AMAZON TRAVEL PACKAGE

Luxury and first-class accommodations

THE AMAZON RAINFOREST

he Amazon River is born high in the Andes. There many small rivers combine to form this, the world's longest river. The Amazon Basin covers more than 1.5 million square miles. This is a vast ecosystem where fifteen percent of the world's oxygen is produced, 2,500 species of fish, 1,500 species of birds and more than 50,00 species of plants may be found.

THE AMAZON LODGE

he lodge is famous for its excellent dining and you will have a chance to sample local delicacies. All meals are included while at the lodge and there is only a modest surcharge for alcoholic beverages. The lodge's expert staff are all experienced hands in the Amazon and are eager to share their knowledge with their guests.

he lodge is a jumping-off point for excursions into the jungle. Traversing the verdant rainforest, you will see endemic flora and fauna, as well as, magnificent lagoons. You will also have the opportunity to visit nearby Yagua Indian villages or go on a special night excursion to view indigenous Caiman. This will truly be a memorable adventure in the Amazon rainforest.

Day 1 - AMAZON
After arrival in Iquitos, take a short excursion through Belen, the "floating city" and then travel by "Ipamacari" (typical riverboat transport) to the Amazon Lodge. Do not be surprised to see playful pink and gray freshwater dolphins along the way. After a briefing by your naturalist guide, take an afternoon excursion through the jungle to a nearby Yagua Indian village for a blowgun demonstration.

Day 2 - AMAZON
After an early breakfast you are free to stroll through the nearby trails, visit the parrots, and monkeys, or swim in the river adjacent to the Lodge. At midday, you return to Iquitos by launch for your transfer to the airport.

This is the same as the above itinerary, but with an additional night at the Lodge and an excursion to the Yarinacocha Lagoon. There you will have an opportunity to see White and Black Capuchins, Yellow-billed Terns, Blue Herons, monkeys and another native village. In this program, you take a deeper trek into the jungle to see more flora and fauna.

Day 1 - AMAZON
Your journey begins with a brief boat ride to the Amazon Jungle Camp, located on the Momon River, a peaceful Amazon tributary. Designed to harmonize with the rainforest, the camp was constructed with typical thatched-roof huts and solid bamboo siding. Later, the camp's naturalist will lead an enjoyable afternoon trek through the rainforest.

Day 2 - AMAZON
This morning, you hike through the jungle to a local tribal village. There you may test you bargaining skills as you barter manufactured goods for native handicrafts. The afternoon finds you experiencing another fascinating area of the rainforest.

Day 3 - AMAZON
This morning, you visit a group of Bora Indians, who are known for their distinctive bark-cloth clothing. After lunch at the camp, you return to Iquitos for your onward journey.

Did You Know?
To put the sheer size of the Amazon in its proper perspective, it is worth noting that within the area occupied by the Amazon, you could put Portugal, Spain, France, Italy --- including Sardinia and Corsica --- Sweden, Germany, Holland, Luxembourg, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Albania, Greece, Hungary, as well as the United Kingdom and Southern Ireland, and still have room to spare!

Day 1 - AMAZON
Upon arrival in Iquitos, you enjoy a three-hour launch ride to the Lodge, which is located on the Yanamom River, a small Amazon tributary. The Explorama Lodge offers large thatched-roof buildings with individual rooms and facilities, connected by covered walkways. The lodge has thirty-two years of experience in providing guests with an adventure in the primary Amazon rainforest.

Day 2 - AMAZON
During your stay at Explorama Lodge, you may participate in several excursions, including a hike on the "Lake Trail" through the lowland rainforest. Also, you may trek the "Bushmaster Trail" though the higher, non-flooding rainforest. You may opt to take a trip to the Manati River, a black water tributary to the Amazon, where you may fish for piranha, watch for pink dolphins or stop at a neighboring Yagua Indian village.

Day 3 - AMAZON
Reluctantly, you depart the lodge by motor launch for your return trip to Iquitos.

These journey from Iquitos to Leticia / Tabatinga and in reverse. There is also an 11-day cruise on the M/V Marcelita from Iquitos to Manaus or reverse. This cruise operates year-round in both directions. A cruise on the Amazon is truly the adventure of a lifetime!

Day 1 - Sunday
Upon arrival in Iquitos, you will be transferred to the dock to board the M/V Rio Amazonas. After a short briefing, you will begin sailing down river from Iquitos. You will have plenty of time to enjoy the changing scenery and the serene atmosphere on board ship

Day 2 - Monday
Early this morning, you embark on a bird watching expedition to include a visit to the "Bora" and "Huitoto" villages. There you will experience a fascinating blowgun demonstration, typical of their culture. Later, you stop at the town of Pevas, the oldest known Peruvian town on the Amazon. In the afternoon, enjoy a jungle trek through the dense rainforest of the Shishita river area. Your evening will end with a night expedition by launch up a small tributary to experience the nocturnal sights and sounds of the Amazon.

Day 3 - Tuesday
An early morning jungle walk brings you to the gigantic Victoria Regia water lilies, followed by piranha fishing on a small backwater lake. This afternoon, you visit the mission at Lake Caballococha. After sunset, you cross the lake to look for Caiman and other wildlife.

Day 4 - Wednesday
After an early morning arrival in Leticia/Tabatinga, you disembark and transfer to the airport for you onward journey.

Day 1 - Wednesday
Upon arrival, you transfer from the airport to the M/V Rio Amazonas. After a short briefing, you set sail upriver.

Day 2 - Thursday
This morning, you embark on a launch trip up the Ataquari River to test your luck fishing in a small backwater lake. This afternoon, you stop at the remote hospital of San Pablo with time to browse in the primitive "gift shop" which sells local handicrafts. Your evening will end with a night expeditions by launch up a small tributary to experience the nocturnal sights and sounds of the Amazon.

Day 3 - Friday
After a short stop at the jungle outpost of Pijuayal to clear customs, you continue up the Ampiyacu River to visit Pevas. There you will have the opportunity to trade manufactured goods for the native handicrafts of the Yagua natives.

Day 4 - Saturday
The ship arrives in Iquitos early this morning, in time to transfer you to the airport for your onward journey.

The 6-night cruise departs Iquitos on Sundays and combines the downriver and upriver cruises for a closer and more leisurely look at life on the Amazon. For passengers on the 6-night cruise, Wednesday morning is at leisure in Leticia/Tabatinga and different shore excursions are made on the upriver and downriver segments.

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