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Accommodations & Travel
Physical Ability & Age Appropriateness of Expeditions
Personal Safety, Health & Security
Accommodations & Travel We do not book airfares but are happy to recommend an excellent travel agent for clients who may not have one of their own already. We receive no commission for recommendations. For clients who need extra nights accommodation in Iquitos or Lima, we will be happy to make reservations for you. (top) The hotels we use in Iquitos are equivalent to 2-3-star hotels in the US (though they are rated higher in Peru). They are modern, clean, have AC in the rooms, hot and cold running water, swimming pool, internet access (either wifi or via land-line), and included breakfast buffet. As is typical of hotels in Peru, only guests (or their immediate invitees) are allowed past reception and into the hotel proper, consequently they are quite secure. Reception personnel are typically very helpful, and storing of luggage (if you are doing a highlands extension, for instance, and don't wish to take cold-weather gear with you on the Amazon portion of your trip) is easily arranged. Checkout time is generally 12:00 noon, but if the rooms aren't needed immediately, hotels are very accommodating at permitting late checkout (if you have an evening flight out of town) as well as early check-in (if you arrive on an early AM flight). (top) On our main boat, the Tucunare, accommodations are in bunk beds on the lower level (same level as the dining area, motor room, kitchen, and restrooms). There are 6 semi-private compartments with two bunks in each compartment (see photos below). Privacy curtains can be used to isolate the compartments. If you are a very light sleeper, we recommend that you bring ear plugs - on board boat there are always some noises - water gurgling against the hull, the bilge pump kicking in periodically, people walking back and forth from the restrooms, etc. (top) At the station that we use the most (Madre Selva Biological Station), accommodations are in land-based buildings of various sizes (see photos below). These buildings have elevated floors (i.e., they are built on stilts) and have either screened or open sides and a thatch or plastic-tarp roof. Inside of each building, large (10' x 12') dome tents are pitched, and within the tents either one or two sleeping areas are prepared (with mattress, pillow and full linens). The tents provide an extra layer of protection against mosquitos and also provide additional privacy. If you wish, however, you are welcome to use a mosquito net without using a tent (my personal preference). One of the buildings (closest to the restroom facilities) is screened and can hold up to 6 tents (12 persons) or up to 16 persons using mosquito nets (for courses, etc.). Another unscreened building further away has capacity for 5 tents, and 4 smaller unscreened structures each can accommodate a single tent. For more information on the field stations, visit the Project Amazonas website. (top) Absolutely!
Both on our large boat (the Tucunare) and at the Madre Selva Biological
Station, both 120 V (US-standard) and 220 V (Peru-standard) outlets
are available. Most outlets in Peru consist of two round plugs (below
right) but aboard our boat and at the field station, the outlets
will accommodate either two round or two flat prongs
Perhaps at some times of the day, but not likely. Everyone has different tolerances to heat and humidity. Particularly from June-September, the Amazon is very nice weatherwise, and night temperatures in the lower 70's are regular. On occasion, temperatures drop to 60 degrees F. Most people prefer to sleep with a sheet or light blanket (or more, when a cold front comes though!). The rest of the year, temperatures are warmer and the weather is more humid - daytime temperatures are generally in the upper 80's F in the shade. We recommend bringing a portable battery operated fan to provide extra air circulation inside tents or mosquito nets - the extra ventilation can make a big difference in comfort levels! During the day, tempartures and humidity in the sun can be tough, but it is always considerably cooler under the forest canopy. The best advice is to take it easy during the heat of the day (there are good reasons for having a siesta!), and to be sure to drink lots of fluids and remain well hydrated. (top) The bugs are just fine; thank you for asking! Although the Amazon certainly has it's share of insects, including the biting types, insects are generally less of a bother than most people anticipate. Mosquitos are most active at dawn and dusk, but can be locally abundant at times. Noseeums can also be an early morning and late afternoon problem close to rivers, and various species of horseflies can be a nuisance on the rivers and in open areas. Judicial use of insect repellent combined with appropriate clothing can help prevent most discomfort however. Repellent containing Deet is the most effective, though some new products on the market (containing picaridin) seem to be quite effective as well. Skin-so-soft lotion is not very effective or long-lasting, in our experience. If you are using repellent with Deet, however, remember that Deet melts plastic - including tents, camera lense coatings, eye-glass coatings, and is also lethal to frogs. Avoid applying Deet in the buildings, in the tents, or around personal items that might be damaged. Also, avoid handling susceptible animals if you have Deet on your hands! Around villages, the worst "bugs" are chiggers - these are tiny red mites that burrow into the skin in constricted areas (under the elastic of sock tops, under bras, under belt lines, etc.). Chiggers itch for about a week, so avoiding them is the best policy. Wearing gum rubber boots and avoiding tall grass is the best method of keeping chiggers off of you. They are most common where there are lots of domestic animals that serve as