How to Prepare

Every spiritual journey includes both an inner and outer path. On our inner journey, we travel solo, navigating a winding road filled with obstacles and challenges. This journey demands love and courage to honestly face ourselves and distinguish truth from illusion.
The outer journey, or our physical journey, involves traveling as part of a group to places of great beauty, power, and enchantment. For this, we need a sense of humor, flexibility, and a well-packed bag with essentials for the body.
Embarking on an unforgettable journey to the ancient land of the Incas, Peru, requires proper preparation to ensure your trip is enjoyable, successful, and stress-free.

Documentation and Travel Insurance
  • Passport: Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months after your planned entry into Peru. Travelers from countries other than the US or Canada may require a visa. Check with your local tour operator or immigration office for details.
  • Carry Important Documents: By Peruvian law, you must always carry your passport and tourist card (you will be filling it out during your International flight) with you for random checks in towns, hotels, or tourist areas. Make photocopies of your passport and store them in different bags.
  • Medical Records: If you are on any medication or have health issues, bring a copy of your most up-to-date medical records.
  • Travel Insurance: Purchase comprehensive travel insurance. Follow the instructions provided at the time of registration to ensure you get the best coverage. Your policy should include trip cancellation and interruption, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and travel documents, medical expenses, emergency assistance, and accidental death and dismemberment. Keep a copy of your insurance policy easily accessible during your trip.

Money
  • Currency Exchange: Exchange money in your home country or upon arrival in Peru. It’s best to do this as soon as you arrive at your Cusco hotel; ask your tour leader for help. ATMs, banks, and currency converters are available in major tourist locations but may be hard to find in remote areas.
  • Cash and Cards: Carry some cash for meals, attractions, and unforeseen expenses, but avoid carrying large amounts. Major credit cards are widely accepted, please call you credit card company before you leave and let them know you are traveling to Peru. Its very important that you ensure that both US dollars and Peruvian Soles are clean and undamaged, not even a small rip, as vendors may not accept torn or old bills.

Luggage & Packing
  • Weight Restrictions: Be mindful of bag size and weight restrictions for airlines and trains. Domestic Peru flights allow a maximum weight of 10 kg (22 lbs) for Economy and 16 kg (35 lbs) for Premium Economy or Premium Business. The train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu has limited luggage space, so bring one medium-sized piece of luggage and one carry-on. Large luggage will be stored at your hotel in Cusco.
  • Packing Tips: Travel light and consider that you may need to carry your luggage in some places. A secure, comfortable backpack or bag is essential for daily excursions, hiking, shopping, sightseeing, and other activities.
  • Security: Keep your luggage locked in your hotel room and use proper identification tags on all bags.

Clothes
Peru's climate varies significantly by region and time of year, from heavy rain to dry heat, and altitude differences can cause large temperature variations within the same region and between day and night.
  • Layering: Dress in layers to accommodate temperature changes throughout the day and your level of physical activity. Bring t-shirts, long-sleeved tops, comfortable pants, heavier sweaters, and a proper coat.
  • Swimwear: Depending on your hotel’s amenities or if you plan to visit swimming pools, hot springs, or spas, bring a swimsuit.

Shoes
Proper footwear is essential, especially for visiting ancient sites like Machu Picchu, which can range from mild to challenging hiking terrain.
  • Hiking Shoes: Comfortable hiking shoes with good tread are a must.
  • Closed Shoes: These are best for keeping your feet warm, safe, and protected.
  • Sandals: Useful for city excursions, particularly in coastal regions.
  • Flipflop: Very useful for SPA, hotel pool and hot spring waters in Aguas Calientes.

Weather-Related Items
  • Rain Protection: Bring a rain poncho (just in case) rather than an umbrella to keep your hands free while hiking and sightseeing.
  • Sun Protection: Due to high altitudes and proximity to the equator, the sun in Peru is strong. Wear light, loose, long-sleeved clothing, a good protective hat, and sunglasses. Use sunblock, preferably natural varieties based on zinc oxide.

