Amazon River Cruise & Rain Forest (2012)

The trip contained all that we thought should have been part of an OATS trip. We did hit the time of year when the river was in flood;therefore the number of land trips were limited. A great deal of the tour was spent on the motor launch traveling through small estuaries. This did provide a great opportunity to view bird life.
Everyday was a unique adventure with visits to another part of the river and on occasion an there was some"terra firma" available to stroll and view how these small villages provided a leife for the riberenos. There was a highlight that will stay with my memory of the Amazon. On one launch trip we made, during an evening, we stopped the boat in the dark, and LISTENED. All was quiet, except for the night sounds provided by the night-life. Quietly, the guide indicated what the sounds indicated. Sitting there, in the starlight, was a magical moment.
The amount of time in Lima was perfect. Hotel accomodations at the Colon were excellent with very nice rooms, good location,and superior breakfast offerings. I would no tchange any of the itinerary at that potion of the trip. I do wish the afternoon"on our own" in Iquitos was not utilized to a great extent. I wish the guide would have provided us with more specific exploration opportunities. Later that evening we happened to get a small newspaper which listed a "what to seein town" portion. There were interesting things to do . But at that point it was too late to explore them.

Traveler: Daniel Tauber from Matthews, NC traveled on March 29, 2012

If you want a trip that is active and unique this is for you. Meeting with the local people was great, always a highlite of trips with OATS.

Traveler: Patricia Zanoni from Coronado, CA traveled on April 05, 2012

Put away your fears about bugs and creepy crawlers and enjoy Mother Nature at her unspoiled best. Our OAT leader, Jesus Mesia Dupa, made our Amazon River a true learning experience. His knowledge of the wildlife was first hand and dynamic. Each day we had two skiff excursions with time each afternoon for restful relaxation back in our cabins or on top of the ship. The meals were both healthy and delicious. This trip provided us with the opportunity to get up and close to the Amazon's beauties-flowers, birds, animals, mammals, and fish. We're never going to forget seeing both gray and pink dolphins at the mouth of the Amazon or Roy having a photo shot with a reclusive Anaconda that had been caught in a fisherman's net . The interconnections with the Amazon river villages and the home hosted meal were enlightening. This trip is a photographer's dream!

Traveler: Roy Aders from The Villages, FL traveled on February 17, 2011

There should be more information about both comfort and health challenges (which were considerably greater than described) and more effort to minimize problems.
We had one substantial walking experience in Lima and only one in the rainforest. The rainforest walk was much too slow; stops for lectures amidst bugs and humidity were exasperating. We would have been more comfortable if allowed to move quickly in two small groups, one following each of the two guides present.

Traveler: Bradley Lutz from New York, NY traveled on January 05, 2012

im hard of hearing. trip would have been excellent if we would have earphones.i heard very little of what was happening no mosquitos no rain no heat over 85 no humidity perfect weather it rained only at night twice.food was great.visit with natives was wonderful.

Traveler: Charles Myers from Osage Beach, MO traveled on February 16, 2012

This was my first trip with OAT and it didn't disappoint. I tralved with my mom, who is a 19 time OAT traveler. I didn't really know what to expect, but wht I got was great.

I didn't have to worry about a thing the entire trip. I didn't have to look at my watch and worry about what time to be where..Edgard made sure that we were awake when we needed to be, that we arrived the airport on time, and took care of ALL the details that I usually have to worry about when we travel.

Our time in Lima was good. We got a good feel for the city and combined walking and busing. As others have said, the Arapaima ship in the Amazon doesn't LOOK like a luxury ship, but we didn't have any issues with it. The room was small but cozy, the food was great, and the 3rd deck was great for relaxing while cruising.

We were kept busy the entire time on the ship, from taking wildlife cruises to lectures and jungle walks. Edgard was energetic and made us all feel like we were the most important group of people he had ever taken on this trip! Neil, our naturalist and Edgard were amazing at being able to spot wildlife from afar.

Overall the trip was great. Everything wasn't perfect, but it didn't matter because Edgard was "on top of it" and we all just "went with it". Thanks for a great trip!

