Frequently Asked Questions

As you prepare for Peru, we suggest being up to date on your routine vaccinations and encourage team members to refer to the CDC and consult with your physician on what additional vaccinations may be needed. It’s best to have this conversation approximately 1 month before departure. 

Passport Health has travel clinics across the US and offers many great resources providing travel medicine services along with helpful information regarding travel vaccines and advice for Peru.

Per the CDC for traveler’s health resource, in addition to being current on routine vaccinations, they recommend that most travelers have the following:

1. Typhoid fever
2. Hepatitis A

Some travelers may need the following:

1. Yellow fever (vaccine availability in the US is currently very limited; proof of yellow fever vaccination is not required for entry into Peru)
2. Hepatitis B
3. Malaria* 

*According to the local missionaries in Pucallpa, malaria has not been problematic in the area where we are serving in over 10 years. Please discuss your personal decision regarding this with your healthcare provider.

You will be able to check-in for your flight 24 hours before departure to and from Lima. This will also provide you an opportunity to choose and/or upgrade your seat if desired. Check-in for in-country flights from Lima to Pucallpa is usually done at the airport or at the hotel.

The trip is fairly casual. The only requirement we have is that team members wear long pants while at the hospital. We also recommend casual pants and dress/polo shirts for the church service on Sunday. There may be an opportunity to visit a tribal village while in the jungle, and some may choose an adventurous swim in the Ucayali River. Please keep in mind the conditions in Pucallpa are such that you may want to avoid taking any clothing that you do not want to risk getting damaged. You will not have to bring your own scrubs. We have a supply of scrubs, however, if you wear scrubs in an uncommon size, it might be helpful to bring your own.

During your time in Pucallpa, the team will be staying at the Scalpel guesthouse, known as “Jungle Bunks.” It will be safe to keep your valuables here. If you would like an added level of security, you could bring a suitcase with a lock and keep your valuables stored in the locked suitcase while the camera/computer is not in use.

Peru’s power is 220v, so please bring a plug adapter/voltage converter if you plan to charge your electronics while in Peru.

Yes. Most basic items are available for purchase in Pucallpa, if the need arises. For purchases, we recommend cash. Traveler’s checks are generally not accepted in Peru. There are currency exchange kiosks at Lima airport, so you should have an opportunity to exchange dollars for Peruvian soles upon your arrival in Peru. As always, if you plan to use a credit card, please contact your credit card company before leaving to let them know of the dates that you will be traveling.

• In Pucallpa, you will be staying at the Scalpel guesthouse known as “Jungle Bunks” and Jungle Apartment. The house and apartment are stocked with bed linens, towels and basic shower supplies. A local Peruvian housekeeper will assist during your stay with cooking, laundry and maintenance of the house, as your days in Pucallpa will be very busy. The laundry capability allows us to limit the amount of personal items we have to bring in our luggage, which gives us capacity to take medical supplies, items for missionaries, or gifts (toys, clothing, etc.).
• Plan to pack your personal items in a carry on as all checked luggage will be used to transport medical and team supplies. Jamie will be coordinating with local contacts to help prepare and distribute supplies.
• On clinic day and in post-op we like to provide patients with a little gift to take away. While some of our checked baggage will be for medical supplies, we could also do with a little re-stocking of our “treasure chest”. If you’re able, please consider bringing some small items to donate such as toys, coloring books, crayons, jump ropes, matchbox cars, balls, etc and also child and adult clothing.
• A Scalpel At The Cross t-shirt will be ordered for all team members. As we have a refreshed brand and logo, we will be supplying new polo shirts which all of our teams will use going forward. These polos are provided in Peru and will remain in Jungle Bunks (similar to scrubs) for future teams to use. Scalpel t-shirts will be handed out to you once you arrive in Pucallpa and are yours to take as a souvenir.
• Long pants are required for the hospital, but shorts are great for most other  occasions. Sundresses for women are also appropriate. Comfortable, quick drying clothes are great for down time around Jungle Bunks.
• Bug spray is available at the house. Some have found bug repellent bracelets to be helpful as well, should you choose to bring some. 
  
• Hand sanitizer, a refillable water bottle, sunscreen, and sunglasses are helpful to have. 
• Bring one pair of comfortable, closed-toe shoes for long days at the hospital, but a second pair is also suggested in case one gets wet or muddy. 
• Depending on your sleeping habits, you may want to bring earplugs and an eye mask as Jungle Bunks is an open-air house.

Scalpel purchases an Emergency Travel Assitance plan for each team member traveling from the U.S. This includes the following:

Emergency Travel Arrangements: In the event you must return home or discontinue your trip as a result of an interruption in travel due to an illness of your spouse, child, parent, in-law or grandparent, we can help you make the appropriate travel arrangements.
Lost Passport/Travel Documents Assistance: we can help you report, retrieve or replace lost or stolen travel documents, such as your passport, credit cards and airline tickets.
Lost Luggage Assistance: we can assist you in communicating with the commercial carrier for the return of your lost luggage.
Embassy or Consulate Referral: we can inform you of the location and contact telephone numbers for the nearest embassy or consulate, no matter where you are.
Emergency Message Relay: we can receive or transmit emergency messages between you, your
family or your employer.
Emergency Prescription Replacement: we can assist you with the replacement of lost or damaged prescription medication.
Medical Referral: If urgent medical advice or care is needed, we are prepared to refer you to the nearest appropriate care facility or provide a listing of available medical care to you. We can assist with obtaining an appointment with the medical care provider you have chosen.
24-Hour Medical Monitoring: If you are hospitalized, we can provide medical professionals to communicate with your treating doctors) and help you monitor your condition. IMG can also communicate with your family doctor, as you direct.
Emergency Cash Transfer: we can help you transfer funds, up to $500, in the event you have a medical or travel emergency.
Legal Referrals: we can provide you with a referral to the nearest attorney.
Emergency Translations: we can provide personal, emergency telephone translation services and referral to a local interpreter service should you require language assistance.