The mighty
Amazon River – portions of it so broad and deep that it’s more of a slim inland
ocean that a river – is most closely associated with Brazil. However, the
world’s largest river originates high in the Peruvian Andes, and takes the name
“Amazon” at the confluence of the Marañón and Ucayali Rivers in Peru.
The
incredible biodiversity of the Amazon region can be enjoyed on a cruise of its
Upper Basin. You’ll start by flying from Lima to the remote city of Iquitos,
Peru; then, you’ll travel by bus to Natua, where you’ll board a comfortable
river boat equipped to tour the intricate web of waterways, bordered by thick
jungle, that flow into the storied river.
Most of the
cruise will be within the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, 8,000 square miles
of protected, flooded rainforest bursting with animal and plant life. Each day,
you’ll hike or ride a skiff on a jungle safari. Monkeys, macaws, caiman, heron,
butterflies, iguanas, enormous lily pads, towering ceiba trees, piranhas and
pink river dolphins are just a few of the amazing inhabitants. Many cruises
also provide opportunities to visit native villages and learn how the people
live.
The tastes
of the Amazon are wonderful, too. You’ll be able to try fruits and vegetables
you may never have seen before, such as aguaje and chayote, along with more
familiar passionfruit, yucca, plantains, corn, rice and grilled fish, often
flavored with ginger and chili peppers.
There’s a
lot to know about Amazon cruising, starting with when to go. The flood season
is December through April, and the (relatively) dry season is May through
November. There are advantages to cruising in either season: in flood season,
water levels are higher and more tributaries are navigable; in the dry season,
water levels are lower and more jungle paths are available for hiking.
Whichever season you choose, be prepared for rain at any time! Temperatures
don’t change much: the dry season’s average daily temperatures are in the
mid-80s, the flood season in the mid-90s.
Preparation
is important. You’ll need vaccinations or preventive medication for malaria,
typhoid, yellow fever and dehydration; strong insect repellent; the right
clothes (long sleeves and pants in light, breathable materials); and sturdy
shoes that can stand up to mud. You’ll be well-equipped for the cruise of a
lifetime!
For more information and options for Amazon cruising,
talk with Anita, your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert.
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