OVERVIEW
A tour in the Amazon rainforest is unlike any other tour in the world. There is no set itinerary for the day and no schedule.
There are so many unique activities to do. Your guide will be with you full time, and at a moment’s notice, any activity can be planned for, and you can have that experience. You can wake up for a sunrise boat ride every day, or you can sleep in. This is your tour, and we are going to make sure it is the most memorable experience.
Please look at the following excursions that you can do every day, your entire tour in the Amazon rainforest at our lodge. Also, please know that relaxing at our lodge on our sunrise and sunset lookout deck in a hammock, reading a book listening, and being immersed in nature is a priceless experience. You can relax as much as you want or you can be active and explore all day.
EXCURSIONS IN THE AMAZON RIVER
1. Sunrise on the River & Bird Watching 2. Sunset (Afterglow) on the River
3. Junction Observation where the Amazon River is born
PERU, AMAZON EXCURSIONS
4. Breakfast in the Boat ( Amazon Safari )
5. Full-Day Expedition at the National Reserve Pacaya-Samiria 6. Medicinal Jungle Walk
7. Amazon Jungle Hike 8. Piranha Fishing
9. Giant Amazon Lily Pads Watching
10. Watching and Swimming with Pink & Gray dolphin 11. Cultural Visit to the Local River Village
12. Cultural Visit to the “KUKAMA” Amazon Tribe 13. Blowgun Making
14. Canoeing on the River 15. Kayaking on the Amazon
16. Night Outdoor “Stargazing on the river”
17. Nighttime Caiman Spotting 18. Nighttime Jungle Walk
19. Kambo Frog Ritual Demonstration
1. Sunrise on the River & Bird Watching
If you’re in a beautiful place like the heart of the Amazon Jungle, a sunrise is one of the most majestic spectacles you could ever witness. Its beauty is a powerful force capable of imparting its warmth onto you. It inspires, energizes, renews, and offers hope.
You must wake up at 5:30 am and be ready to leave at 5:45 from the Nature Horizons Lodge in our excursion boat to the main river. We will then turn off the boat in the middle of the river and stay silent for five minutes to enjoy this peaceful moment by contemplating the river’s whispers and the birds’ whistles. The sunrise lasts about 15 minutes and we can appreciate the sun coming out from the clouds due to the high humidity of around 90% in the jungle.
After this, we go upstream to look for wildlife along the river that you might find along the way, such as dolphins, iguana, hawks, terns, small herons, and black skimmers, etc.). Then we will go back to the Nature Horizons Lodge. This excursion is short but very interesting and may last for about one hour.
2. Sunset (Afterglow) on the River
Do you think it is impossible to watch a sunset and not dream? Don’t lose hope! You will fully enjoy this sunset into nature, skipping through dewy trees or cruising along a quiet river called Amazonas. It’s the perfect time between 5:45 to 6:15 to cherish one of the most stunning sun glints on the mighty Amazon River and also a splendorous afterglow in the sky.
This is the most relaxing way to end the day. You can take with you a bottle of wine and make a toast for being on the Amazon, a marvellous place to enjoy the breath-taking view and refreshing breeze. During this excursion, you might find some animals, such as grey dolphins, a small flock of birds (egrets, small parrots, black skimmers, terns), or maybe on the way back to the lodge suddenly you can find a caiman. Who knows?! Anyway, the jungle is a place full of wonderful surprises.
This excursion can be combined with another one connected to the big river and so you get more time to enjoy as much as you can.
3. Junction Observation where the Amazon River is born
The largest and strongest river of the world “Mighty Amazon River” - “4,000 Mi. (7,000 km length) roughly.” You just can find it in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest, located in the biggest region called Loreto.
Geologically, the Amazon River is formed by the two largest rivers in Peru called the Marañon River and the Ucayali River. When these two rivers finally meet, they turn into one massive river that takes the name of AMAZONAS and from this point and all along its way crossing the whole Continent of South America until to get to the Atlantic Ocean, where the river ends (mouth of the river –Delta).
