Amazon Camping Trip with GreenTracks

A Camping Trip in the remote rainforest of Peru’s Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.

The GreenTracks camping program is a unique opportunity to experience the Amazon rainforest up close and personal. This program starts with 2 days at our rainforest lodge, 4 days camping while exploring the reserve, and 1 final night at the lodge.

On the way to the lodge by boat you will stop at a 100-foot tall observation tower to see the confluence of the two rivers that come together to form the Amazon River. From the lodge there will be excursions to a small tributary and surrounding lakes to view the flora and fauna as well as rainforest hikes. Weather permitting great sunsets can be observed from the high ground in front of the lodge.

For the camping portion of the trip - accompanied by an experienced GreenTracks’ guide - you will travel by boat to the Yanayacu-Pucate River and have a chance to observe gray and pink dolphins, aquatic birds, river turtles, sloths, monkeys, parrots and macaws. Members of the staff from the lodge will be along to set up camp, cook delicious meals and attend to your needs. During your stay in the Reserve you will take day and night jungle hikes, visit lakes and search for caiman. There will also be a visit to a riverside village for a chance to learn about the local inhabitants in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve and appreciate their dependence upon the wildlife, plants and waters of the Reserve.

The activities on the camping portion of the trip can be tailored to suit the campers' interests... photography, birding, wildlife viewing, herpetology, fishing, ethnobotany, etc.

TESTIMONIAL

We received the following comments from recent travelers on our Amazon Camping Trip:

"We had the absolute best (Amazon Camping) trip in the jungle. I can't tell you how wonderful it was. Segundo was incredible, full of knowledge, life and kindness to us and all the Peruvians. We knew the guide was the key to a good trip, and were so happy to have someone that fantastic. And everything else about the trip was wonderful. It was organized down to the smallest detail. We can't wait to come back to Peru and come back for another trip with you guys. And of course, if we have any friends coming to Peru, we will give them your details and explain how they would never find something better." Janan Markee

This 7 day/6 night program costs $1249 per person for two campers; $927 per person for three campers; $770 per person for four campers; $670 per person for five to ten campers. Additional days can be added for $100 per person per day.

A GreenTracks eco-adventure program is fun, stimulating and educational. With over 16 years of operation GreenTracks has provided memorable experiences of the Amazon to thousands of travelers. Visit www.greentracks.com

 

Footsteps of Amazon Adventure

GreenTracks offers a unique opportunity to experience the Amazon rainforest in comfort with the companionship of a renowned Amazon explorer and zoologist.

This Amazon tour is lead by GreenTracks’ expert zoologist, William W. Lamar, who has been seen on Wild Discovery, The History Channel, the BBC, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, National Geographic, and local television in several countries.

Lamar has spent over half his life conducting research and trekking through the rainforests of Latin America. His popular books and photographs have helped countless people learn about the beauty of the Amazon and his reference books have placed him among the world’s top zoological authorities. Bill Lamar can not only answer your questions but also tells amazing stories about the region and the behind-the-scenes lowdown on some of the most popular shows.

Participants will experience rainforest hikes, canoe trips into lagoons, visits to a Yagua Indian village and Monkey Island, night jungle walks, the celebrate Canopy Walkway, an Ethnobotanical Garden where over 240 medicinal plants are cultivated by local shamans, boat travel on the Amazon River, opportunities to observe birds and wildlife...all with the friendly companionship and insights of Bill Lamar. When the day is done return to the comfort of a beautifully appointed air-conditioned suite with king-sized bed in a fantastic lodge that is complete with swimming pool, hammocks for lounging, superb international and local cuisine and a well stocked bar.

So if you are filled with curiosity about the Amazon, or if you want to really understand jaguars, anacondas, piranhas, candirus and the like, this is your opportunity to get the straight story from someone who has had vast experience with these and many other fascinating creatures.

