Romp in the Jungle for Spring Break 2008
March 16 - 22, 2008
Visit 4 different Jungle Lodges and the Canopy Walkway.
Optional extension to Machu Picchu!
ITINERARY:
March 15, Saturday - 
Fly from the States to Lima.
March 16, Sunday -
Make early morning connections to Iquitos. (Our services commence upon your arrival to Iquitos.) Reception upon arrival at the Iquitos airport and transfer to the boat dock. Fifty mile journey down the Amazon River to our first lodge, Explorama, on Yanamono creek (a tributary of the Amazon). Afternoon boat excursion along the flooded "Lake Trail" through lowland rainforest. After dinner, there is an opportunity to walk in the forest at night and then visit the Lodge's "Bar Tahuampa" where local musicians play guitar and flute music. Lunch, Dinner.
March 17, Monday -Morning boat and hike to our second lodge... ACTS, the Amazon Conservatory for Tropical Studies, and to the Canopy Walkway, a suspended bridge spanning 500 meters, connected by tree platforms and reaching a height of over 115 feet above the forest floor. Here there is time to observe a part of the rainforest rarely seen by man but accessible without any type of climbing skill or equipment. Afternoon hike along the Medicinal and 
Useful Plant Trail where your guide will point out the way that many of the plants, seen here growing in primary forest, are used by local residents in the construction of their homes, canoes and tools as well as describe some of their medicinal properties. There will be an opportunity to revisit the Walkway after dark and to see phosphorescent fungi growing on the forest floor not far from ACTS where when you turn off your flashlight, shining "stars" appear on the forest floor. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
March 18, Tuesday -
Early morning pre-breakfast visit to the Canopy Walkway, the best time for bird watching. After breakfast you will walk back to ExplorNapo on the Sucusari river. Afternoon visit to the ReNuPeRu Ethnobotanical Garden, where over 240 species of medicinal and useful plants are tended by local shaman. This garden is used to show visitors rainforest plants used in modern medicine as well as examples of native plant remedies which science may utilize in the future. Evening excursion by open boat along the Sucusari river in search of caiman, to enjoy the night sounds and, if it is a clear night, to see the incredible stars of the Southern sky. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
March 19, Wednesday -
Morning excursion to a black-water oxbow lake formed when water from the Napo River became separated from the main flow of the river. These lakes are often covered with giant Victoria amazonica water lilies and sometimes offer a glimpse of the interesting Hoatzin. Afternoon boating excursion along one of the many Napo tributaries spotting along the way for birds, monkeys and sloths. A stop is included for fishing with cane poles and nets to view some of the incredible variety of fish found in the river. There are actually more different species of fish in the Amazon River and its tributaries than in the entire Atlantic Ocean! (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
March 20, Thursday -
Morning jungle excursion. Early afternoon, board boats for the trip to our forth lodge....Ceiba Tops.On the way you will pass the town of Francisco de Orellana, where a statue is erected to the intrepid explorer who in 1542 at the mouth of the Napo River became the first European to see the Amazon River. 
At Ceiba Tops, private rooms with air conditioning and hot water showers provide a nice touch. Here you will also find a beautiful pool set in a garden of native flora... with a water slide! Enjoy relaxing in the pool while beautiful macaws come to drink from the water as it falls into the pool. Afternoon open boat excursion along the Amazon in search of either of the two species of freshwater dolphin. Visit a "ribereños" or river village, where your guide will show you a way of village life where people's day-to-day activities depend on the mighty rivers surrounding them. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
March 21, Friday -
A morning walk in the beautiful primary rainforest reserve around Ceiba Tops including a visit to the huge Ceiba Tree 
for which the lodge is named. Afternoon return to Iquitos and transfer to Hotel El Dorado Plaza. Meet with your guide at 15:00 for an Iquitos City & Market Tour. Shops are filled with handicrafts, beautiful hand-painted or woven textiles, exquisite pottery, hammocks, and the like. That evening enjoy dinner at one of the city's many fine restaurants. After dinner some will want to enjoy Iquitos' legendary night life, perhaps dancing at one of the discos or all-night dances. Others may opt to just stroll the city streets, absorbing the ambiance of this lively Amazon River town. (Breakfast, Lunch)
March 22, Saturday -
Late morning transfer from your hotel to the airport for your flight to Lima, connecting to your flight to the States or... continue to the Machu Picchu Extension tour.
View Machu Picchu Extension Itinerary
Call 970-884-6107
or
Toll Free USA: 800-892-1035 for details.