Recommendations |
MEDICAL
Consult your doctor for all medical concerns. What follows is simply a list of suggestions.
Malaria exists in tropical regions, so you should obtain the pills taken to prevent it (it is mosquito-borne). There are various types, consult with your doctor.
You should consider getting a Yellow Fever vaccination. While you're at it, maybe a Hepatitis A. It is also good to be sure your tetanus is up to date.
Travel to the lowland rainforest exposes your body to a significantly new microbial fauna. Many travelers experience diarrhea and stomach upset about 3 days after arrival in this area. This is not a “disease”, just your body adjusting to a different group of intestinal bacteria. A highly recommended medication to have on hand is an antibiotic to be taken in case of bad gastrointestinal upset. Physicians usually prescribe Cipro (Ciprofloxacin) or Xifaxan. Some people recommend taking antibiotics prophylactically if you will be traveling in the lowland rainforest for a short period. Others believe it best to wait for the onset of symptoms. Do what your doctor recommends. But we do recommend you have some medication on-hand to deal with the situation if it arises. You don't want to lose a day or two out of your trip due to a bad upset stomach.
If your traveling on to Cuzco and Machu Picchu after a trip in the lowlands, you would likely find Diamox to be helpful. It's prescribed by your doctor to help with altitude adjustment and to prevent altitude sickness.
Be sure to ask your physician about the possible dangers of combining medications, especially if you are already taking prescription drugs.
Aside from this, simply bring along any of the usual medications with which you travel (aspirin, Tylenol, Dramamine, antacids, Pepto, etc.). In every case, please follow your physician's advice about all health aspects.
SUN PROTECTION
The equatorial sun is intense and you should be concerned about skin protection, so bring the appropriate sunscreen (SPF 30) and apply it often. Those taking Doxycycline or any other Tetracycline derivatives should be aware of possible increased sensitivity to sun.
If you burn easily, bring along a spray treatment for sunburn.
INSECT REPELLENT
Bugs are no worse than in the States. Repellents with DEET are most effective. 100% DEET is not safe. Concentrations of 25% to 30% are sufficient. Some people are sensitive to DEET and might do best with repellents with even lower concentration. Be aware that certain colognes and perfumes may attract bees or other insects. It is advised NOT to use DEET on children.
CLOTHING
Casual; we prefer breathable, absorbent cotton as opposed to heavy jeans, which take forever to dry, but suit yourself.
The new light-weight synthetics designed for hot weather by companies such as Travel Smith, Ex-Officio, Columbia, and REI, which wick moisture away from your skin and dry fast are excellent though expensive. They are very comfortable.
Take plenty of underwear and socks. You will need long-sleeve shirts, (the sleeves can be rolled up in heat or down if bugs are a problem) short sleeve shirts and T-shirts. Bring both long pants and shorts.
A hat (small, crushable, water-resistant) is handy.
Shoes need not be heavy. A light weight hiking boot or walking shoe is perfect. We do not recommend knee-high rubber boots for hiking in the rainforest. They neither fit well nor offer decent support. Plan on getting your feet wet and your shoes muddy. One of the guides will wash your shoes daily and be sure you take them home clean.
Bring a second pair of comfortable shoes and keep them clean for wearing in town and your travel home. Also bring some thongs or sandals and a bathing suit.
The two items most likely to be lost are your hat and sunglasses. You might bring an extra of each.
A poncho or light rain jacket is useful. Ponchos provide better protection from the elements, and you have room under them to keep your camera and binoculars.
EQUIPMENT
Bring a day pack or hip pack to carry your gear on hikes.
Bring a good flashlight, alkaline batteries, and spare bulbs. We like a flashlight that takes at least three C-cell or D-cell alkaline batteries and has an adjustable focus beam; such as a Mag-lite. Bring 6 extra alkaline batteries for each week of your trip. These are large and heavy. If size and weight are concerns, you might wish to consider the new Luxeon LED lights. We are currently testing these and it looks like some models may have the power to compete with traditional lights. Please be certain you do not use standard LEDs... get a Luxeon LED, and make sure the battery life is decent.
Head-lamps are not recommended and are not allowed on night hikes. They attract insects to your face and you will most certainly shine someone in the eyes, temporarily blinding them.
A small pocket flashlight is recommended as a backup light. Good to use when moving around the boat or even your room at night, if carried in your pocket on a night outing it would also allow you to get out of the forest safely if your large flashlight was dropped and broken.
Binoculars are recommended for bird or monkey watching.
Bring a camera and plenty of film or memory cards. If you shoot film... ISO 200 - ISO 400 is a good choice. Bring spare batteries for your camera and flash. You might want to bring a good flash and macro lens. Wide angle lenses are good on the river and telephoto lenses are good for birds and monkies.
Pack film in a lead bag (camera shops have these) or in a carry-on that you can access easily for removal prior to passing through airport X-ray machines. Don't believe what they tell you... it can fog your film! NEVER place film in a checked piece of luggage.
CamCorders are also fine.
For all your electronic gear - bring spare batteries. Or, you can recharge batteries on the boat. Electric current in eastern Peru is 220 volts, but on the boat there is 220 volt and 110 volt. Be sure to ask your guide before you plug something into any un-marked socket!
Purified bottled water is always available on the boat. Your room will have several small bottles you can re-fill and take with you on outings.
Small pocket knife; good book; field guides to fauna and flora; a small first-aid kit with your medications. If you wear eyeglasses bring an extra pair. Some like to bring notebooks and keep field journals... pencil or indelible ink is recommended for this.
Some might find a collapsible walking stick such as made by Leki a helpful thing to have. Such would prove useful to many up in Machu Picchu.
Take a few plastic bags; they make good organizers, and can be used to protect cameras and binoculars if you get caught in a downpour.