This seven day/six night trip departs Iquitos, Peru on 4 dates in 2009: March 29 - April 4; June 28 - July 4; September 13 - 19; November 15 - 21. The cost of the trip is $1995 per person in a twin room. Group size is always small, typically 8 - 12 people. A GreenTracks eco-adventure cruise is fun, stimulating and educational. With over 16 years of operation GreenTracks has provided memorable experiences of the Amazon to thousands of travelers. Visit www.greentracks.com

 

 

Expedition into the Amazon Rainforest of Madidi National Park

So few people have heard of Madidi in the upper Amazon Basin of Bolivia that it's often not even considered as a destination by those looking for an eco-tour to the Amazon. But, for those adventurous individuals looking for a genuine Amazon experience, Madidi offers everything available in the more well-known areas...and much more.

This region has been described as the archetype of what the Amazon used to be like; dense rainforest, winding jungle rivers, large numbers of birds and mammals and the seldom seen indigenous people of the tropical rainforest. This is an unparalleled opportunity to experience a slice of wilderness seldom seen by outsiders!

Our journey to this remote rainforest reserve begins with a one-hour flight from La Paz over the frozen Andes to the frontier town of Rurrenabaque. From there we travel upriver via motorized
canoes for approximately five hours on the Beni and Tuichi Rivers, into the heart of Madidi National Park. A short half-hour hike from the Tuichi River will bring us to Chalalan lodge adjacent to a beautiful jungle lake, which we will use as our base-camp while exploring the rainforest.

This small 20-person lodge is owned and operated by the natives of a nearby village. These Quechua-Tacana people have the experience and knowledge of the region to guide us safely along jungle trails viewing birds, mammals and reptiles. Even jaguars are occasionally seen! Hiking by both day and night, we will discover the diversity of animals and plants that make this park one of the most exciting in the world.

This tour is lead by an expert naturalist from the States with years of experience in the region.
Visit: www.GreenTracks.com

 

GreenTracks Publishes Amazon Newsletter

GreenTracks publishes an on-line Amazon environmental, natural history and travel information newsletter.

In addition to the wealth of information about Amazon travel on the GreenTracks web site itself there is now a free newsletter, On Track With GreenTracks, with interesting articles and photos about the Amazon, specific Amazon destinations of interest to travelers, stories from GreenTracks’ trips, reviews of books about the Amazon, natural history information on the rainforest and its’ flora and fauna, ecology, history and culture, and a section on the latest news about the rainforests and ecological concerns. There is also information on featured GreenTracks tours.

For those interested in Amazon travel and natural history, this newsletter should be useful and entertaining.

Subscription is free. It can also be viewed on the GreenTracks web site: www.greentracks.com/Newsletter.asp

 

GreenTracks is now offering trips to the Galapagos Islands

Increasing its variety of ecotour getaways, GreenTracks is now offering trips to the spectacular Galapagos Islands. Frequent shore excursions will explore the unique, complex ecosystem that has made the Galapagos so famous.

Located some 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos archipelago consists of thirteen main islands. In 1959, as 95% of the islands and 50,000 sq. miles of surrounding ocean was granted protection, an organization of scientists and conservationists established the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Charles Darwin Research Center. UNESCO placed the Galapagos Islands on the World Heritage List in 1978, thereby bringing significant international pressure towards safeguarding this unique environment.

The best way to explore the Galapagos Islands is by boat and GreenTracks offers an acclaimed program utilizing two mid-size boats. The ship’s frequent shore excursions will explore the complex ecosystem that has made the Galapagos so famous. On the island of Floreana, for example, one can visit Post Office Bay, The Black Beach, Flamingos Lagoon, Cormorant Point, or The Pirates’ Caves. There are also areas to scuba dive, such as La Corona del Diablo. On Genovesa, the frigate birds, fur seals, marine iguanas, tropical birds, red-footed boobies, and masked boobies all stand out. On Fernandina, there are sea lions, iguanas, pelicans, penguins, and cormorants. On Espanola the dance of the Blue-footed Booby or the courting of the Albatross can be observed. Experienced, enthusiastic guides will explain the many wonders found in the Galapagos.

