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The Amazon River

Originating in Peru, is a world of mystery, grandeur and romance. Its towering forest and rushing waters harbour such an incomparable diversity of life that scientists are still working to classify it all From 2000 species of fish, more than those in the Atlantic Ocean, 4000 species of birds, including 120 hummingbirds, 60 species of reptiles such as the caiman and anaconda, the world´s largest snake.

Mammals like the marmoset, anteater, tapir, capybara and pink dolphin.
Iquitos is the starting point of all Peruvian Amazon tours to this Biodiversity Capital of the World.

Although no roads or railways connect Iquitos to the rest of Peru, it is easily accessible by air, with daily flights from Lima on LAN Peru and TANS.
A unique feature of the rainforest surrounding Iquitos is its lack of a specific rain or dry season. There is a high water period from December through to May which is caused by the melting of snow as the Andean
summer begins and from the rainy season in the upper jungle. The low water period begins in June and ends with the rising waters in November.
While the water level can fluctuate more then 45 feet, the warm and humid climate remains relatively constant throughout the year, giving this area its botanical category of "Ever-wet Tropical Forest".
Normal daytime highs are 31° C and night time lows are 22°C

What to bring

A valid passport.

Light, drip-dry cotton or safari clothing, including one long-sleeved shirt and sweater.
Hiking shoes or sneakers, (jungle trails are frequently muddy), plastic raincoat or poncho.
Insect repellent, toiletetries, sunglasses, sunscreen, a wide brimmed hat, binoculars and small flashlight.
Camera

Food

Local and international cuisine is provided, cooked in a simple and appetizing style and served in our tropical palm-thatched dining rooms.

Lodges

CEIBA TOPS, the newest lodge, opened in 2000, and is located on the banks of the Amazon River just 40km from Iquitos. Ceiba Tops offers the comforts of home, air conditioned rooms with private bathrooms, in the most luxurious of Amazonian Rainforest settings. At Ceiba Tops, elaborate gardens, a swimming pool, water slide, hammock house and the Esmeralda lounge all complement the surrounding exotic environment. Ceiba Tops is perfect for stays of one or more nights. A special Full Day excursion to the Canopy Walkway is available for Ceiba Tops guests staying 2 or more nights.

EXPLORAMA LODGE Established in 1964, 80 down the Amazon River, is deep in primary rainforest and
offers two-day or longer excursions. Romantic kerosene torches and lamps illuminate palm-thatched houses with 10-17 private sleeping rooms. Covered connecting walkways lead to the Tahuampa Bar, the Dining Room, the Sun Porch and two Hammock Houses. Showers & toilet facilities adjoin each house. A variety of treks are offered, including the Seven Bridges Trail walk. A special Full Day excursion to the Canopy Walkway is available for Explorama Lodge guests staying 2 or more nights.

EXPLORNAPO On the Napo River, 160 km from Iquitos, provides access to the pristine forest of Explorama´s Sucusari Reserve, as well as access to the adjoining Amazon Canopy Walkway, one of the longest treetop walkways in the world. This adventure offers the opportunity to live in an authentic Amazon River style with palm-thatched houses, kerosene lighting and open-hearth cooking in a rainforest surrounding.

Room, shower and toilet facilities are identical to those of Explorama Lodge”.
EXPLORTAMBOS is a primitive camp in the deep virgin rainforest reserve of the Napo River, a two-hour walk from our nearest lodge, ExplorNapo. The new Tambos have a maximum capacity for 16 explorers who share this experience, sleeping in individual shelters with mosquito netted beds (shelters for couples are also available), eating meals cooked on an open-hearth fireplace and using the Tambos as the departing point for newly opened trails. Due to the Tambo’s isolation, the possibilities of spotting wildlife are much better than from any other lodge in this part of the Amazon. In the short time that the area has been visited by biologists, zoologists and our guides, many different species of primates - red titi monkeys, yellow handed titi monkeys, tamarins, squirrel monkeys, monk sakis, pygmy marmosets and howler monkeys have been observed. In addition to primates, they have also confirmed the presence of ocelots, tayras, arboreal anteaters, and other mammals. From here there are excellent opportunities to discover the unique animals and birds of the Amazon as well as to enjoy the wide variety of plants and insect life ACTS (Amazon Conservatory of Tropical Studies) Opened in 1993 provides a research station for scientists in the rainforest and an opportunity for layman to share in their discovery. The large, thatched buildings are identical in construction to those found at the main lodge. A donation to maintain and protect the surrounding Reserve and Canopy Walkway is included in the tariff for the ACTS Field Station. In addition to the Walkway, extensive trail hikes are available including the "Medicine Trail" used specifically to show the local rainforest plants used in modern medicine as well as examples of native plant remedies which science may use in the future.

BIRD LIST

Tinamous: Tinamidae,7 species

Gray Tinamou, Tinamus tao
Great Tinamou, Tinamus major
Cinereus Tinamou, Crypturellus cinereus
Little Tinamou, Crypturellus soui
Undulated Tinamou, Crypturellus undulatus
Variegated Tinamou, Crypturellus variegatus
Bartlett's Tinamou, Crypturellus bartletti

Cormorants: Phalcrocoraracidae 1 species

Neotropic Cormorant, Phalacrocorax brasilianus

Darters: Anhingidae 1 species

Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga

Herons, Egrets, Bitterns: Ardeidae 10 species

White-necked Heron, Ardea cocoi
Great Egret, Casmerodius albus
Snowy Egret, Egretta thula
Little Blue Heron, Florida caerulea
Striated Heron, Butorides striatus
Chestnut-bellied Heron, Agamia agami
Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis
apped Heron, Pilherodius pileatus
Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Tigrisoma lineatum
Least Bittern, Ixobrychus exilis

Boat-Billed Heron: Cochlearidae 1 species

Boat-billed Heron Cochlearius cochlearius

Osprey: Pandionidae 1 species

Osprey,Pandion haliaetus

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