Click on the images to either side for information on specific types of trips. Sample itineraries that are provided are only samples! Actual itineraries may vary in detail. For a given trip, ask for the trip-specific itinerary and check with us before booking flights!

All expeditions feature the scenery and diversity of the Amazon, but all trips are not alike! There are notable differences between boat- and land-based expeditions and you may also prefer a trip with a particular theme. The information and links on this page may help you decide which trip is best for you. If you enjoy beauty, wildlife and people, we are confident that one of our expeditions will suit your interests. We design expeditions for:

Expedition Calendar - A listing of upcoming scheduled trips and dates. If you don't find a trip that matches the dates you have available, you might prefer a private charter. See the Private Charters page or contact us directly,

Amazon Travel Tips - Once you've decided to take an Amazon expedition, this page will help you make all the necessary preparations. It isn't very difficult provided you have the information you need, and we've got it here for you!

Getting There - OK, I'm going to the Amazon! But how do I get to Iquitos? From airlines to hotels, passports to visas, find out what you need to know.

Emergency Contacts & Airport Information - How to get in touch with us in Peru and in the US in the event that you have travel delays or something else comes up. Also, how to navigate through airports in Peru quickly and efficiently.

Expedition Types - What is a herpetology trip like? A birding trip? Fish-collecting or kayaking? Follow this link to find out about our different types of trips. Short sample itineraries are included to give you a feel for what happens on a typical expedition of each type. If you still have a problem in deciding which one to go on, go on several!

Our Code of Ethics - This is our promise to you that we strive to operate our tours in a socially responsible, ethical, and environmentally friendly manner. We also recognize our obligation to our clients to provide a safe and enjoyable expedition.

March 2007 - Birding trip report (pdf format)

PERU HAS AMAZING BIRD DIVERSITY - over 1850 species, with more being discovered nearly every year. It is second only to Colombia in the total number of bird species recorded in its territory. The areas that we visit have over 500 species recorded - and this is a very small area relative to the size of the country!

Amazon birds range from colorful and conspicuous to species so secretive that it requires incredible patience and a touch of luck to see them. Novices and experts alike will be challenged, but will see many new species. We visit a wide range of habitats and sites, so species lists will grow by leaps and bounds.
Our annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) expedition is an excellent way to add to your life list as well as contribute to a >100 year database on bird populations compiled by the Audubon Society. Avoid the commercialization of the season, and listen to bird songs, not ad jingles! Explore the amazing rivers and forests of the Amazon with the guidance of experienced ornithologists/tropical biologists with years of experience and intimate knowledge of the area. Excellent trail networks and ready access to skiffs for river exploration make Amazon birding easier than ever. We are also happy to prepare charter trips for birders.

SAMPLE ITINERARY - ONE WEEK AMAZON BIRDING EXPEDITION

Ever wonder how much reality is in those Amazon adventure movies? Do anacondas really have glowing red eyes and grow to 40 feet? Is there a deadly snake behind every tree? Find out for yourself, and learn about the creatures the movies ignore! Would you believe frogs that carry their tadpoles around!? Snakes that eat snails? Frogs that eat snakes? Lizards with no legs? Forest Dragons?

The Amazon has and abundance of unusual, bizarre, and beautiful reptiles and amphibians. These fascinating creatures are NOT out to get you, and the more you get to know them, the more you will appreciate their beauty. Some Amazon herps are jaw-dropping stunning! One and two week trips average 70-80 and 100-110 species of snakes, frogs, lizards, turtles and salamanders, respectively. Some herps are very rare and only hours of searching or dumb luck will enable you to see them. Others, including some spectacular species, are common, and make excellent photo subjects. You may also wish to kayak, bird watch, fish, swim, star-gaze, hike or visit riverside villages.

Trip leaders have years of experience with handling and care of reptiles and amphibians. As with any trip, your safety is foremost, and we will not put you at risk. Not everyone on a herpetology trip will be an enthusiast, so we never pressure you to approach or handle any animal you do not feel comfortable with. Likewise, we insist that animals are handled respectfully and returned to their proper habitats as soon as possible.

Expeditions are land-based at Project Amazonas field stations. Excellent trails are available, as is immediate access to waterways and lakes. Herp lists are available from the Document Center, and from the Project Amazonas website.

