GETTING AROUND

Peru is a big country, many travelers take national flights when they have limited time. There are four big companies operating national flights (Aero Continente, LanPeru (co-owned by LanChile), Taca and Tans). There are also a handful of small airlines flying to remote destinations in small aircraft. There's an 18% tax on domestic flights and there's also a 4USD departure tax on domestic flights.

Public buses are the usual mode of transportation over long distances. They are cheap, frequent and relatively comfortable, at least on major routes. When traveling between towns, have your passport with you, as it will need to be shown at police checkpoints. Armed robberies on night buses are not unheard of in Peru, so travel on a day bus (or fly) if you have the option. Trucks often double as buses in remote areas. Local buses are slow, cheap and crowded; when you want to get off, just yell out. Taxi fares need to be negociated; there are no metered cabs. Agree on the fare in advance with the driver.

WHEN TO GO

Peru's peak tourist season is from June to August, which is the dry season in the highlands, and this is the best time to go if you're interested in hiking. Travelers do visit the highlands year-round, though the wettest months, January to April, make trekking muddy. Many of the major fiestas occur in the rainiest months and continue undiminished in spite of heavy rain. Basically, there is tourism in the highlands throughout the year.

On the coast, Peruvians visit the beaches during the sunny months from late December through March, although few beaches are particularly enticing. The rest of the year, the coast is clothed in mist. In the eastern rainforests, it naturally rains a lot. The rainiest months are December through April, though travelers visit year-round since it rarely rains for more than a few hours and there's still plenty of sunshine to enjoy.

WHAT TO BRING

Because Peru is a country of such diversity, what you bring depends on your travel plans. Bring warm clothes for the mountains, light clothes for the jungle and a combination of both for the coastal deserts, which are warm by day and cool at night. Items that are difficult to obtain in the country include: personal medical supplies, a money belt, sunscreen, good books in your native language and any electrical equipment you use.

Some other suggestions include: something small and typical from your home country (for your guest family). Dictionary; Spanish grammar book in your own language (there are no Spanish Grammar books or Dictionaries available in Cusco); email addresses; a guidebook, English novel books (there are no good bookstores around). If you plan to do the Inca Trail or another camping trip, we suggest bringing a warm jumper/sweater; raincoat; walking shoes/hiking boots; sleeping bag (for Inca Trail, although these can be rented as well); water purification tablets (can be bought in Cusco as well); pocket knife or swiss knife; torch/flashlight and equipment because there is a shortage of trekking supplies in the country. For the jungle excursions, malaria tablets, mosquito net and a raincoat (all can be bought in Cusco as well).