Amazon Ecosight

Hi,
My friend and i are going to go to Peru and maybe Bolivia in August and we’re trying to find the best deal. We’re looking to trek the Inca trail, spend a few days in the amazon and cycle down the most dangerous road in the world.
Can anyone recommend any tour operators for this? The cheaper the better but not to skimp on safety or quality. Or if you know a better way to do it that would be good too.
Thanks.

Hi. Trekking the Inca Trail in August is going to be tough because there is a quota and reservations that fill up long in advance. Still, some agencies might be able to fit you in. Generally, those are the more expensive ones. I can recommend my friends at Solandino (www.solandino.com), who once fit me and a group in for an August trip on short notice.

If you arrive in Cuzco without having previously arranged an Inca Trail hike, there are other great hiking options around Cuzco that can be organized on a moment’s notice. Salcantay is a nice hike, finishing in Machu Picchu. Also Choquequirao is becoming more popular, with a route that also finishes near Machu Picchu. My favorite hike in the area is Ausangate and Sibinacocha, but that doesn’t take you anywhere near Machu Picchu. There are dozens of agencies in Cuzco that can arrange these hikes for you for relatively cheap ($300). My friends at Solandino can do the same. The same agencies will also gladly arrange a jungle trip directly from Cuzco.

Getting to Bolivia from Cuzco is not that difficult. You can bus or fly to Juliaca, then overland to the border (I recommend Copacabana), then on to La Paz. In La Paz, on Sagarnaga street, there are also dozens of trekking agencies and everybody sells that biking trip down the mountain. Just take a good look at the bikes before you depart, inspect the brakes, the tires, the chain. Make sure everything is tight. Beware that in Bolivia, there are frequent road blockages due to strikes. When I was there a few weeks ago, many tourists were stranded in Coroico for several days. I had problems getting out of La Paz and back to Peru. It can be a headache.

If you have questions about particular agencies, or want to find recommendations, join the South American Explorer’s Club (www.saexplorers.org). They have a good clubhouse in Cuzco and are very helpful in assisting visitors with all of those questions, even before you leave.

I was looking at buying a unlocked verizon Blackberry Tour 9630 from amazon.com. it is only $230.00 and I was just wondering if I got rid of my crappy enV 3 and switched to the blackberry but kept my same line and phone number and everything would they charge me for switching phones? I know you have to get a data plan, but other than that do they charge you?

No there is no charge to switch phones. Keep in mind that the phone will have no warranty whatsoever..

I have known for months that I was traveling to Peru to visit a friend. I will be there for 10 days and we were going to hang out in Lima and then the rest of the time in Mancora hanging out at the beach. I am leaving in almost a week and now my friend has changed his mind and says we are now going to Iquitos in the Amazon because he has never been. The problem is I have never had a Yellow Fever vaccine and the CDC website states you should get recommended vaccines 4-6 weeks before your travels. There are tons of other vaccines that are recommended including Hep A which you can get from food and water. Since I am leaving in such a short time there is no way the vaccines would take affect by the time I am there.

Now I’m a little nervous and I am wondering since I don’t have vaccines what I can do to protect myself. Obviously bug spray and long sleeves and pants. We may do a tour of the Amazon–nothing hardcore and we may also tour Belen. Any good suggestions on protection, how often should bug repellent be applied, what kind of shoes are appropriate? I know to drink only bottled water and to stay away from food from street vendors, but is there any particular food or meat I should avoid at the restaurants in Iquitos?

Please answer if you live, have lived, or traveled to or around this area. Thanks!

I’ve been staying in Lima for about 2 months, and was in Buenos Aires for the 2 months before that. I didn’t get yellow fever or Hep A, and luckily nothing’s happened to me. I recently traveled into the rainforest from Iquitos and even though I got TONS of mosquito bites (seriously, they’re relentless) I don’t think I’ve got the fever. That being said, there’s free clinics in Lima where you can get the shot.

I’d recommend you bring rubber boots to the amazon with you. The lodge I was staying at provided us with them. You’re going to be trudging around a lot of mud, and it’ll protect your ankles from bug bites. I put both lotion and DEET spray on, and I was still getting bitten. In addition, try to wear long pants and long sleeves whenever you can. Have fun!