SAMPLE ITINERARY - ONE WEEK EXPEDITION click here

Are you a fish enthusiast? There are more species of fish in the Amazon than in the entire Atlantic Ocean – north and south! Some estimates reach as high as 8,000 species, more than double the species in the Atlantic! Neons, piranhas, puffers, discus, angels, needlefish, knifefish, pike cichlids, dwarf cichlids, Satan cats, wolffish, and hundreds of other species can be found in the complex network of rivers, creeks and lakes. You never know what might be found, and we regularly encounter new or undescribed species. The catfish pictured is a new Panaque that was discovered in 1999, while a new species of killifish (pictured) was discovered on our Rio Napo trip in 2002!

Collecting and studying fish is best when the water levels are low and fish are concentrated in the creeks, rivers and lakes. On the Amazon and its southern tributaries, low water occurs from June-October. On the nearby Napo River and tributaries to the north, low water is January-March. Margarita Tours offers tropical fish collection and study expeditions to both areas. Expeditions are led by a fish expert, and some of our leaders have made dozens of trips to the Amazon. In addition to fish collecting, there are lots of other things to do on a trip, including hiking jungle trails by day or night, visits to riverside villages to visit and trade with the indigenous people of the region, photography, kayaking, birding and more.

Due to fluctuating water levels, fish trip itineraries are flexible. If water levels in one area are unsuitable for collecting, conditions in another nearby area are likely better, and we will search out the best spots. With our experience over many years, we always have alternative sites in mind. Most participants can't resist getting into the water and doing their own fishing, but our guides and boat crews are always happy to lend a hand with dip nets, seines and cast nets, and generally find more fish than anyone else – the advantage of long experience!

Enthusiasts who want to take fish home can. We arrange shipment through a commercial exporter, and the fish are air-freighted to the airport you designate for pickup (export costs are not included in trip pricing). Expedition leaders have many years of experience in maintaining and transporting fish, and will provide useful hints and techniques

SAMPLE ITINERARY - ONE WEEK EXPEDITION click here

You don't need an excuse to enjoy photography. The act is highly creative - concentrating on a subject or theme, composing your pictures, controlling the lighting, or just being spontaneous! In the Amazon, most people find that they need an excuse to do anything other than photography! The incredible variety of subjects, the beautiful people, awesome landscapes, and forest and river settings will have you clicking through picture after picture after picture... (bring lots of film or camera chips!). Our photo expeditions are paced to give both amateur and professional photographers the opportunities and the time that they need to get the results that they want. The photo trips are restricted in size, and multiple daily itineraries are available to meet the interests of all participants.

Your Amazon photography will start in the rubber boom city of Iquitos, with its turn-of-the-century buildings, decorative tilework, and colorful and bustling marketplaces. On the rivers, you will also have opportunities to visit small isolated Indian communities, explore virgin rainforest, and travel waterways of surpassing beauty. For those interested in macro-photography, there is a wealth of subjects. Every photographer, amateur or professional, will want to bring a variety of lenses and equipment. Expedition leaders are very knowledgeable about the Amazon, and are professional photographers. They insist on small group sizes, and work with participants to identify interesting and challenging subjects, and to make the best use of camera gear.

The Amazonas presents outstanding photography and exploration opportunities at any time of the year. Other activities you may wish to enjoy include kayaking, fishing, swimming, star-gazing, and visits to riverside villages to visit and trade with the indigenous people of the region.

Trip itineraries are flexible to accommodate unpredictable water levels. Photography expeditions are land-based at Project Amazonas biological field stations in the Peruvian Amazon to provide you with maximum opportunities for photography and exploration of rainforest and rivers by both day and night. These sites provide easy access to a variety of natural habitats, and are conveniently located for boat exploration of nearby waterways and lakes. Visit the Project Amazonas website for descriptions of the sites.

SAMPLE ITINERARY - ONE WEEK EXPEDITION click here

The Peruvian highlands and Andes Mountains are spectacular, and could easily be thought to belong to a different country from the Amazon! Extensions to the highlands are easily added to your Amazon expedition, and several options are quite popular.

The most popular extensions visit the Inca capital of Cusco, where ornate colonial churches sit atop the foundations of Inca palaces and temples. Cusco and Pisac are shopper delights, where silverwork, weavings, fine clothing, sculpture and crafts are bargains. Close to Cusco are numerous Inca sites, including the massive fortress of Sacsayhuaman and the elaborate terraces of Ollantaytambo. Traces of civilizations older than the Incas are found in many parts of Peru, particular along the coast and coastal valleys – one of these constructed the mysterious Nazca Lines, while others built pyramids of mud-brick that can be visited in modern-day Lima.

The most famous site is the lost city of Machu Picchu, perched high on a mountain ridge. The train ride to Machu Picchu is stunning, but the city itself is surely the most spectacular archeological site in the world! A visit to this massive site is a never-to-be forgotten experience.