Galapagos trips can be combined with land programs on the Ecuador mainland and can easily be combined with GreenTracks’ tours in Peru of the Amazon, Cuzco and Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Nazca and more. Visit www.greentracks.com

 

GreenTracks’ tours combine Machu Picchu and Amazon River Cruise.

GreenTracks’ Cuzco & Machu Picchu tour and Amazon Riverboat Cruise can be combined into a two-week trip that will reveal the awe-inspiring mountain-top Inca site of Machu Picchu with the splendors of the Amazon river and rainforest.

This exciting GreenTracks package combines the mystery and incredible sights of Cuzco and Machu Picchu, with the grandeur of the mightiest river in the world, the Amazon. Experience diverse geography, culture and history in one unforgettable trip.

Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Inca empire is now a modern small city that has retained much of its colonial charm. The tour of the city will include visits to the Cathedral of Cuzco, the Inca Temple of the Sun, the nearby ruins at the Sacsayhuaman Fortress and the Inca Bath at Tambomachay. Cuzco is an excellent place to purchase wonderful arts and crafts. Plan on picking up some of the local Alpaca wool sweaters.

The Legendary "Lost City of Machu Picchu" is without a doubt the most important attraction in Peru and one of the world's most impressive archaeological sites. It was recently voted to be one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Built by the Incas on the summit of Machu Picchu (Old Peak), over- looking the deep canyon of the Urubamba River in a semi-tropical area 120 Km. (75 miles) from the city of Cuzco at 8,000 feet above sea level. It is thought to have been a sanctuary or temple inhabited by high priests and the "Virgins of the Sun".

Years of experience exploring the Amazon allows GreenTracks to offer a unique cruise experience. The GreenTracks Amazon Riverboat Expedition Cruise is an ecotour adventure. There will be several excursions daily off the riverboat, led by GreenTracks-trained, bilingual Naturalist Guides. Using small excursion boats explore the creeks and oxbow lakes in search of wildlife. After dark do the same in search of caiman and colorful frogs and hear the incredible night sounds of the jungle. There will be hikes on rainforest trails in search of interesting animals, multicolored butterflies, bizarre insects, exotic flowers and gigantic trees. Ethnobotany (use of plants by people) will be explained by the guides.

These are 6 day/5 night cruises departing from Iquitos, Peru, on scheduled dates. Group size is always small, typically 8 - 12 people. The Amazon riverboat has plenty of room to spread out and relax. Each cabin is air conditioned and has private bath & shower. There is an enclosed air-conditioned dining room and an outdoor bar area. Meals of both international and regional cuisine are served buffet-style in the air-conditioned dining room.

A GreenTracks eco-adventure cruise is fun, stimulating and educational. With over 16 years of operation GreenTracks has provided memorable experiences of the Amazon for thousands of travelers.

Prices start at $2674 for the two week trip. The Cuzco/Machu Picchu segment can be a 4, 5 or 7 day tour. The Combination Trip can start with any of the scheduled Riverboat Expedition dates and continue to Cuzco and Machu Picchu the following week.Visit: www.greentracks.com/Riverboat-Expedition-Machu-Picchu-Combination.htm

 

Spring Break Romp in the Jungle combines learning and fun

An opportunity to see and experience the Amazon rain forest, its wildlife, natural history and culture can be found on GreenTracks' Spring Break trip March 16-22, 2008. The trip will be led by an expert tropical biologist.

GreenTracks is offering a different kind of Spring Break Trip...A one week trip to the Amazon rainforest of Peru for students with an interest in wildlife, natural history and adventure. This is an exciting opportunity to visit an exotic locale, experience Amazonian culture, learn rainforest ecology with expert biologists, and have plenty of fun!

