Update on my trip: I am leaving May 17th and arriving at Lima, Peru. I am leaving July 12th from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The tickets were bought a month ago. I’m going to start packing soon. Please let me know if you think something is unnecessary, and more importantly, if I am omitting anything. Also please let me know if I’m not allowed to bring these things on the plane, cause I have no idea. Keep in mind I haven’t bought some of these things yet, although I must do that soon. Thanks! In no particular order, here is what I have decided to pack so far: • Mp3 player, charger, 2 sets of headphones • Lots of 50+% DEET of insect repellant. • Some sort of travelers backpack • SD Card Reader + SD cards + 8 GB flash drive • Camera/charger • Electrolyte powder • Mosquito Net • A few sets of clothes (how many sets should I bring? Will I be cold?) • Binoculars • Spanish – English dictionary + Portuguese – English Dictionary • Travel pouch, two wallets • Padlock • 2 pairs of shoes, one for dry land and one for water • Hand sanitizer/wet wipes • Alcohol rub, malarial medication, cipro, pepto-bismol, Imodium, Tylenol • Travel pillow, towel, razor • Flash light, batteries, adapters and converters for electronics • Sun hat, sunscreen, umbrella That’s all I can think of right now. Is all of this necessary? I don’t know how I would fit all this into one backpack. Should I have a second bag and just leave it at the hostel? Here is my schedule for the actual trip: May 17th – May 21st – Lima May 22nd – June 7th – Cusco (Machu Picchu, Manu, Lake Titicaca, Paragliding) June 8th – July 12th – Brazil (Pantanal in Campo Grande, Rio de Janeiro, and possibly Iguazu Falls) Things I have done: • Shots / malaria medication (doxycycline). • ISIC card/travel insurance. • Brazilian Visa • Hostel reservations for the hostel in Lima. Things I still have to do: • Register with the embassies in both countries. • Make copies of my passport. • Carefully read the lonely planet guidebook. • Finalize the date for the Pantanal. • Figure out how to get from Peru to Brazil • Learn more Spanish and Portuguese (haha I am so screwed) • Buy foreign SIM card for phone (will do this in airport at Lima/Brazil) I think the main thing I need help with right now is how to get from Peru to Campo Grande. I’m hearing that direct flights from Lima to Campo Grande can cost $1000. I do not want to pay that much. I’m hearing cheaper alternatives if I go through Bolivia (i.e. Cusco > Santa Cruz and then bus it to Campo Grande). Can anyone help me out with more information on this? Also, if I do this, will I have to obtain a Bolivian visa? Thanks for the help everyone – this trip will be a memorable experience!
