Brief History
The Amazon River Basin is home to the largest rainforest on Earth. The basin -- roughly the size of the forty-eight contiguous United States -- covers some 40% of the South American continent and includes parts of eight South American countries: Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname, as well as French Guiana, a department (colony) of France. Travel through the forest can be difficult, and a guide or a river tour are the best options to see the natural wonders of the rain forest.
The Amazon is made up of a mosaic of ecosystems and vegetation types including rainforests, seasonal forests, deciduous forests, flooded forests, and savannas. The Amazon River, the world’s largest river in terms of discharge and the second longest river in the world after the Nile, drains the basin. The world's largest tropical rainforest covers more than half of Brazil. Scientists believe that the canopy may contain half of the world's species. Over 500 mammals, 175 lizards and over 300 other reptiles species, and one third of the world's birds live in the Amazon Rainforest. It is estimated that about 30 million insect types can be found here.
The Portuguese explorers that colonized Brazil believed that somewhere in the huge forest they would discover "Eldorado", an entire city made of gold. This hoax was combined with a myth that Eldorado was guarded by Amazons, a women’s warrior race. The explorers never found Eldorado or the Amazons, but the name stuck. When to Go
The rainforest is tropical and climate remains the same year round. The time of year to visit is more dependent on the starting point and other destinations on your itinerary.
Currency
Though the ecosystem covers nine different countries, the most common for expeditions are Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia. Currencies of these countries are the Real, Nueva Sol, US Dollar, and Boliviano, respectively.
Passport/Visa Requirements
A passport valid six months or longer after return and visa are required for entering Brazil for US citizens. No visa is required for Peru, Ecuador, or Bolivia.
Ready to Go?
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Itinerary 1 – Amazing Wildlife! – Amazon Rainforest plus Galapagos Islands
Starting in Quito, Ecuador, fly to Coca and travel by canoe to your Amazon lodge. Four days in the Amazon including canopy walks, piranhas fishing, river cruising and nature walks. See a monkey small enough to sit on your fingertip and a 30-foot anaconda. Visit a parrot lick and view thousands of parrots and parakeets.
After your Amazon Basin experience, return to Quito for 3 days and then embark on a Galapagos Island cruise. 5 days cruising among various islands. Giant tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies are a few of the many endemic species you will find. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, established to help conserve the natural habitat. 14 days, $5,293 including air. Book it!
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Itinerary 2 – Traditional Cruise – Fort Lauderdale to Manaus, Brazil
Travel down the mighty Amazon to where the black waters of the Rio Negro mix with the tan waters of the Solimoes known as “The Meeting of the Waters”. Visit Boca da Valeria, a remote village at the confluence of the Rio da Valeria and the Amazon. Approximately 75 people live in this minute village, surrounded by the great rain forest of the Amazon Basin. In this tiny fishing village, see firsthand how the people of the Amazon live starting at $2,595. Book it! |
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Itinerary 3 – Customize It!
OK. We’ve given you a couple of ideas. Not quite what you are looking for? Whether you are a solo traveler or a group of 1000, like to rough it or prefer being pampered, we’ll create your dream vacation. We can tweak one of these, or start from scratch. Call today and we’ll get right on it. Book it! |
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