Traveler: Susan Stoker from Lafayette, IN traveled on February 02, 2012

This was our 11th OAT adventure, and one of the best from the standpoint of learning and discovery. I would highly recommend it for anyone wanting to learn about this fascinating part of the world, its history, various native cultures and wildlife, which are all truly amazing. Close contact with people in native villages, meals with them, and seeing how they have adapted to life along the river was a special opportunity you don’t get with other tours. Our guide, Erik, was particularly good at seeing a unique situation and immersing our group into it providing unforgettable discoveries.
If you go on this adventure don’t expect something it is not. If you are looking for a luxurious glittery cruise ship, take a Caribbean cruise. This is the Amazon. The Arapaima was comfortable with small air conditioned cabins, tasty food often of local fish, and a great, entertaining and helpful crew. But the Amazon is tough on a ship, and luxury you should not expect.
Although we encountered an abundance of wildlife, particularly hundreds of bird species, they were often some distance away, as were the various monkey species we saw. Swimming with the pink dolphins was a hoot, although they did like to keep their distance. Still, well worth bringing a swim suit. On jungle walks mosquitoes were in great abundance, but seeing and learning about the Amazon jungle was well worth the insect encounters. Other than jungle walks, mosquitoes were only an occasional minor annoyance and they did respect DEET.
Go on this trip. You will get more out of it than you ever expect.

Traveler: John Diddams from Marquette, MI traveled on January 12, 2012

This trip to the Amazon in the rainy season, January 2012, was one of the best OAT trips we have ever taken! We can never really say enough about our trip leader, Jesus; he was fantastic. He is what made this trip on the Amazon the trip that it was so amazing. We’re ready to return in the dry season with Jesus as our leader once again!

We hiked the Inca Trail before our trip. This was something we really enjoyed, much more so than spending time in the big city of Lima. It would be nice if the trip on the Amazon had been at least a few days longer, rather than spend these extra days in Lima; we really would have totally enjoyed more days seeing the sights of the jungles and rain forest. I had no idea what to expect on this trip so was pleasantly surprised when it proved to be such a fantastic experience: Seeing a rain forest, a jungle, some of the villages of the Amazon, fishing for piranha (even though we caught only 2 very small ones and a catfish), swimming with pink dolphins (even though they kept their distance and there weren’t many due to high water), taking many skiff rides (the rain added to the interest), using 'facilities' that had to be machete-ed out in the jungle, being followed by MANY mosquitoes while on a hike through the rain forest, hearing Jesus make the exact sound of the birds and animals to get them to respond andor come into view, hearing the Chunky Monkeys (consisting of Jesus and 2 crew members) who provided great evening entertainment, and on and on and on.

We’ve been to home-hosted meals on other OAT trips but this was unlike anything we’ve seen. We sat on the floor on the porch and ate off a table made of palm leaves lying on the ground. And since utensils aren’t something they use, we ate with our hands! This was a true experience like none we’ve ever had before. Eating walking catfish was also a true experience. They didn’t look very good served head and all, but once you got past the outward appearance, they were pretty tasty.

Our Learning and Discovery sessions, whether in the skiff or in the dining area, were unbelievable. My favorite was when Jesus told us about the 3 different types of people living in the jungle. Since he is indigenous with 3 years of shaman training before becoming a trip leader, he had invaluable information and could tell us what it’s really like from personal experience. For him to see a bird in the tops of a tree and be able to identify that bird is still astounding to me. As we were motoring along in the skiff we would suddenly stop because Jesus had seen a monkey, sloth, snake, iguana, bats, or whatever he saw when none of the rest of us saw a thing. And….he can smell poisonous snakes before the rest of us even see them - that was a good thing! To know we were in 40’ of water with very little terra firma around is still unbelievable. What a fascinating place with a lot of learning and discovery still to experience.

Yes, I’mwe’re ready to return to learn even more about the Amazon and its wonders. Thank you, Jesus, for making this such a fantastic journey.

Traveler: Marcella Woloshan from Triadelphia, WV traveled on January 05, 2012

I loved this trip - especially the time spent on the Amazon. Having been to Lima before, I would have rather spent more time on the Amazon than in the city. It is my understanding that trips taken during 2012 and beyond will not have as much time in Lima. This is a great idea. Lima is a nice city but the real thrill of this adventure is the Amazon.

