Travel Advice
Insurance
Travel insurance is essential for any international travel. Las Piedras Amazon Tours insists that all clients arrive with the appropriate international travel insurance. The insurance package must include full medical cover, including repatriation, and must cover our itinerary activities, personal liability and belongings.
Fitness and Abilities
The activities offered in all our tours are open to people of all ages. Only a basic level of fitness is required for the forest hikes, which are mostly not longer than 5km/3miles. Clients wishing to enjoy the canopy platform at ARCC will need a good head for heights. Access to the eco-lodges on the Las Piedras river is by motorised canoe, and canoe or catamaran excursions are also offered on the lake trips. Lifejackets are provided as a safety measure for all clients, but anyone who can not swim should inform their guide.
Health
The area visited by Las Piedras Amazon Tours has few associated diseases, but a visit to your local doctor is recommended when planning your trip, to get the appropriate vaccinations and preventative medications.
The usual vaccinations include:
- Yellow fever (compulsory in Peru, although the disease is not common in the Las Piedras area)
- Hepatitis A and B
- Diptheria
- Typhoid
- Tetanus
Most visitors also take a preventative course of anti –malarials, although malaria is not common in the area- take advice from your doctor for the most appropriate course for you.
All visitors should bring their own first aid kit to cover their own requirements.
The eco-lodges on the Las Piedras river are remote locations, far from the usual medical facilities available in the major cities. Although the company has rigerous contingency plans in case of accident or emergency, the tours are not recommended for any one with a known serious medical condition, and while we can give first aid treatment and follow strict safety regulations, Las Piedras Amazon Tours can not be held responsible for the health of our clients.
Dangers and Annoyances in The Forest
Mosquitoes, sandflies and other biting insects are inevitable wherever you are in the tropical rainforest, but you can take some simple precautions to minimise the risk of bites and hence protect yourself from the possibility of insect borne diseases. Protective clothing such as long trousers, long sleeved tops and stout walking boots are helpful for excursions, and insect repellent is useful for any exposed skin. At night, you have the additional protection within the buildings of insect screening mesh, and mosquito nets are provided for all beds.
In the forest, there is also the possibility of encountering venomous snakes. Whilst the risk of a serious snake bite is very low, appropriate precautions are necessary for your safety. These include wearing appropriate clothing (long trousers, stout boots) when on the forest trails, and some simple precautions such as staying on the designated paths, and not trying to pick up a snake if you see one. Your guide can give advice to help you enjoy your tour in safety.
And finally- the rainforest accessible from the Las Piedras river in Peru is noted for its high biodiversity – and that includes some creatures which although they are pretty harmless, many people feel uncomfortable about having around. The rainforest is the natural habitat of giant spiders, moths, beetles, cockroaches and other creepy crawlies- and although the accommodation is protected by insect screening mesh and is well maintained and clean, it is inevitable that the wildlife sometimes finds its way indoors. Think about this before booking a tour to one of the worlds richest wildlife hotspots!
Local Conditions
Come prepared for heat, occasional cold, rain and mud, biting insects… A suggested equipment list is appended to help you plan your trip.
What to Bring
- A daypack for the day excursions- for carrying drinking water, rainwear, camera etc.
- A flashlight and plenty of spare batteries- for night walks and for use around the lodge.
- Water bottle
- Binoculars
- Camera (plus film for low light conditions in the forest)
- Battery recharger
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- First aid kit- make sure you include treatment for minor cuts, blisters, insect bites and wasp stings
- Rainwear- coat or poncho
- Sunhat
- Swimwear and towel
- Long trousers for forest excursions
- Long sleeved tops for forest excursions
- Short sleeved tops
- Short trousers
- Warm jacket- for early morning boat journeys and occasional cold fronts
- Hiking boots
- Sandals or indoor shoes
- Toiletries and personal items
- Journal
- Books – for the book exchange, or to donate to the lodge when you leave?