Amazon and Lunahuana Service Connection
Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find frequently asked questions for the Amazon & Lunahuana Service Connection. For more general frequently asked questions please make sure to check our Frequently Asked Questions at http://www.rusticpathways.com/extra/faq.html.
1 - How long is the flight to this country?
Peru is a fairly easy jump from the United States, with direct flights ranging from around 6 to 9 hrs depending on your city of departure. Please note that our group flight departs from Houston and total travel time will depend on your specific routing. From Houston the flight is approximately 6 ½ hrs.
2 - Do we need to get visas for this program?
Students from the United States will be issued a tourist visa on entry into Peru. Students from other countries should check with their consulate. Please know that it is the student’s responsibility to obtain any appropriate documentation before entering Peru.
3 - What immunizations do we need to get for this trip?
Rustic Pathways highly recommends that you visit your family doctor or a travel doctor, before traveling. They can assist you with deciding which immunizations you should have to travel to Peru. We also recommend visiting the CDC or WHO websites for up to date advice and restrictions. Below, you will find the specific provinces that students will be traveling in to help you with this process.
IMPORTANT NOTE ON YELLOW FEVER: While as of September 2011, it is not required that students receive their yellow fever vaccination to travel to Peru from the United States, other countries such as Costa Rica, require that you do have proof of your yellow fever vaccination before entering their county. Please make sure you consider your full travel itinerary when speaking to a doctor and make sure that you have all records of your vaccinations and inoculations on you while traveling.
4 – What Peru provinces or regions does this program pass through?
Students traveling on the Amazon and Lunahuana Service Connection will be traveling from Lima to Puerto Maldonado in the Department of Madre de Dios. Travel to the lodge will be on boat and will put the students deep in the Amazon Jungle. After spending a week in the jungle students will fly back to Lima where they will then head to Lunahuana located about 3 hours south of Lima. Lunahuana is in the Department of Lima.
5 - What kind of food will we be eating?
Students will be eating mostly Peruvian food on their program, but may have a few chances to eat more international fare such as Italian, Chinese etc. Peru is actually well known for their cuisine, which varies from region to region. In fact, due to its Incan and pre-Incan heritage, followed by Spanish settlement and then African, Sino-Cantonese and Japanese immigration, Peru boasts one of the most diverse variety ofcuisine in the Americas.
Most of the meals will be centered on traditional Peruvian meals and will utilize the diverse ingredients unique to the Amazon Jungle and coastal desert. Local ingredients include a variety of fresh water fish and salt water fish, tropical fruits and various root vegetables, like yucca. In Lunahauana, our private cook will prepare delicious local dishes. If you would like to know more about Peruvian diet Wikipedia actually has a nice summery at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peruvian_cuisine.
6- Where are our meals eaten?
Meals will mainly be at local restaurants, jungle lodges and our Lunahuana base.
7 - Will travelers be drinking bottled water?
Yes, students will drink bottled or purified water while traveling in Peru. It is not recommended that travelers drink the tap water in any part of Peru.
8- Can Rustic Pathways cater to specific diets on this program?
Rustic Pathways can cater to most dietary needs on this program and the chefs we work with are very accustomed to doing so. There will be ample access to fruits, vegetables, rice, beans, and grains for those who are vegetarian. Vegan diets can be accommodated, but with a little more foresight and planning as this is not a diet commonly encountered in Peru. Please know that while we are happy to accommodate alternative diets, many of the special diets common in the United States are not common in other parts of the world and travelers must be patient and understanding in having these needs be met. Vegetarians and other travelers with limiting diets should consider brining sports bars, such as cliff bars or other snacks to ensure they have a well-rounded diet if their needs are unable to be met on certain occasions. Please contact us at Peru@rusticpathways.com with any questions regarding special diets or allergies.
9 - What will the accommodation on this trip be like?
Students on this trip will spend the first part of their trip in a jungle lodge about 2 hours by boat from Puerto Maldonado. The lodge is built and nestled on the banks of the Tambopata River. When in Lima and Puerto Maldonado, students will be staying in 2 and 3 star hotels. In Lima, students stay in Miraflores, one of the nicest neighborhoods of Lima. In Lunahuana students will be living in simple but extremely comfortable bungalows.
10 - How often can I do laundry?
Students will have one opportunity to do laundry. Please make sure to have enough clothes to last a week. If necessary, students can wash a couple of items of clothing in a bucket with river water. Items will then have to be line dried.
11- What is the climate like in Peru?