Ok i am eligible for the annual upgrade on verizon because of my customer history and i could buy the phone off them for a certain price or just save $20 and buy from verizon. Also what phone seems like a better deal Droid eris or Samsung omnia 2? I have had the blackberry tour and Motorola droid but really did not like them. I want a fast smart phone with wifi that is realy not that bulky and for basic everyday use.

They might honor it, but if you get your phone through them, it has to be serviced through them (warranty, etc.) Verizon will not honor the other company’s warranty, and they wont service your phone. So i’d check out the warranty policy for wherever youre gonna buy it from

Two of my friends have purchased recently about 3 months ago. One of them brought it for 250 from amazon and other for 150 from babies r us. But now those deals are not there and they are selling around 300$ or something. Any suggestions would be very helpful. Thanks for taking time and answering my question

I can tell you that no matter w hat you pay, it is worth every penny! I used this with my youngest child, and am now expecting another and will be using it again. It is AWESOME and I highly recommend it. Ours has been heavily used and is still in excellent condition.

Depending on when you are due, I would simply watch the prices at the various retailers (site and online). Look for coupons- I regularly get them for 20% off any one item for Babies R Us. You might also check the Baby Depot at Burlington Coat Factory, as they usually have great prices.

I’m looking to do a tour to Peru (Inca Trail, Amazon, etc) Has anyone ever used Gap Adventures or Trek Escapes (or any other tour operator for that matter) to do these tours? If so, was it a good experience? Which tour did you do?

Yes i Went to choquequirao.
It was great. Its located in the north part of Cusco. its really hard to get there but i really enjoyed it

chau amigos bye

Any recommendations? Doesn’t need to be Peru.

percy Garcia in Iquitos, Peru. Honest, transparent and has a beautiful lodge in deep jungle, private cabins and the ceremonial maloca are screened in. The maloca is built on stilts over a small river.
He’s in the mid-range of prices at $525 per week or $75 a night. Holds ceremonies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and doesn’t do big groups so you get lots of attention. Best of all he has an assistant and excellent healer in his own right, Carlos. He’s completely bi lingual. Check with alanshoemaker@hotmail.com to make reservations.
And the annual International Amazonian Shamanism Conference that are held in Iquitos, Peru every July. They’re awesome with around 200 people coming from everywhere and there’s 12 or so invited Shamans that speak and hold ceremonies. Website is www.soga-del-alma.org

GH3:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TGB4UU/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller=
GHWT:
http://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Wii-Guitar-Hero-World-Tour/dp/B001ABLHKA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1261684673&sr=1-2

I understand why GHWT is cheaper than GH5 (because GHWT is older):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0029Y5INE/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller=

But why is GH3 so expensive when it came out 2 years ago? Does GH3 come with 2 guitars?

Wiki about GH3: "The title is the first installment of the series to include wireless guitars bundled with the game and also the first to release a special bundle with two guitars."

Let me know, thanks!

This is just my opinion, but I have GH3 and GHWT and I would understand why GH3 is more expensive: It’s a much better game. GH3 has classic songs that are well known. It’s probably a supply and demand thing. (I think GH3’s songs are even better than GH5 but, again, that’s just my opinion.)

The link you showed wasn’t for the set with two guitars. The two guitar bundle says plainly on the box "Dual Guitar Starter Pack" and it shows the two guitars it comes with. Here’s an example for GHWT’s bundle set:

http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=72797

If you’re debating on getting one of these two games I’d go with GH3. Yeah, it’s older but better.

I’m organising a 2 month trip this summer to Peru and Brazil, besides Machu Pichu, Rio de Janeiro, el savador and a few little places imbetween I want more more than anything to visit the Amazon rainforest. I’ve dreamed about it since I was little.
Can someone please recommend to me a good way of seeing the amazon, cheapest possible, accomedation, good locations/tours or buses/flight destinations/any other practicalities, thanks.

i am so jealous that has always been my dream too but i would have no idea how to go about it, and i would have to go alone as none of my friends like travelling! hope you enjoy it wish i could go haha. x

I received the game as a birthday present, but I don’t have a guitar. I don’t really want to spend my own money on one but I can’t play the game without it unfortunately. Where can I get the guitar alone, everywhere I’ve looked has it bundled with the game, which I have already! rrgh frustrating. Also I would prefer an actual store, not ebay or Amazon or any other online entity please.

You can buy it at Wal-Mart or CompUSA.