Peru

 GO beyond ourselves ~ GIVE from your heart ~ GROW as a community

Peru

South America

Peru is a relatively new location for Hearing the Call. Peru adopted universal neonatal screening but the country has about a dozen audiologists for 32 million people.

Peru is a diverse and culturally rich country in South America, known for its ancient history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant traditions. Home to the legendary Incan site of Machu Picchu, Peru boasts a mix of Andean highlands, coastal deserts, and lush Amazon rainforest. Its capital, Lima, is famous for its world-class cuisine, while cities like Cusco and Arequipa showcase colonial architecture and indigenous heritage. From ancient ruins to breathtaking natural wonders, Peru offers a unique blend of adventure, history, and culture.

Peru Development & Partner

Our Partners:

Living Water Children’s Fund
Hearing the Call aims to establish sustainable hearing healthcare in every location it serves. The process begins with immediate relief efforts, followed by collaboration with local partners to identify individuals for long-term solutions through education and training. As development continues, we provide essential equipment and resources, empowering the local community to deliver ongoing care with our support. This approach ensures lasting impact and local self-sufficiency in hearing healthcare.

Must-See Attractions

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu, located high in the Andes Mountains of Peru, is a renowned ancient Incan citadel and one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. Surrounded by lush, green peaks, it features stunning stone structures, terraces, and temples that offer insight into the advanced engineering and culture of the Inca civilization. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Machu Picchu attracts visitors from around the globe, drawn by its historical significance and breathtaking mountain scenery.

Lima

Lima, the capital of Peru, is a bustling coastal city known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and world-class cuisine. A blend of modernity and tradition, it features colonial architecture, lively neighborhoods, and a thriving food scene, making it the gastronomic capital of South America. Visitors can explore its museums, such as the Larco Museum, historic plazas, and beautiful oceanfront views, all while enjoying the city’s unique mix of ancient and contemporary influences.

Galápagos Islands

The Galápagos Islands, located off the coast of Ecuador, are a unique and pristine archipelago famous for their incredible biodiversity and role in Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. Home to species found nowhere else on Earth, such as giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and blue-footed boobies, the islands offer unparalleled opportunities for wildlife viewing. The Galápagos’ volcanic landscapes, crystal-clear waters, and thriving ecosystems make them a top destination for nature lovers and ecotourism.

Expert Guidance to Help You on Your Trip

Visa Information

No Visa is REQUIRED at this time for citizens of the United States to enter Peru.

Flight Information

Please arrive by midday or earlier on Day 1 to allow for flight delays. You will fly in and out of Lima (LIM).

Electrical Information

Power plugs and sockets (outlets) of type A and type C. The standard voltage is 220 V at a frequency of 60 Hz.
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Additional Trip Information

