ABOUT THE LODGE
The Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, located at 5000-feet elevation in the Kosñipata Valley, 165 kilometres by road from Cusco, and situated within the 10 000 acre Cloud Forest Reserve of the Conservation Group Selva Sur, has 14 double-occupancy rooms, hot showers, flush toilets and a rustic dining room, shared bathrooms(03) are located 15 meters from the rooms.

And just a 7-minute walk from the Lodge is the world's largest, most accessible and tamest known group of displaying Andean Cocks-of-the-Rock at a local Lek.

In just 8 hours by bus from Cusco it is possible to relax in the rustic comfort of the Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, from which you can explore the valley and the narrow, switchback road that the world's leading bird tour company has called "the best road in the world".

ORIENTATION
Peru is located on the central west coast of South America. Its neighboring countries are: Ecuador and Colombia to the N; Chile to the S; Brazil and Bolivia to the E; and the Pacific Ocean to the W. It is the third largest country in South America, with a surface area of 1 285 215,6 km2 (larger than France, Spain, and Germany combined) distributed approximately in the following manner: 12% coastal territory, 28% Andean highlands and 60% Amazon jungle. Its capital, Lima, is located in the coastal area, where the country's greatest economic activities take place.

TIME ZONE
Peruvian time is five hours past Greenwich Mean Time and is similar to Eastern Standard Time in the United States (except when the U.S. goes on daylight savings time from April to October). In reference to other cities, when it is noon in Peru, it is:

Santiago de Chile and Caracas	13:00
Rio de Janeiro	14:00
New York	12:00
Madrid	18:00
Londres	17:00
Tokyo	03:00

TEMPERATURE
Being such a geographically diverse country within the tropical belt, the weather in Peru is determined both by altitude and season. However, it also means that there is almost invariably sunshine somewhere in Peru ! Below is a summary of the weather conditions you can expect to find in each different region of the country at different times of the year.

Coast (Ica, Chiclayo, Lima, Piura, Trujillo, Tumbes)
Northern region: warm year-round with highs of up to 35°C in the summer.
Central and southern regions: two well-defined seasons, winter between April and October, and summer between November and March.

Highlands (Ancash, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Cusco, Puno)
This region has two seasons, dry season between April and rainy season between November and March.

Rainforest (Iquitos, Madre de Dios, Manu)
High rainforest (over 2,300 feet asl): has a temperate, subtropical climate with abundant rainfall.

WE RECOMMEND YOU TO
- Use boots the whole time during the walks.
- Drink a lot of liquid during your stay in the forest.
- Keep a kit of dry clothes in your room.

WHAT TO BRING
- Warm clothing in case of a cold front (Sweaters and a jacket).
- 100% Waterproof rain wear (long poncho).
- Long sleeved shirts and long pants (cotton).
- Enough insect repellent.
- Sunscreen lotion, wide brim hat (for sunny days).
- One or two pairs of sneakers.
- One pair of lightweight ankle height boots and sandals.
- Flashlight, enough batteries (alkaline) and bulbs.
- Binoculars.
- Sun glasses.
- Plastic bags.
- Towel.
- Swimwear.
- Personal medicines and/or supplies (liquid for contact lenses, for example).
- Day pack, and one back pack or duffel bag of luggage per person.
- Camera and film ASA 200 and 400 for inside the forest.

WEATHER
Climate can be described in general as warm and humid, with temperatures that generally fluctuate between 16º and 33º centigrade. But from June until September some days with temperatures as low as 7º C can be expected.

Rainy season: November to April.
Dry season: May to September.

During the rainy months of November through April, always be prepared for heavy rain that can continue for hours or days. Around 80% of the annual average 2000 mm rainfall occurs during these months.

ALTITUDE
Cusco City: 3,360 m.a.s.l.
Manu: 365 m.a.s.l.

WATER
Tap water in most of Peru is potable, but the chemical content varies from place to place. To avoid problems, we recommend you to always drink bottled water.

