I am planning a trip to Peru Sept 11 to Oct 10. I have never been there and I am hoping to explore as much of the country as I can. So far my itinerary is pretty open and I would like a travel companion for some or all of the trip.
I would also appreciate any advice or suggestions. My budget is somewhat tight but I plan to take at least some tours and although I have no problem with bus or train travel I am open to taking some flights due to time constraints if necessary.
A little about me. I am from Colorado in the US. I am 62 years old, I am in above average shape. I work out regularly (weight training and treadmill), I am a hiker but not a backpacker-camper (no aversion just no experience or equipment). I prefer hostels, inexpensive hotels or homestay with locals as well as eating in local resturants. I am not a partier although I enjoy having a couple of beers or a glasses of wine and a good conversation. I am usually an early riser. I am generally not a slave to schedules and enjoy a more casual plan for travel although when I am committed to a schedule I am on time and ready. I am laid back, positive thinking, open minded and outgoing. I speak a little spanish and usually find a way to communicate. I am married but my wife does not share my enthusiasm for this type of travel. Fortunately she understands that I do enjoy it and usually goes along with it. I am just looking for a travel companion particularly in the Amazon. I am very independent but having someone with you adds to the fun and makes it a little easier. Age and sex makes no difference to me.

My verrrrrry rough Itinerary:
I am arriving in Lima
I will travel to Cusco a day or so after arrival.
Travel the inca trail (maybe in group tour if it is reasonable) to Machu Picchu.
Return to Cusco and take a trip to Manu and the reserve again possibly in a inexpensive group tour
return to Cusco
travel to Pucallpa or possibly Yurimaguas and take a river boat to iquitos
stay at iquitos for a couple of days possibly visiting an indiginous village
continue down the river to Tabatinga and possibly to Manaus. then return.

This is very rough although I definitely want to do the inca trail portion when I first get there since I live at 8000 feet at home I will be aclimated to the altitude. I am open to suggestions. I do not know how much river travel I will like or tolerate but it seems like it would be a great way to see the Amazon area.

I would love to hear from anybody interested as well as from anybody who has taken a similar journey especially in regards to the Amazon portion.

Bob

Here are some References, what other Travellers say about the Amazon and her People

http://www.globosapiens.net/travel-info ... -2809.html

http://roughguides.evecommunity.com/eve ... 1561089474

http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-en ... 29120.html

http://www.cyril-tdm.over-blog.com/

http://www.travelblog.org/South-America ... 40064.html

http://forum.potopisnik.si/showthread.php?p=1093

http://www.piniaki.blogspot.com/

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic- ... -Peru.html

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/p/m/3fbf66/

http://www.couchsurfing.com/profile.html

http://www.travelblog.org/Forum/Threads/10587-1.html

http://forum.virtualtourist.com/discuss ... ssion.html

http://www.travelblog.org/South-America ... 47693.html

http://www.travelblog.org/Forum/Threads/10143-1.html

cheers

Hi Bob, you sound like fun - pity I'm looking for someone to share Sri Lanka and you will be in Peru.
Maybe we meet another year.
Tikus

Just some food for thought on the amazon in peru, I just came back from a 8day trek in the manu park. In the lowland deep jungle, there is little to no roads just the ones to get there, the cloud forest. From there transport from different sites is all by river boat. you're also teetering on the wet season for the time frame down there as you get into october and although guides will take you, animal sightings get noticeably scarcer and believe it or not there is a danger of falling branches from the water collected and soaking the wood. price ranges from US $600 - 2500, what i would call comfort level is 1300 and up for 8 day tours. Manu specifically there are only 8-9 agencies actually allowed to go in, heard not so good things about SAS travel and Vilca Expediciones. Since jungle tours are not booked in large volumes i found that most if not all always had spaces at discounts if you signed near towards last minute. you'll find them in cusco.

Inca trail specifically, i assume you have already reserve your space on classic inca trail because there are traveller restrictions and the permits need to be months in advance. since ur from colorado, you're probably better acclimatized than most to high elevation so inca trail should be fairly easy, may i suggest salkantay or ,choquequirao, or ausangate for a little more challenge and spectacular scenery (natural wise)

one more thing, didn't see this on the websites listed first glance. Definitely check out
www.andeantravelweb.com/peru - fantastic info there.


feel free to ask any specific questions or pm me

cheers