Thanks Janet, great advice and tips.
Definately got an idea of what I'll need now, I hate taking things that I never end up wearing, takes up to much room that I could be using for souvenirs 😉
Hi Tracey
I went in August last year and had a great time. Overall assume days that can get quite hot and evenings that get quite cold - as they like to say take 'layers' with you. I wore my lightweight fleece a lot as well as a kind of zip up tracksuit top both first thing in the morning to keep warm on the early starts and when we went out of the hotel to eat in the evening at Cusco or Puno. I travelled in jeans and wore them most evenings.
Lima will probably be very misty - they say it is for most of the year so it can drizzle a bit and you will need a showerproof but lightweight anorak with a hood - good to have one that folds up small as it will be useful on the Amazon add on as well - although we have good weather there apart from a couple of very heavy showers.
Daytime is lightweight trouser weather - I certainly didn't venture into my shorts. Some of the girls wore jeans but I opted for lighter weight trousers 'cause I find them more comfortable for walking and sitting on coaches. Mostly T-shirts in the day with that lightweight jacket perhaps if you get a chillier spell or you are high up - but you will need suncream as well. There is lots of walking and the ground can be rough - I actually travelled in my lightweight walking boots 'cause they wouldn't fit in my case - so I wore them each day we were flying on and also for the walking days around Cusco - I was pleased I took them with me but some of the girls just had trainers or comfortable shoes. They were good for the Amazon as well although you get given wellies there so it doesn't matter so much. I wore my Sketchers the rest of the time.
I splashed out on a pair of very lightweight trousers that were mosquito repellant for the Amazon and again I was pleased but the most important thing on the Amazon leg is just to be covered up - so take a couple of long sleeved T shirts and a hat - in fact you will wear your hat a lot to keep the sun off your head for the whole holiday. The pool at the Amazon lodge is very welcome on most days so take your swimsuit.
There is no need to take anything very dressy for evenings although we did have a few meals out in Lima and Cusco so it depends how much you like to dress up - it can take up a lot of space in the case for not much chance to wear it. I took a smarter pair of trousers and a couple of smarter tops plus a lightweight cardigan which I did wear but I wouldn't say it was essential.
You can wash clothes in your hotel room but on this trip there is a lot of moving on after 2/3 days so you have to plan so you can get things dry. I only washed underwear ( took 5 pairs of knickers and socks) but other girls did wash T shirts and trousers.
Not sure if you have read it but you can only take a smaller lightweight bag on the Amazon leg - the boat trip from Iquitos to the hotel can't carry much luggage. I had a slightly larger rucksack that I used for this as well as on all the flights. Then I took a fold up smaller rucksack for normal days out. So you have to plan a bit and limit your clothes for the last few days. I took a small hairdrier 'casue I am fussy about how I dry my hair but the hotels did all have driers.
I hope this is useful - anything else just ask. Have fun Janet