Amazon River Tours (Iquitos - 3 days) Itinerary
REF: SAJ2
VERSION: 11
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Duration:3 days - Iquitos to Iquitos
Countries Visited:Peru
Age Guide:18-55 years
Max Group Size:16
Transport:Bus, Boat, Canoe, On Foot
Accommodation:Jungle Lodge (2 Nights)
What's Included:All Meals Included Whilst on Tour - Expert Bilingual, Naturalist Guide - Transfers: Airport to Port to Lodge - Tour starts in Iquitos, flights Lima-Iquitos-Lima are not included. Flights can be arranged upon request.
Local Payment:NO LOCAL PAYMENT
Highlights:Short Hike - Searching for Medicinal Plants - Corrientillo Lake - Canoeing and Piranha Fishing - Nocturnal Caiman Spotting - Forest Hike - Observe the Amazon's wildlife - Sapote Lake - View Ornamental Fish Species - Bird Watching - San Juan de Yanayacu - Jungle Village - Moena Lake - Fresh Water Dolphins - Lagoons - Swimming and Relaxing
Optional Highlights:No optional highlights
Introduction:

Close to the mile-wide Amazon itself. Piranha fishing in the lagoons, swimming with pink dolphins, Indian village visits and local shamanism. This 3 day extension can be added to all tours starting or ending at Lima (overland or local transport). Fly to Iquitos and you will be transferred to the river-port for the Amazon boat journey to your lodge.

Meeting Point:

The boat transfer to the jungle lodge departs Iquitos at 9.30am on Day 1 of the tour.  Please refer to your tour voucher for full details on the meeting point for this tour.

Day 1:

Iquitos to Jungle Lodge.  On arrival in Iquitos, you will be met and transferred to the harbour to meet the speedboats.  The boat trip goes via Belen Market Area. This is an area to the Southeast of the town. It is a floating market shanty town. It consists of scores of huts built on rafts, which rise and fall with the river. It is a very interesting place to have a look by boat for half an hour or so.

It is about a 3 hour ride by boat from Iquitos down the Amazon to the lodge. You will be greeted by the guides and staff there, and shown your rooms. The rooms are very nice and each room has a small balcony with hammock, and an en-suite bathroom with shower. Soon after your arrival, there will be lunch. In the afternoon there will be a jungle walk, which, depending on the water level, also may involve a canoe ride.   The jungle walks are with one of the experienced English speaking guides, and they will describe the many plants, animals and jungle remedies which you will come across during your walk.

In the late afternoon, you will be taken by boat to a nearby lagoon for a swim and an amazing jungle sunset.

In the evening, after dinner, there will be a boat going out to spot Caimans (fresh water alligators). The guides are experts at picking up the shining eyes of the Caimans, and very good at catching them.

Day 2:

Jungle.  Up early (6am) for an optional bird watch. Early morning is the best time to see the local bird life in action, such as Toucans and Macaws, and also many monkeys are out and about at this time too.  After the bird watch you will return to the lodge for breakfast and after breakfast, another jungle walk for the morning through a different area, once again seeing many different plants and animals and getting information from the guides.

Return back to lodge for lunch and then in the afternoon, jump in the boat for a trip to a nearby lake to do some Piranha Fishing. The guides will supply you with the rods and bait and some instruction, and then sit there fishing for a couple of hours.

Return to Lodge for dinner, and after dinner, another opportunity for Caiman hunting if you would like to.

Day 3:

Jungle to Lima.  There is the opportunity today for another early morning bird watch and then in the morning you take a boat trip from the lodge back to the main Amazon River to see Pink Dolphins. There are several Pink dolphins usually seen in this area about 30 minutes from the lodge. You will depart from the jungle lodge after lunch, arriving Iquitos approximately 4pm.

Please Note: Transfers to / from Iquitos AirportTransfers to / from Iquitos airport are included in the tour price if flight arrival / departure times fall within 7:30am to 8:30pm. Any transfers outside these hours will be charged a small supplement.
Please Note:

Please be aware that arrival times and the itinerary may change due to unforeseen delays or events such as festivals and public holidays. However, we shall endeavour to ensure all sites are visited and that your tour runs as smoothly as possible but please note that Latin America does not run like clockwork, therefore do not expect the streamlined travel arrangements associated with some other continents. Things do not always go to plan; there will be times when you will need to be patient and philosophical about your travels. Conditions in South America can change rapidly and changes to the itinerary may be necessary.

