Wildlife
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South America Wildlife Holidays

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Introduction to Wildlife

Get prepared for your wildlife holiday to South America.

Below you’ll find a range of travel tips, advice and information that will help you get ready to explore the wilds.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.

Kit list

Good kit is vital for every trip.

Book with Andean Trails and get 15% off Páramo's fantastic ethical and high performance outdoor gear.

You can also read our blog about a day in the Amazon rainforest of Peru.

 

Detailed kit list

  • The original and a photocopy of your passport.

  • Yellow fever inoculation certificate.

  • Good binoculars.

  • Tight-weave, light weight long trousers.

  • Quick dry socks.

  • Rain suit or long poncho (100% waterproof - test before you leave home).

  • Long-sleeved tight-weave shirts.

  • T-shirts.

  • A bottle or canteen to carry water on outings (1-2 litres).

  • Sunscreen (factor 30+) and lip salve.

  • A broad-brimmed hat that will not come off on windy boat-rides.

  • 1-2 pairs of shorts.

  • Sunglasses with UV filter.

  • A pair of trainers.

  • Ankle high, hiking boots.

  • Insect repellent.

  • Towel & wash-kit.

  • Wet Wipes/antiseptic hand-wash cream.

  • Head-lamp (plus spare bulb and batteries).

  • Personal first-aid kit to include: painkillers, plasters (band-aids), moleskin, anti-biotic cream, general antibiotics (ask your GP), after-bite (tiger balm), anti-diarrhoea tablets, throat lozenges, re-hydration salts & personal medication.

  • Cash (small denomination bills) for souvenirs at the lodge, alcoholic beverages, etc.

  • A small day pack, 30 litres.

  • Camera and film / memory cards (take at least twice the amount you think you will need!).

  • Book, e-book, mp3 player/ipod or other to help pass the time.

  • Spanish/English phrasebook.

  • Extra snacks i.e. cereal bars or favourite chocolate bars.


 

Please note: Guests should arrive in clothes which they do not mind getting slightly dirty or wet, and should wear footwear that is suitable to walk on a rainforest trail. Sun cream, insect repellent, hat and waterproof clothing should be carried in hand luggage and kept accessible for the journey to the lodge.

You may want to keep your binoculars and camera handy, too.

All bedding, toilet paper etc. is provided at the lodge (or camp, if camping).

Weather in Amazon of Peru

The Amazon rainforest

Year-round, weather conditions are hot and humid and there is always the risk of rain

There is a 'dry season' in Tambopata and Manu between May and October. The average daytime high temperature is between 25°C and 34°C and the average nighttime low is between 16°C and 22°C. Heavy downpours typically occur every few days.

Around 80% of annual average rainfall – approx 2,000 mm in Manu and Tambopata and 1,400 mm in Iquitos - occurs in the wet season Nov-April.

On rare occasions, between May and September, cold fronts from Argentina - ‘friajes’ - can sweep into southwest Amazonia and push temperatures down to 9° C. (Friajes usually last between 1 and 3 days).

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Testimonials

Quotation Mark

Staff were superb and provided an excellent service. This may have been helped by Sue and I being the only two people staying at the adventure camp. The staff in the office in El Chalten were very good, too. We were lucky that the accident happened on the way down the Loma del Diablo and about 1 hour from the road and also lucky that our guide Juan was able to carry Sue down. The cruise was great – fantastic organisation, very professional staff and all very interesting. We landed at Cape Horn but were not able to cruise round it as the weather was too bad.

D. Rowell, UK, 2010
» Patagonia Self-guided Tour with W Trek

Quotation Mark

Our trip was a huge success and we had a wonderful time.  With a varied and busy itinerary, we always had something exciting to look forward to and nothing failed to live up to expectations.  All accommodations were good but the Bellavista Lodge in the Cloudforest, the Hato Verde hacienda in Cotopaxi national park, and the Hosteria Mandala in Puerto Lopez, were all outstanding.  Everything went perfectly well, and thanks to all involved at Andean Trails for a great itinerary and for organising it all. 

A. and J. Scott, UK, 2013
» Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge

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Email: info@andeantrails.co.uk

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