Peru:

JOIN US FOR AN INSPIRING TRIP TO PERU!

You will have sufficient time to view the highlights of Peru’s handsome capital, Lima, but you will also spend a day in the earthquake affected area of Ica and Pisco where you will be helping feed children at Comimos Juntos, one of the many outdoor free kitchens set up amidst the rubble.

Peru Trip At-A-Glance

Dates: 

Please visit the Travel Calendar for the full listing of opportunities.

Contact coordinator:  David Rivard at (dave@airlineamb.org) for additional information.

September Trip Announcement:

The September 2008 Trip will include a medical doctor.  Some changes have been made in the itinerary to include medical exams and assessments.  Please follow this link to view the changes that have been made to the September Trip plans.

October Trip Announcement:

Due to the tremendous enthusiasm for our Peru Trips, we have added another October Mission! The October 20th trip will reverse the itinerary.  

Day one -  Morning departure for Ica

Day two- travel to Pisco and return to Lima Day three - visit to the orphanages (22nd)   The second mission on October 22nd will follow the usual plan with a visit to the orphanages on the 22nd.   Both missions will merge on what will be the last day of one and the first day of the other!  Prior to enrolling in this mission, please contact the USA coordinator, David Rivard at dave@airlineamb.org.

Day one:

You will be picked up at 9.00 by Diane Bowie, founder of D B Peru, and taken to an orphanage. Alternatively it will be to either Caritas Felices or Villa Martha where you will spend the morning working on a project. having lunch with the children and interacting with them in the afternoon.  The group will dine at a typical restaurant and enjoy a meal that includes local specialties (cost is not included).  Any participants arriving that day on one of the flights landing around 04.00 am and needing more rest will be able to join the group in the afternoon.

Day two:

Departure at 06.00 am for Ica in the earthquake affected area.  You will help cook and serve a meal to two hundred children.  Afternoon visit of Ica and work of varying projects. You will spend the night sleeping in comfortable tents.

Photo of Comimos Juntos -

Peru Project Day 2

Photo of Comimos 1- Peru Project Day 2

Day three:

Early wake up call  to serve breakfast to the children before departing for Pisco.  You will help at a comedor during the lunch for the children and return to Lima that evening for a farewell dinner.

But why not spend a few more days and take a trip to Cuzco, Machu Pichu, and Arequipa where you will see one of the most beautiful convents in South America? Think about it!  Peru is a splendid country.  Give it as much time as you can.

To Register for the Peru Trip:

Please visit our Trips Page and refer to the instructions "To Participate on a Mission".

Airline Ambassadors Pricing Package

• Participants will pay for their hotel room:  2 nights in shared room is a total of $60.00. 
• We close the trip 10 days prior to departure. 
• Your Airline Ambassadors' Coordinator will make all hotel reservations after we confirm your AAI membership and receive your confirmed registration (see section "To Participate on a Mission") for the Peru Trip.

There are no other local travel expenses except for food.  

Each adult will make a donation of $150.00 and each child under 16 one of $75.00.  This gift will be split among the three charities we visit and covers the cost of two lunches and of a minibus that will be used for in-country transportation.  The mission leader will collect the donation at the beginning of the mission.

The coordinator, David Rivard,  dave@airlineamb.org, phone (650) 728-7844, can provide you with more information about what is needed for your particular trip. 

Know Before You Go  

Location:

Lima is the capital and largest city of Peru.  It is located in the valleys of the Chillon, Rimac, ad Lurin rivers, on a coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  It forms a contiguous urban area with the seaport of Callao (pronounced Cajao).  Lima was founded by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro on January 18, 1535 as la Ciudad de los Reyes, or City of Kings. 

It became the most important city in the Spanish

vice royalty of Peru and, after the Peruvian War of Independence, was made the capital of the Republic of Peru.  Today around one-third of the Peruvian population lives in the metropolitan area

Languages:

Unlike other ethnic groups in Lima who speak only Spanish, most of the peasant population that migrated to Lima speaks primarily Quechua or Aymara, rather than Spanish. While a number of Amerindians eventually attain middle class status, others still live in shantytowns, known locally as pueblos jovenes (young towns). These areas often lack such basic services as electricity and running water. Afro-Peruvians, initially brought to the region as slaves, are yet another part of the city's ethnic quilt, and Asians, an even smaller one.

