International Experience – Peru

location
International Experience – Peru
Friday (January 18, 2013)
Travel from Seattle to Lima (~7:20am depart Seattle, arrive Lima ~ 12:05am)
*NOTE: Save your luggage tag/receipt for use in Lima – they WILL require it upon leaving the airport
7:20 am
Alaska Airlines Flight AS224, departs Seattle Tacoma (9:27 am Arrival in San Francisco)
11:45 am
LAN Airlines Flight LA2609, departs San Francisco (12:05 am Arrival in Lima Airport)
12:45am
Transport to Hotel (arrival around 1:45am)
Hotel (for all of time in Lima) Jose Antonio - Lima – Miraflores
Meals: All meals on your own
Dress: Casual/Comfortable
Saturday (January 19) – Welcome to Peru!
Theme for the Day: An Introduction to Peru
Breakfast at Hotel
AM: Rest/Recuperation/Orientation
~11am – Understanding Business in Peru (hotel meeting room)
a) Introduction to Lima & Peru – Overview of Economics and Entrepreneurial Allure
b) Peruvian Do’s & Don’ts
1:45pm – meet at the lobby for a Cultural History Tour (3-hour Colonial City Tour). Get acquainted with Peru's Capital
City, its 2000 years of history and Colonial heritage. We will experience the artistic traditions and contemporary lives of
its residents, and tour Lima's historical center (perhaps even viewing the changing of the guards at the presidential palace).
We will also see the Archbishop Palace, San Francisco Monastery and visit the Casa Aliaga, South America's best
preserved colonial mansion, occupied by the same family since 1535.
8:00PM Dinner Reservations (3 tables of 6) at Central Restaurant! Note: meal service is individual and on your own.
Reservations under Peterson, Blaine & Theurer (we’ll organize in advance into groups of six with these three checking in,
and will not show we are one group).
Meals: B (L, D on your own)
Dress: Casual/Comfortable
Sunday (January 20) – The Gastronomy Economy
Note: Culturally, Sunday is ‘family day’ in Peru (speakers unavailable), so Sunday will be a Peruvian Culture Day
5:30am
Breakfast at Hotel
5:55am
Meet in Lobby for Bus
6:00am
Morning through Afternoon: The Experience Economy: Marketing of Peruvian Cuisine. Together,
we’ll have a fabulous and unique experience in the most famous Fish Market in Latin America. The Villa Maria del
Triufo Market has an incredible array of everything that the Pacific Ocean provides on a daily basis. Walk around the
stalls (we’ll be given special boots to protect our feet) and see the “art” of selling, preparing and readying the fish
(seafood is a huge economy in Peru). We may even see some of Peru’s top Chefs choosing their menu for the day. We
then travel to a local restaurant, one of the preferred ones by Limeños, learn how to prepare the Peruvian National Drink,
the Pisco Sour and learn how the experience economy comes alive in two of the most typical dishes of the coast of Peru:
the famous “Cebiche”, and the delicious “Causa,” which we’ll then eat along with other Peruvian cuisine for a delicious
late lunch. (Yes, we do leave very early for the trip to Villa Maria Triufo)
Afternoon: Leisure time or Explore Lima
If you’d like to shop, consider the Larcomar Open Air Mall. This is the largest mall in Lima and is built into a cliff
and overlooks the ocean. Here, you’ll see the retail of Peru – the local identities and brands intermixed with the
international brands and upscale stores (i.e., Nike, Gucci, etc). You could include some time to explore Larcomar and
get the some items to buy (and bring home) on your shopping list.
6:00pm – meet in the lobby for a Spectacular Dinner: Our arrival in Peru is then celebrated at Huaca Pucllana, a pre-Inca
ruins site in the heart of Miraflores. Here our cuisine will be a reinterpretation of the Peruvian Criollo tradition by Chef
Marilú Madueño (Cordon Blue Paris), as she combines local flavors and ingredients with contemporary techniques. We
will look forward to our week ahead and dine amidst an unforgettable setting.
Dinner discussion– Overview of speakers to come, discussion of Peru’s growing economy
Meals: B, L D
Dress: Casual/Comfortable
4
Monday (January 21)
Theme for the Day: Growing With Care & Purpose
Breakfast at Hotel
10:00AM (session at Hotel): Carlos Anderson – A Peruvian who worked in London at the BBC, became an investment
banker and has worked in London and in NY, and now runs a large investment bank in Peru.
