Day 1: Iquitos / Explorama Lodge
Reception at the airport, brief city orientation and transfer to the Explorama dock. Twenty-five mile journey down the Amazon River to Ceiba Tops, where rooms with air conditioning and private bathrooms provide the comforts of home in the rainforest. Afternoon hike in the beautiful primary rainforest reserve surrounding the lodge which includes many huge trees festooned with epiphytes. After dinner your guide will take you on a short walk to a small lake where caiman can be spotted at night and where you can find some of the insects and frogs that produce the cacophony of sounds that begin after dark.
Overnight Explorama Lodge. (L,D)
Day 2: Explorama Lodge
Morning walk along the "Bushmaster Trail", where scientific studies by the Missouri Botanical Gardens have found the world's highest biodiversity of trees per square hectare. Your guide will point out many plants used in medicine today and many that we may use in the future. Afternoon open boat trip along the Amazon in search of either of the two species of freshwater dolphin found in the river and a chance for an afternoon swim.
Overnight Explorama Lodge. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Explorama Lodge / Iquitos
Morning walk along a local river trail with stops along the way to visit the "ribereños" or river people, visit a river school, see the local sugar cane rum "factory" or visit our resident American medical doctor in her clinic sponsored by the Rotary Club. Transfer back to Iquitos for your departure flight to Lima.
Breakfast, Lunch (if departure flight permits)
Due to the everchanging nature of the rainforest, day-by-day activities may vary due to local conditions*
Please be sure to plan your arrival and departure to coordinate with Explorama boat departures to and from the city of Iquitos.
Departures: program only starts on Friday.
Tour includes: All city and river transfers.
- Experienced multilingual, local naturalist guides.
- All meals in rainforest Lodges.
- 24 hour self-service coffee, tea and potable water at all lodges.
- All fully guided rainforest and river excursions.
- Entrance fee to the Canopy Walkway on Explornapo, Explortambos & ACTS programs.
2023 Prices per person in US$:
$462 in double room, Single supplement: $50
CLIMATE AND SEASONS
A unique feature of the rainforest surrounding Iquitos is its lack of a specific rainy or dry season. There is a high water period from December through 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 "Everwet Tropical Forest". Normal daytime highs are 88° F and nighttime lows are 72°F.
WHAT TO PACK
Keep your baggage to a comfortable minimum
Without fail, bring a valid passport.
Pack 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.
Include insect repellent, toilet articles, sunglasses, sunscreen, a wide brimmed hat, binoculars and small flashlight.
And finally, don't forget a camera with plenty of film to capture the memories of your Amazon Adventure.
