Peru Nature Explorer

Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport

Lima

A good quality, funtional international style 130 room hotel at the airport. Very convenient for positioning nights in Lima the Costa del Sol saves the hassle of facing Lima's traffic, and is located directly opposite the terminal building. Rooms have cable TV, A/C or heating, safety deposit box, mini-bar and hair drier. Further facilities include a small indoor swimming pool and free Wi-FI, whilst it also has a restaurant open 05.00-10.00 and 12.00-23.00h, a gym, business centre and spa.

Casa Morey

Iquitos

Set in a former rubber baron's grand mansion the hotel has 14 huge, airy bedroom suites, with high ceilings, private bathrooms, a/c, wifi, cable TV and elegant public rooms. Positioned in a fairly quiet location on the pedestranised malecon, the hotel is wonderfully located. The hotel seems part museum with a décor of botanical prints, historical photos, steam boat memorabilia that hark back to city's heyday, plus an elegant library filled with natural history books. The hotel is a functional base rather than a comfortable experience. There is also a small swimming pool.

Muyuna Lodge

Up river from Iquitos (3h)

This nature focused Eco lodge is a 3hr journey by speedboat SE from Iquitos, very close to the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. This is a remote region of 10 chain lakes and primary forest which is home to the rare Wattled Curassow, The Piuri, The Rufus-necked Puffbird and Black-tailed Antbird.

Resident English-speaking bird guide: Moses

Rooms are on stilts with private balconies fitted with hammocks and white tiled private bathrooms. No glass in windows- just netting. Lighting is by kerosene lamps.

There are no communications to the outside world except by emergency radio (no cellular, no electricity). In the afternoon a small generator is used to charge camera and lap top batteries.

Rooms are surrounded by mosquito netting around walls and roof so guests feel protected from insects and snakes.

Guests stay on a full board basis, everything is included except beer, fizzy drinks and tips.

In a 3-night stay it is possible to record as many as 380 species of birds, five species of monkey, Victoria Regia - the largest aquatic plants in the world, pink river dolphin.

Weather: It is hot and humid with mosquitoes all year round (no yellow fever, no malaria). There is rain throughout the year. It is unpredictable but rarely lasts for hours and the higher the intensity, the faster it passes.

April - June: water levels rise and canoes are used, pink dolphin can be seen swimming in front of the cabins

July - Sep: water levels lowest with white sandy beaches - good for fishing (catch and release Peacock Bass) and picnicking, no snakes, least number of insects.

Wildlife viewing is all year round, the same species are seen but their activities are different.

Casa Morey

Iquitos

Set in a former rubber baron's grand mansion the hotel has 14 huge, airy bedroom suites, with high ceilings, private bathrooms, a/c, wifi, cable TV and elegant public rooms. Positioned in a fairly quiet location on the pedestranised malecon, the hotel is wonderfully located. The hotel seems part museum with a décor of botanical prints, historical photos, steam boat memorabilia that hark back to city's heyday, plus an elegant library filled with natural history books. The hotel is a functional base rather than a comfortable experience. There is also a small swimming pool.

San Agustin Monasterio de la Recoleta

Sacred Valley

The San Agustin Monasterio de la Recoleta Hotel is a beautifully renovated monastery originally built in the 17th Century and located in Urubamba in the Sacred Valley, nearby the main visitor sites of Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Maras and Moray. The hotel has attractive gardens and 32 rooms set around their internal courtyard. Bedrooms are equipped with cable TVs, safety deposit boxes, heaters whilst there is Wi-Fi in the public areas of the hotel. There is also a restaurant and bar on site should guests wish to eat at the hotel.

Costa del Sol Ramada Hotel Picoaga

Cusco

The Hotel Costa del Sol is housed in a restored colonial-era mansion with an interior cobbled courtyard dating back to the 17th century.  The hotel has 90 rooms in total, which are divided between a colonial wing and rooms in a more modern building.

All rooms have WiFi access, cable TV, direct dial telephones, safety deposit box and a mini bar.

Cock of Rock Lodge

Manu

Situated in the Manu Cloudforest, on the eastern slopes of the Andes, Cock of the Rock Lodge is in the Kosnipata Valley in its own 12,500 acre reserve, close by to the Cusco-Shintuya Highway.

All 12 bungalows are on stilts with private bathrooms and glass windows.  

There is no electricity in the rooms, but candles are provided for lighting.  A generator is in the dining room, where you can charge batteries etc. from 6-9pm.

Remember to pack a torch (best to pack two).

Manu Wildlife Centre

Madre de Dios river

The very well run Manu Wildlife Centre (MWC) lodge comprises 22 bungalows each with en suite bathroom, (curtain for bathroom door) flush toilet and hot water, whilst there is a turndown service of mosquito nets in the evenings. There is no electricty but a generator provides power at noon and evenings for charging batteries in the communal lounge. It exudes a great "sense of place" you feel you are staying in a special, remote location and the guides keep guests busy on the trails maximising their natural history experiences.

There are 30 miles of forest trails surrounding the centre through both terra firma and transitional flood plain forest. Here you can search for the 10 species of resident monkeys, including Black Spider Monkey, Emperor Tamarin and Monk Saki. For birders over 560 species of birds have been recorded here. There are two canopy platforms which offer tree-top vantage points and there is a tapir lick with a hide.

It is 2 hrs by boat from Boca Manu landing strip and the Center supports the preservation of a 50-square-mile private, pristine rainforest reserve. It is staffed principally by members of local communities, and there are usually resident researchers and scientists who are happy to discuss their work on site. There is Wi-Fi in some parts of the lodge, but this can be unreliable due to the remote location.

Bring your own wellington boots (these can be purchased in Cusco or at a village en route to Manu) and there is a policy of taking outdoor shoes off before entering the communal living/dining room.

Sandoval Lake Lodge

Tambopata

On the banks of a protected oxbow lake, Sandoval Lake Lodge has 25 rooms in total, situated in 2 blocks.  All have hot-water showers and fans. Electricity is provided by a generator three times per day: from 5:00 to 6:00 am, from noon to 4:00 pm and from 17:30 to 22:30 pm. Resident naturalist guides lead lake excursions by day in search of Giant Otters, monkeys, and macaws, forest excursions,with  night excursions in search of caimans, and evening slide shows. The lodge is jointly owned by a non-profit conservation group and five families of indigenous Brazil nut collectors.

Note: visitors must walk in on a 2-mile (3.2km) easy trail to reach the Oxbow lake from where you are paddled by boat across half the lake to the lodge.

Sonesta Hotel El Olivar

Lima

Located in Lima's business district of San Isidro, the hotel's clientele is mainly businessmen but due to its close proximity to Parque El Olivar, Sonesta Hotel can be a good option for tourists too. All of the 134 rooms are well equipped with air conditioning, a TV, wifi, a mini bar and a hair dryer. The suites enjoy views of the Parque El Olivar which is located just across the road from the hotel and can be good for some early morning birding. There is a roof top pool with ample sun loungers as well as a fitness centre. El Olivar Restaurant and Bar serves a selection of Peruvian dishes and international cuisine.

La Hacienda

Paracas

La Hacienda Bahia Paracas is a lovely choice for those seeking peace and tranquility. Set on the waterfront, La Hacienda is a situated on Paracas Bay, close to the Ballestas Islands. Facilities at the Hotel include a Spa, Restaurant (specialising in seafood), a lounge room, bar, café and large outdoor swimming pool. The suites have a private terrace with direct access into the swimming pool. Please note that although the sea is calm here, you cannot swim in it due to the number of jelly fish and sting rays in the waters.