The Amazon Rainforest is one of Mother Nature’s greatest works of art. The river itself is ever changing its course. New islands are forming all the time with new forests, new inhabitants. The river will eventually will swallow them whole and even newer ones will arise. Sixty-five million years ago (give or take) the Amazon River actually flowed into the Pacific, but the rise of the Andes cut off the flow of the river, causing it to change to its current eastward direction into the Pacific. The Amazon River was “discovered” by a group of Spanish conquistadors led by Francisco de Orellana on Feb. 12, 1542 at the confluence of the Napo River. Yet, we are only beginning to understand how important this area is for the well being of the planet.
The Amazon rainforest is the world’s single largest tract of tropical rainforest on earth. With the Brazilian Amazon disappearing at an ever-increasing rate to make room for cow pastures, Peru’s large claim is still relatively wild (although, also disappearing at far too great a rate). Some government officials would like to expand logging operations in the area; so much of the forest could be destroyed in the near future. The Peruvian Amazon is losing roughly 750,000 acres of forest annually to logging, mining, oil drilling and other multi-national business ventures. More than 90 percent of the indigenous populations have disappeared, along with 2/3 of the languages they spoke. Many tribes are on the verge of extinction and survive in only extreme parts of the forest. The Amazon Basin covers more than 2,500,000 square miles and holds more than 1/5 of all of the freshwater on the planet. The region produces twenty percent of all of the earth’s oxygen, which has given it the nickname the “lung of the earth.”
Life here is abundant and entirely self-sufficient. There are more than 2,400 species of fish, 50,000 different types of plants, 4,300 types of birds, and 400 mammal species. In Peru the level of diversity is thought to be among the highest in the world. The Peruvian Amazon covers more than half of the country, although just five percent of the population. Anything you thought you knew about Peru or the impact of the Incas throw it out here. The Amazon region walks to the beat of its own drum.
Highlights of the Peru’s Northern Amazon
Pacaya Samira National Reserve – The 20,800 square km park is Peru’s largest single reserve and the best place to see wildlife and isolated tribes in the Northern Amazon region.
The Canopy Walkway – Near Explorama’s ExplorNapo Lodge. One of the most renowned wildlife viewing platforms in the world.
Belen floating city – A wooden shantytown that rises and falls with the river. See one of the most unique communities in the Americas.
Exotic Dining – Will it be a tapir steak tonight or curried alligator? How about roasted monkey?
Lake Yarinacocha – Search for pink river dolphins and then take part in a shamanic ceremony.
Caution: Many scientists claim that at the current rate of destruction, the Amazon rainforest could completely disappear in the next 50 years. Did you know? The quality of the soil of the rainforest is a common misconception. The soil here is actually some of the poorest on earth. Just four inches of soil cover dense red clay.
Author’s Tip: Although proof of a certificate will not be asked for, it is a good idea to get a vaccine against yellow fever, which is good for ten years. As far as malaria, goes, it is a possibility. Most tourists take anti-malarial tablets that can be taken either daily or weekly. Ask your doctor which type is preferred for your area of travel as different types of mosquitoes are resistant to different pills. Some of the best known are Doxycycline, mefloquine/lariam, and malarone. Most have side effects such as nausea, vivid dreams, prone to sunburn, and must be taken several weeks before and after your trip. If you go without any anti-malaria medication it doesn’t mean you will get malaria and the chance is slim anyway. However, the disease can be potentially fatal so why take the risk? Regardless, a good mosquito spray is a must and are best purchased outside of Peru.
Writer and photographer Nicholas Gill is the editor/publisher of New World Review. He lives in Lima, Peru and Brooklyn, New York. His work has appeared in publications such as the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, CondeNast Traveler, National Geographic Traveler, Afar, and Penthouse. Visit his personal website (nicholas-gill.com) for more information.