Best for: Big boat trips. Rivers are the highways in and around Manaus and boats offer the best way to get around and to take short tours. You can also take longer cruises on large vessels with cabins.
Some general tips to ensure you get the most out of your trip. Whilst it may not be the cheapest option, pre-booking the tour either from home or from a large city in the region is the best way to go. You can probably turn up and find an individual telling you he is a jungle guide for less. Whether or not he does a lot for the money you give him is another matter, so stick to the reputable companies. Do check exactly what is included in the costs of tours as there may be some hidden charges. This is especially likely if you are going to be entering a National Park or other protected area like Manu, as there are normally fees to enter, which some tour companies may ‘forget’ to mention when you are signing your credit card receipt. The more adventurous might be tempted to set of into the jungle without any sort of guide and really get back to nature. This is certainly not advisable, you’re not on a camping trip in the local woods now, and in such a large wilderness it could be some time before help finds you, should you need it.
My World South America Recommends the book 'In The Heart Of The Amazon' by Nick Gordon; click here to buy on Amazon.com.
My World South America Recommends the book 'In The Heart Of The Amazon' by Nick Gordon; click here to buy on Amazon.com.
When planning a trip to the Amazon Rainforest you are faced with an overwhelming wealth of options of where exactly to go and the various sites and wildlife opportunities each offers. The ‘lungs of the earth’ contains the richest and most biologically diverse environment on the planet and span nearly three million square miles with a presence in nine countries in South America. The amount of mind boggling facts about the place are seemingly limitless, but in simple terms, nowhere on the planet comes close to offering the range of wild flora and flauna as the Amazon Rainforest. The climate is as you’d expect, hot and humid, the seasons are basically wet and wetter (December to March is the ‘wetter season’). No matter where you are in the northern section of South America, the rainforest will not be too far away and can easily be included in your travels.
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As you’d expect Manaus is well geared up for the visitors, with a number of hotels and hostels options available for all budgets. The areas of the rainforest close by also have plenty of accommodation options, mainly in the form of lodges. Whilst the city has plenty to see and do, most visitors are there for the Amazon tours. If you only have a few days here you won’t get a chance to venture to far from Manaus, but there is still a great deal of wildlife to see. For those with more time, there is plenty of opportunity to venture further in to the rainforest and off the well-beaten paths around the city.
Places of Interest: The ‘meeting of waters’ is an interesting phenomenon. Where the dark waters of the Rio Negro meets the clay-yellow waters of the Rio Solimões. A good chance of seeing the rare freshwater dolphin
Places of Interest: The ‘meeting of waters’ is an interesting phenomenon. Where the dark waters of the Rio Negro meets the clay-yellow waters of the Rio Solimões. A good chance of seeing the rare freshwater dolphin
It’s hard to say the best time to visit these regions as different conditions offer different opportunities. For example when water levels are higher, it is easier to get around on the boat tours and some of the tree canopies will be well visible from the boat. This gives opportunity to see the bird species and other tree dwellers like the monkeys. However when it is drier and the flooded areas dry, it’s then that animals such as the alligators and capybaras become easier to track.
Whilst Ecuador is one of the smaller countries in South America, it still offers a stunning range of diversity from is dry coastal region, up over the towering Andes and volcanoes down to the Amazon region. The Amazon region here is relatively small compared to some of its neighbours, and occupies the eastern area of the country. The Yasuni Biosphere Reserve and National Park in the Napo Province is a protected area of primary forest, and a particularly good place to head for. There is a good level of eco-friendly accommodation and plenty of reliable tour companies in the area.
Places of Interest: Monkey Island. It’s as good as it sounds!
Best for: Piranha fishing. Whilst this is possible in many regions of the Amazon, it's particularly good here.
Places of Interest: Monkey Island. It’s as good as it sounds!
Best for: Piranha fishing. Whilst this is possible in many regions of the Amazon, it's particularly good here.