11:10AM catch bus to Wayra. How incubators help entrepreneurial growth in Peru
Wayra – Technology Accelerator. Wayra extends a National call for innovative projects, takes the 10 best, and
then works to help launch them. Supported by Telephonica, and offers a true start-up environment. (*wear PLU
polo and bring passport, which is required for entry by Telephonica)
1:45PM: Late lunch on your own (note: explore Miraflores for a nice spot for lunch)
4:30PM Diego de la Torre (CEO La Viga) – CSR & Andean Links to Business
de la Torre was appointed president of the United Nations Global Compact in Peru in 2003 and is active in
promoting the fight against poverty and contributing to the sustainable use of natural resources and clean energies.
de la Torre writes about the link of Andean Culture and business (read the material in the link).
Evening: Dinner is on your own… go and explore!
Meals: B (L, D on own)
Dress: Business Casual Plus (see packing list for outline; *wear PLU MBA polo in afternoon for visit to Wayra)
Tuesday (January 22)
Theme for the Day: Growing in Peru: Interesting Perspectives
Breakfast at Hotel
7:45AM
Depart for AJE
9:00AM
Executive visit with the Executive Vice-President of AJE Group focused on international growth. AJE is
a remarkable story of growth in a very competitive market – beverages. Can AJE take on Coca-Cola? Well, they started in
Peru and now operate in over 20 markets. Hear how they started and how they’ve grown during our visit at AJE.
10:00 AM
Depart for Factory Tour (~11AM) *Note: No skirts in factory, flat & full shoes (no sandals) required
1:30PM
Lunch – Pescado Capitales (group reservations set on terrace)
3:00PM catch bus to Google Peru HQ (4PM session)
7:00PM Reservations for our group (3 tables of 6) at Astrid y Gaston Restaurant! Note: meal service is individual and
on your own. Reservations under Peterson, Blaine & Theurer (we’ll organize in advance into groups of six with these
three checking in, and will not show we are one group).
Meals: B (L, D on own)
Dress: Business Casual Plus (see packing list for outline)
5
Wednesday (January 23) – Sustainable in the Sacred Valley
Theme for the Day: Linking Indigenous with Innovation – the Incas
5:00 am
5:15 am
8:00 am
9:20 am
Meet for Breakfast at Hotel
Pick up from our hotel and transfer to Lima's Airport.
LAN Airlines Flight LA2023, departs Lima Airport
Arrival in Cuzco Airport, Sacred Valley Tour
Morning: Adding Value via Culture – Pisac Market
We rise early for a transfer to the airport for our flight to Cuzco (11,200 feet). Upon arrival we will meet our private
guide and vehicle, and depart for a fascinating full day tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will visit the Inca
fortress of Ollantaytambo, strolling through the Inca living town where time seems to have stopped 500 years ago. We
then continue to Pisac, with shopping in the lively and colorful Indian Pisac market where locals following ancient
traditions sell or exchange their products. We have lunch in an Andean restaurant, then visit the art Studio of Pablo
Seminario, a local pottery artist that has gained worldwide recognition for his naïve Inca-inspired work.
3:30pm: Understanding and Experiencing Eco-Tourism and Culture: The Link via Emotional Connections
We then engage in a discussion and presentation at Willka T’ika, an eco-resort built upon (a) care for the land, (b) fair
wages for all employees, (c) long term relationships with employees and their families, (d) sustainable building materials
and design, (e) a ‘grow your own’ food program which serves much of the meal ingredients served on site, (f) a dedication
to an unmatched customer experience, and (g) a focus on supporting Andean children who attend schools not supported
by the government in the mountainous areas near Sacred Valley. Carol Cumes is a business executive, a student and
scholar of Andean/Inca culture, and an author. Carol writes about the spirit of ayni [an ancient Andean practice], the
reciprocal exchange of living energy that occurs through giving offerings and receiving from Mother Earth. A speaker
will discuss their unique approach to their eco-resort.
6:30pm
An organic, Andean dinner is served for our group dinner.
*Optional solar baths, crystal bed and/or massage may be available in the evening. See desk at check-in.
Willka Tika serves as a great example of innovation through the service economy in Peru, and incorporates social
responsibility within all operations. A growing, tourist economy is emerging, and together we’ll see a model that
celebrates people and the environment while earning a profit.
