Amazon rainflorest is one of the biggest in the world. The forest takes part of different countries in South America, such as Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Surinami, Guayana and French Guiana.
Being in the jungle for a couple of days was amazing. I have never been so “disconnected to the world” for such a long time. –> no tourists, no electricity and no internet, of course.
The experience of exploring the Amazonia can be done in different countries in South America. I went to Peru and Colombia. See below what I did…
Taking a cargo boat to Iquitos for 4 days
If I have to name one of the biggest adventures I have ever had in my life, I would definitely think about taking a cargo boat. Not because it was dangerous but because it was a cultural shock from the beginning to the end. Today when I remember those days I laugh a lot: at the end it was a very good experience. Sailing in the Amazonas; Seeing the sunset everyday in the jungle; Feeling the fresh and pure wind in your face: there are priceless gifts from the nature.
About the boat experience:
You have to buy your own hammock where you are suppose to sleep during the 4 days; You have to buy your own food recipient (you use it to ask for breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday in the kitchen –> I advice you to take some food with you… The meals are not always the best… Anyway, for 30€ you can not expect much). Also, take books with you because the days are long and there is not much to do.
In general, the boat is full of locals and there is at least one stop a day in small villages of the Amazonia (usually, woman and kids come around to sell you fruits, fish or lizard… YES!!! Lizard!).
And more…
- Get ready to see animals like chickens, pigs, ducks… in one of the floors of the boat;
- Get ready to avoid the toilet for 4 days (it is not very clean in general and the water has a brown color – water from the Amazon river);
- Get ready to be bitten for mosquitos at night and in the morning.
Price: 30€ for the 4 days (transportation and food included)
You can fly from Lima to Iquitos directly but when I heard about this boat option with locals I really wanted to do it. I took the boat from Pucalpa, Peru, but there are other cities where you can grab the boat.
Being emerged in the jungle with a guide for 2 days
There are tours of 1, 2, 3 or even more days. It is depends what you are looking for. I strongly advice you to go with a guide. You can organize your tour and say what you want to see and do. Have a look of my experience:
- Going the food markets in Iquitos;
- Sailing in the Amazon river;
- Meeting a tribe from the Amazonia;
- Walking around to see animals and plants;
- Swimming the Amazon river;
- Night walking tour in the jungle;
- Eating the typical food;
- Waiting for the pink dolphins to show up in the Amazon river;
- Watching the sunrise in a boat in the middle of the Amazon river;
- Canopy: (zipline, hanging bridge zipline, rappelling).
Price: 60€ per day (guide, transportation, accommodation and food are included)
Agency: Avatar lodge Amazon (this agency is pretty good)
Crossing 2 countries trough the Amazon river
You can leave Peru in the morning and arrive in Colombia after 10 hours by boat. YES: it is very easy and quite cheap. Usually the flights from one country to another are very expensive in South America so crossing the river by boat can be a good option. The boat runs every 2 days and 2 meals are included.
*Boats are pretty new. Usually, there are not many tourists because most of the people who take this boat are locals who work in Brazil or Colombia.
Price: 30€
Discovering Leticia, Colombia, with friends
After so many days with locals being with backpackers felt very very good. Here I started my adventure in Colombia and discovered the typical food (patacones, arepa, ahi, bandeja paisa…) and the salsa nights that caracterize this country.
Hope you enjoyed this post about Amazonia. Keep following my adventures in South America.
Beijinho,
Daniela