yi

We learned so much on these travel threads, and hope to help by sharing from our experiences. We spent three weeks in the Amazon region, Machu Picchu, Cusco and Iguazu Falls.

Day 1 arrival in Lima - DoubleTree
Day 2-5 Lima-Puerto Maldonado- HEATH RIVER WILDLIFE CENTER
Day 6 P. MALDONADO - CUSCO - SACRED VALLEY- Hotel Pakaritampu
Day 7 SACRED VALLEY - MACHU PICCHU- Machu- Picchu Pueblo
Day 8 MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO- Libertador
Day 9 CUSCO - SACRED VALLEY - CUSCO- Libertador
Day 10 Cusco –Lima- city tour and Archaeological Museum - private service
Day room at Melia Hotel Lima
Day 11-14 Lima- Aeroparque-El Calafate FULL DAY EXCURSION TO THE PERITO MORENO GLACIER & TODO GLACIARES LOS ALAMOS HOTEL
Day 15 El Calafate- Aeroparque- Bel Air
Day 16-20 Aeroparque-Iguazu Excursion to Iguazu Falls Argentinean side & Brazilian Side
private excursion to Iguazu FAlls - IGUAZU SHERATON HOTEL
Day 21 Iguazu- Aeroparque -Bel Air
Day 22 Buenos Aires - Sao Paulo –Amsterdam - Home

1. If you use a Digital Camera, don’t forget to bring an universal Adaptor. I have used three different adaptors -(Usually I will ask the hotel reception to lend me one. However in Lima Hilton hotel, the staff have never seen our three pin plug and as I was going to Amazon for 5 nights next morning. I was in a panic as I did not have enough batteries for the whole jouney. Luckily, I found a shop selling the adaptor in Cusco.

2. In the Amazon region & Cusco, only drink bottled water and even use it to clean your teeth. My guide said people get sick from the water more than the high altitude .

3. Don’t eat anything uncooked & fruit skin. I.e. Tomato, Lettuce and salad.

4. If you go to Machu Picchu, don’t forget to have a stamp in your passport near the entrance. ( I don’t think many people know because the room was empty)

5. If you fly from Cusco to Lima in nice weather conditions , book the right front seat then you can see the snow mountains and the Inca Trails.

6. From the Argentina Iguazu falls to the Brazilian side, my car only stopped in the Argentina immigration to check my visa not in the Brazil side. My guide said not necessary stop to show my passport so we just straight though to Brazil .

Well, Hope this information will help.

Here is my photo web-site if you are interested please have a look.
http://www.pbase.com/monicawong/south_america_2006

Earthtraveler

Thanks for sharing your adventure.
Great photos.
Looks like you had an awesome journey.

Percy

Ahhh !

I can identify with all you say as I just got back from a month in South America.

Thank you for the pictures.

I also was in Rio and Santiago Chile
Got sick in Ollantaytambo for a day ...ugh !!.. the day before I went to Machu Picchu

Percy

Travelling2

What did you think of these hotels:
LIMA - Melia
CUSCO - Libertador

andrys

Monica, I was delighted to find that your gorgeous photos are on pbase also.

I've a bunch there too, sort of organized as a tour of the Machu Picchu site's divisions as laid out by Bingham. Lots of text
http://www.pbase.com/andrys/machu

I didn't see quite as much of Peru as you did, since we didn't get to the Amazon river area, because we concentrated on the highlands for the only two weeks we had. Your 10D and you picked up the colors of Peru so well and did beautifully with detail. My older pics are with a small APS film camera. But if anyone's interested in a sort of guide of the MP layout, have a visit.

There's also a photodiary of the same but with more explanations at http://www.andrys.com/indox.html

As for the Sacred Valley, what a boon that was.

You get around to really exotic places. I also love the way you got images of your itinerary there too!

The Ignazu Falls and that rainbow you got. WOW! I commented at your site. Sort of blown away. Wish I could have experienced that. But in a way I almost have!

yi

Hi Travelling2,

Sorry, if I reply too late.
I like both hotels. Melia is comfortable and in a safe area. It is a business hotel.
Libertador also a good hotel.

Monica

caligirl56

Yi,
Loved your pictures. Just beautiful. I am curious about something, though. I didn't see any pictures of monkeys in the amazon basin. We are considering staying at Heath Wildlife Center and Sandoval Lake Lodge. Did you see any monkeys there?

yi

Hi Caligirl56,

Thx for your comment. From memory I didn't see any monkey there but luckily I saw a Puma.

Monica
________________________
www.pbase.com/monicawong

caligirl56

Monica,
Thanks for answering. I saw the picture of the puma. I have a feeling that you were very lucky to see it! From what I've heard, they can be pretty hard to find!

yi

Hi andrys,

Thx for spending time to veiw my photos and really appreciated your comments. I learned more after viewing your Machu Picchu photos because your explanation is educational. I really like it.

Monica
________________________
www.pbase.com/monicawong

blamona

Gorgeous pictures!

I'm going end of Dec-I hope my pictures are 1/2 as good as yours-I'll be happy.

You got me so excited for our trip!

yi

Hi blamona,

Thx for your comment. Hope you have a nice trip & show us your photos when you come back.

Monica