Toiletries
Although most hotels provide basic toiletries, it's advisable to bring travel-sized versions of your personal care items:
  • Shampoo, conditioner, soap
  • Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
  • Deodorant, razor and shaving gear
  • Comb and/or brush
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Insect Repellent: Use unscented products to avoid attracting insects and bring natural insect repellents like tea tree oil, citronella, musk oil, or peppermint oil.

Other Items
  • Travel-sized tissue packets
  • Wet wipes or alcohol-based hand sanitizers
  • Ziploc bags for various uses
  • A small flashlight for power failures and personal safety (or use your phone flashlight)
  • An eye mask for deep meditation and for our first entrance in Machu Picchu
  • A notebook or journal and pen
  • A cell phone or small device as a travel alarm
  • Bandaids or a small first-aid kit
  • A photo and/or video camera with proper battery or charging equipment

Items to Leave Behind
  • Valuables like jewelry
  • Unnecessary electronic devices
  • Pocket knives or weapon-like items
  • Any illegal substances

Electricity
​The electrical supply in Peru is 220 volts AC at 60Hz. Both twin flat blade (North American style) and twin round pin plugs (continental European style) are standard. If your device does not accept 220 volts at 60Hz, you will need a voltage converter or transformer.

Food
Peru offers exquisite cuisine, but it's wise to be cautious with food choices:
  • Meals: Prefer lighter, plant-based, cooked meals. Avoid drinking or using tap water; use purified bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth.
  • Snacks: Bring healthy snacks like natural whole food bars, meal replacement shakes, hemp seeds, and dried fruits and nuts. Avoid nutrient-poor, sugar-based snacks.

Health, Supplements & Medication
Altitude sickness is common for newcomers to Peru. To prepare and prevent it:
  1. Diet: Eat a cleaner, plant-based diet for at least two weeks before your trip.
  2. Avoid: Smoking, alcohol, coffee, and energy drinks.
  3. Supplements: Take antioxidants (Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium), herbs (Echinacea, Garlic, Ginseng, Ginkgo, Ashwagandha), and other supplements (Chlorella, Chlorophyl (best high concentrate drops), L-Glutamine, Reishi).
  4. Medication: If you are taking any prescription medications, ensure you bring enough to last for the entire trip, as these might not be readily available in Peru.
  5. Hydration: Drink plenty of pure water before and during your stay.
  6. Acclimation: Take it easy for at least 24 hours upon arrival in high-altitude areas like Cusco.

Mental & Spiritual Preparation
The most important aspect of your trip is your mindset. Prepare mentally and spiritually:
  • Positive Attitude: Bring a positive attitude and optimistic mindset.
  • Meditation: Meditate regularly before your trip to prepare for spiritual experiences like Shamanic ceremonies and healing practices.
  • Set Intentions: Set your intention for personal growth and evolution during your journey.
  • Book to read prior: Shamanic Mysteries of Peru, by Vera Lopez (Amazon)

International Check-In Instructions for Flights to and from Lima

Departing to Lima:
  1. Check-In:
    • When checking in at your original departure city, inform the airline agent that you want your luggage to be transferred all the way to Lima.
    • This ensures that you do not need to collect your luggage and check it in again at your layover city. The airline will handle the transfer for you.
  2. Arrival in Lima:
    • Upon arriving in Lima, proceed to the passport control area.
    • After presenting your passport, follow the signs to the baggage claim area.
    • You will find free carts available to help transport your luggage.

Returning from Lima:
  1. Check-In:
    • Check in your luggage in Lima all the way to your final destination.
    • Note that you will need to pick up your luggage at your first stop in the USA.
  2. First Stop in the USA:
    • Upon arrival at your first stop in the USA, collect your luggage.
    • Go through customs with your luggage.
  3. Rechecking Luggage:
    • After customs, follow the signs to the baggage recheck area.
    • There will be an airline representative to take your luggage, which will already have the tag for your final destination.
    • Drop your luggage with the representative.
  4. Security Check:
    • Proceed to the security area for screening.
    • After security, find your next gate for your connecting flight.
Note:
  • You do not need to do a new check-in after customs in the USA, but you must go through the security line again.
  • If you have any questions or need further clarification, do not hesitate to ask.

Wishing you safe and happy travels!