Currency and credit cards

Please exchange money after arrival.  Credit cards are accepted everywhere and ATM machines are a good way to obtain local currency.

Entry and visa requirements

A valid passport is all that is required of USA citizens. 

No visas required for US citizens.

Check with the Peru Consulate if you are a foreign national. 

Customs

You will have a letter, furnished by Airline Ambassadors, to show Customs in the event that

you need to do so.

Departure taxes

Airport tax is $28.00 payable after you obtain your boarding pass.

Telecommunications

Internet available at the hotel.

Peru Trip – Pre-Planning

1. Immunizations:

No immunizations are required, but if you have any health issues and are concerned about travel, please consult your personal physician.

2. Suggested Personal Clothing:

We recommend to bring as little as possible and use your baggage allowance for aid.  Spring clothes for daytime and a jacket for the evening.

Due to some unsanitary conditions in remote areas we suggest you bring tissues and wet hand wipes.  Insect repellent, sunscreen and a hat. 

3. Toiletries:

US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has become very strict about what you can bring on board your international flight. Here is a link to their website for the current status: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm 

4. Suggested Items for the Children:

• Clothes for cold weather
• School Supplies
• Vitamins

5. Emergency phone number: 

Be sure you have completed your

Airline Ambassadors Release Form and included an Emergency Phone number too. 

6. Food & Water:

Do not drink or eat ANY items without first checking with the coordinator…we want your trip to be as safe and pleasant as possible. Bottled water is usually safe as is the food within the hotel. 

Peru Trip Checklist

Documents and papers:

• Tickets - confirm your flight reservation,
• Photocopies of documents (pack separately from originals),
• Keep originals with you·
• Email scanned copies of documents to yourself, or leave copies with a friend or family member
• Credit cards/travelers' checks & currency (US dollars are widely accepted in Peru)
• Health/travelers insurance papers
• Register with US embassy - https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/home.asp
• Up-to-date passport/visa
• Driving license (international, if required)
• Write your destination or your home address on outbound luggage labels
• House and pets:  Tell a neighbor you'll be away, arrange care/kennels, feeders or walkers for pets
• If your car is alarmed, leave spare keys with a neighbor
• Give away any fresh food for long periods of travel
• Have the post office hold your mail at the depot
• Unplug electrical appliances, except freezer and fridge
• Leave spare keys/contact number with someone you trust
• Ask someone to water your plants
• Lock windows and doors -- set timers, to make your house appears occupied, be discreet about going away to reduce the risk of burglary

Hand luggage:

• camera, mobile phone, laptop?
• medication (check restrictions)
• essential replacements in case your checked luggage doesn't arrive at your destination MP3/mini-disk/CD player, and spare batteries
• support socks/leg exerciser for long flights
• glasses, spare contact lenses, if required
• small amount of cash for when you arrive· books, magazines, newspapers
• sweets for take-off and landing, to help stop your ears popping
• check current official restrictions on hand luggage http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

General packing

• pack light
• suntan lotion and after-sun
• phrasebook/guidebook
• travel plugs/adaptors
• first-aid kit
• toiletries

Important Information:

Arrival at Airport:

Please look for our AAI representative who will be holding and Airline Ambassadors card.

Hotel:

Grand Hotel Betsy

Av. Santa Cruz - Miraflores

Lima 18 - Peru

Phones:

(51-1) 422-3903 / 441-0485 / 221-4178 / 441-1962

Fax:

(51 -1) 442-7001

Your hotel is located in the upscale district is Miraflores, which has many luxury hotels, shops and restaurants.  Miraflores has more parks and green areas in the south of Lima than most other districts. Larcomar, a popular shopping mall and entertainment center built on cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, featuring bars, dance clubs, movie theaters, cafes, shops, boutiques and galleries, is also located in this district.

USA Contact:

David Rivard (dave@airlineamb.org)

Phone:

(650) 728-7844

Peru (in-country) Contacts:

FATHER OMAR of Comimos Juntos and Mano a Mano:

Office: 0051.1.242.4759

Cell: 0051.1.9.9793.6057