lightweight long pants, 2-3 pair
• Shorts (optional, not generally recommended)
• Lightweight long-sleeved shirts, 2-3
• T-shirts, short-sleeved or equivalent, 2-3
• Casual clothing for travel days, skirts for women may come in handy in the city
• Personal underclothing (consider what dries quickly if you plan to wash) and nightclothes
• Socks – lightweight and easy to wash and dry, and long enough to tuck your pants to help protect from chiggers
• Comfortable walking shoes (such as tennis shoes)
• Lightweight hiking boots. Please note that forest trails will be on uneven terrain and may be muddy – bring shoes with good support and firm grip tread.
• Comfortable sandals or light shoes for evenings and travel days
• Shower thongs
• Lightweight raincoat or poncho, that can double as a windbreaker
• Lightweight fleece jacket or sweater for highlands
• Scarf, light gloves, light hat for colder mornings and evenings
• Hat with broad brim
• Bandana (optional, great for cooling off when hot and sweaty)
• Bathing suit (optional, if you enjoy swimming)
• Field vest (optional) a great source is Big Pockets

Equipment and Miscellaneous

• Airline tickets or e-ticket verification
• Passport, visa (if required), travel insurance info, money & credit cards.
• A secure pouch to carry the items above on your person at all times (such as a secure, under-clothing document pouch)
• As a backup: copies of all the above (phone and/or paper) packed in a separate location than on your person, plus a set given to your emergency contact at home as a backup. For passport, copy of the  ID and entry stamp pages.
• Small daypack to carry gear while hiking and in vehicles
• Walking stick (optional, but recommended if you usually use one)
• Umbrella (compact, not brightly colored!)
• Flashlight or headlamp with fresh batteries (important – cabins may be separate from dining areas. Extra batteries.
• Alarm clock (or use your phone)
• Sunscreen/lip balm with SPF
• Sunglasses with neck strap
• Insect repellent (containing DEET) and sulphur powder or equivalent for chiggers
• Toiletry articles: shampoo and conditioner, dental supplies, razor, emery boards, hairbrush/comb, tweezers, hand lotion, feminine hygiene, birth control supplies, deodorant, pain reliever
• Binoculars (a shower cap is great to cover these when it is raining)
• Spotting scope and tripod (optional – guide will have them)
• Camera and extra batteries, digital chips etc., lens cleaning supplies and your instruction manual. Do a good check for all this before leaving, battery chargers may be hard to find (optional)
• Adapters for three prong electronic equipment and converter
• Rechargeable power bank (optional)
• Water bottle (can easily be bought in the airport and refilled daily)
• Notebook and pen or journal (optional)
• Field guides (optional)
• Small bottle of antibacterial hand soap
• Laundry soap (laundry sheets are lightweight and easy to pack)
• Washcloth (optional)
• Earplugs (optional)
• Steri-Pen or other UV water treatment device to help cut down on the use of plastic bottles (optional)

WE DO NOT RECOMMEND TRAVELING WITH PRECIOUS OR VALUABLE JEWELRY – don’t tempt anyone and don’t bring things you’d regret losing - your mind will be at ease!

Medical and First Aid Items

• Heath insurance and vaccination records (kept in personal pouch with other travel documents)
• Personal medication (and copy of vital prescriptions, including glasses)
• Motion sickness and altitude sickness preventatives if likely to be needed on bus, van, drives, etc.
• Personal first aid kit including medications for colds, general and stomach ailments, antiobiotic gel or creme
• Foot powder, lotions, general “comfort” items
• Hydrocortisone cream to ease itching from insect bites
• Band-Aids, moleskin to protect against blisters
• Epi-pen if needed for allergic reactions
• Copy of eyeglass prescription, medical prescriptions and any medical alerts
• Extra pair of eyeglasses or contacts

There are many titles of interest for Peru; the following are a few that we have enjoyed that can get you started.

Top Picks

Merlin App – Peru Pack. A phone-based birding app from Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology. Before departing the U.S., download the app for free, then from within the app, download the “pack” for Peru.