VISAS
All travellers should contact the nearest Peruvian consulate in order to ascertain what visa rules apply, since these may change without previous notice.
For more information clic here:
Type of visa to enter Peru

AIRPORT

Hand luggage regulations

a) All liquids must be carried in containers whose capacity can not exceed of 100 ml (or its equivalent in other volumetric units, such as liquid ounces for instance). No liquids will be allowed in containers of more capacity than the said 100 ml, even if the container is not completely full.

b) The containers must be placed in reclosable plastic bags with a maximum capacity of 1 liter. The containers must fit effortlessly in the transparent plastic bag, which must be perfectly sealed.

c) The plastic bag must be presented at the inspection post for its visual examination. Only one plastic bag per passenger can be allowed.

d) Exceptions must be made in case of medications, milk and baby food, as well as in case of passengers who require a special diet. There must be the appropriate means in place to verify the nature of these liquids.

Likewise, exceptions must be made regarding liquids purchased in the duty free shops at the airport or on board an aircraft, provided that these liquids are packed in a sealed plastic container foolproof against undue manipulations, and that a satisfactory proof (receipt) is produced showing that the article was acquired at the airport’s duty free shops, or aboard an aircraft on the traveling day(s) for passengers leaving an airport or being there on transit.

LANGUAGE
The official languages of Peru are Spanish, spoken by 73% of the population, and Quechua spoken by 24% of Peruvians. English is widely spoken in hotels and shops.

CURRENCY
Peru's official currency is the Nuevo sol ; its symbol is S/. The denominations in circulation are bills of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 nuevos soles; coins of 1, 2, and 5 nuevos soles; and coins of 5, 10, 20 and 50 céntimos of a nuevo sol. US$ are widely accepted.
At the moment, US$ 1.00 is worth around 3.50 Nuevos Soles.

TIPPING
Whilst tipping is a personal matter, we are happy to give some guidelines:
Most restaurants add a 10% tip. The total tip should be about 15%.
Doorkeepers should be tipped 1 US$ per bag. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip.

Full-day excursion : US$6.00 per person
Half-day excursion : US$3.00 per person

PHOTOGRAPHY
If you are taking photographs of local people, always ask their permission beforehand. Your guide can assist you in this. Do not take photographs of military installations or airports. Film is readily available in all tourist areas. It is advisable to carry your camera in a dust-proof bag. Photography or camera fees are applicable at most sights and museums; your guide can give you details of the latest charges.

ELECTRICITY
Power voltage in Peru is 220 Volts AC, 60 Hz. Most modern electrical appliances do not need adapters since they will accept both 110 as well as 220 AC voltages. Please make sure to check the voltage options of those artefacts you intend to take with you during your trip, such as hair dryers, battery chargers, notebooks and lap tops, video cameras, etc. Most of these do not usually need a special adapter, but it is important that you make sure of that before leaving your country of origin in order not to have to buy special 110 V / 220 V AC adapters, which, however, can be found in the local market here in Peru.

HEALTH
Vaccinations
Full details of the latest health requirements should be obtained from an authorized medical source, such as your doctor. There are no mandatory health requirements for Peru.
Because you are visiting Andean areas, don't forget to take precautions to avoid altitude sickness. Be sure to try hot tea or infusion of coca leaves on your arrival in the altitude; during your first day move slowly and eat lightly.

PERUVIAN GASTRONOMY
Peruvian cuisine is highly varied and spicy. Some of our typical dishes are: "cebiche" (raw fish marinated in lemon juice), "aji de gallina" (de-boned chicken cooked in a milk and aji sauce), and "anticuchos" (shish kebabs of beef heart and meat), apart from the typical dishes from each region.
Be sure to try "Pisco Sour", Peru's typical mixed drink prepared with pisco, lemon, egg white and sugar.

Restaurants During Your Trip
In Cusco: International, vegetarian and local food restaurants.
In Manu: All meals will be provided by the lodge.

... more about Cusco restaurants

DRESS CODE
Dress in general is very casual unless you want to eat in one of the more expensive restaurants in Lima for example, in which case a tie and/or jacket will be required and smarter ladies' wear. Due to the altitude, it is important to remember whatever the season, to take some warmer woollens for the nighttimes drop in temperature.

IMPORTANT: We reserve the right to make changes to the order of the trip, without prior notice, due to changes in climate conditions, river water levels, flight or bus arrival and departure times or any other reason relevant to the best development of the trip.