Our Amazon boat was supposedly only 7 years old but it really seemed decades older. I guess the hot, humid environment really takes its toll. The stateroom was small but clean. I really did not spend too much time there. Most of my time on board was spent on the observation deck which is partially covered by a tarp. The temperature rose to as high as 100 Fahrenheit but the breezes made it very comfortable sitting on the deck watching the wonderful landscape as well as seeing other watercraft on the river. The most beautiful scenery and the most abundant wildlife were to be seen when we boarded the skiff and explored the smaller river branches and tributaries. We did this at least twice daily. Each excursion allowed for the opportunity to see new wonders. Birds and fish were seen the most but there were also sloths, various types of monkeys, bats, snakes, turtles, etc. Our guide, Erik Flores, and our Naturalist, Neil Guerra, were both experts at spotting wildlife during our skiff excursions and during our nature hikes. They would imitate animalbird sounds and then the rain forest would echo with the answering calls of the wildlife. It was thrilling. Although the size of our group was larger than I would have liked, 21 persons, the group was split into two parts during our nature hikes with Erik leading one group and Neil leading the other. This made it easier for us to be quiet and get closer to the wildlife while also enabling us to hear the descriptions from our leader and the natural sounds of the rain forest.

The time spent piranha fishing was a blast. Everyone who fished caught at least one piranha. I think that I had one of the prime fishing spots as I caught much more than my share. Erik and Neil were experts at unhooking the fish while avoiding the snapping jaws of the piranha. We used beef for bait. The hooks had been well used and were no longer very sharp but we still caught dozens of fish.

Swimming with the dolphins was also fun although the dolphins were not to be seen once we were swimming.

The home hosted lunch was a highlight. Our hosts prepared a delicious meal for us and they were truly appreciative of the gifts that they received. In a pre-trip email, Erik advised us to brings gifts for our host that would be useful -- fishing hooks and line, flashlights, batteries, matches, etc.

Another highlight of the trip was unplanned. Neil and Erik spotted a family of 5 floating on a raft. The family was taking their banana harvest to market in Nauta - a 5 day trip. The skiff pulled up alongside the raft and we were able to get a glimpse into the life of the family. We had some extra food with us that we gave to the family. They gave us avocados in return.

I participated in the pre-trip. The archeological sites were the highlights of this part of the trip and were actually much more impressive than the archeological sites seen on the main trip. The Lord of Sipan treasures during the pre-trip are not to be missed. I did not take the post-trip as I have already had the opportunity to see Machu Picchu.

Traveler: Susan Koewler from Evansville, IN traveled on November 20, 2011

This is a wonderful trip filled with people, culture and wildlife.

The boat is small but efficient. Bring a carry on size luggage or a fold-able duffle bag since there is little storage in the cabins.

Jesus Mesia is an impressive guide with knowledge of the plants the animals and for me the most important the culture and the people.

Traveler: Lyla Fuller from Salt Lake Cty, UT traveled on November 03, 2011

We recently returned from this trip and we absolutely loved it. The trip leader and the naturalist were wonderful. Full of first hand information, having grown up in Amazonian villages. They could spot a bird or creature on the bank or in a tree from the middle of the river and tell us what it was, as the boat took us closer.

Every trip off the boat was exciting becuse they made it so. On the boat, the rooms were clean and air conditioned and with private baths. The food was good in the dining room and the service all over the boat wa wonderful. What pleasant and helpful people they all were.

Our visits to villages were very rewarding and the lunch in a home was excellent. Without exception all those whom we met either on the River or in towns or villages were very pleasant and friendly.

The only thing I would change would be to spend more time on the River and less in Lima. Big cities are big cities anywhere, but the atmosphere on the River was very different from a big city.

We would go back next year without hesitation.

Traveler: Kathleen Watson from Martinez, CA traveled on September 01, 2011

Are you ready for an adventure? If so, this would be the perfect trip for you. We had done the OAT AmazonGalapagos in 2004, and questioned whether we should do another trip to the Amazon. However, the Amazon part of the trips are completely different so we are glad we decided to go to Peru again with “The Amazon River Cruise & Rain Forest.”

We were extremely fortunate to have Erik Flores as our program director. He grew up on the Amazon and had a knowledge of all the perfect escapades to share with us. He had one “learning & discovery” after another, and it made for the perfect adventure.

The flight to get you to Lima is a midnight flight out of Miami. Our whole group was on the flight, so we got to know one another before we ever left the states. Be sure to give yourself lots of time at Miami for your connecting flight because it is a very long walk to the LAN airlines gate.

