|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

 

The Amazon rain forest tour This 7 day tour can be added on to any of our northern or southern bike tours and will give you the opportunity to experience life beside the rivers and rain forest of Peruvian Amazonia.

LIMA FLIGHT DEPARTURE
Our tour starts with the short 1 hour 20 minute flight from Lima to Iquitos, the capital of The Department of Loreto deep in the Amazon rain forest. Iquitos is the largest city in the World that has no access other than by air or riverboat.

IQUITOS
When you arrive in this hot steamy city you will see swarms of mototaxis (motorcycle engine powered tricycles) and small motorcycles - the favoured form of transport here. We, however, take a taxi transfer over to our 3 star hotel near to the Central Plaza. Iquitos nightlife is lively and a good way to get a feel of the city is to take a cold beer or a local cocktail at one of the many pavement cafe/bars. Iquitos was a busy and prosperous jungle town at the beginning of the 20th century because of the rubber trade boom and since then has fluctuated between poverty and prosperity due to the competition from Asian latex and then later the discovery of oil reserves in Loreto. (Lonely Planet's PERU gives a good factual insight into the city's history and is a recommended read). Nowadays tourism is attracting the more adventurous traveller but there are really no hardships to endure when staying here. Our hotel has a swimming pool and all rooms are airconditioned dealing effectively with the jungle heat.

BELEN QUARTER
Houses near the Amazon River in Iquitos's Belen quarter are built over wooden rafts that rise with the flood water of the rainy season. During this time you have to canoe through the streets where normally vehicles drive through. Upper Belen's house structures are on stilts and in the dry season the under area of the house is used for storage or selling produce. In the large Belen market you will find exotic fruits and stalls selling potions to 'cure' anything from flu to bad luck or poverty ! We will include a visit to this area. Iquitos has some fine houses dating back to rubber boom times and the German film 'Fitzcaraldo' was made here describing graphically those times. If you are interested in Amazonian Indians, visit with us to the Malecon Museum where the works of a famous French sculpter faithfully capture the physical characteristics of members of ethnic tribeslocal to the Peruvian Amazon.

MOTORBIKE EXCURSION TO NAUTA
After 2 days of visiting local attractions and acclimatising to the city we take out motorcycles to ride along some of the jungle roads and to the town of Nauta and the suspension bridge. Nauta is situated by the river Maranon just before it joins with the Ucayali river and becomes the AMAZON River. Here you can witness something of the life of Peruvians in a small jungle town. We explore the town and then return before dark for the evening nightlife in Iquitos.

AMAZON RIVER & JUNGLE LODGE TRIP
The next few days will be enjoyed taking the opportunity to experience the rain forest,river travel,see wildlife & meet some of the local indian communities such as the Bora and Yaguas tribes. Our journey starts from Iquitos by fast river boat down to a Jungle Lodge and a relaxing 2 night stay with meals & guided trips such as by canoe to search for Cayman. Mosquito net protection is provided by the lodge but full information regarding suggested equipment,clothing & health precautions will be provided by APM before you embark on our Rain Forest tour.We return to Iquitos for a 1 night stay before taking the next days flight back to Lima and your international flight connection to Europe/USA.

OUR SENIOR GUIDES VIEW
If you have a week to make this trip you will take back memories unlike from any of Peru's other regions.Only 10% of Peruvians live in this area although about half of Peru's national territory is tropical rain forest of the amazon basin and the people here are informal & friendly. When on this tour you will have one of our APM team with you at all times and on excursions we use our selected experienced local guides to each area we visit. Don't forget its hot so drink plenty of bottled water! Try & make it it's a tour you will never forget!