START DATE AND MEETING POINT We will leave Cuzco to the field site on June 1st. If you'd like time to explore Cuzco, plan to be there a few days early. There is a specific hostel in Cusco where folks typically stay and where we will meet on the 1st; Hostel Qorichaska. The project will run through September 1st.
I will make reservations at the Hostel where folks from the project often stay Hostal Qoorichaska. You don’t have to stay at this hostel, there are definitely cheaper hostels that are probably trustworthy but this one is known to be trustworthy in terms of leaving valuables. If you do want to stay its cheaper to share a double or triple room. So if you are interested in staying here let me know (I will send an email reminder). Sharing a room will come out to around 10.00 US for the night. The other option is find something cheaper but leave valuables with me at this hostel for the stay in Cusco before we head down to the field site.
TRAVEL You are responsible in getting to Cusco, Peru. Apparently its hit or miss buying both your international ticket and your domestic ticket together on Kayak or getting your domestic ticket from Lima to Cusco once you arrive in in Lima. There is no predictable way to know which is cheaper. So check on Kayak going all the way through to Cuzco. You would want to return from Lima on September 2nd If you purchase a domestic flight at the airport Peruvian and Star Peru are the cheapest airlines If you overnight or have a long layover in the airport in Lima be aware that anyone can walk in the airport outside the security area. So if you decide to hang out in Starbucks upstairs or get something to eat be aware of your things and your surroundings as people get stuff stolen there all the time. In short you will need to fly from Lima or take a bus (very long) into Cusco. One other thing to keep in mind: if you have time and want to save money you could arrive a day or so earlier and then can take a bus from Lima to Cuzco and either (taking a bus is WAY CHEAPER then flying) a) go non stop to Cuzco b) or break up your bus trip over several days and stop along the way at two places and see penguins and then go to see the lines at Nazca and then it would be only 8 hours to Cuzco.
COSTS So to reiterate, I cover costs (which is typically food and lodging) while at the Pantiacolla field site, including travel and from the field site from Cusco. You are responsible for costs when not at the Pantiacolla field site, which means food and lodging while in Cusco or anywhere else you decide to stay.
VACCINATIONS You will need vaccinations against Yellow Fever, Tetanus, and Typhoid Optional (Hepatitis A and B) Malaria is very patchy and the from what I understand is not present at Pantiacolla. Personally, I don’t take malaria prophylaxis. If you decide to take a prophylaxis I recommend doxycyclene which seems to be one of the drugs that is easier on your body.
LIVING CONDITIONS Living arrangements=tent. if you don't have a tent I recommend getting one that has a high mesh to wall ratio. The more its like a standup mosquito net the better, with the option of putting a rainfly over it-very important. Tents will be placed around a central platform where we have cut out vegetation to accommodate everyone. In terms of equipment that is not on the list I would add long sleeve shirts without buttons. Because its the tropics I would bring at least 3-4 longsleeve shirts and longpants. You will want a pair of rubber boots, you can buy those in Cuzco. Lastly LOTS of socks and while the webpage says footpowder I find that the foot spray works really well (forgot the brand). You should also bring your own repellent. The repellent in Peru have concentrations of DEET that are too low rendering them ineffective.
I will provide food once at the field site-mostly if not wholly vegetarian for practical reasons – and we all take turns cooking.