The Jose Antonio Lima Hotel is very nice and the location is excellent. While you are there be sure and walk the 3 or so blocks to the big modern shopping mall that is located along the ocean. If you don’t want to shop, then get a coffee and watch the surfing right below you and you might as well do a little people watching also. Kennedy park is a fun place to visit. We watched some really good dancing, made me think it was a Dancing with the Stars competition. Each evening a bunch of us would get together and go out for cappuccino and felt perfectly safe. While in Lima be sure and do the optional tour to “Shanty Town.” Dante the local guide had grown up there and it was very interesting and the price was right.

We went in August and that is winter in Peru. The river was down 25-30, but it presented no problem. If you go in rainy season I’m sure it will be somewhat of a different experience. I did bring a couple purse size bottles of 98% Deet insect repellent. Used it more for a preventative, but think it is a must to take with you. The mosquitoes weren’t bad, but there were a few. We decided to take the anti-malaria meds, because they were so cheap it seemed silly not to be safe.

The La Arapaima cruise ship is a little dated, but the excellent and kind crew more than makes up for that. The meals were very good and also plentiful. We had evening entertainment on the boat by the “Chunky Monkies” which consisted of our program director Erik, our naturalist Neil, and two crew members. It was lots of fun. A skiff was tied to the side of our riverboat and several times daily we very simply loaded into the skiff and away we’d go to another adventure. We got to witness up close and personal how life is along the Amazon River.

One of the highlights of the trip was our OAT group having the privilege of delivering and presenting a Sony generator to the elementary school in Las Palmas, which is a small village on the Amazon that has never had electricity. Jim (my husband) had the honor of being a part of the presentation of the generator to the school. Investing in education makes a retired school teacher proud. Kudos to the Grand Circle Foundation.

All in all it was a great trip! Please check out my travel blog of this trip which is complete with lots of pictures: http:thefarmersmeanderings.wordpress.com

Traveler: Marilyn & Jim Farmer from Altoona, KS traveled on August 18, 2011

I believe our trip on the Amazon was made that much more interesting, informative and fun was the outstanding leadership we had under Edgard. His enthusiasm was catching and he was so knowledgeable on the area and was able to answer any questions the group had. He was delightful and the best leader I have had so far on an OAT trip!! He gets my vote anytime...

Traveler: Doris Tzimoulis from Tuscon, AZ traveled on July 21, 2011

This was a fascinating trip. It was my second time in Lima, but we had many activities that were different from my first visit with OAT in 2004. The accommodations in Miraflores were very well located for walking around the district, a short walk to the shore, shopping or Kennedy Park for people watching.

We had an excellent local guide, Dante, who not only took us around the Lima landmarks but on an eye-opening excursion to the Villa El Salvador shantytown. It is humbling to see how people with so little, organize a successful, if very modest, community which offers residents opportunities to better their lives. It is visits to communities like this, where we can experience everyday life, which set the OAT experience apart from others.

We visited two very different archaeological sites. The Huaca Pucllana site in Miraflores is a Lima culture (pre-Incan) that has been excavated since 1981. The Pachacamac site was inhabited as early as 200 BCE. It was interesting to see how two cultures in the same climate with the same raw materials developed different styles of architecture.

We flew to the bustling port city of Iquitos, where we boarded our ship. Iquitos is an outpost from whence all manufactured goods arrive in villages along the Amazon. It is also home to markets where the villagers can sell their produce and fish. Just a day’s travel from the city, there is no electricity or any modern convenience. People depend on the river for their water and most of their protein. The rainy season floods irrigate and enrich the soils where they farm on a small scale.

I have been on many school visits, but this one was special because we brought a generator to the town of Las Palmas. They had been given a computer for the school, but it was useless without power. It had been declared a holiday and we were surrounded by villagers celebrating the Grand Circle Foundation gift that could open many doors to their children.

We spent plenty of time in the skiff, so that we could travel close to shore and observe river life, including humans. We often stopped to talk to people on the river (discoveries). A fisherman who had just caught an enormous anaconda, two men on a raft with an enormous net full of armored catfish headed for the market, people waiting for the ferry with their crop of watermelons, etc. We often purchased food stuffs from the people and the chef included them in our next meal on shipboard.

At the urging of our guide in a pre-trip E-mail, I bought ‘good’ binoculars for this trip. Because I am a photographer, it was a bit awkward managing multiple straps, but it was so worth the hassle! I think the most exciting thing was our nighttime excursion. The guide shone a spotlight on the shore and we could see nocturnal wildlife very well.

