Cruise the Amazon--save on June trips of a lifetime

La Amatista at sunset on the Amazon

You may have heard about our trip to Peru last September, which included travel into the Highlands (mountainous regions) of southern Peru followed by a small-boat cruise on the headwaters of the Amazon River. This was truly an amazing journey with spectacular scenery, wonderful accommodations and food, and the friendliest people anywhere.

International Expeditions (IE) helped Larry and me organize our first week traveling on our own (with a guide and driver) and the second week with a group of 15 on the Amazon. I highly recommend IE, not only because of their excellent service but also because a portion of fees is used to improve environmental and cultural conditions in the regions where tours take place.

Lounging on a ficus tree in the jungle

I’m including information from IE regarding specials on June excursions. If you haven’t planned your summer travel, here’s a wonderful opportunity to take an Amazon River cruise at a greatly reduced rate. (We spent a week on the Amazon on La Amatista, a different boat, but we traveled through the same territory and had the same adventures as described below).

International Expeditions, the world leader in engaging and authentic nature travel, is offering travelers a special $1,000 per person savings on its June 1 and 22, 2012 Amazon River cruises. While reaping a rare savings of more than 25 percent off regular fares, budget savvy travelers enjoy an in-depth look at the legendary nature and vibrant culture of the Peruvian Amazon.

Guests on the 10-day Amazon Voyage travel more than 600 miles into the narrow tributaries of the Amazon aboard the 24-passenger riverboat Aquamarina, enjoying chances for rare wildlife sightings. Daily outings on this small-ship adventure take travelers deep into the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve to spot diverse wildlife, hike into the rainforest, and even fish for piranha. During excursions into the narrow river tributaries, guests may spot more than 100 kinds of birds, pink and gray river dolphins, sloths, giant otters and nocturnal animals such as caimans and capybaras (We saw all of these!).

River children learn early how to use
a machete

Amazon cruise passengers also spend time with the ribereños, native people of the Amazon’s remote villages, handing out school supplies to children and meeting with a local shaman. Guests enjoy a glimpse into daily life while also learning about local agriculture and crafts. Ensuring a high level of authenticity, IE varies the villages guests visit during their Amazon expedition (A highlight of the trip!).

When not discussing the rainforest or village life with the local guides, guests can stargaze on the open-air top deck or sip cocktails while enjoying the evening entertainment, courtesy of the ship’s local crew of 16. A high staff-to-guest ratio — better than 2:1 — ensures that guests are well looked after during their days aboard the 24-guest Aquamarina.

Daily excursions on the Amazon in skiffs revealed
scenes like this.

Prices for the June 1 and 22, 2012 Amazon River expedition cruise start at $2,898 per person (with discount), and include accommodations, excursions, complimentary laundry aboard Aquamarina, most meals, guides, transfers, and tips to porters and waiters for included meals.

A pioneer of environmentally responsible travel, IE is committed to preserving natural habitats and improving the welfare of the people and communities it visits. International Expeditions has been named seven times to Travel + Leisure’s list of “World’s Best” tour operators & safari outfitters and to National Geographic ADVENTURE magazine’s list of “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth.”

For more information, call International Expeditions at 1-800-234-9620 or visit http://www.IEtravel.com.

Photos by Larry and Beverly Burmeier
Read more travel stories at Striped Pot and Austin Adventure Travel

Peruvian Amazon--the rainforest experience of a lifetime

Mike Langford, a South African living in Cusco, Peru, writes today’s guest blog. He’s a photographer, environmentalist, and owner of Tambopata Travel tour company which promotes responsible travel to the Tambopata rainforest region.

Rainforest Experience in Peru

Many travellers to South America don’t realize that the unspoilt Peruvian Amazon is within a few hours travel from Cusco, heart of the Inca Empire & the gateway to Machu Picchu.

Forest tree giants over fifty metres (164 feet) in height, world records for the numbers of birds, butterflies and dragonflies amongst others, seven species of monkeys, intact populations of endangered species such as the giant river otter, jaguar, black caiman and harpy eagle – they’re all here.

We’re not talking about roughing it either. Comfortable award-winning lodges are on hand to take care of you with amazing food, a range of activities and quality of guiding all contributing to making your trip unforgettable.

The Tambopata River opens up before you and adventure beckons. As you enjoy wonderful river journeys the stress of modern living diminishes with each meander until you are one with nature in all its splendour and your soul is invigorated. Floating on a tranquil lake you breathe in and realise you have fulfilled a lifelong ambition to go to the rainforest. Standing atop a canopy-high tower the panorama takes your breath away. Walking along jungle trails your senses are awakened as you observe incredible wildlife.

All this is good enough, but today’s environmentally conscious traveller does not simply want to experience unspoilt nature; they need to know that their trip is actually making a contribution to local conservation efforts and making a contribution towards local communities that value their natural and cultural heritage.

Making a travel decision can be difficult and complex because there’s a bewildering array of tour offerings with both reliable and unreliable operators plus a range of service levels not always reflected in the pricing. How do you find the ideal, good value rainforest trip while being confident that you will contribute towards local conservation and cultural awareness efforts at the same time?

With my experience in the region I decided to address this need and Tambopata Travel was born to cater to independent, group or family travellers. The idea was to offer personalised service and no automated booking forms, but a discussion of your needs and expectations. You can use the suggested itineraries on the website as an end in themselves or as a starting point to be tailored to your requirements or special interests.

So there you have it, the ideal addition to any Cusco trip – fly to Puerto Maldonado only thirty minutes away, and be prepared for the rainforest experience of a lifetime beginning on arrival.

Flight from Peruvian Amazon to the Andes

My aim through Tambopata Travel and through my photography is to share the wonders of nature with as many interested and like-minded people as possible in the hope of spreading the word on the need for conservation, cultural respect and local economy support. Sustainable development is a phrase often over-utilised and not understood, but it is the only way forward, and you can be a part of it by simply travelling to the Peruvian Amazon.  

Photos by Mike Langford

Visit Mike at www.tambopatatravel.com or see his photography at www.mikeonlocation.com