Frequently Asked Questions

How do I pay?

You can use your VISA credit card.

Booking in the Lodge

or Birding Tours :

How do I book my flight reservations from my country to Peru?

See our Links Page.

What about travel insurance?

We recommend that you get both Vacation Insurance and International Medical Insurance.

Vacation Insurance will cover you for trip cancellation and delays, baggage loss and delays.

International Medical Insurance will find you a competent doctor who speaks English and also includes air evacuation.

See our Links Page.

Where can I lookup visa, passport, and health information for South America

The TravelSafe website has some great information at:

http://www.travelsafe.com/links/index.html

Can I fly directly to Cusco, Peru for the start of the tour?

There are some direct flights to Cusco, Peru if you are departing from a city in South America.

All flights from the US and Canada fly into Lima, Peru. You will then need to get a connection flight to Cusco.

What should I bring?

Bring curiosity, fun, adventure, anticipation, humor, discovery…..

See this link on our website and print it off: http://www.amazonialodge.com/triplist.html

It can get cold in Cusco at night so a hat, gloves, and Polartec fleece would be nice to have.

When is the best weather to visit Peru?

May through October are the dry season months. April, November, and December are transition months with moderate rainfall usually lasting only an hour or two at a time. These months have still produced some excellent and sometimes outstanding birding. January through March are the wettest months

Where can I exchange money for Peruvian Soles?

Money can be exchanged in banks and casas de cambio (exchange houses). The Lima airport has exchange houses. There are also money exchange houses all around the Plaza de Armas in Cusco. Some do not charge any commission for Travelers Checks.

What Immunizations might I need when visiting Peru?

The farther off the beaten track you go, the more sensible it is to take precautions. We recommend that you

update your Tetanus shot if you have not had one in the last 10 years. A Yellow Fever and Hepatitis A vaccination is also recommended.

Will I experience altitude sickness in Cusco?

Cusco is 3,326 meters above sea level (10,909 feet). Drink plenty of liquids. The Peruvian mate de coca tea, available at most hotels, is very good in helping you acclimatize to the altitude.

Can I visit the lodge without taking a tour?

Yes, here are some suggestions:

1) Decide which nights you would like to spend at the lodge.

2) Contact us with the dates and we can confirm your reservations.

3) We will also arrange transportation for you, usually a truck or van for $500 US round trip from Cusco.

4) It is suggested that you take two days to travel from Cusco to Atalaya where you will pick up your boat ride for

a short 10 minute ride down river to the lodge. (See our Location page) The first night you have the option of

staying at either the Manu Cloud Forest Lodge or Cock-of-the-Rock lodge. It is about a 8 to 10 hour drive to

these lodges from Cusco taking into account birding along the way.

5) The second morning can be spent also birding the cloud forest on the way to Atalaya.

Can I use my USA ATM card in Cusco?

Cusco and most of Peru accepts mostly Visa cards to withdraw cash and now regular ATM cards as you know them. Once you take a cash withdrawal on your Visa credit card you might start paying interest immediately. You are better off bringing a Visa debit card so you don't have to pay any interest or using American Express Travelers checks.

What should I wear for clothing?

We recommend light tropical clothing, cotton or coolmax shirts in light colors (green, beige, or gray so to blend in with the surroundings when in the rainforest).

Is very importand don't wear in the field clothing red, yellow, white becouse this colors scare the birds.