FAQ

Accommodation : Do we need bedding for the house?
You will not need sheets or any other bedding for the house in Peru. This is all provided for you and will be washed weekly or fortnightly.
Accommodation : How many people in a room?
Usually Medics Away places 2 people in a room. Sometimes single occupancy but this is not guaranteed and people of same sex will usually share at our discretion.
Accommodation : Is there internet in the house?
Yes, there is internet installed in the house as well as a computer.
Accommodation : Where will we stay?
We have our own house with 10 rooms and can sleep 20 people sharing. All students are staying in this house. Situated right in the centre of Cusco, set on three floors, it is the perfect location to relax and make friends. The house is fully kitted out with cable tv, a kitchen and we have recently had a computer and the broadband installed. There is a cleaner who visits four or five times a week and changes the bed sheets quite regularly also. This house is exclusive for Medics Away medical students and is certainly provides a very comfortable base for the entire duration of your elective.
Activities : Can I bring a friend on the Inca Trail?
Of course any number of friends can join you on the Inca Trail. For this they will need to register an enquiry for an Activity Break and find then trip they want to do (in this case the 4 Day Inca Trail). Having decided, they will then need to make a Booking through the Book Now section, specifying that they want to do an 'Activity Break', select the specific trip and also give details of whom else is in the group. We will especially need the D.O.B., Passport number, ISIC card number (if at all possible) and even a photocpy of his/her passport emailed to the Medics Away Representative in Peru. Details of all documetation required will be supplied on making a reservation.
Activities : How do I get to Mancora?
A single flight to anywhere in Peru costs approximately between $100.00 & $120.00 each way. You have to bear in mind that flying to Mancora from Cusco requires two flights each way. This is because you have to fly from Cusco to Lima and then Lima to Chiclayo (you then catch a bus from Chiclayo to Mancora). And then all the way back. Generally speaking students leave travelling to Mancora and Chiclayo to the end of their elective. This means that when students return from Mancora and fly back to Lima they get straight onto their international flight out of Peru. This means would therefore only require 3 domestic flights. Therefore the approximate cost of flying to Mancora is from between $300.00 and $480.00 (between £150 and £250 GBP) depending on how you want to organize the trip and the times of your flights.
Activities : I want to do the Inca Trail?
Included with you elective price is the Salcantay Hike. This is an Inca Trail as it does end up at Machu Pichu however it is NOT the classic Inca Trail. The classic 4 day trail is notoriously difficult to reserve spaces on and therefore cannot be used as our generic Discovery Trip (i.e. late bookings could not be guaranteed a space). Medics Away requires at least 3 months prior notice to make a reservation for the classic Inca Trail. Inorder to do the Inca Trail with your elective, you will need to upgrade you Discovery Trip. If you are not doing an elective and simply want to reserve an Inca Trail then you will need to reserve the through our Activity Breaks section.
Activities : Is the Classic Inca Trail available all year round?
The 4 day Inca Trail is closed each year during the month of February to allow conservation work to take place. The months of January and March are in the wet season so hiking the trail can be a little miserable unless you have a good rain jacket. If you are travelling during this time, then obviously the Lares Trail and Salkantay Trails are available and are equally fantastic experiences. Alternatively, you can extend your trip by approximately 4 days into the beginning of March so that you can do the first Inca Trail when it re-opens. I am afraid we are unable to request the Inca Trail to be re-opened during the period of conservation. I hope you understand.
Activities : We will need camping equipment for the Activities?
All trips are fully catered for. You will not need to bring anything with you. You will have the Medics Away medical kit for bumps and bruises. The Medics Away Representative will rent you a sleeping bag for $10 USD each (the cost of cleaning them after). All other tents, etc. are supplied. It might be worth bringing a small back pack (a day bag) and some good walking boots. Details of all requirements are provided on reservation.
Activities : What decides whether I can visit a satelite hospital or not?
The satellite hospital experiences (i.e. Quillabamba, Lares and Chiclayo) are very good and give a great insight into rural medicine. We normally recommend these trips to those students who are staying in Peru for longer than 5 or even 6 weeks. There is so much to do in Cusco and the elective on its own is very complete for the first month (Spanish classes, Hospital rotations, Discovery Trips, etc.) so that if you were there only for a month, you would spread your experience a bit thin. You can of course sign up for these activities anyway, but remember if you are only there for one month or less, you will be over doing it. You can always change your mind once you out there also. Details of the satellite hospital experiences can be found on the Activities page.