Meals: B, L, D included
Dress: Casual/Comfortable (*dress in layers)
6
Thursday (January 24) – Visit a Wonder of the World
Theme for the Day: A Wonder of the World and foundation of Peruvian Culture & Business – Machu Picchu
6:00 am
7:00 am
Breakfast at Hotel
We rise and catch a transfer to Ollanta train station to take the Expedition train to Machu
Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas (8am train).
Early Afternoon: Upon arrival to the Machu Picchu area, we will then catch a bus for the 30 minute drive to Machu
Picchu. Upon arrival we will have a private guided tour by a scholar at Machu Picchu – and we will visit the
marvelous citadel, the main plaza, the royal quarters, the Temple of Three Windows, the circular tower and the sacred Sun
Dial and burial grounds. While here, we actively look for the links to, and influence of, culture and commerce.
We then descend the mountain to our spot for the night, Aguas Calientes, for a 3-course Andean dinner at our
hotel. Before bed, we can briefly explore the evening markets in the mountain town of Aguas Calientes
before resting at the Casa del Sol Machu Picchu.
Meals: B, D (L on own on train)
Dress: Casual/Comfortable (*see special packing instructions for luggage, dress in layers, *PLU MBA dry-fit t-shirt)
7
Friday (January 25) G‘Morning Machu Picchu!
(Note; a second day allows for a MP rain backup… if day 1 or 2 is stopped due to heavy rains, a viewing on day 2 is more likely)
Theme for the Day: The Influence of the Environment and Geography of Peru: Machu Picchu to Cusco
5:00 – 10:00am
Continental Breakfast at Hotel
Early Morning: We have a very early morning trip to admire Machu Picchu at sunrise, which locals say is a truly
mystical experience. This visit is our chance to reconnect with Machu Picchu (an unguided trip), and some additional
hikes are possible. Busses usually leave around 6am, and we’ll check to see what time sunrise will be at Machu Picchu (it
will be light before the sun clears the mountains at MP, so we may be able to leave later in the morning). Locals say that
on a relatively clear day, the sunrise is truly spectacular.
We need to be down the mountain and back at the hotel by 2pm.
12:00pm
Hotel Checkout, leave bags at hotel if you are heading around town
Noon-3:00pm Free time in Aguas Calientes
3:20pm
Leave, walk to train station
3:40pm
Arrive at Train Station in Aguas Calientes (this is approximately a 10-15 minute walk from our hotel)
4:22pm
Expedition Train departs AC
6:01pm
Train arrives at Ollanta Station, catch bus to Cuzco hotel (Casa Andina Cusco Catedral).
8:00pm
Explore Cusco in the evening and find a great spot for dinner.
Meals: B (L on own on train, D on own in Cuzco)
Dress: Casual/Comfortable (you’ll have all of your luggage again in Cuzco!)
8
Saturday (January 26) – Ruins to Riches
Theme for the Day: From Ruins to Riches: The Bustling Economy of Cusco & Farewell to Peru
Breakfast at Hotel
8:45am:
Tour: we start with an economic engine in Cusco – the Farmers Market. We will explore the organic
and sustainably grown market offerings, and then visit cultural icons including the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral and the
Santo Domingo convent monastery. The Santo Domingo monastery was built over the Koricancha temple, one of the most
important temples dedicated to the worship of the sun. This helps us understand how the environment was critical to (and
worshipped by) historical Peru, something we will have seen in business as well. According to the chronicles, it was
covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. We will then visit old town (with its very narrow
streets). After seeing the most interesting sites of the city, we will then visit the nearby and remarkable Inca ruins of
Sacsayhuamán.
2:10pm:
4:50 pm
6:15 pm
7:45pm
Hotel pickup for airport transfer
LAN Airlines Flight LA2032, departs Cuzco Airport
Arrival in Lima Airport
Dinner
Dinner: Our final example of the experience economy occurs as we end our celebration in Peru with a great shared meal
in a gorgeous restaurant overlooking the ocean, toasting Peru and our wonderful speakers, experiences and travel mates at
the La Rosa Nautica Restaurant for a “farewell Peru dinner.” We discuss what has impressed us to this point on our
journey, reflecting on the speakers, insights, experiences and emotions that we’ve experienced together over the last week.