The five remaining countries with parts of the Amazon Rainforest are Colombia, Venezuela, Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana.
For Colombia the best thing to do is fly to Leticia, and from there you can organize all the tours you would like to do. Colombia is generally a lot safer than it’s reputation, but some more remote parts, including some Amazon regions are more dangerous, so check up-to-date travel information before you head anywhere. Colombia can actually work out to be one of the cheaper places to visit the jungle.
Venezuela’s Amazon region occupies the south of the country, with Puerto Ayacucho being the gateway to the region. Tour groups in the region often talk of the infamous ’24-hour ant’. The area is also good for observing some traditional Amazonian tribes.
Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana are all dominated by tropical rainforest. Suriname for example is around 80% rainforest by area. The rainforest in these regions is certainly off-the-beaten track with some areas ‘near-inaccessible’. Although jungle tours here aren’t as developed as somewhere like Manaus, there are an increasing number of tour agencies in these countries with a particularly good ‘moonlight tour’ available in Suriname.
For Colombia the best thing to do is fly to Leticia, and from there you can organize all the tours you would like to do. Colombia is generally a lot safer than it’s reputation, but some more remote parts, including some Amazon regions are more dangerous, so check up-to-date travel information before you head anywhere. Colombia can actually work out to be one of the cheaper places to visit the jungle.
Venezuela’s Amazon region occupies the south of the country, with Puerto Ayacucho being the gateway to the region. Tour groups in the region often talk of the infamous ’24-hour ant’. The area is also good for observing some traditional Amazonian tribes.
Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana are all dominated by tropical rainforest. Suriname for example is around 80% rainforest by area. The rainforest in these regions is certainly off-the-beaten track with some areas ‘near-inaccessible’. Although jungle tours here aren’t as developed as somewhere like Manaus, there are an increasing number of tour agencies in these countries with a particularly good ‘moonlight tour’ available in Suriname.
Here we aim to provide a brief overview of the different experiences you can expect for each country, but it would make sense to venture in at the point most convenient for you. Also the average cost of jungle tours does vary a little, but those on a budget should bear in mind that the daily cost of being in the jungle is considerably higher than being in other parts of the continent.
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Amazon Rainforest Guide
Yellow fever shots are compulsory for the Amazon region. Malaria tablets are also recommended, although not everyone bothers for the shorter trips. People are concerned about side effects of Malaria tablets such as Larium. Larium is normally recommended for longer trips, as it’s only a 1-a-week tablet. For shorter trips you can take the daily tablets, which have little or no side effects. Remember you typically have to take tablets for a period of time before and after entering Malaria infected areas, and always ask your doctor about the before you go. It’s also a good idea to get boosters on other inoculations such as Hepatitis, Tetanus etc…
You’ll need to have some way of purifying water to make it drinkable. Insect repellent is a must, but never 100% effective. Also take a first aid kit and mosquito net unless you know that the tour you are taking are supplying these items. People often ask about what clothes to wear in the jungle. Lightweight waterproofs and good hiking shoes are a good idea, but you are likely to get wet either from the rain, or from sweating.
You’ll need to have some way of purifying water to make it drinkable. Insect repellent is a must, but never 100% effective. Also take a first aid kit and mosquito net unless you know that the tour you are taking are supplying these items. People often ask about what clothes to wear in the jungle. Lightweight waterproofs and good hiking shoes are a good idea, but you are likely to get wet either from the rain, or from sweating.
What to take to the Amazon Rainforest
It's logical to begin with Brazil as the bulk of the rainforest lies within its boundaries. Manaus is the main hub for the Amazonas region in the north of Brazil, and is quite unique for a city of its size, in that road access is very limited. It relies much more on air travel (Manaus is well served by air from all over Brazil) and the vast network of rivers in the area. Nearly all visitors would fly in here for the start of their Amazon adventure, and continue their journey by boat. Flood levels tend to be highest in this area around March / April time, although this doesn’t impede you getting around as the main method of transport is boat.
