RIVERBOATS & RIVER ACCESS

Margarita Tours uses river vessels for travel to field stations, for live-aboard expeditions, and for accessing creeks, rivers and lakes in the region. All expeditions, even field station based ones, DO include some travel on the Amazon and/or other rivers in the region.

We preferably use boats owned and operated by Project Amazonas, a US/Peruvian non-profit organization. Our use pays for maintenance and upgrades, and contributes to medical and other service activities organized by Project Amazonas. For larger groups, we use Nenita, a flat hull vessel that has a large amount of floor space and which is very stable and comfortable for travel. The Nenita's inaugural voyage was a medical service trip at the end of September 2009, and with additional work in Oct 2009 and most recently in May 2010, she is now fully equipped, and our first choice for groups of  more than 6 persons. 

The Nenita has seven 2-person cabins (with bunks) and a master cabin (with double bed), so it has capacity to house 16 passengers. A wide prow and observation deck provide favorite locations for watching the river scenery go by. Cabins are centrally located with open passage-ways on both sides of the vessel. Fans are located within each room, but there is no A/C aboard. Two bathrooms (toilet, shower, sink) are located on the first deck (no hot water either, but then most people thoroughly enjoy a nice cool shower!). A large screened dining area with a large round central table is located on the second deck, and has access to an open area of the second deck at the stern. Stairs fore and aft provide access between decks. A wide flat prow with safety railing makes it easy to to embark/disembark passengers and luggage, and the vessel can pull up to shore as long as there is 3' or greater water depth.

Nenita is owned and operated by Project Amazonas, and operates under the maritime regulations of the Republic of Peru. it undergoes annual safety inspections, carries the required Peruvian passenger insurance, and is legally registered in Iquitos, Peru. It flies the Peruvian flag at all times and is based out of Iquitos. 

For large groups, we can charter vessels with greater capacity. Such charters must be scheduled well in advance.

Auxiliary boats include a covered speedboat (the Mai-Kai), an aluminum skiff (Shiripira), a large open wooden boat (Yucundero), and a fleet of 6 kayaks (pick your six favorite dwarfs, reindeer, or whatever, if you want to assign names!).

Where-ever you travel in the Amazon, the river scenery is one of the highlights of any trip. The Amazon IS big-sky country - sunsets are spectacular, downpours are awesome, and the night skies are unforgettable - how many other places might you go where you can see the Big Dipper on one side, and the Southern Cross on the other?

Traveling aboard a comfortable riverboat in the Amazon is a "must-do" part of any expedition!

mionectes (at) aol.com