We reflect on the business climate of Peru, its past, and its future, and what insights we’ve gathered which relate back to
shared learning in the MBA program.
10:15pm:
We travel to Lima Airport for a late night flight
Meals: B, D (L on own)
Dress: Casual/Comfortable
Saturday Night/Early Sunday (tentatively: January 26/27, 2013)
1:35 am
7:15 am
10:40 am
1:20 pm
LAN Airlines Flight LA600, departs Lima Airport
Arrival in Los Angeles International Airport
Alaska Airlines Flight AS461, departs Los Angeles International Airport
Arrival in Seattle Tacoma
Meals: on own at airports
Dress: Casual/Comfortable
9
EMERGENCY
Contact Information
VERY IMPORTANT: if there is an emergency and someone needs to get ahold of you while you are in Peru, have them
FIRST contact Campus Safety. Have the person tell Campus Safety that they need to get ahold of a participant on a PLU
Study Away trip via the Wang Center, and that the person is on the trip to Peru with Dr. Mulder and through the School of
Business. This will activate a network of PLU staff who will work to track us down while we are in Peru.
Campus Safety Number: 253.535.7441
Dr. Mulder and Mari Peterson will have a cell phone while in Peru, which can be accessed in case of an emergency. The
Wang Center will have these numbers. These phones do not have voicemail access. +(51) 989068112 and +(51)
989397914 are the two phone numbers.
Hotel Information
Lima
January 18 - 23
Hotel Jose Antonio, Miraflores
Av.28 de Julio 398; Lima, Peru
Phone: (51) (1) 445-7743
Urubamba
January 23
Willka Tika Garden Paradise Resort, Sacred Valley
Paradero Rumichaka; Urubamba, Peru
Phone: (51) (84) 201508
Aguas Calientes
January 24
Casa del Sol, Machu Picchu
Av. Imperio de los Incas No. 608; Aguas Calientes, Peru
Phone: (51) (84) 21 1118
Cuzco
January 25
Casa Andina Classic Catedral
Sta. Catalina Angosta 149; Cuzco, Peru
Phone: (51) (84) 23 3661
10
Peru Travel – Information & Helpful Hints
Overview:
Few travel destinations in the world can rival Peru. Nowhere else, for example, may one better appreciate the
beauty, grandeur and mystery of lost civilizations than at ancient Machu Picchu. In Peru, we will see the beautiful
surf of the Pacific during our stay in Lima, and visit the ancient Inca capital Cuzco in the high Andes. We will
find that dining can be very exotic throughout Peru, and may find fantastic shopping opportunities at a wide range
of Indian markets in Pisac and Cuzco, and trendy shops in Miraflores.
Country Facts:
• Size: Peru is South America’s third-largest country, and with 496,224 sq. mi. it is over twice the size of
France. Peru shares borders with Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia and Chile.
• Population: 22 million
• Capital: Lima (pop. 5 million, alt. 0-500 ft.).
• Language: Spanish and many native languages including Quechua and Aymara.
• Electricity: Both 110 volts, 60 cycles and 220 volts, 50 cycles. Often a voltage converter and a two-prong
plug adapter are necessary for U.S. appliances.
• Religion: Roman Catholic
• Time: Lima is the same as U.S. Eastern Standard Time.
• Entry requirements: Valid U.S. passport. No visa required.
• Currency: Peru nuevo sol. Credit cards widely accepted, ATMs in major cities (note: NO ATM’s in Cuzco or
Aguas Calientes… plan ahead with cash.
Shopping:
Peru offers an irresistible selection of hand-woven textiles, rugs, and sweaters made from Alpaca. Popular
purchases include dolls, gold and silver filigree jewelry, hand-painted mirrors and very popular llama fur rugs.
Cuzco excels in all things made from Llama and Alpaca. There are also chic boutiques in Lima's fashionable
Miraflores area and in suburban San Isidro's modern Centro Camino Real shopping center. Lima shopping hours:
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Monday – Saturday.
