HEALTH AND SAFETY TIPS

BEFORE YOUR TRIP:

Allow yourself some quality time before your trip to visit the Preventive Medicine or Travel Medicine Unit. If you suffer from a chronic illness or if you are allergic to stings or bites, some types of medicines, or others, be sure to take the appropriate medication and inform the organizer of the trip beforehand, in anticipation of any unforeseen eventualities.

Also, if you are taking any medication, in particular, bring it along in your luggage and take note of the active ingredient (generic name). Some specific drugs are difficult to find or may have other names, especially in smaller towns.

In the case of malaria, prophylactic Antimalarial for swamp fever (malaria), commercial name “Malarone” pharmaceutical generic name “Teva-Atovaquone-proguanil”. We strongly recommend this one due to the mild to zero side effects. Start prophylactic treatment with MALARONE 1 or 2 days before entering a malaria‑endemic area and continue daily during the stay and for 7 days after return. Adults One MALARONE Tablet (adult strength = 250 mg atovaquone/100 mg proguanil hydrochloride) per day.

Recommended Vaccines: Yellow Fever, Diphtheria-Tetanus (DT), Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Rabies.

Updated Health Card must also contain Covid19 vaccinations or the most recent negative molecular test, taken within 72 hours of arrival to Peru.

DURING YOUR TRIP:

LET US KNOW IF YOU’RE FEELING SICK DURING YOUR TRIP: In case you are on MALARIA PILLS you may be aware that most of these pills can get you sick from their side effects. So please make a SOUND DECISION ASAP to either stop or continue taking them as persisting symptoms could end up interrupting the evolution of your expedition.

KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF YOUR FACE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE: To minimize the risk of getting sick, please keep your hands clean as much as you can by washing them at every opportunity. Let’s try to carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer at all times.

WEAR YOUR JUNGLE SAFETY BOOTS: They are not provided only for the typical jungle muddy terrain, but for safety protection purposes as well (flesh-eating ants, toxic vegetation, poisonous snakes, etc.). Snakebites are a neglected public health issue in many tropical and subtropical countries. Wearing protective footgear and avoiding the handling of snakes while exploring the jungle will definitely lower our chances of finding ourselves in these unexpected and critical situations.

WEAR FRESH LOOSE-FITTING CLOTHES THAT FULLY COVERS THE BODY TO MINIMIZE MOSQUITO BITES, BEST LIGHT-COLORED CLOTH: It will be almost impossible but try to avoid mosquito bites, the main vector of malaria, yellow fever, and H-fever (dengue). Mosquitoes are most active from dusk until dawn. Always take the right precautions. Nothing really works better than covering your skin as much as you can from mosquito bites.

USE INSECT REPELLENT ON EXPOSED AREAS: The most effective compounds against mosquitos are DEET (N, N-diethyl meta toluamide), permethrin, and icaridin.

WHEN SLEEPING, ALWAYS CHECK YOUR MOSQUITO NETS FOR HOLES: Ensure the bottom edges of your mosquito netting are properly placed under your sleeping mat to make sure no bugs get inside. Spray repellent for greater protection.

AVOID USING PERFUMED CARE PRODUCTS: Deodorants, colognes, etc. with strong scents normally attract insects a lot.

STAY CLOSE TO YOUR GUIDES OR GROUP: During an excursion into the jungle, you never want to be separated from your guide or the group. Myths about deadly plants, insects, snakes, and other predators that lurk in the Amazon believe it or not hold a bit of truth, and you do not want to add yourself to the short but realistic list of isolated incidents. The best way to avoid unwanted encounters is by staying focused, and always keeping your guide in your sight. If for some reason you become separated, blow a safety whistle. Someone will hear it at some point and try to find you.

ALWAYS KEEP YOURSELF HYDRATED WITH TREATED WATER ONLY: There will be different extreme factors during expeditions that will demand hydration. To avoid getting sick, always use the assistance of the guides to acquire treated water.

DO NOT APPROACH OR TOUCH THE WILDLIFE: Even if you find yourself to be fascinated by the Amazon wildlife, you should not touch any jungle flora or fauna unless your guide explicitly says it is okay. The jungle is a delicate ecosystem and touching the wildlife could endanger it. You also do not want to trigger the defense mechanisms of wildlife, which in extreme cases can have fatal effects. Beware of toxic vegetation, poisonous insects, reptiles, etc.

SWIM IN AUTHORIZED AREAS ONLY: While you may have nostalgic childhood memories of swinging from a tree branch to splash into a river or a lake, this is not something you want to do in the Amazon NO DIVING IN THE RIVERS. The rivers and lakes of the Amazon jungle are filled with unique creatures, that can be dangerous to swim with, and some others are filled with pointed vegetation hard to detect in its dark waters. However, swimming is recommended only in safe areas authorized by your guide.

DO NOT DISPOSE OF NON-BIODEGRADABLE WASTE IN THE AMAZON: Help us protect the health of our environment. Pack up your non-biodegradable waste and take it away.

CARRY A SAFETY WHISTLE: Always carry a safety whistle when visiting the Amazon jungle or traveling in general. Use it if you get lost, when your boat runs out of gas in the middle of the river, or in case you are being chased by a pack of wild peccaries. Having a safety whistle can be a very handy item in tricky situations.

AFTER YOUR TRIP:

AFTER COMPLETING YOUR TRIP WE RECOMMEND DEWORMING: Some tropical diseases do not manifest immediately, they can develop much after your return. In case of feeling sick, seek medical attention and inform healthcare providers that you made a trip to a tropical area not long ago.