Activities : Will I need previous experience to participate in the White Water Rafting tour?
You will not need any previous experience to participate in the white water rafting tours. All safety equipment is supplied with the expeditions, as well as all transfers, accommodation & food (if applicable, i.e. for the Apurimac River trip) and guides. The white water rafting is a real must for any one going to Peru, and generally all Medics Away students sign up for one of the options. Please refer to the Activities page for more details.
Arrival : What happens on arrival into Cusco?
On arrival into Cusco, you will be picked up at the airport by one of the Medics Away team. They will then take you to the house, introduce you to the other students and then give you an orientation around the town of Cusco. They will of course explain to you the way things work with the hospital and Spanish classes also.
Flights : Can I get the return leg of my journey back to Lima through Medics Away?
Of course we can reserve your flight back to Lima from Cusco, however we recommend you buy your return flight back to Lima once you are out there. You may decide you want travel a lot more round Peru once you are there and you might therefore either not need a flight back to Lima or you may already be in a different part of Peru and need a flight back from there instead (i.e. Chiclayo, etc.) The representative in Peru will assist you in purchasing any flights you may need.
Flights : Can you recommend any international Airline Companies?
There are quite a few airlines flying into Peru. The largest of these are Continental Airlines, KLM, Iberia, Copa Air and Delta Airlines. If you just intend on travelling to Peru and no where else, it is worth booking directly with the airline. I personally recommend going with Continental Airlines as their flights arrive at a pleasant time in the evening into Lima (which is perfect for getting a good nights rest before your domestic flight up to Cusco the next day) and on the return leg back to the UK, you can get a nice stopover in New York for the day giving you plenty of time to get some shopping done, see some sites (the Empire State Building, Time Square, etc.) and get back to the airport for the last leg of your journey in the early evening. If, on the other hand, you want to do multiple stops or even a round the world trip, then you may want to speak to a travel agent for this as they can get you exactly the flights you want and often at quite reasonable fares (e.g. STA Travel).
Flights : Do you arrange Domestic flights?
We do arrange all domestic flights for you if so choose. It is often best to arrange only the one flight from Lima to Cusco before you travel to Peru, as you may decide to do some extra travelling about before flying back to Lima. The Reps will help you organise any extra flights once you are in Peru. Details of how to purchase domestic flights can be found on our Activities page.
Flights : Should I get the earliest flight up to Cusco?
I would personally recommend you do not get the first flight up to Cusco as this is very early in the morning and there is very little to do or see at this time. The Medics Away Reps likes to rotate students in the town and take them for coffee when they arrive, and if you get in at 7:00am, this is not very easy to do. All the other students may still be in bed (probably hung over wink) and not in the most receptive of moods for introductions. The best time to arrive into Cusco is around 10:00am. The organised stopover with Medics Away is scheduled so that you arrive at a good time of day.
Flights : What are the details of the domestic flights?
The Medics Away Representatives in Peru organize all domestic flights. When they purchase the flight, they will pass the details onto you 1 week before your departure date. Failing this, every part of the stopover is automatic anyway. The hotel Manhattan will have a billboard with your name on it when you arrive in Lima. They will take you to the hotel and have you dropped off at the airport the next day in good time for your flight. Your flight coupon is an e-ticket, so all you need to do is present your passport to the airline front desk and you're away!
Flights : Will I need a stopover with the international flights that I have?
Any student arriving into Lima after 2:00pm will require a stopover in Lima, as there are no connecting flights up to Cusco for that time of day. Medics Away provides a pickup, hotel and drop off service for any student needing a stopover. You can of course organise this for yourself and still have us organise your domestic flights. With our combined service of a stopover and domestic flight however, the hotel will ensure you are picked up and taken back to the airport autonomously, without you even needing to know any of the domestic flight details (all flight e-tickets are based on the travellers name and passport and you therefore do not require a physical ticket). If you choose to organise your own stopover, please let us know so that we can pass on your domestic flight details to you.
Hospital : Can I be allocated an English speaking doctor?
If you want we can request that you be placed with a doctor that speaks good English, however this does somewhat restrict your choice with regard specialty, as not all doctors in all specialties have good English. If you make a reservation we will start the process by which we allocate your supervising doctor along with the specialty you require. We have employed a new doctor taht works in the hospital who is paid to look after all students as a clinical co-ordinator. It is his job to ensure you are having the correct and appropriate clinical exposure. As well as this, you will of course have our Medics Away Representatives. They organize the elective in Peru as a whole (i.e. discovery trips, Spanish classes, etc.). You will therefore be very well looked after during your stay in Peru.
