I am an independent, avid traveller. I spent two months in Peru specifically to see many habitats for birding. The Amazonia Lodge tour from Cusco to the Manu road and on to the Amazonia Lodge near the Madre de Dios River was definitely a highlight. I had already spent three weeks in the Amazon Basin in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve and at Muyuna Lodge - also very good. Two of the weeks were spent "roughing it" on a research ship in the northern Amazon Basin. The family owned Amazonia Lodge is very special. The owners are very gracious people. Virgilio was an excellent, energetic, knowledgable guide with a good sense of humour. He has recorders etc. and seemed to think of everything to make the tour excellent. He was very organized. He called me the day before the tour started at my hotel in Cusco to confirm etc. He and his brother put out a lot of effort in order for us to maximize our birdwatching. Gusto was our unbelievable driver for the adventurous Manu Road. We stayed at the lovely Cock-of the-Rock Lodge as part of the cloud forest tour. Very good food at both lodges. Amazonia Lodge has a beautiful, long veranda that is excellent for relaxing and birding. The many different habitats on the large property are home to many species. Good side trip to a clay lick and to a swampy habitat. I would highly recommend this lodge and tour. Yvonne Lozinski, Canada
