PACKING & LUGGAGE - Light is right: We suggest that you carry as few clothes and things as you are comfortable with. As we move from the planes, trains, and vans to our hotels, there are some times when we must walk a few hundred meters/yards while carrying your luggage. If you really can't or don't want to handle your own gear, and you want to bring a lot, we can usually find a native on the spot who would gladly carry your stuff for a small payment.

On South American airlines we are limited to one carry-on weighing no more than 10 lbs. Two bags are allowed for check in. Do what you can within your comfort zone to travel light. Why do you think they call it luggage?

There are various places in each itinerary where we will be able to drop stuff off and come back to it later. So an extra bag that you can lock is good for leaving bulk and weight you won't always need to haul around with you. The shopping at 3rd world prices is great in Peru, a lot of people end up with bulk needing an extra bag. Bags of many sizes can also be bought in Peru. Bring extra locks.

Backpack or Suitcase: Small suitcases on rollers will suffice and most travelers already have them. Plus they do offer some entertainment as they bounce along on the dirt and cobble stone tracks we sometimes walk.

The suitcase can be augmented by a small shoulder strap duffel bag. If you plan on the bag riding on your suitcase handle bring some bungee cords to secure it well. On the short but rough tracks we walk to our hotels, loose bags will constantly bounce and slide off their handle perch.

Backpacks are preferred by many of our travelers but at times you need to be able to lock them. Two zippers that come together are the easiest or this can be done with the metal webs sold in sporting goods stores or through www.campmor.com. I have placed 4 chain links over the drawstring of my backpack and run a small chain through them to lock it.

You'll want to be able to lock your suitcase or a backpack during South American air travel (they by law must not be locked during North American air travel). And rather than always carrying everything around with you it is safer to leave the bulk of your valuables locked in your pack or bag in your hotel room. Small combination locks are the most convenient. The little locks that use keys are often way too easy to pick open (I do it somewhat regularly when our travelers lose those tiny keys). I like the Security Clip Combo lock (Eagle Creek) www.campmor.com. If you wish you may use the Cusco office telephone number on an identification tag outside your luggage: Sacred Heritage, Cusco, Peru 51/(84) 969-2575.

WHAT TO BRING:
Clothing: Your everyday cotton clothes are fine, you don't need to go out and buy 'expedition' clothes for these journeys, you can if you want to but it's really not necessary. Loose clothing is best for traveling (actually for life in general). Constrictive clothing makes even more uncomfortable extended vehicle travel (the need for many pee breaks can be directly proportional to the tightness of the pants being worn). Also cutting off blood circulation makes the cold even colder.

Tops: Undershirts, two or more short sleeve T-shirts and one or two long sleeves undershirts will do along with a couple of outer shirts. Versatile layering is the most efficient.

Bottoms: Try traveling with just two pair of pants. Women may want to substitute pants with a comfortable long skirt. Many cold nights make long underwear advisable. The weather is cool, but bring a light pair of shorts if you wish. They can also make do for hot springs soaking and/or bring a bathing suit. All of our journeys visit hot springs and there is swimming available on the rainforest journeys. Cultural Note: Shorts are OK around the main tourist centers but in the smaller villages they are a culture clash, shocking to the natives who keep themselves very covered in public. Light rain pants are good, especially Oct - April.

Coat: Shelter from the storm, wind and rain shell over a sweater is my preference. If you chill easy by all means bring a warm coat. A large rain poncho works well if you don't otherwise have a waterproof suit.

Sweaters: You can leave your plastic pile sweaters at home if you want. Come to Peru to buy sweaters, they will be available from the first and most every day you are there. As little as $10-20 will buy you a fine alpaca hand-loomed treasure. While you are at it you may as well buy a bunch of sweaters to take home as gifts.

Hat: The high altitudes and equator sun can fry you. Do not rely on sun block. The best protection is simply long sleeves and pants in light material and a full-brimmed hat. It is convenient to carry a hat that can crush into your pack. Many styles of hats are available upon arrival in Peru.

Laundry: Most towns and our hotels have laundry service. If you have two changes of clothes, you can wear one while the other gets cleaned. Actually, you can also do this by hand. The natives and I don't seem to need a fresh change every day.

