Off The Map: Peru
Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find frequently asked questions for the Andean Adventurer program. For more general frequently asked questions please make sure to check our Frequently Asked Questions at http://www.rusticpathways.com/extra/faq.php.
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 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 are most appropriate for you while traveling in Peru. We also recommend visiting the CDC or WHO websites for up to date advice and restrictions. Below, you will find the 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 always carry all records of your vaccinations and inoculations on you while traveling. Please also remember to check for updates on U.S requirements before travel to Peru or other countries.
4 – What Peru provinces or regions does this program pass through?
Students traveling on the Off The Map: Peru program will be traveling from Lima to the department of Cuzco where they will visit the citadel of Machu Picchu located on the eastern edge of the Andes in the high cloud forest. They will later be travelling east into the low-lying Amazon jungle in the department of Madre de Dios. These are two very different regions with a diversity of plants, animals and climate.
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 well known for its 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 cuisines in the Americas.
Most of the meals will be centered on traditional Andean food, with a lot of potatoes and grains such as quinoa. In addition, vegetables, beans, meat such a chicken or trout are found in most meals. For those that choose, there may be the chance to eat Guinea Pig and/or alpaca which remains a staple of rural Andean culture to this day. If you would like to know more about Peruvian diet Wikipedia has a nice summery at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peruvian_cuisine.
6) Where are our meals eaten?
Meals will either be prepared by hired cooks or eaten at local restaurants. While in the jungle meals will be prepared by a professional cook staff at the jungle lodge where we will be staying.
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. The chefs we work with are very accustomed preparing food for a variety of dietary restrictions. 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 dietary needs 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 majority of their staying in hotels, rural guest houses and a comfortable jungle lodge. We recommend for students to bring an easy to pack warm weather sleeping bag as we will be travelling about a lot.
10 - How often can I do laundry?
Students will have the chance to do laundry about once while on their program. Please make sure to have enough clothes to last least a week. It generally costs around $1 – $2 per Kilo for full laundry service
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 on this trip will visit the high Andean Mountains, cloud forest and low jungle rainforest. During the summer the weather in mountains is fairly dry with warm days and chilly nights while the jungle is usually humid, hot with some rain.
This trip travels through a variety of climates and weather conditions so please pack to dress in layers and make sure to read our packing list carefully while preparing for this trip.
12- Are there any extremely physical or strenuous activities on this trip?
The Off The Map: Peru (director’s program) is open to all students. Students should be prepared to participate in activities such as biking, hiking, swimming and light manual labor. If a student has an injury or health condition that prohibits them from taking part in these activities, alternatives will be provided.
13 – Is altitude a problem on this program?
The short answer in most cases is no. The degree to which students experience altitude symptoms though are very dependent on the individual and students should expect to experience some of the symptoms associated with mild altitude sickness such as headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, and decrease sleep. Most students experience little to no symptoms beyond shortness of breath and a slight headache upon exertion and it has no negative effect on their experience. We have structured the trip to not be strenuous during the first couple of days and ensure students drink a lot of water to help alleviate these common symptoms of altitude. Students will also have access to the local remedy of cocoa tea which is very effective in alleviating many of symptoms of altitude sickness. Severe altitude sickness is extremely rare at the elevations we will be traveling in for the Off The Map program and have never been experienced by a Rustic Pathways participant, though local medical care is equipped to deal with these situations should they arise.
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 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, Cuzco, Ollantaytambo and Puerto Maldonado these services will be available on an almost daily basis. There may be limited phone access but no internet when outside of these cities.
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 (like candy and soda). While there are currently no specific optional activities planned for the program, there are occasions when opportunities arise which will be offered to students. While all materials for our community service programs are included in the cost of the program, students have occasional decided to donate addition 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 $150 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. There are also occasional optional activities that might arise, which generally cost about $10 per activity. Peru is not an overly expensive country, but they are known for their 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 should they choose.
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, though there are a number of traditional languages such as Quechua and Aymara in the country as well. If you don’t speak Spanish though, you should not be concerned. There will be bi-lingual guides whom 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
Peru: The Diverse Land 
Home to vibrant traditional Quechua communities, the Andes are also the perfect place to immerse in timeless lifestyles and assist during community service projects. Peruvian culture will come alive as you work alongside students in schools and help to support a dormitory dedicated to providing educational opportunities for local young women. Leaving the smiles of the Sacred Valley behind, you will make a quick stop in the Incan capital of Cusco and raft the thrilling class III-IV rapids of the upper Urubamba River. 