hosts. At the field stations, or in the forest you will not encounter chiggers. Applying sulfur powder to the tops of boots, socks, and pant-legs is an effective deterrent if you know you will be in areas with lots of chiggers. Some people develop a rash from excessive use of insect repellent that contains deet - the best solution is to stop using it, and switch to an alternative repellent. If you are very sensitive to insect bites, bring antihistamines (benadryl) or an ammonia pen (which often provides immediate relief from itching). (top) Tipping is not generally expected in taxis or hotels. Most restaurants (other than those frequented by tourists) likewise do not generally expect tips, but we recommend a 10% tip for good service. For our expeditions, tip funds for the boat crew and/or field station staff are pooled and divided evenly among them - each one is important to the success of the expedition, even though you may have more "face time" with certain of the crew/staff. The trip leaders do not accept tips. For a one week expedition, we recommend that each participant contribute $20-$25 toward the tip pool, but of course you are free to contribute more, less, or nothing. (top) We recommend travel insurance for your protection and peace of mind. Not only will travel insurance cover equipment or luggage that is damaged, delayed or stolen, but it also protects your investment in an airline ticket should you have to cancel your trip for some reason (health, family emergency, the draft, nomination to the Supreme Court, etc). The cost of travel insurance is quite reasonable, and can be obtained through your travel agent or online. Check the following site for starters: Insure my Trip.com (top) Physical Ability & Age Appropriateness of Expeditions You do not need to be a triathelete to go to the Amazon! If you are in reasonable shape, you should have few if any problems. We recommend that you consult with your doctor if you have any doubts about whether or not you should engage in this type of trip. The level of physical exertion required for expedition activities is entirely up to you - some people want to "go, go, go", others want to sit back and relax - you can do either or both. We attempt to guage activities to the interests and physical abilities of expedition members, and never pressure anyone to engage in an activity that they are not comfortable with. This is YOUR expedition! (top) Children are certainly welcome, and we have had ages 8 and up on trips. While younger children would also be welcome, 6 years of age would probably be the youngest that we would recommend for a variety of reasons. Younger-aged children would not be able to take the best advantage of the trip in terms of life-long memories, and the parents/guardians also would preoccupied with ensuring the safety and comfort of younger children to fully benefit themselves from the expedition. As always, a pre-expedition visit to the family doctor is recommended for younger participants. (top)
Consult with your doctor - if he/she deems that it would be OK to participate on an expedition, we will make every effort to accommodate any special needs that a participant might have. As noted previously, we do attempt to guage activities to the abilities of our clients. Although we have not had seriously disabled clients in the past (wheelchair bound, amputees, blind, etc.), we would welcome the participation of such individuals after communicating with them to ensure that they understood clearly the challenges that might be involved. We admire individuals who don't allow disabilities to get in the way of living a rewarding life, and would do whatever we can to ensure their full participation on an expedition. (top) Personal Safety, Health & Security The short answer is that it is no more dangerous than traveling most places in the USA or Europe. As with travel anywhere, keeping your eyes open, your wits about you, and taking elementary precautions will enable you to avoid most potentially dangerous situations. Although there was a domestic terrorism problem in the 1980's and early 1990's, that is no longer the case. For a more in-depth discussion of safety, crime and terrorism issues, please see our "safety" page. (top) No vaccinations are required for entering or departing from Peru, and you will not be asked for any proof of vaccinations or medications either coming or going. The following vaccinations are RECOMMENDED however, for your continued good health: tetanus, hepatitus A, typhoid, and yellow fever. Likewise, malaria prophylaxis is also recommended as both Malaria vivax and Malaria falciparum are endemic in the region. The malaria prophylaxis Larium is NOT recommended, due to an uncomfortably high incidence of negative side effects. Good alternatives are Malarone and Doxycycline. Consult with your doctor, and visit the Center for Disease Control travel site for the latest recommendations for traveling to tropical South America. (top) Tap water in cities and towns should not be considered potable. Use bottled water instead - this is widely and cheaply available in airports, cities and towns. On our riverboats and at field stations, tap water likewise is NOT POTABLE, and is pumped from the river or creek. This water is fine for bathing and hand washing, and most people also go swimming in the same water with no ill effects (there are few sources of contamination nearby). For drinking and brushing teeth, however, use the bottled treated water that is provided - this water has been filtered, clorinated and UV'd, and containers with this treated water are placed in easily accessible locations on the boat, as well as at various locations at the field sites that we use. (top) No and yes. Such animals are there, of course (and that is one of the reasons why you might be traveling to the Amazon!), but they are not aggessive and have no wish to have a confrontation with you. Most animals will only bite, sting