Preparing and Packing for the Amazon and Machu Picchu: A Canadian Traveler’s Guide

Heading off on an Amazon Riverboat Adventure followed by a journey through the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu is a dream trip — and good preparation makes it even better. In this guide, I’m sharing how I prepared, what I packed, and the essential checklist I use to make sure nothing gets left behind.

Travel Advisories for Peru (Canada Specific Guidance)

Before travelling outside North America, it’s important to check official safety information. The Government of Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories page is always my first stop when planning a new destination.

Peru currently has:

• Regions where all travel should be avoided

• Areas where non‑essential travel should be avoided

• And the remainder of the country where travelers should exercise a high degree of caution

Where we are going is marked yellow, meaning that a high degree of caution should be exercised.

General safety tips apply everywhere — even here at home in Canada:

• Always be aware of your surroundings, especially at night

• Avoid walking in deserted or under-populated areas

• Travel in groups whenever possible

Amazon River Safety

Canada specifically recommends using reputable tour operators in the Amazon, as river travel can attract thieves. We are travelling with G Adventures, a very reputable Canadian company who does a lot of touring in Peru.

Entry and Exit Requirements for Canadians Visiting Peru

Many countries require visas or advance documentation, but Peru is straightforward for Canadian travelers. If you are staying for less than 90 days out of a 365 day period, all you need is a Canadian passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the date of arrival.

Vaccination and Health Recommendations for Peru

Peru does not require specific vaccines for entry, but several are recommended for safe travel:

• Hepatitis A & B (common for many destinations)

• Yellow Fever (not required, but recommended for certain regions)

• Antimalarial medication depending on itinerary and season

We got our Yellow Fever shots and malaria pills just in case.

My Travel Health Kit (Always Packed and Ready)

We travel three or four times a year so I keep a smallish makeup bag packed with health related travel essentials that I can quickly put in my suitcase. It contains:

o Benadryl

o Cold medicine

o Pepto-Bismol Pills/Anti-diarrhea pills

o Bandaids/Polysporin

o Bug spray/lotion and after-bite

o Hand sanitizer

o Face masks

o Sun screen

I also have a copy of our travel insurance policy in the kit.

Managing Currency Abroad

I rarely take cash with me when I travel. Instead, I have a multi-currency account that allows me to exchange funds into many different currencies with low fees and transparent exchange rates.

The two biggest companies that I am aware of are Wise and Revolut. Both have very similar products that allow for better budgeting, expense tracking and safety while travelling. With each you receive a digital or physical card, like a credit card, that allows you to access funds from an ATM or pay for things just like using your credit card but without the extra fees.

I set my budget, ensuring sufficient funds for tips, meals, spending etc and electronically convert my currency before I go. Then when I reach my destination, I go to an ATM and take out cash for tips and some local purchases. I pay by card for all other transactions.

I was recently on a trip where I required three different currencies. By using this account, I didn’t have to worry about pre-ordering cash and then travelling with all of it. I just went to the ATM in each country.

This avoids service fees and currency exchanges on every transaction and it also provides safety. If you lose your card, the only money on it is what you have set aside for travel, no one can access your bank account with it and they can’t make unlimited purchases either.

Carry on Versus Checked Baggage: What to Pack

Have you ever arrived at your destination but your baggage went somewhere else? This has happened to me more than once. So, to be prepared, I take a knapsack as my carry on. In it I have:

• Prescription medication (always bring a few days more than you need)

• A change of clothes

• A small bag of toiletries (toothpaste, deodorant, hairbrush, toothbrush)

• Reading material

• Cell phone charger

• Snacks

• Reusable water bottle

• A folder with all my travel documents including a copy of my travel insurance

• Tissues

• A small notebook and a pen (you always seem to need a pen when you don’t have one)

Miscellaneous Extras for Peru and Amazon Travel

I frequently travel during the shoulder seasons, so bringing a waterproof coat or a rain poncho is always important. I also make sure I have a plug adapter that works in the country I am visiting.

I need to eat at regular intervals and you don’t always get to do that when you are in a different country, so I bring protein bars with me. I try to find ones that aren’t all chocolate so they don’t melt in my bag. I also bring electrolyte powder to help me stay hydrated.

Staying Connected in Peru (SIM Cards and eSIMs)

Travelling is a good time to disconnect, but having connectivity allows you to access things like maps and translate apps that come in handy when travelling. Cell phone providers do offer international plans, but they are very expensive. If you own your own phone, an e-sim can be an excellent option. My phone is old and doesn’t support e-sims, so I buy a physical sim card and have it shipped to my house before I travel.

I am not a big data user, and I generally use wifi when it is available, so typically I get one sim card for my party and we hotspot from whichever phone has the sim so that everyone can have internet access.

Packing Checklist

It seems like I bring a lot with me, but my bag is usually pretty light. Check out my packing checklist.

Let’s make your next adventure easy. Reach out anytime — I’m here to help you plan with confidence.

talitha@solderastravel.ca