Amazon River
New 7 Wonders of Nature
The mightiest river in the world, and the second in length. Born in the Peruvian Andes in Arequipa, and after traveling 6,500 Km. (4,039 miles) it ends in the Atlantic; 3,163 Km. (1,965 miles) of its run belongs to Brazilian territory.
It has an average width of 4 Km. (2.48 miles) among its banks. It embraces the biggest river basin in the planet with 7'050,000 square Km. and receives the waters of more than 1,100 flowing rivers.
During the highest season its flow arrives up to 300 thousand cubic meters per second and during the lowest season it descends down to 80 thousand cubic meters per second. In some points, the river reaches up to 8 Km. (4.97 miles) width among banks, and also had registered up to 250 m. (820.2 feet) depth.
The Amazon River itself is born in Nauta, in the department of Loreto, in the basin of the rivers Ucayali and Marañón. It is navigable for ships of high border, in free and international way.
The Spanish Conqueror Gonzalo Pizarro commanded an expedition for the search of the mythical "País de la Canela" (Country of the Cinnamon) in which would be found fabulous treasures, and like part of this expedition in 1542 Francisco of Orellana discovered the Amazon River. Orellana said to have seen and fought with beautiful women that appear from its margins, that is the reason to have this name. Called "Apu Paro" by the aborigines.
The Amazon River springs up more than 5,000 m.a.s.l. / 16,404 f.a.s.l. in the snowy mountain peak of Mismi in Arequipa and crosses extensive amounts of tropical jungle in an approximate 4,500 Km / 2,796 mile-route. It has more than 500 navigable tributaries, an average depth of 50 meters / 164 feet, and a width that varies from 4 to 6 Km / 2 to 4 miles. A large part of its meandering has no definite course; it has formed a complex of smaller rivers that constitute a network of canals with numerous islands.
It is the river with the largest water flow in the world and makes up an enormous hydrographic network, unique for its size and huge amount of water. It is most accessible from the city of Iquitos where the Amazon River Tourist Corridor is located, in a huge animal and plant life biodiversity and where different types of boating expeditions take place, including a visit to the source of the Amazon River and a trip to the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.
Some of the excursions even reach as far as the borders of Colombia and Brazil. It is also possible to visit Boras, Yaguas, and Witotos de Pucaurquillo indigenous communities as well as some farming communities.
Nearby to Iquitos there are jungle lodges to suit all tastes, from the most comfortable (air conditioned rooms) to the most rustic. These oases in the middle of the jungle represent a launching point for hikes to seek out medicinal plants, visits to indigenous communities, and bird-watching expeditions. Likewise, it is possible to take a walk on the canopy walkway, a bridge suspended over the tops of the trees, from where you can appreciate the beauty of the Amazonian fauna.
- Exploring the jungle in Iquitos area
- Exploring the jungle in Tambopata area
- Photos: Sunsets in Amazon River
- Photos: Jungle landscapes
Cruises on the Amazonas River
"Cruise down the Amazon River and lose yourself amidst palm trees and exotic fruits as you marvel at the biodiversity of the surrounding forest."
Sailing on the Amazon River is an incomparable experience and the tour operators in Iquitos offers you organized programs from 4 days to 8 days to the border with Brazil and Colombia and to Pacaya Samiria National Reserve for amazing wildlife.
You will experience "timeless" travel on the worlds' largest river and observe the diverse flora and fauna of the rainforest. You will see local people and their villages as well as wildlife such as pink and gray dolphins, blue and yellow macaws, herons, martin kingfishers, sloths, caimans, monkeys and more.
During the voyage, visits are made to some villages and native communities, and they are carried out hikes by the jungle, night expeditions and sport fishing sessions. Many expedition cruises offer excursions on skiffs to remote reaches of the Amazon rainforest.
The offer of cruises is varied, from economic to luxurious riverboats. Check Amazon tours in Iquitos
IQUITOS PHOTO GALLERY
- Amazon Cruise by the Amazon River
- Belen Neighborhood
- Iquitos City
- Jungle landscapes
- Quistococha Tourist Center and Zoo
- Santo Tomás
- Sunsets in Amazon River
- Wildlife of the Amazon
PACAYA SAMIRIA PHOTO GALLERY...
- Amazon Birds in Pacaya Samiria National Reserve # 1
- Amazon Birds in Pacaya Samiria National Reserve # 2
- Amazon Birds in Pacaya Samiria National Reserve # 3
- Amazon Birds in Pacaya Samiria National Reserve # 4
- Amazon Birds in Pacaya Samiria National Reserve # 5
IQUITOS TRAVEL GUIDE - SEE ALSO:
- Iquitos Travel Guide
- Iquitos City
- Around Iquitos
- Iquitos Cuisine
- Amazon River
- The Amazonian
- Peru Bird Watching