fball, exactly our thought: “There are other jungle areas that are less isolated”. Manu is just not for us (unfortunately).

crellston and yestravel, thanks for confirming that Arequipa is worth it. The town itself sounds interesting, but can we do the overnight trip to Colca Canyon? Same bathroom concerns, what are our chances to find clean ones in the Colca Canyon? Any tour operator recommendation?

We did a tour thru the B&B we stayed at in Arequipa. We stayed overnight at a great lodge in Colca Canyon. I don't remember the bathrooms on the trip itself thru the Canyon which means they had to be ok. We made a couple stops on the way there and then on the way back. Hopefully someone else will have a better recollection of the bathrooms than I.

I visted the Cusco area, sacred valley, and all other to include Nasca Lines and lake Titicaca, Pisco area for three weeks. I found filthy bathrooms everywhere but you grin and bear it, take toilet paper and purell with you everywhere. What I found worse than the bathrooms were the unsanitary conditions of the food preparation. I had Cipro with me but didn't need it. I was extremely cautious of what I ate. The whole of Peru is absolutely beautiful and would not hesitate to go back. Bear in mind, that this is a third world country and they don't have the luxuries that we have here in the US.