Peru Trip (Page 2): My daughter is an avid reptile enthusiast and traveled there a few years back. I asked her for suggestions and got response below. I would highly recommend hiring a...

rfcoakley Loc: Auburn, NH

My daughter is an avid reptile enthusiast and traveled there a few years back. I asked her for suggestions and got response below.

I would highly recommend hiring a guide. I had Cesar to show me around he took me to a monkey sanctuary that had sloths and snakes and tons of different monkeys and also lots of turtles and some mammals. He knows the area and I have nothing but good things to say about him.

Cesar can be contacted through this link:

https://www.tourhq.com/guide/pe96310/cesar-pena

He worked with the company I used (http://www.mtamazon.com/margarita-tours/) -
They have a field station that is in a great area for wildlife viewing and may be able to arrange something. I stayed at this field station:

https://www.projectamazonas.org/madre-selva-biological-station

I recommend staying at a field station for a night or two- but, it is very rustic with very few amenities.

Sounds like an awesome trip!!

jjfried40

My wife and I and two friends were in Peru in 2012.
You won't regret Machu Picchu. That place comes pretty close to wrapping you up in a sense of the mystic. It is such an overhyped place that I went with a lot of skepticism. Instead, I was overwhelmed by it. My one regret was that we did not overnight there (which you can do at an inn at the site) to see the sunrise. In short, Machu Piccu is a must.

Do some research on TripAdvisor for restaurants in Lima. It is recognized as a great restaurant town. So is Cuzco.

As long as you are in Cuzco, and if you have time, take a short tour of the Valley of the Gods, also know as the Sacred Valley. Old Inca ruins, and some interesting small towns.

If you can still squeeze it in, try to go to the Valley of the Condors. High up in the Andes, the valley offers breathtaking views of condors flying above, below and around you.

I think that Paracas Bay/Isla Ballestas is often referred to as the "poor-man's Galapagos." It offers great views of birds and other wildlife.

Peru is a greatly underappreciated place. You'll love it.

RustyM

I went with a small group of friends, mainly to bird in the Manu Preserve. We did Machu Picchu first, and it was wonderful. I don't think you will regret it. I would also recommend spending some time seeing the sights in Cusco, if you can. I especially liked the grand cathedral built by the Spanish. We stayed here https://www.google.com/search?q=hotel+andes+of+the+americas&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#fpstate=lie and it was very nice.

nosretep Loc: S. W. Montana

I photographed a woman spinning wool near a stream; she
actually jumped over the stream to collect from me.

nosretep Loc: S. W. Montana

Our tour company required each of us to bring
clothing and school supplies to a home for girls. (in Cusco)
A young girl grabbed my hand and escorted me
on a tour through out the home. I didn't under-
stand Spanish and she didn't understand English.
Didn't matter; we communicated just fine.

Anandnra Loc: Tennessee

Terry in Indiana wrote:

My husband and I are heading to Peru for 3 weeks i... (show quote)

Iquitos is a place to add to your itinerary up north that is well worth visiting near where the Napa and the Amazon rivers meet. From the Paracas area try to fit in a visit to the Nasca Lines. If you're up for adventure a sand dunes buggy ride is exhilarating along with the plane ride over Nasca. And ofcourse a stop at ollantaytambo along the way to Machu Pichu from Cusco and a hike up Wyanapichu.

dylee8 Loc: South Florida

I spent 3 weeks in Peru last October. Here's a few suggestions:
1. Amazon mosquitos are deadly. Definitely bring repellents but that might not be good enough. My wife made the mistake of dressing in a pair of shorts one afternoon, got bites all over legs and live the consequence for 3 months.
2. If you hate crowds then don't spend too much time in Lima. Its one of the most congested places I've seen.
3. As others mentioned, very high altitude at Machu Picchu. And Cusco is even higher. If you plan a lot of hiking in those areas don't carry heavy camera/lenses.

Redmark

You could consider a canoe trip (as many days as you want) in Samiria NP from Lagunas (fly to Tarapoto).
Then fast boat to Iquitos to explore and fly out to Cusco. Remember wildlife viewing in the jungle is difficult at the best of times.Good luck.