We will then head out downstream from our base camp in our typically wooden boat along Ucayali River for 30 minutes one way to get to the Amazon River and see this wonderful river. Once we get there, we will stop the boat and touch the water, take pictures, and listen to nature as the Naturalist Guide will explain about this river with more details after this we keep sailing along the river, exploring more wildlife that You might find some animals such as monkeys, dolphins, birds, sloths, iguanas, etc.
This excursion may last 4 hours approx. round trip.
4. Breakfast in the Boat (Amazon Safari)
Do you want to enjoy your delicious breakfast in the middle of the jungle on the river? It might sound crazy but everything is possible.
This is a boat ride excursion to go far away and that is why we Get up at 6: 00 am and get all your personal belongings (bottle of water, sunglasses, sun cream, hat, and camera). We will take with us our “Box Breakfast”, heading out upriver at 7: 00 am, to see wildlife because as far as we can go we can find more animals deep in the jungle.
Anytime you are hungry, we will pull over the boat and start serving your box breakfast, enjoying your meal by listening to the jungle sounds. Then we keep on exploring the pristine jungle by stopping right away every time that we spot some animals along the expedition such as (different monkey’s species, toucans, macaws, hawks, iguanas, tree rats, bats, sloths, birds, anteaters, etc.) after spending almost the half of the morning in the jungle it is time to head back to the Nature Horizons Lodge at noon. This excursion may last 5 hours approx.
5. Full-Day Expedition at the National Reserve Pacaya- Samiria
The National Reserve Pacaya-Samiria is one of the pristine areas located 1 hour away from the Nature Horizons Lodge. This place offers you a natural habitat for wildlife with an area of 20,800 km2 (8,000 sq. mi), is the most important, extensive, and
diverse set of floodplain ecosystems located in the Peruvian Amazon. We will try to explore new remote areas, ox-bow lakes, streams, and spot more animals and take a lot of pictures for memories.
We will have breakfast as usual at the base camp, then our cook will get our box lunch ready to take with us on our adventure toward the National Reserve, so we will head out as soon as we finish breakfast and sail downstream of the Ucayali River for about one hour until we get to our destination. Taking advantage of being here, we cannot skip Piranha Fishing while being here in the black water of this place, as you have already prepared your Lunch, the Naturalist Guide and the boat driver will look for an open place in the jungle and will teach you how to make fire and cook or fry the Piranha and you can serve it and enjoy it.
By the way… Piranhas taste so good! You can spot animals such as (dolphins, monkeys, small and big birds, iguanas, snakes, anteaters, sloths, ocelots, etc.)
We will provide you with plenty of treated water for this excursion.
6. Medicinal Jungle Walk
Have you ever tried walking in the jungle? Walking through nature is one of the best therapies. It is so peaceful all while breathing pure air and learning about medicinal plants.
Over 50,000 species of plants growing as shrubs, vines, bushes, and giant trees form this unique environment in the world, which some of them are medicinal, toxics, or psychedelics, our list is big but have you ever heard about the AYAHUASCA (Banisteriopsis caapi) that means “Soul vine”; chacruna (Psychotria Viridis) with the strongest DMT in the whole world; UÑA DE GATO = CAT’S CLAW; You will enjoy with every step you take by learning and recognizing the healing properties of the plants used by our ancestors for centuries and even now. Also, you will find some exotic flowers, fungi, some animals, birds, etc. So, welcome to the Jungle, the lung of the world, and our natural pharmacy reserve.
This excursion lasts for as long as you want to, so we recommend just coordinating with your guide.
7. Amazon Jungle Hike
It is time to stretch the legs and move the body, so the Amazon Jungle hike is highly recommended for those who like the adrenaline and adventure to get into the Amazon rainforest to explore it and learn about the local medicinal plants used by our Amazonian tribes. You can find big trees such as kapok tree, Ficus, Amazon mahogany and also the famous tree during the history of the Amazon “The rubber tree”. Along the hike, we look for some animals like Monkeys, birds, rodents, spiders, ants, insects, snakes, etc.