Be flexible, you will enjoy your tour much more. Kumuka makes a point of visiting the indigenous populations of each country you visit, in order to give a true reflection of the country; please treat the local people and their customs with respect.

The following tour is operated on our behalf by a Local Operator. We have dealt with this supplier over many years and have complete confidence in the services they provide.

What's Not Included:

All optional excursions and meals unless otherwise stated in the itinerary, visas, pre and post tour accommodation. 

Please Note: Flights on the Peruvian Jungle trips are not included - allow approximately US$120-180 for return flights from Lima.

Pre Departure Information Follows
Insurance:

Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment, repatriation, etc. Also, be aware that many activities such as trekking, bungy jumping or white water rafting may not be covered on your insurance policy. If you plan on doing any of these activities please purchase additional insurance. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original. If you have not already arranged your own travel insurance then Kumuka can do this for you. Please visit http://www.kumuka.com/Travel-Insurance.aspx for more details or contact your nearest Kumuka office.

Please Note: You will not be permitted to join a Kumuka Tour without travel insurance.

Visa Requirements

It is important that you obtain the appropriate visas before you embark on your South America trip. Country  entry regulations change daily, www.kumuka.com provides visa information. Please consult your Travel Agent or relevant embassy for all details such as opening hours or costs.

EACH CLIENT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING ALL NECESSARY VISAS BEFORE JOINING A TOUR.

Kumuka does not accept responsibility for changes in regulations or requirements for visas. The information provided is given in good faith.

Passport:

Your passport is a valuable document and you should exercise extreme care in keeping it safe. We recommend that when possible you keep your passport in a deposit box at your hotel, or kept on you, preferably in a money belt that is worn under your clothing.  It must be valid for at least six months after the end of your tour and it must have at least one blank page for each visa required. We advise that you take copies of relevant pages in your passport and any visas that you may purchase in case of loss or damage.  Alternatively, you can scan copies of these pages and email them to yourself.

Security
  • We recommend that you do not take unnecessary valuables with you. Wearing jewellery and expensive watches will attract attention.
  • A money belt, or something similar, worn close to your body is the best way to carry passports, airline tickets and money.
  • DO NOT leave any valuables in ANY hotel room, please use SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES. Items are left at your own risk.
  • Pickpockets operate everywhere, particularly in tourist areas and in crowded markets; you must always exercise care. Be aware that anything left lying around will also be liable to theft.
Money

We suggest clients budget for between US$25-30 per day for personal expenses, souvenirs, evenings out, alcoholic drinks etc. There will be some days when you spend nothing at all and others when you exceed your budget.

Take your money is US dollars only. This the only foreign currency readily exchanged in Latin America.

Traveller’s cheques should be AMERICAN EXPRESS. American Express is the most widely accepted. Cash is far easier to exchange than Travelers Cheques, but also more risky as once lost, is irreplaceable. However, we do recommend that you take some US dollars cash in small denominations ($10 and $20).

Credit cards are accepted frequently, particularly in the larger cities. They can also be used to get money from ATMs. VISA, MasterCard and American Express are the most widely accepted credit cards, VISA being the most useful.

Tipping and Bargaining:

For better or for worse, tipping is an accepted part of everyday life and although it is always at your discretion, you will be expected to tip to reward service.  As a general guideline, in South America it is customary to tip 10% at restaurants and bars, USD5 to guides, and to leave approximately USD2 tip for the chambermaid and bellboy.

Medical Information & Vaccinations:

Compulsory Inoculations: Yellow Fever for Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru but ONLY if arriving from an infected area.

Recommended Inoculations: Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Tetanus and Polio.

We also recommend: A dental check-up prior to travelling and that you know your blood group in case of emergency.

Medical Supplies: We advise that all passengers bring along their own personal first aid kit. Below is a list of some recommended items: Band Aids/Bandages, Laxatives, Upset stomach remedy, Anti-diarrhoea remedy, Panadol/Aspirin, Rehydration remedy, Antiseptic cream/powder, Sterile dressing, Any relevant course of medication such as contraceptive pills. A complete Travellers Medical Pack can be purchased for approximately US$25 at most Vaccination Centres, Chemists and outdoor travel shops.

