Maptos Loc: Aptos, CA

I just have a Canon G12 with 2x2 Telephoto and a .43 Wide angle lens. Also taking a Manfrotto Mono Pod. Going to Quito, Cotopaxi National Park, Sacha lodge in Amazon jungle and Cuenca city. Any recommendations on other items I should take.
Thank you,
Mike

LaurenT Loc: Northern California

The first thing that comes to mind is BUG SPRAY! The no-seeums are awful. Sounds like a wonderful trip, have fun and don't forget to be prepared for the altitude changes as well. As for your camera gear, be sure to have a rain protector for your camera and gear. :D

Maptos Loc: Aptos, CA

Thank you, yes heard a lot about the chiggers and bugs..definitely have bug ointment and sunblock, also a rain case for the camera.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

First of all: Stay Healthy:
1. Hepatitis A vaccine - the most important thing. (Not the more commonly-given Hep B vaccine).

2. Medicine for diarrhea - Imodium and Cipro usually a good combination - check with your doctor.

3. Probably not a bad idea to use a malaria preventive while in the Amazon. Discuss Malarone with your physician.

4. Insect repellent - mosquitoes and other flying insects carry more than just malaria, so don't get bit. I have never had a problem with crawling insects like chiggers in the Amazon (but do shake your boots in the morning to check for tarantulas and scorpions). When doing photography you want to avoid the greasy insect repellents like Ultrathon. I like to carry the DEET wipes - they are non-greasy, easy to apply, and quite honestly, I don't use repellent unless I am aware that there are flying insects around. Then I pull out a DEET wipe. PRE-TREAT your clothing with permethrin spray (from Sawyers - check Amazon). This lasts for weeks, through several washes, and keeps crawling insects off of your clothing and will keep mosquitoes from biting through your clothing - then you only have to use the DEET on exposed skin.

5. Consider Yellow Fever vaccine - expensive, not very common illness, but 50% fatality rate. Vaccine good for 10 years. If you get it, you will get a "Yellow Card" to document it - always keep this. Some countries will not let you in if you do not have it if you are coming from another country which has YF. (For example, you cannot go from Peru to neighboring countries without proof of this vaccine. )

Photo Equipment:
If you will be staying in an air-conditioned room, it is vitally important to bring some zip-lock bags. When you leave the cool room you will want all of your equipment in the bags until they warm up - otherwise moisture will condense on - and in - your camera and lenses. I also use an air-tight camera case and keep rechargeable silica gel canisters in it and close up my gear in the case at night. (Although if you do stay in an air-conditioned room that helps dry things out as well. ) Also - the rainforest is dark - take the most powerful flash you can.

For details about travel health, including altitude illness, see my videos at: http://www.rainforesteducation.com/about2/travelhealth.htm

Also - if you will not have AC in the Amazon - on my last trip I took a little Travelon fan. On the low setting three AAA batteries ran it for seven nights. That little bit of air movement was very nice to have.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

What! Your not going to the Galapagos Islands?

Maptos Loc: Aptos, CA

Thank you very much. Great info :thumbup:

Maptos Loc: Aptos, CA

Next time we will go...oh treated a lot of femur fx as a paramedic, hope you are mending well. :D

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

It has mended as much as is going to. The bone has completely healed, but the injury to the knee is going to require a knee replacement. Two step process. First I'm not old enough for a knee replacement. But the hardware must be removed, wait 4 months to heal, then the knee replacement. I am not looking forward to the removal of hardware. It really hurt going in and I'm sure it's going to hurt coming out.