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| Bookings and other information |
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
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Groups
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 Any pre-established itinerary that is considered a group departure as opposed to a FIT (FREE INDIVIDUAL TRAVELLER) itinerary should be booked well in advance with us. This should state the minimum and maximum size of the group and precise departure date. This is necessary especially for the peak months between May and December. |
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Fit Arrangements
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We can elaborate itineraries on a Free Independant Traveller basis in which case we need to know the minimum and/or maximum size of the group itineraries with services requested. Often group members decide to add-on an optional side-trip not included in the group itinerary such as extensions. We urge you to inform us of these optional additions prior to or after the group dates. As our minimum is 4 participants to run a fixed departure trip, between 01-04 participants price is BY REQUEST. |
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Pricing
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All new requests for services, whether for group itineraries or FIT’s will receive a quote by e-mail or fax if urgently required, and will be followed up by a written budget where we will state exactly what services are included and not included. Our pricing policy is that all prices hold for a calendar year and will be reconfirmed yearly according to increased costs. Obviously our prices have to include a handling fee charged as a cost to cover our overheads. Any change of a confirmed date will incur a $25USD administration fee. NOTE: Our prices are based on a double occupancy. Singles are available on request for an additional single supplement charge. |
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Reservations
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As soon as we have your confirmation of dates and acceptance of prices on a specific itinerary, we open the file and give you a status report on your request. In the case of groups, we expect to receive a preliminary rooming list 60 days prior to arrival for airline and hotel reservations. At the same time we need the following details of each passenger by filling in the provided applications form: NAME OF PASSENGERS, PASSPORT NUMBER, NATIONALITY, DOB, OCCUPATION, ADDRESS, AND IF HE/SHE HAS ANY SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS E.G. VEGETARIAN OR ALERGIES.
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Payment
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For FIXED DEPARTURES and PRIVATE GROUPS we require a $300 non-refundable deposit per person to confirm your space and the balance 45 days prior to the services. If the balance is not received 45 days before departure your name will be removed from the roster and your space released. |
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Cancellations
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All group or individuals have a cancellation fee, which must be charged if a cancellation is done in less than the 45 days prior to the departure date. NO SHOW = FULL AMOUNT. The $300 booking deposit is non-refundable and will be deducted from any amount to be refunded. |
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About our camp sites on horse rides and treks
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For those of you who may be put off by the idea of camping, let us explain how it works. On treks the tents we use are sold as 4 person tents and we use them for two people only. Singles are available on request. There will be a large dining tent in the mountains with folding tables and chairs. In the rainforest, safari camp tents are walk-in with cots. Cold picnic lunches and full three course dinners with alcoholic beverages and a constant supply of snacks are provided. There will be a crew of cooks and camp helpers. The main aim of this is that you spend as little time "camping" and as much time as possible enjoying the rainforest, mountains and wildlife. |
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About our guides
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All our tours to the rainforest of the Manu Biosphere Reserve are led by experienced guides who are either Peruvian or other nationalities with many years experience in Perú. All guides have a background in ecology or field biology and are familiar with the ecosystem and the flora and fauna that exist here. Our guides speak English and Spanish. Translators can be provided for other nationalities on request. For larger private groups, two guides accompany groups to maximize our animal finding capability. Fixed Departures are limited to 10 participants so that you see more wildlife and receive personal attention from the guide. In the case of specialist bird-watching groups, a very experienced neo-tropical bird guide accompanies all groups. Our horse supported treks are accompanied by a team of wranglers and horse handlers and the guides are experienced in the backcountry, culture, archeology and history of Peru.Read more about our guides |
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CONCERNING FLIGHTS TO AND FROM MANU AERODROME
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 The airline company providing flight services to and from Manu, as for all Peruvian airlines, is obliged by law to follow United States standard safety check schedules, maintenance and regulations. Maintenance schedules are the same. In short Peruvian aircraft get the same maintenance as in North America. Flights can be delayed and cancelled due to bad weather or “force major” If there is ground mist or rain at the Aerodrome at Boca Manu there may be delays until visibility improves and you may have to wait at the airport until the pilot gives the OK whether in Manu or Cusco. Airlines accept no more than 10 kilos per person in total including carry on baggage, any extra weight the passenger has to pay $1.75 per extra kilo in cash at the airport. If passengers expect to take significantly more than 10 kilos on the plane, PLEASE ADVISE US WELL IN ADVANCE. If you are flying from Cusco to Manu we will generally pick you up from your Cusco hotel around 8:00am and this time will be reconfirmed at your pre-departure meeting and any changes announced or we will call your hotel to advise. If there is ground mist or rain at the Aerodrome at Boca Manu there may be delays until visibility improves and you may have to wait at the airport until the pilot gives the OK. We are not responsible if the flight is canceled due to weather conditions - this does happen sporadically during the rainy season (November to April) - that is why we suggest that you plan on an extra day in Cusco at the end of your Manu trip and not plan on any flight connections to Lima the same day that you leave Boca Manu although normally this is feasible. Also planes are taken out of service for maintenance at very short notice. If no planes are available due to weather or being pulled out of service for maintenance at the last minute and no other aircraft is available and you are in Manu we will return you to Cusco or Lima by other means at our disposal (road, river or flight out of the city of Puerto Maldonado). We will do the best depending on the circumstances, but remember you are traveling to one of the most isolated wilderness areas on Earth. If the flight to Cusco is cancelled due to weather conditions and you are on the 6 day trip you must stay at a nearby Lodge and fly the following day, as the guide has to continue with the rest of the group that is taking the 9 days trip to Manu Wildlife Center. If you are on the 4 or 9 day trip you must stay at a nearby Lodge with your guide and fly the following day. You will be expected to pay the lodge directly for the extra night. If you are in Cusco on our 4 or 5 day tour waiting to fly into Manu and the flight is cancelled we will assist you in finding accommodation in Cusco which the airline will not pay for.
