Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cruise boats come with plenty of deck space for river-watching, a full crew and bilin-
gual guides. Meals are included and small launches are carried for side trips. Activities
can involve visiting indigenous communities (for dancing and craft sales), hikes, and bird-
and pink dolphin-watching (on big ships, don't expect to see too much rare wildlife).
GreenTracks
( in the USA 970-884-6107, 800-892-1035;
www.greentracks.com
;
416 Country Rd
501, PMB 131 Bayfield, CO81122; 7 days & 6 nights s/d US$2750/5000)
With three lux-
ury ships plying the Peruvian Amazon, GreenTracks offers four- to seven-day excursions
into the Pacaya-Samiria reserve . The
Ayapua
is a 20-passenger, rubber-boom-era boat
used for seven-day/six-night voyages, with air-conditioned rooms, a bar and even a lib-
rary. The
Clavero
is a smaller boat offering the same excursion.
Delfín I
is a more modern
vessel accommodating 12 passengers and operates four- and five-day cruises to the re-
serve. Contact the company in the USA for details.
CRUISE
Festivals & Events
San Juan
(Jun 22-27)
This is the big annual debauch, a festival that has grown around the saint's
day of San Juan Bautista (St John the Baptist) on June 24 (the main party day). It's celeb-
rated in most Amazon towns but Iquitos honors the saint most fervently with dancing,
cockfights, and above all feasting and frivolity.
Juanes
(turmeric-smeared rice blended
with chicken, olives or sliced egg and wrapped in a jungle leaf) are the typical food con-
sumed. On the night of the 23rd locals partake in the river dunk, as this is the day of the
year when the waters of the Itaya have healing properties.
TRADITIONAL MUSIC
Great Amazon River Raft Race
(
www.grarr.org
)
Held in September or October, this is an annual race down the river
between Nauta and Iquitos in hand-built craft.
SPECTATOR SPORT
Sleeping
There's a broad range of accommodation choices in Iquitos, from basic budget to five-star
comfort. Mosquitoes are rarely a serious problem in town, so mosquito netting is not al-
ways provided.