Food and Drink:
Peru has extraordinary, exotic food alongside international favorites. In Lima, try the many excellent restaurants
that specialize in traditional foods like anticuchos (marinated beef heart grilled over charcoal), chupe (savory
gruel usually made with shrimp or fish), papas a la huancaina (spicy cream sauce served over potatoes), ceviche
de corvina (raw sea bass marinated in lemon), or Cuy (guinea pig). The list is endless. Aji is spicy Peruvian hot
sauce, and many dishes are prepared or served with it. Also Peru's chifas are considered the best Chinese
restaurants outside the Orient. In Cuzco, seemingly endless varieties of corn and potatoes (over 100 varieties)
make every meal an adventure. Peru’s traditional drink is pisco sour made from grape brandy with egg white,
lemon juice and sugar. Good Peruvian wine (Tacama) is available and the national beer is excellent. Peru's big
soft drink is Inca Cola, which interestingly, is one of the few national brands in the world to outsell Coca-Cola.
11
Telephone Area Codes:
Country code (51); Lima (14) and Cuzco (84)
Tipping:
Restaurants: For our meals included in our program, the service charge is already pre-paid (e.g., breakfast at
hotel, lunch events, dinners with our group are all pre-paid).
However, if someone goes above and beyond, you may leave couple of dollars (or Sols) to a server if you’d like.
When you dine on your own (not part of our program) 10%-15% tipping is suggested.
Taxis: do not tip
Hotels: if a porter carries your back to your room, a tip of $1-2USD is appropriate per bag. You may also choose
to leave a few dollars for the hotel staff if you would like (concierge, front desk, room attendants, etc), though this
is at your discretion.
Guides (tipping per person): Gratuities for all of our tours will be paid by Dr. Mulder.
During our stay, if you decided to participate in a different type of tour and you are traveling with a group tour, you may
hand the guide $2-3 for half day tour and around $5 (USD or equivalent in Soles) for a full day tour.
12
Packing & Attire (Dress) Information
During our trip, we will have two levels of dress:
1) Business Casual Plus: Think of this as one step above a nice business casual. For men, this includes a dress shirt
(tie not required), slacks and nice shoes. For women, this could include slacks, a dress, and a nice dress shirt or
blouse. There are only two days where this is required, and the goal is to respect the business environment while
still remaining comfortable in hot/humid weather.
2) Casual/Comfortable: This is up to you… you are encouraged to dress in layers, particularly when we are in Cuzco
and Machu Picchu, as the temperature can vary over 30 degrees in the same day.
What not to wear: Sandals (hygiene/bug bites) or flashy high end clothing. Note that while you may
choose to wear them, shorts are not a common item for Peruvians (often light pants/khaki’s/jeans are
worn).
Important Machu Picchu Packing Information
Please read this page prior to our departure, and again on the evening of January 23, 2013
For Machu Picchu, you will be required to pack in 3-ways:
1. Bring a Small backpack with the items you will need for tomorrow’s day tour only. This small bag will stay
with you the entire day. Please consider packing the following:
• Camera
• Light raingear and a small collapsible umbrella (just in case...)
• Sunglasses, high SPF sun block (30+) and sun hat
• Mosquito Repellent with DEET (or similar)
• Passport – (you must have it handy in order to board the train)
• Any medicines and other items you may need to access during the day, before arriving to your hotel later
this afternoon. REMEMBER your altitude medication, and take it as instructed prior to our departures for
Cuzco/Machu Picchu.
• Cash! There is no ATM machine in Machu Picchu.
2. Bring a Small Carry-on of a maximum 10 pounds with your overnight change of clothes toiletries, personal
medicines etc. This bag will travel with you on the train, and will be taken from you upon arrival to Aguas
Calientes train station by the staff of the Hotel. It will be waiting for you at the reception at the time of check-in,
later in the afternoon. Note the hotel provides the guests with bathroom amenities as well as hairdryer in each
room. Make sure to pack something warm for the evening. Dress code at the hotel for dinner is casual.
3. Important: Leave the rest of your luggage – this will be collected from you tomorrow morning upon our
departure from the hotel. The luggage will securely travel to Cuzco with our representative, will be delivered to
our Cuzco hotel and will be waiting for us at the time of check-in. This means you will NOT have these bags with
you in Aguas Calientes, so please plan accordingly.
13
Climate & Overall Packing Information
Peru is the third-largest country in South America and consists of three main climatic areas: the dry and foggy coastal area
(see Lima below), the Andes Mountains with their distinct rainy season and the hot, humid & rainy Amazon basin.
