What do I need to know about my passport?
You WILL need your passport to travel.
Keep it in a *safe location at all times. (*American passports are highly desired in Colombia, Peru, and Brazil.)
Keep a copy of your passport on you at all times, and take a picture of your passport and send it to your team leader, and one or more of your teammates.
Please note: You will need to renew your passport if it expires within 6 mos of any of your travel dates, including the return date. Also, be sure there are at least FOUR blank pages in the back of your passport for stamps as you will be checking in and out of 2-3 countries.
What apps should I download as I plan for this trip?
We recommend the following Apps: WhatsApp, American Airlines, Latam Airlines or Avianca (depending on which we use for in-country flights), Google Translate (be sure to download the Spanish and English languages before you leave country), Currency Converter, Life On Mission (this is the app we use for sharing the gospel).
Where will we go?
Teams will fly from their closest international airport into Bogota, Colombia and then onto Leticia, Colombia, where a commercial bus will take the team from the airport to the mission boats. This consists of 30 minutes to Leticia port, and then a small boat will take us across the Amazon River to the border of Peru and Colombia where we will board the 414 Mission Boat(s).
Then we will boat up the Amazon River (approximately 2 hours) to the Mission Station in CushilloCocha.
Where will we eat, sleep, etc.?
Small teams (8 or less) will stay on-site at the Mission Station in Cushillococha, along with the missionaries. There are electrical outlets for CPAP machines and charging phones. And the bedrooms have a/c.
Larger teams (9+) will stay at a hotel in the neighboring village, 20 minutes west called Caballococha. The rooms have a/c and it works 90% of the time.
Breakfast will be provided at the mission station. Lunches and dinners will be either served at the mission station or at a local restaurant.
Fresh drinking water is available at the mission station, so bring your water bottle.
Types of food: Typically the main staples are chicken or fish and a side of one or more of the following: rice / potatoes / yucca / beans. The food has been said to be very delicious by the majority of our past team members. There is not a lot of fiber, so if this is a problem for you, you may want to bring/use supplements. And be sure to have snacks with you for times between meals or while in smaller villages where food may be unavailable.
Is there cell range in the jungle?
Some areas do have cell range. The majority of the smaller villages the cell range is either spotty or non-existent. All 414 Missions boats are equipped with Wi-Fi so while in transit on the river you can use it. Wi-fi will also be available in some jungle hotels for a fee, and while at the Mission base, there is Wi-fi.
Is there laundry service?
Locals can provide laundry service via washing in the lake for a small fee (full day or two turnaround). There is a washing machine at the mission station for emergencies.
How hot is it really?
Although temps may show 80 - 95 degrees, don’t be fooled. Humidity is typically 90% - 100%, which makes the 'feels like' temperatures much higher, and without a/c in most places you will feel your body slowly wind down. It is imperative to hydrate all day long, rest when needed, use a cooling rag, and do not over exert yourself. It is also recommended that you are in good shape before coming.
What about the insects?
This is the Amazon, and you will see many bugs. Bringing proper bug spray (non-aerosol) with at least 30% - 40% deet for mosquitos is required. A 20% Picardin spray or lotion is also very effective with the ants, sand fleas, and biting flies.
What should I expect the hygiene care to look like?
The short term teams stay in hotels each night which will have showers (not usually warm) and toilets (with seats). Please remember when you are in the Amazon region, YOU CANNOT FLUSH YOUR TOILET PAPER, so there will always be trash bins by the toilets. You will want to have a small amount of toilet paper on hand with you at all times in case you need to use the restroom while in the villages. DO NOT use the tap water to drink or brush your teeth! You will need to brush your teeth, swish, rinse, and clean your toothbrush with drinking water to reduce your chances of contracting any parasites.
Who will we be serving?
First and foremost, we serve the hard-working indigenous pastors and missionaries serving in the local area. In partnership with them, we will serve the Ticuna people, and other indigenous tribes on the Amazon River.
What will we be doing?