Birds of Peru Revised and Updated Edition 

Culture Smart! Peru

General Reading

Travellers' Wildlife Guides Peru 

New Neotropical Companion

Birds of Tropical America. A Watcher’s Introduction to Behavior, Breeding, and Diversity

A Naturalist’s Guide to the Tropics

Antpittas and Gnateaters

Field Guides

A Field Guide to the Birds of Peru

Pocket Photo Guide to the Birds of Peru

Mammals of the Neotropics (Volume 3 ): The Central Neotropics: Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil

Wildlife & Nature

A Field Guide to the Families and Genera of Woody Plants of Northwest South America: Colombia, Ecuador Peru

Natural History

Cloud Forest: A Chronicle of the South American Wilderness

History & Culture

Chilies to Chocolate: Foods the Americas Gave the World

Peru – Culture Smart! The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

The Peru Reader: History, Culture, Politics

The Food and Cooking of Peru: Traditions, Ingredients, Tastes and Techniques

Shamanic Mysteries of Peru: The Heart Wisdom of the High Andes

Memoir/Non-Fiction

A Parrot Without a Name: The Search for the Last Unknown Birds on Earth

Cradle of Gold: The Story of Hiram Bingham, a Real-Life Indiana Jones and the Search for Machu Picchu

Your guide will also have a selection of reference books and materials for participants to share. As an Amazon Associate, Naturalist Journeys earns from qualifying purchases, and may get commissions for purchases made through links on this page at no added cost to you.

General

Encyclopedic Overviews:

Lima, Peru (Capital)

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lima

Tarapoto

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarapoto

Moyobamba

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moyobamba

Aguas Verdes

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aguas_Verdes

Leymebamba

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leimebamba_District

Nature, Wildlife & Biology

Birds of Peru - eBird

• https://ebird.org/peru/home

Species of Peru - iNaturalist

• https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=7513

Alto Nieva Private Reserve

• https://perubirds.org/rutas_fundo_alto_nieva_en.shtml

Reserva Arena Blanca Hotspot – eBird.org

• https://ebird.org/hotspot/L3637689

Waqanki - Birding Hotspot – eBird

• https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1849133

Peruvian Cloud Forest

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_p5jBLfGWc

Birds, Culture, and Scenic Beauty Along the Northern Peru Birding Route

• http://www.10000birds.com/birds-culture-and-scenic-beauty-along-the-northern-peru-birding-route.htm

Conservation, Parks & Reserves

Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve

• https://www.reservasantaelena.org/

Scientific American article, “Rising Temperatures Push Andean Species Skyward”

• https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/rising-temperatures-push/

ECOAN – Association of Andean Ecosystems

• https://www.ecoanperu.org/

Abra Patricia - “Peru’s Abra Patricia Reserve Expanded” - ABC Press Release

• https://abcbirds.org/article/perus-abra-patricia-reserve-expanded/

Geology & Geography

Basic Geology of Peru

• https://web.gps.caltech.edu/~clay/PeruTrip/Talks/Audin2010_lowdef.pdf

Rocks and Minerals of Peru

• https://www.southamericatotheworld.com/peruvian-minerals/

Geography of Peru

• https://www.peruinformation.org/geography

History & Culture

Leymebamba Museum

• https://www.centromallqui.pe/english/amazonas/leymebambamuseum.html

Cajamarca

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cajamarca

Kuélap

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ku%C3%A9lap

Chachapoya Culture

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chachapoya_culture

Laguna de los Cóndores

• https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laguna_de_los_C%C3%B3ndores

Pre-Tour Day Trip – Lima Coastal Birding

Fishing Village in Pucusana District

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pucusana_District

Pantanos de Villa Wildlife Refuge

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantanos_de_Villa_Wildlife_Refuge

Post-Tour Extension to Cusco/Machu Picchu

Cusco

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cusco

Machu Picchu

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machu_Picchu

“Discover 10 Secrets of Machu Picchu” – Article, National Geographic

• https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/secrets

National Geographic YouTube Video about Machu Picchu

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnMa-Sm9H4k

History of Machu Picchu – History.com

• https://www.history.com/topics/south-america/machu-picchu

"Machu Picchu As Seen Through the Eyes of Fernando Astete"

• https://www.machupicc.hu/

Inca Empire

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inca_Empire

Sacred Valley

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_Valley

Ollantaytambo

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ollantaytambo

Sacsayhuamán

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacsayhuam%C3%A1n

Helpful Travel Websites

Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM)

• https://www.lima-airport.com/eng

National Passport Information Center

• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html

U.S. Department of State, Costa Rica International Travel Information - Peru

• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Peru.html

Homeland Security Real ID Act

• https://www.dhs.gov/real-id

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

• https://www.cbp.gov/travel

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

• https://www.tsa.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Peru

• https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/peru

Canada Travel Advice and Advisories – Peru

• https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/peru

Travel Health Pro (UK) - Peru

• https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/177/peru

Foreign Exchange Rates

• https://www.xe.com/

ATM Locator

• https://www.visa.com/atmlocator/
• https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/personal/get-support/find-nearest-atm.html

Electricity and Plugs - Peru

• http://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/peru

Date, Time, and Holidays - Peru

• https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/peru
• http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/peru/