The natural beauty of the Andes can be enjoyed from numerous hiking trails, including the famous Inca Trail that leads to Machu Picchu. The trail to Huayna Pichu (overlooking Machu Picchu) is not for the faint of heart, but the views are spectacular! White-water rafting, mountaineering, and motorcycle expeditions are among other options.

Contact us for details for arranging a Highland extension to your Amazon expedition.

More than just a river, the Amazon is an exciting and complex network of waterways formed by tens of thousands of rivers, creeks and lakes. With a 35-40' change in water levels over the course of the year, the system varies dramatically from season to season. At high water, it is frequently impossible to determine where the river ends and land begins, as thousands of square miles of flooded forest invite exploration of this watery paradise.

In addition to regularly scheduled kayaking trips, we can outfit independent expeditions to this scenic and thriving wilderness at most times of the year. There are numerous opportunities to explore the Amazon or Napo Rivers, smaller black-water creeks and rivers, flooded forests, cochas and numerous tributaries. On-land activities can include hiking jungle trails by day or night, and visits to riverside villages to visit and trade with the indigenous people of the region. Low impact touring by kayak/canoe offers great opportunities for wildlife viewing, fishing, photography, meeting the local people, and unwinding from the stresses of modern life.

Itineraries can be customized to accommodate specific group interests, and are also dependent on water levels. The amount of physical exertion can be as low or strenuous as you like - no previous experience is necessary. Due to the geographical location of Iquitos, when water levels are low on the Amazon, they are high on the Napo River, a tributary of the Amazon, and vice versa, so good destinations are available year-round. High water is the best time for canoeing the Amazon (January-May) and Napo (July-November) watersheds, as more areas are accessible at high water. Low water is better for those who also wish to engage in extensive sport fishing, however, when fish are concentrated in river channels and remaining lakes.

Trips are accompanied by a pamacari-style "chase" boat that carries luggage, food, drinking water and kayaks (when not in use). The pamacari is equipped with kitchen, restrooms, observation deck, dining hall and comfortable bunks. The upper deck provides maximum visibility of the passing scenery when you are on board, and is a great platform for fishing when the vessel stops at various locations. Standard crew includes a pilot, pilot's assistant, cook, and interpreter/guide.

Sport fishing in the Amazon is both a challenge and an adventure. The visiting angler is up against different conditions and fish than those to which he or she is accustomed, and never knows what might hit the other end of the line. The uncertainty is, of course, part of the fun.

With more than 5,000 species of fish estimated for the Amazon, the angler has a wide variety of excellent sportfish, ranging from large silvery arowanas to peacock bass, to predatory catfish. There are tens of thousands of miles of waterways awaiting exploration, and a world-record fish is always 'just around the bend'. There are plenty of things for non-fishermen to do as well, so family and friends who aren’t too excited about rods, baits and hooks will also have a great time.

The best time for sport fishing in the Amazon is the late dry season, when water levels are low and fish are concentrated in isolated lakes and river channels. At other times of the year, thousands of square miles of forest are flooded, and fish disperse widely, making successful fishing difficult. The best fishing is generally August/September through December. Regardless of the time of year, however, a wide variety of fishing spots are accessible - creeks and rivers, floodplain lakes, river oxbows, etc., all of which harbor a different assortment of fish.

Margarita Tours is always happy to work closely with you to charter sport fishing expeditions, and to plan an itinerary to maximize your opportunities to find the fish you are most interested in. Please contact us well in advance to ensure that boats and facilities are available, and so that we can prepare a customized itinerary for you.

SAMPLE ITINERARY - ONE WEEK EXPEDITION click here

Remember falling asleep in class while the teacher droned on endlessly? How about falling asleep over your assigned reading for class, or watching the second hand of the classroom clock tick by so slowly that you knew that time must have stopped. We've all been there!
An educational expedition to the Amazon can be the perfect cure to the classroom blahs. Either as the grand finale to an in-classroom course, or as a mini-course in itself, an Amazon trip could be the course of the year, and something that participants remember fondly for a lifetime. We are always happy to arrange national and international air travel for student and teacher groups.

Your Amazon curriculum could any or all of the following subjects - biology, ecology, geography, Spanish, botany, international affairs, sociology, ethnobotany, anthropology, hydrology, art, social studies, and much more. We have experience in putting together expeditions for various levels of students, from middle-schools, to university graduate courses. The facilities that we use can very comfortably accommodate groups of 20-25, and additional facilities can be constructed or arranged to handle larger groups.
We are always happy to prepare itineraries and curricula for serious interests, and to meet the interests/focus of your particular group. A sample generalized itinerary and course curriculum in .pdf format is available from the Document Center.

