Overview

Peru is located on the west coast of South America just south of the Equator. Peru is a developing nation, and a wide range of tourist facilities and services are available.

Getting There

Flights

We planned originally to fly to Lima, and then bus it to Huaraz and use that as our base.

Most tickets were $1000+ from Pittsburgh. Flying out of Philly midweek is significantly cheaper, and 2+ stops on the flight (yea, yea, pain in the ass) is cheaper still.

Currently there is no regular air service or passenger trains that service the Huaraz area.

Buses

Lima to Huaraz typically takes 7 to 8 hours on a bus.

Most South American buses are clean, and efficient. The most reliable bus companies, run full charter buses with reclining chairs (bus camas), video monitors and come with undercarriage luggage space. Some buses serve on-route snacks and have a restroom in the back. It is always advisable to check and see that the bus you are taking is direct. Those that are not direct, which are usually the cheaper bus companies, often stop and pick up passengers along the road. Bus robberies are not unheard of, and there have been cases of groups of people entering full buses and robbing everyone on board. Avoid this experience by paying a little more and taking direct buses.

For the most part, luggage placed in the undercarriage is quite safe. Most reliable companies will give you a claim ticket, which you need to collect your luggage at the end of the voyage. Make sure you get one. Things to keep on your person are: camera, passport, and valuables. If you carry these items in a daypack, DO NOT put the daypack in the overhead luggage rack. Some travelers conceal expensive looking backpacks in old beat up duffels. It's advisable to get off the bus on longer stops to check luggage stowed on the roof or elsewhere. These precautions, coupled with common sense, will ensure that you, along with the vast majority of travelers, have no problems.

Companies, times and prices (Lima to Huaraz):

• Cial - Paseo de la Republica 646, Tel. 001-330-4225, Morning and Evening, S/. 35-40
• Cruz del Sur - Jr. Quilca 531 and Av. Javier Prado 1109 (Imperial service only) - La Victoria, Tel. 001-424-6646/362-4110, Morning and Evening, S/. 40
• Movil Tours - Av.Paseo de la Republica 749 Lima, Tel. 001-332-0024, Morning and Evening, S/. 35-40
• Ormeño - Av. Carlos Zavala 177 - Lima, Tel. 001-427-5679, Morning and Evening, S/. 17-40
• Rodriguez - Av. Roosevelt 393 - Lima, Tel. 001-428-0506, Morning and Evening, S/. 25
• Turismo Cavassa - Av. Paseo de la Republica 646- Lima, Tel. 001-424-2716, Morning and Evening, S/.25

Vaccines and Malaria

Adequate medical care is available in Lima and Arequipa but is not up to the standards of industrialized countries. Medical care is sustandard outside of Lima and Arequipa.

• Yellow fever - may be required depending on your itinerary.
• Hepatis A
• Hepatis B
• Typhoid
• Influenza
• Rabies
• Tetanus