We are spending 4 months in S America as part of our round the world trip and would like to visit teh Amazon basin for 4- 5 days. Any opnions on whether this is best done from Cusco, which is where we are now, or Bolvia our next country destination? Any suggestions for tour operators would also be much appreciated.
Thanks

Hi

I can't speak to whether the Amazon basin is best accessed from Peru or Bolivia, but from Cusco it is a short flight to Puerto Maldonado, a gateway to a number of lodges in the Amazon basin.

A year and a half ago, we stayed for three nights at the Posadas Amazonas and thoroughly enjoyed our time there. Here is a link to their website

http://www.perunature.com/

They have other properties, further into the jungle, and more rustic, if you have the time and inclination.

Sandoval Lake Lodge is another lodge accessed from Puerto Maldonado. I haven't stayed there but have heard good things about it. Their web site

http://www.inkanatura.com/sandovallakelodge.asp

Safe journey

Pamela

Of all the countries in South America that are part of the Amazon basin, I find that Peru offers the easiest access, especially if you are already in Cusco. As eveningcrane says, it's a quick flight to Puerto Maldonado. Several of those lodges maintain offices in Cusco, so it would seem logical to arrange something now.