Contact us at any time with inquiries or to request a no-obligation customized itinerary and curriculum.

We have hosted educational groups from the following institutions: Organization for Tropical Studies / Duke University, NC, USA; Berkshire Community College, MA, USA; Lawrence Academy, MA, USA

We have arranged Amazon logistics and travel, and assisted with research for students, faculty and researchers from the following institutions (among others): Stanford University, CA, USA; University of North Carolina, NC, USA; Universidad Nacional de la Amazonia Peruana, Loreto, Perú; Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, NJ, USA; Aberdeen University, Scotland, UK; Harvard University, MA, USA; Yale University, USA; Lawrenceville School, NJ, USA; Lawrence Academy, MA, USA, Friday Harbor High School, WA, USA; and Florida International University, FL, USA.

Having a hard time deciding what type of expedition you want to go on? How about taking a little bit of each type, and rolling it all together into a single package? If you are interested in many aspects of the natural world, and are looking for a good comprehensive introduction to the Amazon's natural wonders, then a natural history expedition may be perfect for you.

Our Natural History expedition leaders have many years of experience visiting the Amazon, and are multi-talented individuals with broad interests. Want to know about fish, birds, frogs, plants, ecology, or people of the Amazon? Your expedition leader will probably be able to tell you. If your leader doesn't know, then chances are that your interpreter/guide will! One thing that they won't do is to feed you a tall tale! There are enough strange and wonderful things going on in the Amazon that inventing a story just isn't necessary! Of course, there are also lots of things that we simply don't know about Amazon natural history, and we're not embarrassed to admit it. The fact that they learn something new on every trip is one of the reasons our trip leaders keep coming back to the Amazon.

Natural history trips are great for introducing younger travelers to the wonders of the Amazon. With a wide variety of activities and destinations, even the MTV generation won't loose interest! This sample itinerary gives a good idea of what you can look forward to on a natural history trip.

SAMPLE ITINERARY - ONE WEEK EXPEDITION click here

Love gardening? Orchids? Palms? Ferns? Weird and wonderful plants? Awesome forests? If yes, come to the Amazon! Our clients have included members of palm, fern, bromeliad and Heliconia societies, as well as botanists, horticulturalists, landscapers, and plant lovers in general. We can show you the only known individual of a yet-undescribed 100-plus foot tree! Where else can you "discover" a massive tree unknown to science? Many botanical discoveries still await in the Amazon!

Our land-based expeditions are particularly suitable for plant lovers, with natural history, birding, herpetology, and photography expeditions being perfectly compatible. We also arrange botany-specific expeditions, such as one for the Puerto Rico Heliconia Society that found 31 species and varieties of Heliconia!

What might you find? There are several thousand species of orchids in Peru, some very common. Ferns are everywhere - epiphytic, terrestrial, and aquatic. Some look so little like a "typical" fern that it may take a second look to identify them. If palms are your interest, you may go incurably mad. They are a conspicuous element of the rainforest, and yet frustratingly difficult to identify, with 30 or more species found at a single site. Heliconias, calatheas and other herbaceous plants have spectacular and abundant flowers, while passionflower and other vines light up the forest with brilliant splashes of color. Che Amazonas website (www.projectamazonas.org) for many photos!

Fungi are the neglected stepchild of Botany, but are also worthy of attention. Critical to ecosystem function (think of what you would be nose-deep in if it weren't for fungi...), many species are simply gorgeous! Finding a patch of bioluminescent (glowing) fungi in the forest at night can be magical!

Standing on a river bank, swarms of butterflies circle you. White and yellow are abundant, but there are flashes of jet black, iridescent blue, shocking scarlet, neon green -- swallowtails, uranias, blues, sulphurs, julias, morphos, ninety-eights and more, just inches from your camera. Welcome to the Amazon!

Swarms of butterflies are a common feature of riverbanks and clearings. In the forest interior, the butterfly community is completely different! Here you find slow-flying Heliconius butterflies and their mimics, trusting that conspicuous colors will advertise their toxicity to potential predators, and the ephemeral clear-wings that appear and disappear as if by magic. Everyone thrills to the sight of an iridescent blue morphos. Moths are also spectacular and diurnal ones like the stunning Urania are frequently mistaken for butterflies. Peak butterfly activity occurs in the Amazon dry season (June-October), though numerous species are encountered at any time of the year. