Group Information
See the listings below if you are committed to coming with one of the groups, and fill out the registration forms.
If you want to bring a group, contact us and let's get started.
For information on what to bring and Peruvian currency, please see the menu below.
Upcoming Events
What You'll See
What To Bring
While this list may not include everything you may need, please carefully read through the information below to ensure you are prepared for your trip.
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Passport:
Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your return date to the U.S. It’s also a good idea to take a photo of your passport with your smartphone.
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Clothing:
Work clothes: Pack light pants, t-shirts, or 2-3 sets of scrubs if you’re part of the medical teams. Choose items that wash and dry quickly, as you may sweat.
Casual clothes: for after work and additional travel after Iquitos.
Undergarments: Pack enough underwear, socks, and sleepwear for your trip.
Swimsuit: If you plan to swim in the Amazon or at the pool next to the POPP headquarters, don’t forget your swimsuit.
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Footwear:
Bring running shoes or trail/hiking shoes, plus a pair of flip-flops or sandals for relaxing.
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Rain Gear:
A rain jacket with a hood or a disposable rain poncho.
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Water Bottle:
POPP provides filtered water dispensers, so bring a reusable water bottle to minimize plastic waste.
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High-Altitude Cusco Tour:
Bring a fleece jacket or similar for cold nights, altitude medication, and hiking shoes.
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Sun Protection:
Bring a hat, bandanas, and/or hair ties for sun protection.
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Reading Material:
Consider bringing books, a journal, and pens for personal use.
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Electronics:
Phone and charger: Peru uses 220V electricity (the U.S. uses 110V). Cell phones, laptops, and USB-charging devices do not need a transformer or adapter, as they convert 220V to 110V. Our wall plugs are compatible with U.S. devices. If you need to bring hair care appliances, purchase dual-voltage (110/220) models made for travel.
Optional: A portable power bank/charger for your phone in remote areas.
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Money:
Bring extra spending money for incidentals, tips, shopping, and emergencies. If you have preferred snacks or drink mixes, bring those as well. Note: Peruvian brand instant coffee is provided at breakfast, but if you prefer something else, consider bringing your own coffee and a French press.
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Laundry Supplies:
A small supply of laundry detergent if you plan to wash clothes yourself; otherwise, local laundry services are a good option.
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Personal Hygiene Supplies:
Don’t forget your comb/brush, toothbrush/toothpaste/floss, nail clipper, soap, shampoo, deodorant, lotion, and wipes. Toilet paper is available on campus in Iquitos and at hotels in Cusco.
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Medical Supplies:
Bring personal medications in your carry-on, along with individual first aid supplies.
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Travel Essentials
- A roll of toilet paper or packets of tissue for use while traveling.
- Hand sanitizer and/or wipes.
- Sunglasses, reading glasses, and contacts.
- High SPF sunscreen.
Insect repellent: Many prefer a high%-DEET ‘jungle’ formula or a Picaridin-based formula, along with protective clothing.
- A flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries (very important!).
- If your group is staying overnight in the jungle, bring a sleeping pad and a light blanket/sleeping bag liner or sheet for use in the jungle.
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Valuables:
Leave valuable jewelry at home.
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Gifts for Children:
We don’t do public “giveaways” as they can lead to undesired behaviors. Instead, engage with children through interactive activities. Consider bringing games, crafts, or activities. When visiting the Bora tribe in the jungle, they enjoy trading their handicrafts and artwork; suitable barter items include sunglasses, snacks, small lotions/soaps/colognes, t-shirts, baseball caps, small flashlights, or multitools.
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Clinicians:
Bring your personal medical equipment, including a stethoscope, otoscope, blood pressure cuff, glucose meter, small scissors (or Leatherman tool), penlight, exam gloves in your preferred type/size, and hand sanitizer. Some may opt to bring less valuable, small equipment to leave for future volunteers.
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Bring Your Positive Attitude:
Things don’t always go as planned, so flexibility is essential for a successful trip.
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Security Tips:
Many volunteers use a money belt or pouch for passports and money. Be discreet with smartphones and electronics in public, and consider bringing a luggage lock.
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Registration:
Please register on the People of Peru Project website. Click the link in the section above and press RSVP for your appropriate group.
Medical Donations
Immediate needs are as follows:
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Medical and dental equipment.
The smaller items we can take along in trunks or suitcases. The larger pieces we purchase in Lima to avoid shipping and getting delayed in customs, or, in some cases, ship to Iquitos one at a time and deal with those issues as they come!
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Equipment/Supplies Needed:
Dental Instruments (Dentists: we recommend that you bring your own composite materials that you are accustomed to working with)
Portable Ultrasound machine
Ultrasound
Band-Aids, gauze patches, and tape
Antiseptics
Toothbrushes/Toothpaste
Portable defibrillator
Otoscopes
Cavatron ultrasonic scalers
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Medicine we need all the time:
Ibuprofen
Tylenol
Vitamins (child, adult, and prenatal)
Monistat
Cortisone creams
Anti-diarrhea medication
Cough medicine, liquid fever reducers for children
Women's health medicines for bladder, yeast, and cervical infections
Triple antibiotic creams, etc.
Eye drops for conjunctivitis (pink eye)
Antibiotics for untreated cuts, bug bites, and open sores.
Items listed in bold are high-priority.
Peruvian Currency Information
The currency in Peru is called "soles". The exchange rate is about 3.40 soles for every 1 US dollar. 100 centavos (or pennies) make up 1 sole. The coins are worth different amounts: 1 sole is worth 34 cents, 2 soles are worth 68 cents, and 5 soles are worth $1.70. The bills are worth even more: 10 soles is worth $3.40, 20 soles is worth $6.80, 50 soles is worth $17.00, and 100 soles is worth $34.00.
When exchanging money, which we will do for you in our office in Iquitos, it is important to bring US dollar bills in good condition, without any tears or writing on them -- otherwise they will not be accepted. We ask you to bring 20s, 50s, and 100 dollar bills.
It is also recommended to bring a Visa debit card and memorize the pin number for secure access to money, just make sure to inform your bank that you will be traveling.
Traveler's checks will not work.
The exchange rate changes almost daily and we will get a better rate form the people we do business with than you will in the airport. The airport advertises a higher rate but then, they charge you a fee (Gotcha) just wait and we will change money in the office the day you arrive. The airport in Lima takes credit cards, debit cards and US currency.
Register Your Volunteer Group
Volunteers are the lifeblood of People of Peru Project. If you or a group want to get involved and join us down in Iquitos, fill out the form!