The best time to do this activity is right after breakfast because animals are moving everywhere looking for food. We will also provide you with Rubber boots that make you feel comfortable and safe during the hike in the jungle against small ants, spiders, insects, and snakes on the ground. This excursion may last about 4 or 5 hours back and forth.
8. Piranha Fishing
Did you ever watch the movie “Piranha” in 1978? Do you think it is a horror-comedy movie? Let me tell you this... Reality exceeds fiction. As you know, this fish exists in the black waters of the Amazon tributaries and they are waiting for you to take a picture with them.
Keep enjoying the Amazon, over 2,000 species of fish such as Peacock bass, barracuda, sardines, catfish, and others live here.
It is time to stroll through catching many piranhas in some lakes deep in the area and bring them to the lodge. Try to eat this yummy fish and have the experience to taste one of the most dangerous fish on Earth.
If you are a fisherman, this is a great opportunity to spend half a day catching a lot of fish by enjoying some beer and the jungle sounds.
We will provide you with our local fishing rod and bait, but if you have your own fishing kit please bring it with you. At the end of the excursion, we have to donate to Mother Nature for letting us catch some fish in its water, so best donate a small piece of our catch to the local villages. This excursion may last for however long you want to spend outside.
9. Giant Amazon Lily Pads Watching
Come to enjoy this species of flowering plant, the largest water leaf in the world called Amazon Lily pads. Its amazing large leaf reaching 3 meters (10 Ft) in diameter and along with its beautiful flower from white, pinkish and purplish color (named in the Amazon as Victoria Regia). These plants are found in mid-size streams, lakes, ponds, and wetlands (Lentic Water
Ecosystem).
To search for these plants, we take our local typical boat and sail up and down the river to find this giant aquatic plant and along the way always try to spot more animals, as usual, we do in each different excursion.
This excursion can be combined with another one connected to a small river. This depends on you, so you can spend more time outside in the jungle exploring.
10. Watching and Swimming with Pink and Gray Dolphin River
Have you ever heard about pink freshwater dolphins? Did you know you can swim with them? This is not a fairy tale, it is the Amazon, where the sun rises with the flip of the pink dolphin and goes down with the eyes of a sloth.
We take you everywhere to look for these mammal cretaceous, pink and gray dolphins. These dolphins can be found everywhere in the river because there are many fish for them to catch and eat. If we sit quietly in the boat with our eyes scanning and our ears listening for the sounds of them breaching, we are going to spot them. This is a very special moment that you will remember for the pink dolphin only lives in the Amazon Rainforest. We can even jump in the water and swim with them.
This excursion may last for 2 or 3 hours and is best done at sunrise or at sunset.
11. Cultural Visit to the Local River Village
The river people always live in small villages along the river, because the river is their main way to go everywhere, to get fish for food and sale, and more. Some villages do not have treated water at home so sometimes they get water from the river or rain. This jungle dweller does their best to live here by getting the supplies from nature and others make very beautiful handicrafts from things they find in nature to sell and earn some money.
To visit and learn the local culture, beliefs, lifestyle, dialects, education, etc. is one way to do some interaction and feel the real life of the Amazon people. The children are always happy to meet new friends from all over the world, and if you brought some school supplies this is the time to give them away and make them smile and light up their happiness.
12. Cultural Visit to the “Kukama” Amazon Tribe
Come and enjoy the different types of dialects of the aborigine’s tribes of the Amazon with more than 70 tribes all across Peru, Amazon tribes which is part of the Incas history. Some of them settled up in remote areas and other ones lived closer and friendly.
Kukama is a small tribe located on the Shore of Marañon River, close to the junction of the Amazon River. They speak their dialect by dancing their typical dances with a big smile. It is a way to give welcome, showing and offering handicrafts made by them. More information about this dweller will be explained by your guide.
We highly recommend bringing some candies, pencils, notebooks, etc. you want to give away as a gift.
13. Blowgun Making
Have you ever seen a typical blow-gun or bow-pipe made by an Amazon indigenous tribe? And would you like to make one for you or your kids? Well, don’t think twice and let’s make this dream come true.