or attack when they feel threatened. Give animals their space, and you will have no problems. An important and simple precaution is to always have a flashlight with you at night so that you don't inadvertently step on a poisonous snake or arthropod. The biggest danger of getting stung is by ants or wasps - either of which may be defending a nearby nest. If you are hypersensitive to insect stings, be sure to have an Epi-pen with you, and let your companions know where it is and how to use it. Most insect stings are not that painful, and usually go away after a few minutes. Some, however, may last for several hours. Watching where you step and where you put your hands (and body) will help you avoid most problems. The majority of visitors do not have any unpleasant encounters with wildlife, and serious encounters are very rare indeed, and generally avoidable. Don't do stupid things like poking at wasp nests or trying to handle poisonous snakes with your bare hands! (We [and the snakes] will thank you!) (top) Peruvians are genuinely warm and welcoming people. Most visitors comment on this soon after they arrive. There is no hostility toward foreigners, and Peruvians are eager to give visitors a good impression of their country. They have a great deal to be proud of, and are happy to share it with others. (top) Our boat crew and field station employees have been with us for many years. We give them considerable independence in their work and trust them implicitly. On occasion, however, non-employees may visit the boat or field stations, and of course we can't vouch for the trustworthiness of every passenger either! The most basic precaution is to not leave cash or other valuables lying around in visible locations, and if requested, we can put valuables under lock and key. At the field stations, laptops and cameras can be left to recharge in the buildings with no problem. In the last ten years, we have had no significant problems with security - several times when money or items were thought to be missing, they turned up later in the passenger's luggage (just not in the spot where they thought the item should be), or in one case, a sizeable amount of money was found by the passenger in a hidden pocket of a pair of pants after the person returned home. Bottom line - be careful with your gear, but there is no need to be paranoid about it either! Common sense will help to avoid any problems. (top) Iquitos is a large city of nearly one-half million. Despite its size, however, it is remarkably safe and free of violent crime and retains a small-town feel due to its isolation. While violent crime is very rare (particularly against tourists), petty theft can be common in areas frequented by tourists - the waterfront boulevard, the markets, etc. These areas tend to be crowded with lots of distractions, and briefly unattended bags will disappear. It is adviseable to leave non-essential items at your hotel, and to carry cash and other valuables in a front pocket. Cameras should be kept in hand, or in a front pocket. In the market, avoid taking a knapsack, as rear-facing pockets may be opened and items pilfered. The same things happen in Times Square, in Trafalgar Square, at the Eiffel Tower, and numerous other tourist-frequented locations - this is not a problem unique to Iquitos! The best defense is to be aware of your surroundings, be judicious in where you carry valuables and how you display them (or don't display them), and don't flaunt what you have. If you are going out partying at night (disco's, nightclubs, etc.), take only as much cash as you wish to spend, and leave your wallet with credit cards, etc., back at your hotel. Drunken and oblivious tourists are easy pickings! Local people will often warn tourists to be careful of their belongings, and to not leave items unattended. They too are victimized by petty theft and do their part in trying to reduce it. Do your part as well by not giving pickpockets and thieves the opportunities they are looking for. The biggest risk to personal safety in Iquitos is crossing the street! The traffic is very congested, and PEDESTRIANS DO NOT HAVE RIGHT OF WAY! Be careful when crossing streets, and also watch your step when walking on the sidewalks - concrete can be uneven or broken, and manholes or other access shafts may not be adequately covered, so there is potential risk of injuring or breaking a leg if you should happen to step in the wrong spot. It is legal, but not adviseable to change money on the street. While there are many legitimate money changers who are honest, you won't know which ones they are. Either change money at a bank (easy to do), or ask your guide or tour leader to take you to a shop or street changer where you can change money securely. Most restaurants and shops also accept US $, and will give you change at the official rate in Peruvian solis. The shady street changers are most active on Sundays when banks and many shops are closed - they are extremely slick, and may substitute falsified US bills for genuine ones, as well as short-change you on the amount of Peruvian solis that you receive. The best advice is to NOT change money on the street. (top) |
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just be sure to check to see if the outlet is labelled as 120V or
220V. Most chargers will accept a wide range of voltages - look
on the back of the charger where it says "input" - it
it reads 110-240V (as shown at right), then you don't have to worry
about the voltage when you plug it in - either 110 or 220 voltage
will work fine for your device. If you have three-prong plugs, you
will need an adaptor to convert from three to two prongs. The generator
aboard the boat and at the field station is not operated 24/7, but
we will operate them as necessary to meet charging needs. The generators
are always operational during the evening hours until 10 or 11 PM.
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