Hospital : Have I been allocated the specialty of my choice?
Requests for specialties are invariably successful as we have very strong relationship with the hospital in Peru. Please co-ordinate with the UK or Peru Medics Away team to finalise specialty choices.
Hospital : Structure of Hospital and Spanish Classes?
Structure of the schedule for the Hospital and Spanish classes is variable. Generally speaking, you will attend hospital in the morning and Spanish in the afternoon. It can occur the other way around also. The program is designed to suit your needs. You will be excused from Hospital Rotations and Spanish Classes for all Discovery Trips.
Hospital : Student Lead Project
We have also organized in the last two years the opportunity for students to run their own little clinics in the local villages around Cusco. Each student puts or £25 GBP or $50 USD into a kitty, they then go off and buy all the medical supplies needed for the day, travel up to the villages and use a local community centre to treat and advise families on any small ailments they may have. It’s also good for a quick check up (Thyroid, Goitres, nutrition, etc.). These have been extraordinarily successful and everyone gains a lot from the experience. Some students do the project 2 or 3 times whilst in Peru. Please refer to the Activities for more details
Hospital : What are the Satelite Hospitals like?
If you look at the Activities section on the Peru Profile you will be able to read more details of the possibilities to do extra medical rotations in the rural areas around Cusco (Quillabamba and Cusco) and even up in the North of Peru (Chiclayo). These are a fantastic opportunity to experience medicine in the community setting. The cost of these extras include all accommodation for one or two weeks, a contract with the hospital and transfer costs (except for Chiclayo). A lot of other Medics Away students sign up for these additional trips, so the chances are you will be able to enjoy them with other medical students, even if you are travelling alone.
Hospital : What is the main hospital in Cusco like?
The hospital in Peru is large with over 100 doctors. It is a publicly funded hospital and serves the general population of Cusco and surrounding area. A full range of specialities are available, much like you may expect in any developing country. It has fully functioning Medical, Surgical and Accident & Emergency departments with many sub specialities closely linked to these. All specialities, including pathology, are available to Medics Away students.
Language : I already speak Spanish. Is that of any use and what about Spanish Classes?
If you already are fluent in Spanish, that is fantastic for the Peru elective. Generally speaking, those students that do not require Spanish lessons are given 30 hours of Quechua lessons (the local language spoken by the Quechuans in rural Peru). This will give you a great opportunity to get really involved in the clinical setting and is especially useful for rural and satelite hospital experiences.
Language : I do not speak Spanish, will this be a problem?
The Medics Away elective in Peru includes 30 hours of one-to-one Spanish classes and this will be plenty to give you a good understanding of the language. You will struggle for the first week, but after that you should be able to get on fairly well. You will not be the only student in this situation. Most students travelling to Peru with Medics Away have no previous knowledge of Spanish before they leave. All students end their elective knowing the language fairly well if not fluently. Learning Spanish will be one of the most rewarding aspects of the elective, and is invaluable if you ever want to practice as a doctor in the U.S.A., much of Europe or south or central America.
Luggage : What should I take for every day use and the hospital?
You really don't need anything particularly different with regard possessions as you would be expected to have for any holiday. Do not take too much stuff out there, because you'll want plenty of space for clothes and souvenirs that you may buy (especially for the girls as there is a lot of shopping to be done!) You do not need to dress up smart for the hospital. Smart casual would be more than appropriate. Students often wear jeans and trainers into the hospital. A white coat is always a good idea along with a stethoscope.
Luggage : What should I take for the Inca Trail and other treks?
Bring one Big (your regular back packers bag) and one small (day pack) rucksacks for the trail. When you are on the trail you carry only your day pack and the porters carry your other gear (up to 7kgs) in bags that we provide. You can hire sleeping bags from the Medics Away team so there is no need to bring one Also: * Original Passport * ISIC card if applicable * Walking poles - if you feel you need them * Backpack with a change of clothing. * Rain gear – jacket and trousers (pants) * Good worn in walking boots (please no new boots) * Layers for hot and cold weather * Mosquito repellent * Sun screen (high factor) * Hat or cap * Camera, film and extra batteries * Torch or flashlight * Sleeping bag (may be rented here for $14US for he 4 days trip) * Water bottle (nalgene type is excellent) * Cash in Soles and US dollars as no machine is available for the 4 days
Spanish School : How are they organised?