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website www.cdc.gov, there are no required vaccines for Peru, but make sure your routine vaccinations are up-to-date. Please refer to the following CDC website for information on Peru.
One of the first things you have to be aware of on any international trip is the necessary vaccines.  Some of the vaccines are hard to get in a quick time frame. Please make sure you read and check the CDC website for information on vaccines immediately.
As we travel internationally, we may be exposed to certain diseases that are rare in the United States. Fortunately, the risk of catching these diseases is still quite low since we will be on site for only a short time and will be eating properly prepared food, etc. However, since it is impossible to eliminate all risk, there are a variety of vaccines and immunizations that provide prevention against many of the most serious infectious diseases in the world that we ask each delegation member consider receiving.
  • Most expenses will be prepaid for you including: ground transportation, medical evacuation insurance, hotel room accommodations, translators and team meals.
  • Each volunteer is financially responsible for paying for and obtaining a passport and visa (if necessary), receiving any necessary immunizations, all food/beverage items in all airports and outside team meals, and any other personal expenditures/shopping during the trip.
  • You will want to take enough cash with you for personal shopping. Bring U.S. currency that is as new as possible and undamaged. Traveler’s checks and credit cards (VISA or Master Card) will be good in airports, major hotels and many shops, but cash is the easiest and most convenient method of payment.
  • You will be able to exchange money locally. Please bring new $100 bills. You will get a better exchange rate than smaller bills, and they don’t take older money. 
  • The currency in Peru is the sol. To find the most up-to-date currency conversions, please go to XE Currency convertor
Here are some helpful guidelines concerning the safety and security of your personal items:
  • Be mindful of how you carry your purse or where you place your wallet. Men, keep your wallets in a front or zippered pocket, as keeping it in your back pocket will make it susceptible to pickpockets. Ladies, keep purses across your chest or use a fanny pack (keeping your hands free is also wise).
  • An under garment money belt worn around your waist is a safe way to carry your personal cash or passport.
  • Stay with a group of people at all times – always go somewhere in pairs.
  • Take a minimal amount of jewelry with you – nothing flashy.
  • Be a confident traveler even if you are unsure or uneasy in a certain situation; confidence and calmness is key.
  • We also suggest that you make copies of all flight itineraries, wallet contents, passport, visa, etc. and carry copies in a separate, secure location. It would also be a good idea to leave copies of everything with someone at home also, just in case. These copies could prove invaluable should your personal documents be lost or stolen.
We hope you will enjoy the local cuisine. Most meals will be eaten at a hotel or local restaurant. All foods that will be provided to you should be well prepared and safe for you to eat.
Meals are supplied on clinic days, but not on travel or recreation days.
  • As far as drinking water is concerned, to be on the safe side, always drink bottled water and brush your teeth with bottled water at the hotel. Avoid ice. Bottled water will be available.
  • You may want to take some personal snack items with you – good items to take include granola bars, dried fruit, and trail mix.
WEATHER:
Peru’s weather varies greatly due to its diverse geography. The coastal region, including Lima, has a mild, desert-like climate with little rainfall and warm temperatures. The Andean highlands, where cities like Cusco are located, experience cooler temperatures, with dry winters and rainy summers. The Amazon rainforest in the east is hot and humid year-round, with heavy rainfall, particularly from November to March. Overall, Peru’s weather ranges from tropical in the lowlands to temperate and cool in the mountains.
For further information about weather, please consult these sites: Weather.Com and Weather Underground.
TIME ZONE:
Peru is in the Peru Standard Time zone and does not observe daylight-savings time.
Click here to view the current time in Peru.
Clinic Dress Code
  • Please wear long pants and the team t-shirts provided by our partners. We have found that breathable type pants by Eddie Bauer or Columbia are a good option for hot clinic days (jeans are fine). You will receive TWO clinic t-shirts on the first day of the trip. You may be able to do laundry (for a small fee) at the hotel; we also recommend bringing a mini bottle of detergent (can be purchased at the travel section) to do laundry in your room.
  • Bring comfortable shoes to wear. No open toe shoes for clinics.
  • No shorts in the clinic.
 
Before/After Clinic
  • There will be time for recreation (going out, dinner, etc.) after clinic days.
  • Bring a fleece jacket for the mornings and evenings when it could get cool. Days will be fairly warm.
 
Day-Off
On our day off, it is fine to dress like an American tourist.  Please keep jewelry to a minimum.
Here is a one week packing list as an example. You can click here to get a printable list.
Clothing
  • 4 – Pants
  • 5 – Shirts
  • 8 – Pairs Socks
  • 2 – Clinic Shirts (will be provided)
  • 2 – PJ’s
  • Walking Shoes
  • Windbreaker or Light Jacket
  • Swimsuit (if needed)
  • Sandals
 
Toiletries
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Razor
  • Hair Things
  • Brushes
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug Spray
  • Lotion
  • Sunglasses
  • Kleenex
  • Imodium
  • Advil
  • Any Medications Needed
 
Miscellaneous
  • Cash
  • Passport
  • Passport Holder
  • Bank Card
  • Credit Card
  • Pen (to fill out forms)
  • Neck Pilow
  • Phone Chargers
  • Computer chargers
  • Converter/Transformer
  • Laundry Detergent
  • Wine Opener (for others)
  • Head phones