The ship was well-equipped and clean. It is not a luxury vessel, but it had everything we needed. We spent very little daytime on the boat, but the top deck has a sunrain shade. The dining room was used for socializing. The food was excellent, with authentic local fare. Served buffet style, there were a few choices at each meal. We were entertained with Peruvian music by our guides and two crew members who have a band, The Chunky Monkeys.

Although our days were full of activities, there is something very restful and soothing about river travel. I could have gone on and on…

Traveler: Victoria Bergesen from Rockbridge, OH traveled on August 18, 2011

This was the trip of a lifetime. I wanted to come to the Amazon to see and experience the world's largest river and rain forest. The biodiversity in this area is huge. The flora and fauna of this part of the world is stunning.

Erik Flores was our trip leader and Segundo Mesia was our naturalist. These guys are living encyclopedias of the Amazon area. In addition to that Erik Flores has great leadership skills. He went above and beyond being our guide and trip leader by doing extra things to ensure that we really had the best experience possible.

When we first arrived in Iquitos Erik arranged for the skiff to give us a tour of the floating city of Belen, something that was not on our itinerary. At the junction of the Maranon and Ucayali Rivers above the rain forest on the north shore we saw huge numbers of white winged parakeets
flying and chirping. Erik did a video of the of this amazing event and gave us a copy of it. On our rain forest walk, shortly before it rained, Erik caught a poison dart frog and showed it to us and let us get pictures of it. Erik and Segundo showed us so much on our Amazon journey. Just before our trip ended Erik gave us copies of the photographs and videos that he had taken on our trip.

On three different days we went into the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, which is a protected wilderness area. Two of these trips were day trips and we also did a night trip there. We saw Pink and Gray Dolphins, Squirrel Monkeys, Saddle-back Tamarins, Polka Dot Frog, Toucans, Macaws, Herons, Hoatzin, Horned Screamers, Victoria amazonica, Three-toed Sloths, and many different birds.

Another highlight for me was swimming with the Pink Dolphins in the Pucate River near its junction with the Maranon River. it was wonderful being in the water with these beautiful creatures. Erik and Segundo both have degrees in Biology and they were so helpful in identifying the wildlife for us. Erik also identified trees for me. Some of the trees in the rain forest are huge. I really loved the Kapok trees. We saw a Blue Morpho Butterfly and an Owl Butterfly in the rainforest. We also saw a number of Iguana iguana in the trees. These are the largest Iguanas in the world.

We visited a family in Las Palmas where we saw a Spetacled Caiman. They had another one they had cooked and we tried it and it tasted very good. The Las Palmas School visit was a rewarding experience. At the school Segundo caught Black-skinned Parrot Snake. I really loved our dugout canoe rides with the native people. Another highlight for me was using the Blow Gun to shoot a couple darts into a tree. Our home hosted lunch was with a family at Monte Alegre village and we really enjoyed our time with them. We also saw Juan, a 62 year old Shaman, at Monte Alegre. He is a full blooded native Indian originally from
Equador. He came to Monte Alegre 18 years before after the oil company polluted the water in his area and killed the fish. His young daughter drank from the polluted water and died. It was a sad story. Juan went through difficult training to become a Shaman. He has an extensive knowledge of the medicinal value of the Amazon plants. On our boat ride on Enchanted Lake we saw more Iguana iguana in the trees and got very close to a family of Capybara.

The service of the boat crew on the Arapaima was excellent and the food was good. Erik, our trip leader, did a great job. Segundo was our bird man and amazed us with his expertise. This cruise exceeded my expectations. Toward the end of our trip as we headed down the Amazon River toward Iquitos I realized how precious this place was to me. It gave me a deeper appreciation of God's magnificent creation. In my heart I will always treasure my experiences in the mighty Amazon.

Traveler: Gordon V. Smith from Grand Rapids, MI traveled on May 19, 2011

I took this trip several years ago and it was just OK. But that isn't why I'll never go OAT again. I booked a trip this year to Nepal and the Mystical Himalayas for May 14. OAT cancelled the trip only 5 weeks before my departure. The airline tickets already had the document # assigned to them. Not only did OAT cancel me at such a late date, they could not fit me in on any of the other dates in May that they were running the trip. Why didn't they cancel earlier, when they still had availability on other dates in May? Why was it cancelled when I had called only a few weeks earlier and had been told that there was no chance that the trip would be cancelled because it had sufficient bookings? No answers from OAT. My recommendation is as follows: BEFORE YOU BOOK ANY TRIP WITH OAT, GOOGLE "OAT COMPLAINTS". You will come with a multitude of websites with complaints, many similar to mine. Check out the Better Business Burea too!

