The varied climates and situations we experience require you to have all items on the first day of your trip. Forgotten items will be purchased with your pocket money. Do not pack more clothing than listed. Your duffel serves as a storage locker. Remember to leave room for items you buy in Peru!
____Duffel: You are limited to one duffel and a day pack. Wheels are preferable. We suggest a tough bag approximately 34” x 16” x 16” or smaller. You must be able to pick up and carry the bag by yourself.
____Sleep Sheet: This is different from a sleeping bag. It is your own sleep sheet to use as a liner for your hotel or hostel bed. It is for your comfort and is very lightweight. GREAT TO HAVE! You can purchase this at an outdoor store or online. (Please do not bring sleeping bag!) Sleep sheet example.
____Daypack: Bring one large “school type” daypack. To be used during the day to carry personal items. Please make sure your day pack has a chest and waist strap for hiking.
Weather: Prepare for varied weather conditions. Temperatures in the Andes can change in a matter of minutes and range from below freezing to 80°F.
TRAVEL GEAR
**Bold Earth provides sleeping pads and sleeping bag for camping on the trek**
____Passport
____Photocopies of your passport AND flight ticket to be handed over to your trip-leader upon arrival
____$30.00 exit tax paid in airport upon departure
CLOTHING
You need a 10-day supply of clothing. If you bring too much it gets in the way. You will do laundry twice on your trip.
Inner layer
____Ten day supply of underwear
____Long underwear shirt and pants; polypropylene or similar synthetic fabric is essential - NO COTTON!
____Pajamas: Boxer shorts & t-shirt
Middle layer
____3 pairs of Jeans or khakis
____1 pair of hiking/track pants
____2 pairs of lightweight shorts
____4 short sleeve T-shirts
____2 long sleeve shirts
____1 swimsuit
Outer layers
____1 medium weight waterproof, gortex-type rain jacket
____1 medium weight waterproof, gortex-type rain pants
____1 polar fleece jacket (the fuzzy synthetic material)
____1 pair fleece pants
____1 down or synthetic jacket
HEAD, HANDS & FACE
____1 Fleece or wool hat
____1 Baseball style hat
____1 pair warm gloves or mittens: preferably waterproof
____1 pair of sunglasses with secure strap
FOOTWEAR
____4 pairs of hiking socks; a wool, synthetic blend
____Water sandals that secure around your ankles (Tevas, Chacos or Nike)
____Hiking boots: ankle high, lightweight & flexible (Hi-Tek, Merrel, Vasque, Nike, Asolo, etc.). Generous, comfortable fit is critical. Break in before trip. Please wear your boots to the airport.
____1 pair of sneakers(running shoes)
TOILETRIES
____SPF 30+ sunscreen, 2 sticks of chapstick with SPF
____Toiletries, prescriptions, medications, bandana, etc.
____1 medium towel
____1 package of moleskin for potential blisters
____Laundry bag and small pillow (optional)
MISCELLANEOUS
____2 one-liter backpacking water bottles, and/ or a minimum Camel Back type hydration system
____Headlamp
____Camera (Phone & camera must be separate devices!), batteries/ charger
____Stationary and journal
____If you wear glasses or contact lenses, please bring a spare pair of glasses, including a protective case. Wearing contacts is okay! ____Suggestion: small, colored nylon “stuff sacks” or large plastic Ziploc bags to organize your stuff
Important Information Regarding Your Trip---PLEASE READ THIS!
Expectations: AMP is a physically, mentally and culturally demanding trip. You stay in simple homes and native hotels; we also camp in the Andes Mountains. We will expect you to be open to the Peruvian culture and food. It is essential that we have a flexible attitude and behave with cultural sensitivity in order to make a good impression as guests.
Passport & Visa: Please contact Bold Earth with your passport number as soon as possible! For US citizens, passport valid 6 months beyond intended stay is required but no visa is required for stays of up to 90 days. Contact your local embassy, or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THE CORRECT TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION. A Travel Permission Slip is MANDATORY (available online 3 weeks before your trip).
Special vaccines or medications: Contact your family physician or your local travel clinic for the most up-to-date health information. It is your responsibility to know if you require any vaccinations or precautions for the Country that you are visiting. Proof of Yellow Fever vaccination is required to travel in Peru. Hepatitis A & B and Tetanus are recommended for most international travel.
Health Notice: Giardia, a water borne illness and other intestinal illnesses are common when traveling. We treat all natural water sources and provide bottled water on the trip. If after the summer you are ill, inform your doctor you traveled in Peru.
Problems: Your leaders are required to contact your family if there is a doctor visit or personal problem. Drugs, alcohol, tobacco or illegal activities will result in your immediate dismissal. If a behavior or attitude problem arises parents will be called for help. If the problem is not corrected, for the benefit of the group, the second call you receive will be to say things are improving or to notify you of flight arrival information regarding early dismissal.
Spending Money: ATM or credit cards are the best way to get money. Also bring a mix of cash. We suggest bringing approximately $75 per week for personal expenses and gifts. If you run out of money, you have spent too much. Unless there is an emergency, Bold Earth will not advance money.
Time: Peru time is the same as Central and Mountain Standard Time in North America.
Laundry: We wash clothes at least once during the program. A good practice is to put your name on items which are not unique to you.
Trip Journal: Bring along a notebook to record the challenges and successes of your adventure.
Reading List: The people, places and activities you will encounter on your trip are diverse and incredible. These are a few books offering background information. We suggest you consider reading these books before, during or after your adventure. Also, you might like to read Outside Magazine available everywhere. For additional adventurous reading, check out Extreme Classics: The 100 Greatest Adventure Books of All Time.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull by James Rollins. The intrepid Doctor Henry Jones Jr. is back in his biggest adventure yet! This time, the world-renowned archeologist finds himself caught in a series of events that all point to a discovery unlike any other. But will his rivals in pursuit of this priceless treasure seize his quarry from right under his nose? Not if he, and a few unexpected companions, have anything to say about it! The thrill and the humor, the action and the romance, the hat and the whip - everything you love about Indy is here on this wonderful adventure to Peru.
The Conquest of the Incas by John Hemming is the best regional history book and contains several chapters on Peru. The introduction offers an overview of the exploits of many explorers, thereby giving students background to this comprehensive study of the famous Spanish conquistador. The book is well written in a clear and interesting tone. Pizarro's daring and drive to succeed may have been forged in his difficult childhood. To escape the trap of poverty, he joined the Spanish Army and made his mark. The story of Pizarro and the Incas reads like an adventure, and both sides are given their due in this balanced study.
Lost City of the Incas:- the Story of Machu Picchu and Its Builders by Hiram Bingham. Classic lost-city-in- the-jungle adventure by the man who rediscovered Machu Picchu in 1911. The ‘discovery’ consisted largely of taking the word of locals who were farming some of the terraces. Bingham’s tribute plaque at Machu Picchu sidesteps controversy by calling him the “scientific discoverer.” But it’s still a good story.
LEARNING • SERVICE • LEADERSHIP