The classes are one-to-one and tailored to your proficiency. You receive 30 hours of classes included with your elective fee. Approximately half will be classroom based and the rest will be in the markets, cafe's and shops around Cusco. The classes are completely flexible and you will arrange with your personal tutor exactly when you would like to do them. They are generally for 2 - 3 in the afternoon, on weekdays for the first two or three weeks of the elective.
Spanish School : Will the classes interfere with Hospital rotations or Discovery Trips?
Spanish classes will not interfere with your hospital rotations as you will do hospital things in the morning and Spanish in the afternoon, with lunch and on some days, clinical teaching, in between. All Discovery Trips take precedent over Spanish classes, as the classes can be re-scheduled easily and are very flexible.
Spending Money : How Much will I need and what currency?
The cost of living in Peru is very cheap. A Medics Away elective will cover all of your accommodation, Spanish Classes, Hospital Rotations and most of your Discovery Trips. We do not provide food on the elective as there is a vast variety of options to choose from in Cusco, and they are very cheap. You can expect to pay approximately £3.00 GBP or $5.00 USD for each meal. The local currency is the Sol which is roughly 6 Sol to £1 and 3.5 Sol to $1. US Dollars are extremely useful. ATM's are very available in Cusco. You should take US dollars on your elective, $300 in cash and $300 in travellers cheques. Any more can be obtained from the ATM's.
Stopover : How will we know our stopover plans?
The Medics Away team will email you with details of your stopover. Generally, they will do this one week before your departure date, so keep an eye on your emails. The UK team will ensure that you are given all of the stopover details if the Rep has not sent them to you within that week bracket. Just to let you know also, your stopover and domestic flight will happen automatically anyway. The hotel know your name and will have a board with it on in the airport. They will take you to the hotel and take you back in the morning for the correct time. Your flight is an e-ticket so all you will need is your passport to verify your identification.
Stopover : Should I get a Stopover in Lima?
It all depends on the time you arrive into Lima. If it is before midnight the previous day, then a stopover is well worth it in order to catch the 8:30am or 9:00am flight up to Cusco to arrive there at approximately 10:00am. If you want to save a bit of money, then staying in the airport is a realistic option, but probably not the most comfortable.
Stopover : Will I need a stopover in Lima?
If the international leg of your flight into Peru lands after 2:00pm you will need to do a stopover in Lima, as there are no connecting flights that you will reach in time to get upto Cusco for that day. You can either organise your own stopover in which case if you have booked your domestic flight through Medics Away, we will furnish you with the details of that flight before you leave to Peru. If you choose to opt for the stopover Medics Away provide, you will be met from the airport in Lima, taken to your hotel and dropped off for your flight the next morning. In this situation you will not need to know the details of your flight as our service will guarantee to have you back to the airport in good time for your flight, which requires only your passport as confirmation (it is an E-ticket). Please refer to the Activities page for more details Activities
Vaccinations : Do we need Yellow Fever?
If you are intending to travel into the jungle or tropical regions of Peru (i.e. Manu, Pongo de Mainique, etc.), it is worth having a Yellow Fever jab. If you do not have one and decide you still want to go to the jungle when you are there in Peru, the Medics Away Rep will be able to assist you in obtaining the injection in Cusco. It is worth having the injection as it gives you more freedom to travel whilst you are there, and will be useful for future trips to Yellow Fever endemic areas.
Weather : Between April and October
The weather at that time of year will go from hot sunny days tocrisp cold nights in Cusco. There is very little rain at that time of year. In the mountains you can expect more variable conditions, you may get some rain and it will obviously be considerably colder at night. The weather cannot always be as predictable as all that. This same period for 2008 was particularly cold and extra layers were needed. This is not expected to be the norm for future years.
Weather : Between November and March
The weather between December and March is classified as the wet season. This means regular and heavy rain showers, but this will not affect your elective. All activities are available, but the Inca Trail is closed during the month of February, so if you wanted to do this you would need to do it outside of this time period. The jungle is very nice during this time (especially Manu) and the white water rafting is very good also (the Apurimac River is only open from May to October so this wouldn't be available either). We actually prefer the trekking in the wet season because it is not as hot, there are less people and it's quite atmospheric.