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Climate
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 Mean rainfall for the region is rather low at 2,200mm per year (only twice as much as New York City). Rainfall for the Andean slopes is heavier. Most of this falls in the rainy season (December to April). Daytime high temperatures average from 28'C - 32'C (81'F - 90'F) and night time low temperatures range from 20'C - 26'C (68'F - 79'F). However, in the dry season (May to October) one may experience a cold front from the South Atlantic which can result in low temperatures of 10'C (50'F). These cold fronts, known as friajes, are characteristic of the region. The Amazon basin rain forest is hot and humid all year around with little variation from midsummer (December) and midwinter (June) due to Peru being only 12 degrees south of the Equator. We recommend you pack a sweater or light jacket “just in case”. Manu is a rainforest, even if it is a dry rainforest as rainforests go, and as such rain may be encountered at any time of year, however during the “dry season” from May to October there is a lot less than in the “wet season” from late November to April. Biting insects are present in Manu, but less bothersome than mosquitoes in North America or midges in Scotland A trip to Manu is feasible any month of the year. |
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Health
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Malaria prophylactics and yellow fever vaccination recommended for Manu. Malaria. In Manu, Tambopata and the surrounding Madre de Dios area, malaria is not currently prevalent. Taking a malarial prophylactic is a good idea as a precautionary measure, but many people make an informed decision not to, based on the incidence of malaria in the area they are visiting. Here is some very basic information on each of the widely available prophylactics that are effective in Southern Peru: Doxycycline This is an antibiotic which as well as being an effective prophylactic, can be used as a cure for malaria if symptoms develop. Many people choose doxycycline as it is also preventative against travellers´ diarrhoea, which is a much more urgent problem for most visitors to the jungle. The main disadvantage to using doxy is that it does tend to make you very sensitive to sunlight so you burn very quickly and severely. This is not so much a problem if you are going to be in the shade of the forest for the majority of your trip, but is definitely an issue if you are undertaking a long river trip or similar, as a hat does not protect you from the suns reflection in the water. Some people report starting to have strange dreams a couple of weeks after beginning the course. You need to start taking Doxy 2 days before entering the malarial zone, and for 4 weeks after leaving it. Mefloquine (Larium) This drug is famous for giving people weird dreams, which some people enjoy and others do not. Sometimes it does affect people`s behaviour in a more extreme way, occasionally provoking psychosis which is best avoided in remote areas. Having said that, many people take it without any side effects. To establish the effect that it might have one you, you need to start taking it a couple of weeks before starting you trip, to give yourself time to change to a different prophylactic if necessary. It is recommended that you avoid this option if you have any history of depression or mental illness. Mefloquine does not tend to make you photosensitive as doxycycline does, and is cheaper than Malarone. Again you need to continue treatment for four weeks after leaving the malarial zone. Malarone A relatively new brand, Malarone is effective against some strains of malaria that have become resistant to other drugs, and it tends to have less serious side effects than doxy and larium. It is also popular in that it needs to be taken only one day before entering, and a week after leaving the malarial zone. The big downside is the price, making it too expensive for most people to use for more than a couple of weeks. Partially as a result of this and partly because of it being so newly developed, the long-term side effects of the drug are unknown.There are other brands of malarial drugs available, and the information above is only a very basic summary of those most commonly used. Try to get professional medical advice before making a final decision Incidence in Manu of both is low to non-existent but precaution is recommended. While none are mandatory for entering Peru, and no official is likely to demand to see proof of your vaccination against any disease, some protection is recommended. Consult your physician or local travelers' clinic for the latest recommendations. For general travel, vaccinations or boosters against tetanus, typhoid/diphtheria, Hepatitis A, and polio are commonly advised. The World Health Organization does not recommend vaccination against cholera. |
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Attitude
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Our expeditions travel through a remote and rarely visited parts of Peru and we believe our clients should be aware that the remoteness that makes these trips so very special could also cause certain problems. Thus, whilst we endeavor to minimize the chances of anything unexpected happening, it has to be noted that no itinerary can or should be rigidly adhered to. This is the very nature of Adventure Travel and we expect our clients to be prepared for delays and slight alterations in our programmed events. We have taken all these possibilities into account when planning this expedition and have allowed sufficient leeway to enable us to successfully run these exceptional trips. A positive attitude is essential in traveling in third world countries and we do our best to make things “happen” Don’t expect this country to be like home! |
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