BARB

Has anyone done any of the lodges or boats on the Amazon? How about the Explorama Lodge or Inn? Is it better to do a boat or go to a lodge? Are the mosquitos really as bad as I have heard? Any information will be very much appreciated. Also, does anyone know if we could get this booked after getting to Cuzco or is it better to do it from the states. Our time is limited. Is it cheaper to do it after getting there? I am just full of questions.Would love to talk to someone who has done Peru on their own. We are 2 ladies travelling alone. I am hoping it is safe. Thanks for your help!!

jan

<BR>Barb, <BR> <BR>If you would like a real first hand experience at traveling up the Amazon, contact Dr. Oksenholt at <BR>[email protected]. He has made <BR>several trips, led medical expiditions,and is very familiar with the good and the bad of the Amazon. <BR>Yes, he came back with many mosquito bites.Good Luck <BR>Jan

Mary

We have a trip planned this summer to Peru with OAT (Overseas Adventure Tours). Personally, I would not go to Peru any other way. They have a great package-9 days in the cities, extended trip in the Amazon for 5 days.

Dave

You can get info about accommodations from International Expeditions www.ie.com. We stayed at ACEER and Explorama Lodge. No electricity, no hot water, very humid, no privacy, toilet down the path. Wonderful experience, wouldn't miss it for anything, but hard to recommend it to any sane person. I was covered with mosquito bites, but did't itch. My wife applied insect repellant, didn't get bitten. Theoretically, you can make bookings from Lima, not Cuzco. You first have to go to Iquitos. We spoke to people who took the boats, it was exhausting. Four nights in the heat and humidity was enough for us. E-mail for more info.

Julia

Hello, <BR> <BR>I didn't visit the Amazon, but I did have a wonderful experience in Manu. We statyed at Amazonia lodge run by the Yabar family. ([email protected]) We arranged in advance with Amazonia lodge to have their son pick us up in Cusco and drive us in. We were a group of 5 young women. The lodge was beautiful! No electricity and only cold water shower, but hot water wasn't needed! The food was also terrific! <BR> <BR>Amazonia Lodge is a private reserve (400 hectares) of tropical lowland rainforest and lower mountain rainforest, between 500 meters and 900 meters above sea level. The reserve has 527 species of birds, 8 different species of monkeys, mammals like peccaris, capybaras etc., bromelians, orchids, butterflies etc <BR> <BR>We took hikes in the early morning before the heat became unbearable and again in the late afternoon and even after dark. Over the three days that we were there we saw four types of monkeys (woolly, squirrel, saddleback tamarins and night monkeys), cayman, iguana, all kinds of birds including a rare long tailed pootos, and magnificent variety of butterflies. It was a wonderfully peaceful few days and a very special experience. <BR> <BR>Good luck! <BR>

Heather

My brother and I traveled alone in Peru, and we did all of the planning ourselves. Actually, we did most of the planning in Peru. We stayed in Explorama Lodge/ ACEER. We flew to Iquitos, found the agency, and booked a boat ride to the lodge the next day. I think doing it this way was less expensive, but it was more stressful to try to plan everything at once. We had a great time at Explorama Lodge in January. Our guides there were extremely knowledgable, and the canopy walkway was interesting. We spoke to a group of scientists who were staying at ACEER doing research. The bugs weren't too bad, but there were rats. I wouldn't recommend keeping food in your pack. <BR>Have a great time. <BR>Heather

jim bliss

International Journeys books a boat for about 35 passengers that starts in Leticia puru and travels 300 miles down river. The accomodations are a bit spartan,but adequate. The mosquitos were no problem at all. We toured villages. The food was decent. Inter. Journeys has a web site..check it out. <BR> <BR>jim

Anne Marie

I was searching myself as I will be staying at both places that you mentioned in the Amazon. I am also a single woman traveling alone though through a tour. Unfortunately, I am the only person who signed up for the tour. I will be departing from NYC on 9/5. Am also curious about the mosquitoes. If you find out any info, I would greatly appreciate your forwarding it along to me. From what I have been reading, you need to be very careful. At least you have a companion.

Sandy

Hi Barb, <BR> <BR>We are two ladies (mid-50s) who traveled to Peru in Mar 99 alone and we had a great time. We didn't go to the Amazon (I had made a similar trip in Ecuador) but we did go to Lima, Cuzco and Macchu Pichu, and Arequipa. You do not need a tour, you can do everything very easily yourself and save lots of money. <BR> <BR>We had a wonderful time and found the people very helpful. You do have to take the same precautions with your safety that you would here in US, in Europe, etc. Hardly any place is totally safe and but we didn't feel any less safe in Peru. <BR> <BR>Peru is definitely on our places to return. Go and have a ball! <BR> <BR>Sandy

davarian

Hi, Besides Iquitos there are other places in Peru for cool amazon adventures. I have a collection of stories about Manu, Timpia, and Chachapoyas on my web site at http://expphoto.com <BR>Happy trails, <BR>dav <BR>[email protected]