Peru has 3 very distinct climate regions; the desert coastal region, Andean Mountain regions and the Amazon Basin. Students will visit the desert coast in Lima as well as the Amazon Basin. During the summer the weather in these parts for Peru averages between lower 90’s to lower 60’s. As can be expected, the Amazon Rainforest is very humid, thus increasing the possibilities for scattered thunderstorms.
12- Are there any extremely physical or strenuous activities on this trip?
This program is not overly strenuous, but students should be in at least average physical condition. Activities include hiking, boat rowing, fishing, zip-lining, and white water rafting. The service work that is conducted can be fairly strenuous and student should be prepared to participate in physically active work.
13 – Is altitude a problem on this program?
Students do not need to worry about altitude sickness on this program. This program operates in the Amazon Jungle and foothills of the Andes were altitude sickness is not a concern.
14 -Is this a good program for students interested in practicing their Spanish?
Yes! Students will be traveling with local Peruvian guides and will have numerous opportunities to practice. The service aspect to this program will also offer students the opportunity to interact with local students and families giving them another chance to practice their Spanish. Please know that a basic knowledge of Spanish is not required on this program, but students who take the time to at least learn some basic phases may find their time here more rewarding. A small Spanish- English dictionary is recommended.
15- How often will I have access to email and phones?
Phones and internet will be available occasionally throughout the trip. While in Lima and Puerto Maldonado these services will be available on an almost daily basis. Once outside those town, there will be limited telephone service or internet access.
16- What costs are not included on this trip?
All meals, lodging and transportation are included in the price of the program. Costs that students should be prepared to cover are internet access, travel insurance, medical insurance, medical expenses, International Airfare, laundry, small donations to organizations, souvenirs and personal snacks.
The Lunahuana Service Project has a few optional activities that students can choose to participate in. Students can use their allowance to descend South America’s longest zip-line (about $55) and on their last night enjoy a mystic diner in El Refugio de Santiago (about $35). While all materials for our community service programs are included in the cost of the program, students have occasionally decided to donate additional funds to supplement projects and materials beyond the projects we are working on. In the past this has included school supplies, gifts for local children and a project to provide electricity to a community.
17- How much spending money do I need to bring?
Students should bring at least between $200 and $300 for their 2 week program. Spending habits can vary extensively from student to student, so please consider how much you normally spend when deciding how much money to bring. An average person may spend about $30 on food and snacks and $75 on souvenirs and miscellaneous items, though obviously this be much higher for certain people.
Peru is not an overly expensive country, but it is known for its handicrafts and most students enjoy bringing something home for friends and family. If you are considering opening an allowance account with Rustic Pathways, please consider including an extra $150 or so for emergency situations. It is wise to ensure that students have these funds if needed, and please make sure that they are aware of how much has been allocated for spending money and how much for emergencies as students will have access to the full amount of their funds.
18- What sort of electrical voltage adapters do I need to bring?
Peru has 220V outlets as opposed to the 110V outlets in the United States. The plug shape is usually the same, so be careful not to fry any of your electronics. These days, most common electronics like cameras, computers and mp3 chargers have built in adapters and can be plugged straight into the wall. For all other electronics, you will need to make sure to purchase a converter. Please make sure to check all electronics before plugging them in!
19) Is there a language barrier and is this a problem?
The national language in Peru is Spanish, or Castilian, however, there are a number of traditional languages such as Quechua and Aymara spoken in the country. In the jungle, a number of tribal languages still are spoken, however, the vast majority speak fluent Spanish. If you don’t speak Spanish though, you should not be concerned. There will be bi-lingual guides that can assist with translation when needed. Of course, if you are able to get down a few phases before your arrival it will only help to interact with locals and make your experience that much more rewarding.
For any additional questions about the Peru Programs contact us at Peru@rusticpathways.com
An Incredible Combination
During your time in the Amazon, you will visit many of the best and most exotic locations in the area. This relaxing but busy week will showcase both the diverse wildlife and the fascinating cultures of the Amazon. Local guides will teach you about the vital importance of this imperiled natural resource, and you will see first-hand the wildlife that this ecosystem sustains. Search for colorful macaws, prehistoric-looking caimans, lumbering tapirs, and graceful river otters during daily excursions into the jungle. You will also get to know the indigenous people of the Amazon during rewarding service projects with local communities. We believe that every conscientious student who sees and experiences the wonders of the Amazon will become a better guardian of the natural treasures of our precious and fragile planet.
Service in the Desert