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