Some helpful information about Lima and our time in Cuzco/Machu Picchu:
Lima: It will be HOT. It will likely be mid-80’s and HUMID during our time in Lima. Breathable and/or lightweight
materials are recommended. The humidity is described as strong and noticeable, particularly to us from the PNW who
aren’t used to it. However, it is not described as oppressive humidity, perhaps like the kind you’d find in Washington DC
in the summer, or in Mississippi. Still, it will be warm, sunny and amazing in South America in January!
Cuzco: Don’t let the temperature guide below fool you… it can feel VERY WARM at times in Cuzco/MP, particularly
when you are out in the sun. The sun and UV rays are very strong here, and while you could be comfortable in a light coat
in the shade, step into the sun and it could feel like it is 90 degrees. Thus, the recommendation for our time in this area is
layers. Wear something that if you need to just have a shirt on in the sun you will be comfortable, yet pack another layer
or two (light fleece plus windbreaker/rain jacket) for evenings.
Machu Picchu: Bring a pair of sturdy shoes. This could be a pair of nice running shoes, or some lightweight hiking boots.
There’s a good chance of rain showers during a part of our MP visits, and there are not covered areas, so be prepared with
a collapsible umbrella and/or a raincoat, and plan for what to do if your feet get wet. There is a type of small gnat which
lives in the grass and in the mountain area which can provide a small bug bite. To help prevent this and the subsequent
itch which follows, wear closed shoes, longer socks, long pants and pack along the bug spray with DEET. Some
manufacturers mix sun and bug protection, which you may find at REI if you like the idea of a combo spray. It is also a
very good idea to have a hat fit for the sun… one which provides some shade protection yet also allows some air
circulation around your head. Apparently there are some vendors in Cuzco/Aguas Calientes which sell an inexpensive
straw hat if you want to think about buying something locally and not packing it along.
Both locations: Note that the sun and UV rays are intense. You can get sun burned even on a cloudy day. Spend
20 minutes in the sun without sunscreen, and you could be very, very sunburnt. It is possible to get sunstroke
and/or heatstroke, so be prepared with high SPF sunscreen that you put on daily, and drink lots and lots of bottled
water.
LIMA - Monthly Average
January
February
March
April
May June July August
September
October
November
December
High Temperature ( F )
79
80
79
76
72
68
66
66
66
69
72
76
Low Temperature ( F )
67
68
67
64
62
60
59
59
59
60
62
65
Precipitation ( in )
0.03
0.02
0.02
0.00
0.01
0.03
0.04
0.06
0.03
0.01
0.00
0.01
Cuzco - Monthly Average
January
February
March
April
May June
July
August
September
October
November
December
High Temperature ( F )
66
66
66
67
67
67
67
68
68
70
69
69
Low Temperature ( F )
44
44
43
41
37
33
32
35
39
42
43
44
Precipitation ( in )
6.30
5.23
4.27
1.75
0.34
0.09
0.15
0.31
0.88
1.86
3.09
4.73
14
FAQ’s
I heard that Mari Peterson is joining us… are we really that lucky?
Indeed you are. Given the size of our group, we’ve added another PLU representative to assist us on this trip.
Many of you know Mari, and she’ll be a great resource while in Peru. She will officially be ‘working’ and
helping with behind the scenes logistics, tour arrangements, on-site communications with our tour operators and
hotels, and as an emergency liaison and contact person. Yet, she will also have time to participate in activities
with you and experience Peru as well. Please remember Mari’s first role is as a PLU liaison, and I know you’ll
respect her and her role in Peru.
How much money should I bring, and where do I exchange it?
If you plan to do some shopping in Lima or Cuzco at a larger store, there’s a good chance the vendor will accept
MasterCard or Visa. For shopping in farmers markets or at street vendors, Sols or US Dollars are accepted.
You’ll likely get the best exchange rate at: (1) airport, (2) local grocery stores (e.g., pay in USD, get change in
Sols), or (3) money exchangers on the street. While #3 may sound suspect, apparently there is a system of
money exchangers which are organized, licensed, show published rates and are easy to find. You will get a
receipt with a vendor number, which can be tracked if there are any problems. Certainly you can choose to stop
by a bank or hotel, though rates for Sols tend to be higher here than elsewhere.