Boots: Heavy clunker hiking boots are NOT necessary. Low-top boots or shoes are good enough for climbing around the ruins, mountains, and for rainy or cold nights. Be sure to have good traction soles if this is something you have become dependent upon. For easy cruise comfort you can also bring some sneakers or sandals (the choice of most natives).

Toiletries: Hauling around huge bottles of shampoo and creams can create a major bulk in your luggage and some airlines nolonger allow liquids as part of their security protocols. Small plastic bottles are sold in many sizes at sporting goods and most drug stores. You can carry only what is needed for two weeks. Toiletries and medicines are available in the towns. Don't worry about running out.

Flashlight: You'll need a flashlight and spare batteries; there is no electricity at many of the places we visit. The small but powerful lights using only AA or AAA batteries are easy to carry around; you don't need to carry anything larger. If you are ready to join the 21st century the lights using LED bulbs are the best; giving hundreds of hours of battery life and decades of bulb life. I use the Princeton Tec Attitude 4AAA LED Light. Those little batteries will last 150 hrs. and it is small enough that always have it in my day pack.
Some people may want a head lamp. I also travel with a Princeton Tec Aurora Headlamp. These can be ordered through www.campmor.com. See: Lights and Lanterns > L.E.D. Lights & Lanterns

Earplugs: The noise levels in third world developing cultures can be amazing. All night extremely loud parties are part of life there and you never know when one may pop up under your bedroom window. If you are a light sleeper some form of earplugs would be a good idea. Earplugs are especially helpful if you are traveling in a group and you end up sharing a room with a person who snores. BACK TO TOP

WATER: Much of the Andean water is mountain fresh and alive. To secure this excellent water against bacteria it is best to carry a small hand pump filter. Please don't plan on buying plastic throwaway bottles to trash the land every day and the water quality in plastic bottles there cannot always be guaranteed. Purification drops will work also but can get hard on your digestion after a while.

You can find water purifiers at most hiking stores. These I also get through www.campmor.com. I use the: SweetWater Guardian Filter $55 or the SweetWater Walkabout Filter $45. The AquaPur filter works well too. For purification information also see www.cascadedesigns.com.

I also use two Platypus 1 Liter Reservoirs $6 each The Platypus reservoir folds flat in your pack and bends to get under the lower faucets. You need two water containers, one to pump from and another to carry the purified water.

MEALS: Usually 1/2 to 2/3's of your meals are included; especially when we are camping or in an outback village and are beyond the choice of restaurants. When in towns breakfast is usually provided and at times dinner also but normally we prefer to allow you your choice, which works out to be much less expensive for you overall. In the restaurants we frequent the average price per-meal runs $3 - $6, perhaps more in some popular places. $10 a day is a good high estimate for your restaurant and food needs for the two weeks or a total of $150. It may be made much less or more expensive by your choices.

Much of the food is naturally organic, grown by a culture that has long respected the earth. However the Andean/Amazon culture is not traditionally vegetarian. See also Travel Health. BACK TO TOP

LODGING: The hotels we stay at are definitely not roughing it. They have been carefully selected for their natural ambiance; they are garden spots of family feeling and charm. In the professional travel language they are called boutique lodging, with 2 to 4 star ratings. We normally do not stay in 5 star hotels, which in general are not as warm hearted. Most of our travelers delight in the places we stay. However, there are some people who will be more comfortable in a different "quality" room. Anytime you wish we can arrange for you a more expensive hotel, at your extra cost of perhaps $50 to $100 per night, depending on your choices.

While what we offer is not typical tourism, we are usually in double rooms with private baths. In some special situations (not the entire journey) you may be asked if you are willing to use a shared bath and perhaps room with 3 or more people (rare). This is especially true if we have received your reservations less than 5 months in advance.

Bedding is supplied everywhere we go so you don't need to bring a sleeping bag. However most Andean buildings are not heated, because they are built of adobe they retain the day's heat fairly well. When an Andean feels chilly they put on a sweater or poncho rather than start a fire or push up the thermostat. Some nights may get close to or a little below freezing, especially during the southern hemisphere winter, June - Sept; in unheated buildings temperatures will be in the 50'sF/10 C. If you sleep cold, yes, bring a sleeping bag if you want to. The thing about a sleeping bag is that it is one more thing to carry around, but maybe it's worth it to you. At times I carry a light down bag, opened all the way as a comforter. The hotels in colder areas now offer small heaters -- and all supply plenty of blankets.