If you want to have a relaxing time at the lodge without going anywhere, you can enjoy this time by learning how to make a typical jungle blow-dart gun. We will supply you with the jungle materials that we usually use to make it. Our jungle guide will teach you step by step how to fabricate it. Then you will take a deep breath in and blow stronger and will see darts come out directly to the target so that it is worth investing the time by learning this ancestor way on how our tribes used to hunt animals.
14. Canoeing on the River
Feel the spirit, strength, and energy of Mother Nature by enjoying its water in a relaxing time with the locals in the dugout as we call in the Amazon CANOA (Canoe). This is the best way to connect to the Amazon Rainforest. Peacefully rowing through the waterway channels and just fully taking in the nature that is surrounding you . No motor sounds, just you and your canoe, paddling softly, drifting away by the river, taking pictures, listening to every different sound and the most important thing is you connecting yourself with nature, peace, and harmony in life.
You decide how much time you want to spend outside.
15. Kayaking on the Amazon
Kayaking along the river is just another wonderful time to hang out in the jungle. We take you 1 hour upriver in our typical wooden boat and our kayak on it. Once we stop the motor, you take your kayak and start paddling down river in favor of the current, all the way back kayaking along the river, trying to find more new interesting things or just let your mind enjoy the landscapes, sounds, fresh air, and releasing stress.
This activity may last 2 hours approx. So, you decide the time too.
16. Night Outdoor “Stargazing on the River”
After having enjoyed many remote, strange and beautiful areas along the rivers, lakes and seen a bunch of animals in the daytime, it is time to enjoy the night by going out by boat and staring at the sky and counting how many stars are up there or maybe wait for a shooting star then you make a wish. There are many different constellations found in this southern
hemisphere.
You can bring a bottle of wine and lie down on your seat and look up at the sky and enjoy the jungle therapy, made by our night-friendly gentle animals.
This excursion may last approximately 1 hour.
17. Night-time Caiman Spotting
Let’s explore the jungle at night, so it is time to bring the headlights, rain jackets, a camera, and a lot of adrenaline
We go out to the black lakes 40 minutes away from the lodge by boat. Along the river you can spot some other animals such as snakes, opossums, bats, monkeys, etc.
We will slowly go along the water with our flashlights spotting for the eyes of a caiman. Once our guide spots a caiman, we will drive the boat up to it. Once you start looking around you will see many glowing eyes looking at you. In the night time many animals will come out that are not as active during the day. This is an amazing adventure and we can do it every night if you would like. You never know what you are going to find in the jungle at night.
18. Night-time Jungle walk
We will get ready to get into the jungle by using our rubber boots, which is the best way to walk in the bush as we look for some strange creatures, such as night monkeys, opossum, snakes, frogs, toads, bullet ants, spiders, tarantulas, scorpions, insects, small reptiles, owls, etc.
Entering the jungle at night is one of the most powerful and energizing feelings one can have. You really can feel the forest.
The sounds penetrate through you and you can feel the vibrations of the noises coming from the water and from the trees.
You will have the chance to do every night and we highly recommend heading out into the jungle at night more than 1 time.
19. Kambo Frog Ritual Demonstration
We will visit a local village to see a kambo frog up close. These amazing frogs are beautiful and they hold a very special power.
“Kambo,'' “Sapo,'' “Vacuna de la Selva,” these are some names for the waxy secretion of a tree frog living in the north-western part of the Amazon rainforest (in Colombia and on the border between Peru and Brazil). The scientific name for this frog is
‘Phyllomedusa bicolor,’ or ‘Giant Monkey frog.’ 53 tribes used this secretion, but now only 13 small tribes still use it. It is used to get rid of ‘panama’, the name they give to bad luck, as well as for ‘hunting magic,’ and it is a powerful medicine used against snake bites, malaria, yellow fever, and other diseases.
Kambo is one of the strongest, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antimicrobial, and anesthetic substances on the planet. It is being studied for its effects on various types of cancer and its use in antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. There is anecdotal evidence that regular use amongst the tribal women can assist in overcoming infertility.