Traveler: Barbara Smith from Centereach, NY traveled on May 19, 2006

I was quite disappointed in this cruise. The advertising pictures show monkeys and close ups of parrots. Do not expect to see these animals. I live in a temperate rain forest and know what a rain forest looks like. What you will see on the Amazon trip is farmland and secondary growth, a very dirty river, mediocre food, and sheilding from everything of interest in order to keep you safe. I did not even see humming birds as they do not come to the overpopulated and polluted areas this trip vistis.
The extension to Cuso and Machu Picchu was very interesting and well managed, but again the food was incredibly bland.

Traveler: Barbara Aiken from Deming, WA traveled on December 16, 2010

Although OAT suggests that you take postcards from your home town or t-shirts with home townstate logos; we agreed with our tour leader that the family we visited would have more appreciated fish hooks, fish line, flashlights, batteries, matches, soaps, and other items necessary but difficult for them to obtain.

Also, if you are expecting a fancy cruise ship..........forget it! The Aquamarina (an OAT charter from Amazon Discovery, Inc) had passed it prime and needed a good overhaul. Some of the cabins had leaks from the ceiling during rain storms. However, the crews’ attentiveness, and service was excellent.

Traveler: Sharon Blumer from Stone Mountain, GA traveled on September 19, 2010

This trip was certainly an adventure!

Arriving in Lima, Peru we toured its fish market, shanty town, archeological site and museum. The people, their culture and history was certainly an education and experience to remember. Accommodations in Lima were very good and convenient to the shopping areas and restaurants. From here we flew to Iquitos where we began our river cruise on the Amazon River.

The adventure on the Amazon was one of a lifetime. Our Trip Leader and Naturalist both having been raised on the river, were excellent. The daily jungle walks in the rain forest and small boat excursions down its tributaries were all exciting and filled with nature viewing, identifying 37 different mammals and 55 species of birds. Piranha fishing was also exciting and the fish were later cooked for our luncheon enjoyment.

Another highlight was walking on the rope bridge, high above the jungle floor. During this walk, a storm came up and blew down a 100' tree. We could hear it falling through the jungle, until it finally crashed to the ground. Since it was very near the rope bridge, we were all a little apprehensive.

Perhaps the most valuable part of the trip was meeting with the natives who lived in villages along the river, in huts. They live off the land and the river for the necessities of life, and they are a happy people who welcomed us into their modest living environments. We visited with a Shaman (medicine man), had a great home hosted meal and visited a village school and local markets. It was truly a rewarding experience.

The food in Lima and on our boat was excellent and plentiful. The crew on the boat was outstanding as was their entertainment. Accommodations aboard the ship were good for such an adventure. Fellow travelers on this trip were a joy to travel with.

It was very hot and humid in the Amazon, often in the upper 90's. A supply of light weight shirts, good rain gear, sun screen and bug spray are a necessity.

Traveler: Richard from Loveland, CO traveled on October 28, 2009

This trip was our 5th on OAT and GCT and typical of all trips we have taken with either OAT or GCT, it went flawlessly. The red-eye to and from Lima was not fun but I can appreciate that in order to offer better rates, it is sometimes necessary to use off peak flights. I find that true when booking flights for my self, although I do wish there was another option. Thankfully, Peru is on central time

The trip was beyond expectation, literally a trip of a lifetime. It was far different from any other trip we have taken and comparing it to other trips is simply not possible. The Amazon river, the village people (river people or ribereños as they are called) we met and interacted with on a one to one basis, plus the natural wildlife and beauty of the Amazon was amazing, amazing, amazing and unlike anything we have ever seen. The entire adventure was one highlight after another. Here are but a few.

-We shared a home prepared lunch with a ribereño and 7 children. His wife was in bed after given birth to their 8th child who was only 24 hours old. To our surprise we were invited to visit her and her new born baby girl. The father shared wild boar with us which he had shot himself, along with fish which he caught in the river and the yucca he farmed himself.

-One day we were out on one of the many cruises we took on the skiff when we noticed a raft off in the distance. We decided to go and have a look. We found 5 people on a raft full of bananas that was stuck on a sandbar. They had been on the river for 8 days and had another 2 days to go in order to reach the small town of Nauta where they would sell everything on the raft. They had been stuck on the sandbar for 2 days before we came along. We tied a rope to their raft and pulled them to higher water.