Rainforest in Brazil
Peruvian Rainforest
There are two main starting points for tours of the rainforest in Peru. In the northeast there is Iquitos, then in the south-eastern area there is the Madre de Dios region with the main areas there being the Manu Biosphere and the Tambopata Nature Reserve. Both areas have well served airports, but if you want to travel overland, the Madre de Dios region borders Cusco, and is therefore much more accessible by land. The trip is a spectacular journey from the imposing Andes Mountains, through the cloud forest before reaching the Amazon Rainforest. For those heading to Tambopata, most fly to Puerto Maldonado and then travel on by boat.
Madre de Dios would be the most popular, partly due to the large protected area of the Manu Biosphere Reserve. The area is heavily protected and access is only possible with authorized tour agencies, and these are best to organise in Cusco. The park actually encompasses a huge area of nearly five million acres and actually includes some high altitude areas of the Andes.
Places of Interest: The macaw clay lick is included in most tours and well worth a visit. There are also some ox-bow lakes with wildlife such as giant otters, caimans and piranhas.
Best for: As close as you’ll come to ‘virgin rainforest’ anywhere on this planet of ours.
Madre de Dios would be the most popular, partly due to the large protected area of the Manu Biosphere Reserve. The area is heavily protected and access is only possible with authorized tour agencies, and these are best to organise in Cusco. The park actually encompasses a huge area of nearly five million acres and actually includes some high altitude areas of the Andes.
Places of Interest: The macaw clay lick is included in most tours and well worth a visit. There are also some ox-bow lakes with wildlife such as giant otters, caimans and piranhas.
Best for: As close as you’ll come to ‘virgin rainforest’ anywhere on this planet of ours.
Rainforest in Bolivia
In general Bolivia offers exceptional experiences for the traveller who prefers things off-the-beaten track and is prepared to take the rough with the smooth. The Bolivian Amazon region also fits in to this category, and the number of visitors venturing in the rainforest here is much less than those in neighbouring Brazil and Peru. The Madidi National Park is where the people that do choose Bolivia, tend to go. If you were starting your journey in La Paz, a flight to Rurrenabaque would be the best way to get out there and we would advise that you book the tour in advance from La Paz.
Places of Interest: Abundance of wildlife throughout the Madidi National Park. Tours along the Rayamayo and Beni rivers.
Best for: Interacting with Amazon natives, and really getting a wild / back-to-basics experience in the jungle.
Places of Interest: Abundance of wildlife throughout the Madidi National Park. Tours along the Rayamayo and Beni rivers.
Best for: Interacting with Amazon natives, and really getting a wild / back-to-basics experience in the jungle.
Rainforest in Ecuador
Other Countries with Rainforest
Rainforest Conservation and Ecotourism
As everyone knows the Amazon Rainforest is under enormous pressure from deforestation. In the last six years, Brazil alone has lost an area of rainforest the size of Greece, and there are plenty more terrifying facts about this issue. It’s widely considered that tourism has a positive affect on the survival of the rainforest, as long as it is done properly. Eco is a fashionable prefix you’ll see more and more, with eco-tours to eco-lodges in eco-friendly environments. The reality is your parks entrance fees do help in funding preservation projects, also the revenue generated for the local communities working in the tourism industry helps to prevent the locals having to turn to other sources of income, such as logging trees to sell the timber, and clearing large areas for ranches.
The information in this article barely scratches the surface when in comes to general information on trips into the Amazon Rainforest. Hopefully it has given you a small taste of one of the world’s last true wilderness areas and give you some motivation to make that trip.
Contributors - Seth McCorrick, James Roberts, Natasha Lanone and John Richards
The information in this article barely scratches the surface when in comes to general information on trips into the Amazon Rainforest. Hopefully it has given you a small taste of one of the world’s last true wilderness areas and give you some motivation to make that trip.
Contributors - Seth McCorrick, James Roberts, Natasha Lanone and John Richards