Peru: What to pack

There's a very good saying that goes 'bring twice as much money and half as many clothes as you think you'll need'!

The key to packing for a trip to Peru is to pack for a variety of conditions while keeping the weight to a minimum. Easier said than done when you have to deal with the intense heat of the high altitude, the cold mountain nights spent camping on the Inca Trail and the heat and humidity of the Amazon Basin. The best way to deal with these extremes is to dress using several layers rather than one thick layer. If you forget something, don't despair since most things can be bought in most Peruvian cities frequently visited by tourists including excellent and cheap alpaca jackets.

Below you'll find a suggested packing list:
1. Backpack
2. Day pack(smaller, lighter, easier to carry than backpack.)
3. Comfortable walking boots with good ankle support.
4. Clothes
     2 pairs long trousers (lightweight); 2 T-shirts; 1 short-sleeved shirt; 1 long-sleeved shirt; 1 pair shorts; Underwear and socks (thermal underwear is highly recommended, being light, warm and makes good nightwear on cold nights).
5. Fleece jacket.
6. Hat or cap to protect from the sun.
7. Towel plus washing items (if your lodging does not provide them).
8. Sunscreen, chapstick, sun glasses.
9. Battery powered alarm clock, flashlight, pocket knife.
10. Basic first aid kit.
11. Insect repellent.
12. Money belt.
13. Camera, battery charger, spare battery and plenty of memory.

Optional extras include:
14. Sleeping bag (3 season), but can be rented in Cusco for the Inca Trail if you don't have one.
15. Plastic sandals - useful for in the shower.
16. reading material, pack of cards.
17. Binoculars
18. Water bottle
19. Water purification devices for trekking including the Inca Trail.

Exposures Not Thought to Spread New H1N1 Flu

Can I get infected with this new H1N1 virus from eating or preparing pork?

No. H1N1 viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get this new HIN1 virus from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

Is there a risk from drinking water?
Tap water that has been treated by conventional disinfection processes does not likely pose a risk for transmission of influenza viruses. Current drinking water treatment regulations provide a high degree of protection from viruses. No research has been completed on the susceptibility of the novel H1N1 flu virus to conventional drinking water treatment processes. However, recent studies have demonstrated that free chlorine levels typically used in drinking water treatment are adequate to inactivate highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza. It is likely that other influenza viruses such as novel H1N1 would also be similarly inactivated by chlorination. To date, there have been no documented human cases of influenza caused by exposure to influenza-contaminated drinking water.

Can H1N1 influenza virus be spread at recreational water venues outside of the water?
Yes, recreational water venues are no different than any other group setting. The spread of this novel H1N1 flu is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

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