-We spontaneously stopped at a local village where the village head showed around his small village of 30 ribereños. Even though we came unannounced, they gladly showed us their homes and in even let us taste the vegetables they were cooking in one of the homes.

-We stopped another time when we saw a couple of ribereños on a river bank smoking fish. We asked if we could visit them and of course they invited us ashore. We found them smoking piranhas, catfish, and a small caiman which after they smoked would be taken back to their village and shared.

- The dug out canoe is the lifeblood of transportation along the river. The ribereños use them for extensively and each day we would see hundred going one way or another along the river. We each got to experience riding in one. We paddled along an incredibly beautiful small river where we observed beautiful birds and more lush vegetation than can be imagined.

- On a nighttime river excursion on the skiff, our naturalist, Segundo spotted a caiman with his flashlight. We thought he was going to point it out to us when all of a sudden without warning, he jumped in head first into the black water and came up with the caiman in his hands. He brought it into the skiff where a couple of us got to hold it.

- One morning we left the boat at 6 a.m. and got on the skiff for a cruise down one of the many side rivers. We were on the narrow but beautiful Yanayacu-Pucate river in the National Reserve of Pacaya-Samiria when the skiff was stopped and we were served breakfast. The breakfast was simple, mainly sandwiches, fruit, juice and coffee but the experience of eating while flocks of parrots flew overhead and several varieties of birds, toucans, hawks and egrets were on the trees just a stone's throw away from us. No restaurant in the world could match that meal!

-We took a walk through the jungle at night using only small flashlights and then turned them off once we had walked a ways in. It was dark beyond description and the noise of insects, birds and who knows what else made it a very interesting experience, to say the least!

- Each evening the entertainment was provided by “The Chunky Monkey Band” comprised our Program Director Erik on the Cajon (box drum), the Naturalist Segundo on the tambourine and two of the ships crew, Javier (castanets) and Martin. Martin was a master musician with the Peruvian flute and guitar, which he often played at the same time. This was not amateur hour by any means. These guys were good and loads of fun. We love listening to them and interacting with them. It was a fun time that we looked forward to each evening. It needs to be noted that in addition to playing for us each evening, Martin and Javier cleaned our cabins, helped in the dining room for each meal and helped us daily around the ship.

Having a naturalist onboard was a great touch. Segundo was always around with great information and that ever present smile. What a charming and knowledgeable man. We loved him and he added much to the trip. Segundo and the Trip Leader made a great pair.

Our Trip Leader, Erik Flores was wonderful! In his words, he was available to us “25 hours a day, 8 days a week.” In addition to seeing of our every need, he was an endless source of valuable information about the Amazon, the people, the vegetation, and the wildlife. At the start of the trip he gave us a 47 page booklet of Amazon information that he compiled. It covered everything concerning the Amazon and it served as a great reference source throughout the trip. Erik had his trusty Nikon D70 with him everywhere he went. On the last day, he surprised us and gave us each a CD containing hundreds of photos he had taken of us and the surroundings during the time he was with us. What a nice touch! The perfect ending to a perfect trip!

Traveler: Joe from Springfield, OR traveled on September 30, 2009

Had to express our joy in our recent trip to the Amazon river. The trip was essentially in 2 parts, Lima and the Amazon river.
Past reviews of the Lima hotel had us concerned but we arrived to find that OAT had listened and had changed the hotel to the Hotel Jose Antonio and it was GREAT. Great location, Miraflores, good rooms and O.K. food for breakfast.
The river cruise, on the Aquamarina, was incredible. Our tour director, Edgard was absolutely great. He not only provided excellent tour director duties but he was an excellent naturalist and substituted for the teacher on our school visit. The boat crew took care of our every need and provided good meals. The evening entertainment consisted of Edgard and the crew and was a fitting climax to the days activities. A 5 star trip. Only wished it was longer.

