DawnRainbows

We are going to Peru next August/September for 14 or 15 days. So far, I know we are doing the following:

Lima (1 Full Day)
Cusco area and MP (5 Days)
Manu Wildlife Center (5 Days)

So now I have 3 days or so to see something else. I am considering the following so please provide advice on what you think is the most worthwhile.

1. Nasca lines and Ballestas Islands
2. A white water rafting trip on the Apurimac River
3. Lake Titicaca
4. Arequipa

Please feel free to suggest other alternatives.

Thanks,
Dawn

Scooter

Dawn,
I would add Lake Titicaca for the additional three days. You'll be relatively close when you are in Cusco. You can fly from Cusco to Puno (near the Lake), and then you can fly directly from Puno to Lima for the return trip home. The reed islands are fun, but also take the boat to Taquille Island.

While the Nazca Lines and Ballestas Islands are amazing, it's a long trip getting there/back, by mostly bus. There are some quaint Peruvian resorts in Paracus, near the Ballestas Islands, and lovely hotels near the Lines.

Since you are already going to Manu, I wouldn't recommend the Amazon area near Iquitos, although it's also totally amazing as well.

So....I would recommend Lake Titicaca.

Happy travels.

davarian

Hi Dawn,

Nasca and paracas are really a blast. To see the best and not be in a massive rush it would take 4-days something like:

From Lima, bus to Paracas. Overnight at the Paracas Hotel.
Next morning visit the Ballestas Islands.
Then go by bus to a place outside of Nasca called the Hacienda Cantayo (really great accommodations and food).
Next morning fly over the lines, the rest of the day you can choose between horseback riding, or taking 4-wheel to the San Fernando area (penguins and a rare chance to see a Condor), or 4-wheel to the Pampas area (Vicunas, ruins).
Overnight at the Cantayo. Next day return to Lima.

You can get more info about Nasca at www.peruperu.com

BTW, Manu Wildlife Center is notorious for being sold out during August and September. So if you do not yet have your reservation for the lodge, best to get it happening immediately.
Same web site can help you with that.

For my story visiting Manu come visit www.expphoto.com (the Black Lagoon story, has info about Manu Wildlife Center as well).

Have a great trip!
Dav
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lpslps

Why did you pick Manu rather than a different lodge?

DawnRainbows

First of all, thanks for the suggestions and tips that have been provided thus far.

As for the "why did we pick Manu?"...there was a fabulous article in Conde Nast several months ago that profiled about a dozen Amazon ecolodges and I found the MWC to be the most impressive of the group.

Dav, I was planning on making reservations for our trip in a month or two, which would be about 12 months in advance of our trip. I hope that is enough time. What do you think?

Jed

We loved seeing the Nasca lines. We had a package and flew from Lima to Ica, then a small plane over the lines. Ica itself is interesting. This way it takes one day, but is expensive.

davarian

Hi Dawn,

when you said august-september I thought you meant 2003. For 2004 you wont have any problem getting reservations for mwc during aug-sept. best to have them before May.
happy trails,
dav