Malaria:

Prophylactic tablets are essential in some areas of South America. They are prescribed by your vaccinating doctor and should be taken as directed.

Luggage and Personal Equipment:

How much should I take?

  • The best rule for packing is to limit your self to a weight limit of 15kg.  A frameless or internally framed backpack is the best way to carry your belongings since it is easy to lift on and off vehicles. Please note that we do not recommend that passengers bring suitcases.
  • A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, wallets etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions.
  • We also recommend that you keep your passport, credit cards travellers cheques etc. on you at all times, preferably in a money belt worn under your clothes.
Local Customs:

Please use your discretion and be sensitive to cultural differences in the countries that you visit, in particular when visiting religious buildings and when taking photographs.

Language:

Spanish is the language most widely spoken in the countries we visit in Latin America but English is spoken a little bit in the larger cities. In Brazil the main language is Portugese. Other languages you may encounter are; Quechua, spoken in Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, Amyara spoken in Peru and Bolivia. Welsh is spoken in some of the old Welsh colonies of Argentinean Patagonia, with Guarani spoken in Northern Argentina. The Amazon region of Brazil is also home to many tribal languages, for example, Tupi.

You might like to take the time before your trip to read up on the country you will be visiting and perhaps learn a few words of the language. Your effort will always be welcomed and will make your trip all the more enjoyable. 

Food:

Latin American food is delicious, nutritious and varied.  Vegetarians are easily catered for but please advise your travel agent or Kumuka at the time of booking if you have any special dietary requirements.

Staying in Touch:

Whilst on tour you will probably want to stay in touch with family and friends. There are several ways of doing this:

Mobile Phone – Before departing your home country check with your phone supplier to see if it compatible with the mobile phone networks in the countries that you are traveling to, and how much will it cost to use abroad.

Email – Internet Cafes are very cheap and popular, and you are sure to come across several during your tour. If you haven’t done so already, set up a free Google Mail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email account which you can then access from any computer. Internet Cafes will charge a nominal fee for using their computers. Within Europe some hotels charge a wifi connection fee and we cannot guarantee a wifi connection at all hotels we use.

Twitter – A method of communication that is rapidly gaining in popularity on the Internet especially amongst travelers. Twitter allows you to send short messages and update your friends and family with where you are on tour and what you are doing. Create your free account at http://twitter.com. Visit Kumuka’s page on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kumuka

Facebook – Very popular website that allows you to upload stories, get in touch with fellow travellers before and after your Kumuka tour, upload photos and videos to share with other travellers, your family and friends. To create a free account, go to www.facebook.com and then become a fan of Kumuka’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Kumuka-Worldwide/26617121087?ref=ts

Postcards – The good ol’ fashioned postcard. But you will probably get home before the postcard does!

Tour Feedback:

Tour Questionnaire - We would like to hear about your experiences on tour. One week after your tour ends you will automatically receive a feedback questionnaire via email. If we do not have your email address you can still complete a questionnaire by visiting www.kumuka.com/feedback

Email - If you have any specific comments about your tour then please write to us by email to operations@kumuka.com

Drug Policy:

Under no circumstances are any illegal drugs allowed on any part of the trip. Anyone discovered in possession of any such drugs, will be asked to leave the tour immediately without question or refund.

Contact Details:

KUMUKA WORLDWIDE

UK OFFICE

Hillswood Business Park 3000
Hillswood Drive Chertsey KT16 0RS
Tel: +4420 7937 8855 Fax: +442075043782

Email: sales@kumuka.com
www.kumuka.com

AUSTRALIAN OFFICE

Level 5, 387 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: 02 9279 0491 Fax: 02 9279 0492
Email: sales@kumuka.com.au
www.kumuka.com.au

Map:
This tour is operated by Kumuka Worldwide. Information given in all brochures, leaflets and dossiers is given in good faith by the company, and is based on the latest information available at the date of publication. The company reserves the right to change any of the facilities or vehicles described in the brochure without becoming liable for compensation or refund.
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