Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the weather: droughts so dire that the rivers dried, halting shooting, followed by flash floods that wrecked
everything.
Herzog once said he saw filming in the Amazon as 'challenging nature itself.' The fact that he completed the
films is evidence that in some ways, he did challenge nature - and triumphed.
Activities
River Cruises
Cruising the Amazon is a popular pastime - and one of the best ways to see the area.
Cruises focus on the Río Amazonas, both downriver towards the Brazil-Colombia border
and upriver to Nauta, where the Ríos Marañón and Ucayali converge. Beyond Nauta, trips
continue to the Pacaya-Samiria reserve. Excursions can also be arranged on the three
rivers surrounding Iquitos: the Itaya, the Amazonas and the Nanay.
Operators quote prices in US dollars and most tours include food, transfers and
English-speaking guides. A useful booking website for most of the following is
www.amazoncruise.net
.
Reserve well in advance.
DAWN ON THE AMAZON TOURS & CRUISES
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( 22-3730, 965-939-190;
www.dawnontheamazon.com
; Malecón Maldonado 185; day trips incl lunch
per person US$74.75, multiday cruises per person per day US$199)
This small outfit offers the best
deal for independent travelers. The
Amazon I
is a beautiful 11m wooden craft with mod-
ern furnishings, available for day trips or longer river cruises up to two weeks. You can
travel with host Bill Grimes and his experienced crew along the Amazon, or along quieter
tributaries. The tri-river cruise is a favorite local trip.
AQUA EXPEDITIONS
( 60-1053, 965-83-2517;
www.aquaexpeditions.com
;
Prolongación Iquitos 1187; 3-night Marañon &
Ucayali cruise per person in suite US$2685)
Aqua is the operator of luxury riverboats MV
Aria
and MV
Aqua
which have twice-weekly departures into the Pacaya-Samiria reserve. Ex-
pect luxury cabins on both, though the
Aria
comes with the added bonus of an on-board
Jacuzzi. Both boats have beautiful observation lounges to watch the waters drifting by.
Meals are included and small launches are available for side trips.
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GREENTRACKS
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