NORTH PERU INFO SHEET       TOUCAN TOURS

During your flight to Peru you will be given two forms to fill in. The white one is the immigration form and the green one is the customs document.

The forms are self-explanatory but please ask the steward or stewardess if in any difficulty.

On the Immigration form they will want a name of the hotel you are staying in. Please insert the name of the hotel as per your final tour instructions.

On arrival at Jorge Chavez airport in Lima you will either board a bus or be guided the short walking distance to the arrivals building. Your first stop will be at the queue (probably quite lengthy) for passport control. It is here that you will need the immigration form. Once your passport is stamped a part of this form will be handed back to you.
IMPORTANT Please retain this part of the document, as you will need it to exit Peru at the end of the tour.

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BAGGAGE COLLECTION

You will next enter the baggage collection point. If there is a delay or you have passed through immigration quickly this is a good time to purchase some Peruvian currency. Peruvian Soles can be purchased at the desks near the luggage carousel. The US Dollar can be used in most of Peru’s big cities including Lima and tourist destinations such as Cusco, Chiclayo, Cajamarca, Huaraz, Arequipa and Iquitos. There are plenty of places to change up money in these larger cities anyway. In the more remote north including the Maranon Valley and Tumbes, there are fewer opportunities to change money. It is always a good idea to carry some Soles with you and changing at least US$50 is advisable. Your tour includes meals so you will need enough spending money for drinks or other items not included in the price of your tour.
Once you have retrieved your bags you will then need to proceed to customs. Personnel will be waiting to check the airline baggage tag (with a barcode and serial number) against the baggage ticket handed to you at check in at your point of departure. These are normally stuck to your boarding pass or ticket.

You’ll notice that the queue to customs leads between some desks for luggage inspection. An operator will collect your customs form here and then you will be asked to press a large button. If a green light flashes simply proceed past the desks and wait for the group. If the light flashes red you will be requested to wait while an operator conducts a simple random search. This usually takes very little time.

Once the group has assembled on the other side of the customs check (if you are not travelling alone) please proceed along the hallway (ignoring offers of hotels and taxis from official tour agencies) where you'll be met by myself or one of my representatives. Look for a big sign with “TOUCAN”, “TOUCAN BIRDING TOURS” or your name on it. Please take care with your hand luggage at this point, as the arrivals section of this airport is always crowded. A driver will guide you to the bus and you’ll head for the hotel (15 – 30 minutes max).

CLIMATE.
We will be visiting Peru in the dry season. However we will encounter some rain away from the arid areas on the Maranon Circuit. Likely areas include Pomacochas – Abra Patricia – Aguas Verdes, Leimebamba and Abra Barro Negro. Waterproofs or a collapsible umbrella are advisable here. The average temperatures to expect will be around 20 – 30 degrees Celcius and the minimum around 10 degrees Celsius. Cooler temperatures are likely to be experienced first thing in the morning and at altitude near Leimebamba. A sweater and a fleece jacket will be required here. There is normally up to eight hours of sun during the day so “layers” is a good idea with the opportunity to drop clothing off in our bus as the day warms up.

HEALTH.
Please contact your local GP regarding Hepatitis, Polio, Typhoid, Malaria and Yellow Fever.

GENERAL.
It is advisable to drink only bottled water. Please note that this is not generally included but your guide will advise you when otherwise. Please ensure you have sufficient quantities at your disposition.

LANGUAGE.
Spanish is the official language. Quechua is the most important native language and is spoken in the majority of the Andean cities. Many other dialects exist in the jungle regions. English is spoken in major tourist areas but we will encounter few of these on the North Peru circuit.

ELECTRICITY.
220 volts, 60 Hz. American style plugs common, can be two-prong or round pin.

READING.
Birds of Peru – T. S. Schultz, D. F. Stoltz, D. F. Lane, J. P. O’Neill & T. A. Parker III. (Helm Field Guides).

A Field Guide to the Birds of Peru – J. F. Clements & N. Shany. (Lynx Editions)

Birds of the High Andes – Fjeldsa & Krabbe. (Apollo 1990). Heavy and not really suitable for field-use. Your leader will be carrying the plates from this book.

Also for reference:

Birds of South America Vols 1 (Oscine Passerines) & 2 (Suboscine Passerines)  - Ridgely & Tudor.

SUGGESTED PACKING LIST.

Binoculars, Telescope & Tripod.
Daypack.
Shorts (optional).
Long sleeved cotton shirts.
Walking boots (conditions may be wet so rubber boots are optional).
Fleece jacket for high altitude.
Sweater.
Rain poncho or waterproof jacket and trousers.
Collapsible umbrella.
Hat for sun protection - sombre colours please.
Gloves.
Personal toiletries.
Insect repellent.
High factor sunscreen.
Lip balm.
Sunglasses.
Personal medication.
Torch, spare bulb and batteries.
Penknife.
Camera.
Bin bags for dirty washing etc.
Water bottle.
Malaria tablets.

Please remember not to put any penknives, etc. in your hand luggage prior to your flights.

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