ELECTRICITY in South America is 220v. BACK TO TOP

MONEY $$: For those who don't want to carry cash, American Express traveler's checks are the most acceptable for exchange, any other form of check can be troublesome. The exchange rate on traveler's checks will be a few points lower. If carrying cash be careful not to bring any torn bills, with even the slightest tear your money will be refused. Best is to bring newer bills. The Peruvians will check carefully for counterfeit bills, you will want to be sure for yourself beforehand also. After more than a few dire travel experiences I've learned to always keep a few hundred worth of $20 bills in cash stashed against emergencies.

Exchanging US$$$ into Peruvian Soles is best done in a Peruvian town such as Cusco. Doing this in the airports or out of country the exchange rate can be outrageously much lower. When you arrive in Cusco we will take care of the exchange with you. American dollars are accepted everywhere so you could bring a few US $5 and $10 bills just to see you through Lima. Or if you would like exchange $20 or so in the Lima airport.

Attention Travel-Mart Shoppers: Beautiful handicrafts are being offered at amazing 3rd world prices. Have plenty of spending cash at hand. The majority of shops will not accept credit cards.

CREDIT CARDS: Cash can be drawn at some banks and ATM's, mostly with VISA cards and the PLUS system. If you plan on carrying credit cards make a note of their numbers and the telephone numbers to call if lost while out of country. Often North American 1-800 numbers will not work from South America. BACK TO TOP

PASSPORT AND VISAS: Yes, a passport is needed. In addition to your passport, bring two photocopies of your passport picture page. This is easier and safer to carry around. When in transit (buses, planes, etc.) I keep my passport in a pouch inside my clothes but when just wandering around town muggings and pocket slashing can happen; the bulk of your money, your passport and air tickets are much safer locked in your bag and left in your room.

Visitor's Visa: Your visitor's visa will be issued at the Lima airport. They are happy to see you and your spending money and have made the visa process very easy. You do not need to do this beforehand. Be sure to keep the visa safe in your passport, as you will need to turn it in when you leave the country. BACK TO TOP

RESERVATIONS: Some of the South American airlines and lodging we use have become very much in demand. Five months, even six months ahead of travel is not too soon to get your name on our reservation lists, the sooner the better. Your names can go early on the reservation lists with no further commitment or cancellation penalty until the deposits are due.

PRICES AND PAYMENTS: The journey prices DO NOT include airfare to and from Peru. The prices do include all in-country transportation, lodging, guides, ceremonies, entrance fees, airport taxes and usually about half or more of your meals.

Deposits of $500 per person are due 3 MONTHS in advance of travel.

Full payment is due 2 MONTHS in advance of first day of travel in Peru.

Chances of change: Land costs, airfares, itineraries, reality in general, and all things are universally subject to change, especially in South America

CANCELLATIONS: Cancellations made with less than 3 months notice of departure date are subject to a $300 fee. If Sacred Heritage needs to cancel the journey the full $500 deposit will be refunded.

We must retain the right to terminate service at any time with a pro-rated refund to anyone who proves to be too disruptive during the journey. This is necessary for the sake of our relationship with the local guides, the villagers we visit, the rest of the group and the sanity of the journey organizer. BACK TO TOP

AIR ARRANGEMENTS: We don't handle arranging your flights to South America, use a local travel agent or the internet to find what is best for your needs. Our favorite on the net is http://StaceyCavin.WorldVentures.com.Some search engines like www.bookingbuddy.com, www.kayak.com and www.flycheapabroad.com allow you to do simultaneous multiple airline searches. When using any online travel site be sure to double check your reservation directly with the airline. All airfares are subject to change until the ticket is issued, flights may overbook so book early and reconfirm!

Watch out! Many airlines arrive in or leave Lima just after midnight, which can create quite a muddle of the dates shown on your airline tickets. Please check with your group organizer or call us if you are in any doubt!

Arrivals will normally be flying to Peru on the first day of your itinerary calendar; that is the night your hotel in Lima is reserved. If the flight arrives after midnight, your ticket states arrival on the following date, and that's all right.

When leaving Peru you will be back in the Lima airport usually by 17:00 (5pm) the evening on the last day on your itinerary calendar; from most places our journeys end up there is no way to get back to the Lima airport before noon. If your flight leaves after midnight your ticket must be dated for the following day. If your flight leaves in the morning or in the afternoon before 5pm you will need an extra night in Lima at your extra cost.

