We had to adapt pretty quickly after arriving into Iquitos city ahead of our Amazon Rainforest tour. It was very hot, t was very humid, and it was very loud!
To partially combat the first two challenges we had planned ahead and booked a rental apartment with air con. We would stay there the night before the tour, and the three nights after. While this would not help us once we ventured outside, it proved to be a wonderful choice and something we would definitely recommend if visiting.
We chose a family run tour operator for our 4 day/ 3 night Amazon experience. We were thrilled with everything that was provided for us, and we left really pleased to see where our money had gone to. While there are shorter tours on offer, we were really glad we stayed for that length of time as it gave us sufficient time to explore some wonderful areas, see some amazing wildlife and meet some wonderful people, all the while not burning-out ourselves or our children in the process.
The third challenge above I alluded to was the deafening noise all over the city of Iquitos. This is caused by the huge numbers of mototaxis that operate in the city. Yes they are very convenient whenever you want to go somewhere that is not walkable (that being anything over 1km in hot humid Iquitos that is)! Yet this convenience comes at the price of your hearing, your sleep and if you are there for more than a few days, your sanity I suggest. They literally are everywhere and could not be more in contrast to the peace and tranquility of the rainforest.
Despite the noise, we managed to enjoy our time in the city. We ate great brunches in a couple of really nice places close to the piers (we really recommend Dawn on the Amazon Cafe and the juices they do!). The Indigenous Culture Museum Amazonicas is also a great place to stop and learn about the many different Amazon tribes located in not just Peru but also Brazil, Ecuador and Bolivia. Our kids really loved seeing the extensive collection of tools, clothing and jewellery the museum had on show.
We travelled 45 minutes outside of the city to the Centro de Rescate Amazonico (Animal Rescue Centre). The centre has four primary functions for its work in the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest. These are 1) Rescue, 2) Rehabilitation, 3) Release, 4) Raising Attention. The centre puts huge efforts into all of these, however they feel that “Raising Awareness” is the most critically important aspect of their work. Educating local adults and children through community outreach, environmental education programs, and ecotourism, about the care, condition and conservation status of Amazonian wildlife, can have the most meaningful and lasting benefits.
We loved the experience at the centre, as we not only saw many rescued wildlife in the process of rehabilitation, but we also spoke to many of the passionate volunteers who make it all possible. While it is not a cheap activity to do in Iquitos, we were certainly very happy to support such a wonderful project.
We also ventured outside the city to visit the Quistococha and its beautiful lake. Here we happily bathed alongside many locals looking to cool off from the sapping heat. Unfortunately, not too long after we got settled into the crystal clear water, storm clouds came, a gale force wind appeared out of nowhere, and people started running for their cars and motorbikes to go home. Not wanting to test the locals weather knowledge out, we also hastily packed up and said goodbye to the lake.
Peru is not most peoples usual destination to head to the Amazon from. We chose Iquitos in Peru as our starting point as the city itself has such a deep history and connection to the Amazon, and the river and rainforest not far from the city limits hold such an array of wildlife and communities. We were delighted with our choice and would certainly encourage others to base a trip from here also. Just done forget your ear plugs…
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