Terry in Indiana Loc: rural Indiana

sb wrote:

1) You MUST get a Hepatitis A vaccination before y... (show quote)

Thanks for your thoughts and advice! We are good with the Hep A series...we've traveled in other underdeveloped countries and have the full arsenal of vaccines under our belt. :)

We are spending 2 nights at Machu Picchu. The altitude issue is a concern...we live on the flat plains of Indiana. I'm thinking it will be wise to have some altitude medication on hand, just in case we need it.

Thanks for the links to the videos. I'll definitely check them out!

Appreciate your time responding to me! Thanks!
Terry

Terry in Indiana Loc: rural Indiana

Redmark wrote:

You could consider a canoe trip (as many days as you want) in Samiria NP from Lagunas (fly to Tarapoto).
Then fast boat to Iquitos to explore and fly out to Cusco. Remember wildlife viewing in the jungle is difficult at the best of times.Good luck.

Thanks! The jungle offers many new challenges...hoping to see some great stuff, but it'll be a fun experience regardless.

Terry in Indiana Loc: rural Indiana

dylee8 wrote:

I spent 3 weeks in Peru last October. Here's a few... (show quote)

Thanks so much for your help. The mosquitoes are one of our concerns...I'm imagining them to be as big as chickens! :) We will do our best to stay covered with repellent and fabric....

We do hate crowds. But Lima seems to be our go-to place on the itinerary. Maybe a lot of rest and relaxing at the hotel...

Did you have issues with altitude sickness? We live in the flat cornfields of Indiana....wondering how the altitude will affect us.

Thanks so much!
Terry

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

MBW66 wrote:

I second sb's advice. i always take Diamox 2 days ... (show quote)

Especially if you have a history of terrible headaches at altitude (I do) the Diamox suggestion is excellent. It helps prevent them - they can be horrible. Diamox has minimal side effects - some tingling in the toes and it makes beer taste flat, but well worth it for a few days - I take it starting a few days before going to altitude and continuing a few days there. If you have bad heart disease or COPD you should stay home.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Terry in Indiana wrote:

Thanks so much for your help. The mosquitoes are one of our concerns...I'm imagining them to be as big as chickens! :) We will do our best to stay covered with repellent and fabric....

We do hate crowds. But Lima seems to be our go-to place on the itinerary. Maybe a lot of rest and relaxing at the hotel...

Did you have issues with altitude sickness? We live in the flat cornfields of Indiana....wondering how the altitude will affect us.

Thanks so much!
Terry

Mosquitoes are variable. I have been to the Amazon several times and to the jungles of Borneo and Central America - only occasionally are the mosquitoes a problem. I am always prepared - I take along the DEET wipes which can be pulled out and used if needed. They are not greasy. I also pre-treat my clothing with permethrin. This is a repellent for clothing - useful in Indiana as well as the Amazon. It keeps mosquitoes, ticks, and the chiggers of the midwest from landing on or clmbing up your clothing looking for some warm flesh. I spray the permethrin on my clothes a week before I leave. It has a faint smell while damp but not when dry, and it lasts for weeks - through several washes.

See: http://www.amazon.com/Sawyer-Products-SP657-Permethrin-Repellent/dp/B001ANQVYU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1502019603&sr=8-4&keywords=permethrin+spray

If you have a Bass Pro Shop near you they carry it.

Some Cipro antibiotic (500mg twice a day for three days) along with the aforementioned Pepto are great to have for diarrhea.

Terry in Indiana Loc: rural Indiana

rfcoakley wrote:

My daughter is an avid reptile enthusiast and trav... (show quote)

Thanks so much for your suggestions! I will check them out! :)
Terry

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Terry in Indiana wrote:

Thanks for your thoughts and advice! We are good ... (show quote)

Definitely get some altitude medicine. I don't remember what it was I took the second time I went, but it worked. I started taking it when I flew into Lima BEFORE flying to Cuzco. The first time I went, I literally wanted to die, it was so bad. Even with the med, I got some tingling in my fingers in the highest places. And it doesn't give you more oxygen, so do be careful. And drink the coco tea when offered.