During the week of March 16 - 22, you'll visit 4 jungle lodges located over a several hundred square mile area of some of the best rainforest in the Peruvian Lower Amazon. You'll travel by boat upon the mighty Amazon river to reach these different lodges, each of which provides comfortable accommodations from which to explore the unique flora and fauna of the region.

Spend your days walking through the forest surrounded by sights and sounds most people have only imagined. Explore the treetop flora and fauna from a canopy walkway....high above the forest floor. Experience up close the cry of colorful tropical birds, the lush smell of the rainforest, countless flowers, towering trees, pink dolphins playing alongside your boat, incredible frogs, iridescent butterflies, and captivating monkeys. Then spend your nights partying with your friends and the colorful locals.

The tour will be led by Dr. Edward Pivorun, an expert tropical biologist from Clemson University with the assistance of several local Indian guides.

The trip is open to anyone with an adventurous spirit. A 5 day extension to Cuzco and Machu Picchu is also offered. Visit www.greentracks.com

 

GreenTracks Amazon riverboat expedition with Anthropologist

GreenTracks’ Amazon river boat expedition in March of 2008 will be led by a cultural anthropologist with many years experience in the Amazon Basin. She will provide insight into the indigenous people of the Amazon and their environment as we explore the river and rainforest by comfortable riverboat.

Dr. Palma Ingles holds a Doctorate of Anthropology from the University of Florida and is also a professional photographer. She began her Amazon exploration as the documentary photographer for a group studying the medicinal plants of an indigenous people in Ecuador. As a cultural anthropologist Dr. Ingles has conducted research in Peru and Brazil on medicinal plants. She has studied the sustainable use of rainforest products and the impact of tourism on the indigenous tribes of the Amazon. Her understanding of indigenous cultures and a relaxed, friendly manner makes her an excellent traveling companion.

On this expedition cruise we will spend our days hiking through the rainforest, exploring by small boat, viewing wildlife, fishing for piranha, relaxing in comfort on the upper deck, all while surrounded by sights and sounds most people have only imagined. We will experience up close the cry of colorful tropical birds, the lush smell of the rainforest, countless flowers, towering trees, pink dolphins playing alongside the boat, incredible reptiles and amphibians, iridescent butterflies, and captivating monkeys. GreenTracks guides will point out the wildlife and explain the subtleties of the complex Amazon eco-system. All of this, with the expertise of Dr. Ingles will make for a an unforgettable experience.

This seven day/six night trip departs Iquitos, Peru on March 2, 2008. With over 16 years of operation GreenTracks has provided memorable experiences of the Amazon to thousands of travelers. Visit www.greentracks.com

 

Announcing Amazon Cruises with GreenTracks

DURANGO, CO, February 17, 2007 – The GreenTracks Amazon Cruise is an ecotour on the Amazon River and its tributaries that explores the upper reaches of the exotic Amazon in Peru, one of the world's greatest ecosystems, on a colorful Amazon riverboat. Years of experience exploring the Amazon allows GreenTracks to offer a unique cruise experience. There will be several excursions daily off the riverboat, led by GreenTracks-trained, bilingual Naturalist Guides. Using small excursion boats they will explore the creeks and oxbow lakes in search of wildlife. After dark they will do the same in search of caiman and colorful frogs. There will be hikes on rainforest trails in search of interesting animals, multicolored butterflies, bizarre insects, exotic flowers and gigantic trees. Ethnobotany (the use of plants by people) will be explained by the guides.

The Amazon riverboat has plenty of room to spread out and relax. Each cabin is air-conditioned and has private bath & shower. There is an air-conditioned dining room and an outdoor bar area. Meals of both international and regional cuisine are served buffet-style. Exotic rainforest fruits are available for snacks and juices.

These are 6 day/5 night cruises departing from Iquitos, Peru, on scheduled dates. Group size is always small, typically 8 - 12 people. A GreenTracks eco-adventure cruise is fun, stimulating and educational. With over 16 years of operation GreenTracks has provided memorable experiences of the Amazon to thousands of travelers.Visit: www.GreenTracks.com