Traveler: Robert from Cloverdale, CA traveled on June 18, 2009

This was our first trip with OATs. We will use them again and again.
Although we were more than pleased with the trip, there was one area that upset not just us, but the rest of our group as well.
The San Augustin Rivera Lima Hotel was a disaster and a poor choice for a tour group. When I received OAT’s confirmation as to hotels, I immediately looked up the Rivera in Trip Advisor. Their comments included: The worst hotel I have ever been: very old - furniture and decoration from the 60's70's; rooms where you can drive mad with the noise, all night long! No proper curtains, the room is full of light; no remote control in some bedrooms, no cable TV in some rooms; breakfast is very poor and the quality of the food….It was disgusting....filthy and poverty stricken (area). Situated in a no go area of Lima, police sirens going all night. Absolutely terrible - couldn't wait to leave…
After I read these comments, I called the Oat's office and spoke to a representative and asked him about the hotel and the comments from TripAdvisor. He said he would look up comments from other OATS travelers about the hotel and put me on hold. When he returned, he said other travelers spoke positively about the hotel and I should be pleased with the San Augustin Rivera. After seeing and living in this hotel, I think the reviews from TripAdvisor were right on target and your representative did not convey the truth to me. If you are scheduled to stay at the Rivera, ask for another hotel or another date. The hotel spoiled some of our time in Lima. On the flip side, there was no way we would have seen that part of town if he had not stayed at this hotel and that was a learning experience.
The Taypikala Hotel was new and clean and the staff was attentive to our needs. I am not sure you could find a hotel in town that did not include early morning chickens crowing and kids playing outside our windows for a good part of the night. The hotel's location made sure you were immersed in the community.
We were more than pleased with the Jose Antonio Lima Hotel and felt it and the Hanaqpacha Orquideas was superb choices for hotel.
Although the choice of hotels was mixed, the two major guides we had for the trip were excellent. I especially want to mention Edgard Vasconez. He was excellent. His knowledge and understanding of his country and people made the trip for both my wife and myself memorial. When I use OATs again for my travel it will be in hope of having another guide like Edgard. His spontaneous stops in river villages to meet and greet the people were some of the highlights of the trip. He went out of his way to make the trip enjoyable and a learning experience for all of us. His knowledge of the people, animals and the jungle were a constant source of information for us. He insured we met his river people so when a massive rain storm started just before our canoe trip, he invited the villagers, scheduled to canoe us around the river, to come to the La Aquamariana and visit with us. It was the first time on any trip I had ever taken that I had the opportunity to actually talk with the locals. It was wonderful.
My wife and I wholly enjoyed the trip. OATs delivered what it promised and more. The Amazon River trip was paced just right. The lunch with a local family was enthralling and educational. The unexpected stops at markets and villages were both enlightening and delightful. The opportunity to talk to the local people does not happen very often on tours but Edgard took advantage of every opportunity to organize meetings with the regular people in the villages. Their questions of us were especially interesting. One person, after we told our ages and the number of children and grandchildren we had, asked what our government policy on birth control was. Seems we had a lot of children compared to them. In another conversation, a villager asked why we all had white hair. Seems the local people's hair does not change color with age. Great conversations. Totally expected twists in conversation topics.
When I first boarded the La Aquamariana I felt it had passed it prime and needed a good overhaul. However, after a day on the vessel, I would not change anything about the boat or our trip down the Amazon. All those "defects" disappeared because of the crews’ attentiveness, kindnesses and service. What started off as “problems” gave the boat character and charm. It may not have been a new vessel but it served our purposes and became home for our trip. In many ways it represented the Amazon to me. A little bit run down but with wonderful people interested in us.
OATs “employees” made the difference with their concern, attention to detail and knowledge. We fished for piranha; took a night trip on the launch looking for .... whatever happened to be out there; bird watching and a picnic breakfast; using salt as a gift to the river people who we met, playing with school kids in a tiny village and came home with great memories that will last a lot longer than my pictures.

Traveler: Robert from Brooklyn Center, MN traveled on January 29, 2009

This would have been an excellent trip if we would have had better accommodations in Lima. Our guide told us that Oats checks and inspects the hotels and restaurants. I can't believe that this hotel was checked by the Oats staff. We actually stayed in a dump, a hotel which did not have air conditioning, windows had to be opened all night, was dirty, and people actually got bitten by bedbugs. We also got stuck in the freight elevator since the regular elevator was not working properly. Oats was aware that the Hotel Riviera was not a pleasant experience but did not care or even apologize to its clients. While Oats saved pennies on accommodations , customer relations was injured. We also were far away from Miraflores which is the area where we were taken continuously by bus to explore. The ship in the Amazon was wonderful, and the staff was great. They also provided entertainment. Whenever there was a problem they immediately corrected the situation. The naturalist, Seguendo did a wonderful job and we had wished that he was our guide instead of Erik Flores who treated everyone as though they were in kindergarten.

Traveler: Steven from Laguna Hills, CA traveled on January 22, 2009