Extra nights in Lima, coming or going, can be arranged for an additional $80 single or $50 each for a double. Included is airport pickup and return in the morning, staying at the Manhattan Inn Tel 51(Peru) (1) 464-5811) or perhaps Miraflores, a nicer neighborhood but nearly an hour away from the airport if traffic is heavy. If you would like to get out on the town a personal guide can be arranged at your extra cost, $15 per hour. If you would like to come early, we can also arrange extra nights in Cusco, guides $7 per hour (many people, myself included, dislike Lima, whereas Cusco is extraordinarily beautiful and fun).

TRAVEL ACCIDENT INSURANCE: Good information on travel accident insurance, for those who choose, can be found at www.worldtravelcenter.com. BACK TO TOP

YELLOW FEVER INOCULATION IS REQUIRED FOR THOSE GOING TO THE RAINFOREST LODGE near Puerto Maldonaldo. Although generally no shots are required, some are suggested by health boards.See ADVICE FOR TRAVEL HEALTH

For a small amount, we can pay them to fund worldwide projects of renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation that will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the air by the same amount that our travel activities increase it. Working with their chart, I figure that from the States, a US$40 donation will offset our South America round trip and in-country travel pollution. Please consider helping us all this way as we hope that soon we will advance into a clean way to travel.

INFORMATION YOU NEED TO SEND TO US: Send us your passport number and country of issue AS SOON AS YOU DECIDE YOU ARE GOING, and again, the sooner the better. Without it we can't reserve your trains, planes and buses. If you don't have a passport get started on it, the process may take six weeks, although you may pay extra and get a passport rushed.We need ONLY your FIRST and LAST NAMES as shown on passport. Do not send us your middle names or add on last names, as they only confuse things when we reserve your airline and train tickets.

Provide us with your FLIGHT INFORMATION as soon as possible.

• Dates and times of arrival in Lima and departure from Peru.

• Carrier name.

• Flight numbers.

• Where your flight arriving in Lima is from, i.e. L.A., Dallas, Miami or Santiago, Chile, etc. This may not be where you started from but it is the last of your flights that arrive in Lima.

COMMUNICATIONS: As most hotels will answer their phones in Spanish, the best way to contact a group in journey is to E-mail our main office at info@sacredheritage.com or call Sacred Heritage in Peru 51/(84) 969-2575. The offices will quickly relay your message.

If you wish you may use the Cusco office telephone number on an identification tag outside your luggage: Sacred Heritage, Cusco, Peru 51/(84) 969-2575. BACK TO TOP

WARNINGS:
Itinerary: Individual freedom is highly encouraged. All that we have to share is simply offered. Nothing is mandatory. Though we have an itinerary of reservations, these may change to meet the groups' true needs and flow. Individuals may choose to stay behind or go ahead, rejoining the group when they will. We have found freedom to be directly proportional to experience and growth potential.

Free-flow travel has been proven to be difficult for those who expect a minute-by-minute guided tour. For those who are inflexible or who really want someone to tell them what to do, about $1000 more will get you a commercial tourist agency.

Shamans and healers: The Andean priesthood and the ceremonies they offer are for real. This is not tourist entertainment. The prayers evoke powers that do have their effect. We have seen wondrous spiritual growth as a result; however for those who choose to participate, the gravity of the situation may mean heavy work (physically, emotionally, or spiritually) that these initiations sometimes demand. Ain't no foolin' around! This stuff is for real. We also may be walking into a temple with a shaman who has a whole hat full of rituals to offer. But still, until we arrive, there's no telling what she will do. Allowing the moment's magic, in that wild shamanic way. At those places where you have the option of a psychic/diagnostic coca leaf reading we ask that you pay out of your own pocket, usually around $3. It's an energy connection thing.

Our travels bring us deep into an ancient culture now considered "third world" and well beyond tourism's sanitized plastic curtain. We are at times with the people, not only in the temples for worship, but also sometimes in their homes to eat and sometimes to sleep, as you can read in the itineraries. This means that on occasion we are beyond indoor plumbing. We make sure that our meals and bedding are well cleaned, but you may find village children with dirty faces. Ah...but their eyes shine. (See "Third World Simplicity"). Some simple precautions can make your journey a healthy one. BACK TO TOP