For meals on your own, it’s hard to estimate how much you should bring. For example, a dinner at a small café
could run $7USD, whereas a nice meal at a trendy fusion restaurant could run $20-50USD. You are in Peru for
an international experience, so I wouldn’t recommend you try to be super frugal… go out, explore, and enjoy
what might be a once in a lifetime experience! As such, I’d recommend a budget of $15USD for lunch, and
$40USD for dinner when you are on your own (OYO)… understandably, this amount will likely be high,
though will help you estimate your budget (OYO meals in Lima/Cuzco: 6 lunches = $90, 4 dinners = $160). As
for shopping, you know your own style and can best predict how much to bring. Also, taxis are relatively cheap
(figure around $7USD each way) and can be shared with others in the group. You are encouraged to eat the
breakfast at the hotel each morning, and could bring some Clif or granola meal bars for when we are traveling if
you’d like a snack or to use in place of a meal.
Do I need reservations for restaurants in Peru?
Most of the time, yes. Our first night will be most tricky, as we arrive at 2am. You may note that we changed
the dinner at Huaca Pucllana to Sunday night. The reason we are doing this is I’ve learned that many
restaurants are closed on Sunday, so you’ll have a great opportunity to experience the dining and night life
scene in Lima on Saturday night. So, you’ll want to either (1) work in advance to find a cool place to eat (I’ll
send out some recommendations, though online at Trip Advisor and other websites offer great ideas as well)
and then make a reservation for that spot (email, website, call for reservations), or (2) work Saturday morning at
our hotel to get dinner recommendations and reservations.
Note: dinner in Lima is often LATE. Many don’t open until 8pm, and if you show up at 8pm, you could be
eating with grandparents. 9:30pm-11pm are the busy dinner times, particularly in trendy restaurants.
15
What are things I can do to be safe in Peru?
Well, there are a lot of things that could be listed here. The top five are:
1) Listen to instructions by our guides, hotel staff, and PLU guides. When you are given access to a hotel
safe, use it if you are out of your room. In general, keep your valuables with you (including a copy of
your passport).
2) Stay alert, and prevent pickpocketing by using zippered compartments and immediately responding to a
‘bump’ on a street (remain alert to a bump, and respond to check your valuables).
3) Being alert doesn’t mean paranoid… just have an air of confidence, like you know where you are going
and that people would likely find trouble if they choose you as a potential target. You will obviously be
a foreigner in Peru, though our district in Miraflores is international in nature and you will likely meet
people from all over the world.
4) Travel in groups. You should always be in a group of 2+ wherever you go. Let others know where you
are going, and use the “destination” sheet which we’ll have at the hotel desk for you to fill out.
5) Be respectful. When in public, and particularly in restaurants or when drinking a Pisco Sour, let people
know how much you love Peru and how excited you are to experience this great country and culture. If
there’s something you don’t like about Peru, sharing it in public may not be a good idea.
I don’t know Spanish. Will that be a problem?
No worries. All of our tours and speakers will be in English. You’ll find that many restaurants have servers who
speak English, and you can request this as you arrive. You are encouraged to apologize that you don’t speak
Spanish, and ask (politely) if the person speaks English (say this in Spanish)… it’s amazing how your humility
in this approach will be respected.
What will I need to pay for in Peru?
First, here’s what is already paid as part of your trip: (1) airport and entry taxes are prepaid, (2) Group tours are
pre-paid, (3) Group meals are pre-paid, (4) Tips for tours and gratuities for our group meals are pre-paid, and all
(5) In country group transportation and transfers (business visits, airport transfers and hotel transfers) is prepaid.
You will simply pay for the meals while we are traveling (airports), some on-your-own meals (and
corresponding gratuities, where applicable) as listed in the itinerary, taxi rides and any shopping you’d like to
do.
Are we meeting on campus for the trip to/from the airport, or at Sea-Tac?
We will meet at Sea-Tac. However, if you live near campus and would like to meet some people and carpool to
Sea-Tac, that would be great. We’ll park away from buildings (and near cameras) and let PLU Campus Safety
know of the vehicles staying on campus.
How much luggage can I bring?
You can bring the maximum of: (1) carry on item, (2) two items 50 lbs or less. However, you are encouraged to
pack light as much as possible… as two suitcases are a lot of carry around. We have a ‘through’ ticket on our
16
Alaska flight, meaning we should not be charged for the extra suitcase as this is part of a LAN airways ticket,
which allows the two bags for our international flight.
17