Maps

You can buy a range of maps in Arequipa, Cusco, and Huaraz, but the best maps are to be found in Lima. South American Explorers Club in Lima and Cusco sells the leading country maps, plus a good selection of military topographic maps. To find topographic maps for remote areas you will have to make a trip down to Lima’s Instituto Geográfico Nacional (tel. 01/475-3030, www.ign.gob.pe).

Good bookstores generally sell the better national maps, and we especially liked the maps in the back of the Inca Guide to Peru and the Lima 2000 series (scale 1:2,200,00). Many hotels and Iperú offices give out free city maps. If you want to purchase maps before arriving in Peru, the Lima 2000 map is sold for US$8.95 at www.gonetomorrow.com. Another online map store is www.omnimap.com.

Tourist Offices

The Peruvian government has set up tourist offices—known as Iperú—in most major cities, including Tumbes, Chiclayo, Trujillo, Chachapoyas, Iquitos, Huaraz, Lima, Ayacucho, Cusco, Arequipa, Puno, and Tacna. They receive questions and have a website in English, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, and Spanish (tel. 01/574-8000, www.peru.info). They can give you brochures, maps, and basic info.

The Iperú office is also the place to go if you want to file a complaint or need to solve a problem. These can include a bus company not taking responsibility for lost luggage, a tour company that did not deliver what it promised, or an independent guide who is not honest. In an emergency, you should contact the police and also call Iperú ’s 24-hour hotline (tel. 01/574-8000).

© Ross Wehner and Renée del Gaudio from Moon Peru, 3rd Edition