Each trip is different based on the team's abilities. It can be medical, dental, reading glasses, VBS, youth ministry, evangelism, discipleship, water purification training, water well drilling, and construction projects. Sometimes we have team members who come solely with the purpose of serving those who serve, through cooking, cleaning, or providing immediate care for their needs. We often play futbol (soccer) or volleyball as a way to connect.
Our last day typically includes some tourism and souvenir shopping in Leticia, Colombia and/or Tabatinga, Brazil.
Is there an age limit, or limit to how many can go on a trip?
We invite any age from elementary age (with parental supervision) to senior adults. There is no limit to how many can go, we have had couples come by themselves, and teams as large as 24. There will be a team of 6-10 missionaries and local Peruvians serving alongside the teams (missionaries, pastors, translators, security, cooks, and maintenance workers).
What does a typical trip look like?
Although every trip is different, most follow a typical pattern based on a 10-day trip.
- Day 1/2: Travel to Leticia and boat to Cushillococha
- Day 3-7: Begin ministry, locally and surrounding villages by boat
- Day 8: Return to Leticia (souvenir, explore)
- Day 9/10: Return home
What does a typical ministry day look like?
Again, every trip is different, but this seems to be the most common pattern…
- 6 am Sunrise (TAG: Time Alone with God)
- 7 am Breakfast & Group Devotion
- 8 am Each team goes to their assigned areas of ministry
- 12-2 pm Lunch/siesta
- 2-4 pm Each team continues ministry
- 4 pm Free time - Rest & clean up
- 6 pm Dinner with Team
- 7 pm Team building / Free time
- 10 pm Lights Out
What is the cost of a trip?
Trip prices will vary based on time of year and airfare cost. The base trip cost is $1800 + airfare. This would be a total range of $2,800 - $3,500.
This price covers airfare, food, lodging, transportation, and international travel insurance. It does not cover personal items such as passports, vaccines, airport hotels, meals, or tips. We will provide team meetings via google meets and training for sharing the gospel.
How safe is it?
There’s always a notable risk with international travel. However, we have been taking teams for over 8 years now and everyone has safely returned. We also have trustworthy and qualified American and Peruvian workers who will accompany us at all times.
The biggest threat is sickness. We suggest being overly careful when eating / drinking in any 3rd world country.
For the latest travel advisories, check out the State Department at:
Which vaccinations/prescriptions are recommended?
Currently, vaccinations are not required to enter Peru, Colombia, or Brazil, but there are several recommendations by the CDC.
Please see the CDC Website for most current vaccine requirements. Because we are on the tri-border, you will want to check Peru, Colombia, and Brazil:
CDC Recommendations
Is there a 414 Missions refund policy for donated trips?
414 Missions is a non-profit organization and donations given in support of a trip fee are non-refundable donations to 414 Missions and are not contingent on a any certain team member's participation in a trip. If a team member has to drop or a trip is canceled, donations toward their trip will be held as a trip credit (less any airline penalties and/or credits) up to two years after the original trip date. Expired 414 Missions trip credits will be used by 414 Missions to further its charitable purposes.
What is the airline's canceled ticket policy?
If a ticket is purchased for a team member and the ticket is canceled, 414 Missions will send the trip credit to the team member, or the person who paid for the ticket, and they can use it as needed. It is possible that the airline credit will be less than the original ticket value due to airline cancellation penalties and fees. In the case that the team member schedules a later trip with 414 Missions, the full price of the new ticket for the new trip will be will be included in their new trip, or they may use their trip credit from previous (canceled) trip (plus or minus any changes in fare).
What is 414 Missions’ trip cancellation policy?
For the airline ticket portion of the trip, see above airline canceled ticket policy.
The remaining trip cost, up to $1,500, will be distributed as follows:
- 0-15 days prior to trip: non-refundable
- 15-45 days prior to trip: 50% refund
- 45-60 days prior to trip: 75% refund
- 60+ days prior to trip: 100% refund (up to $1,500)
If 414 Missions has to cancel for any reason, the trip costs will be credited toward the future trip. If the person chooses not to schedule a future trip, they will receive the airline credit and be refunded up to $1,500 of their payments received.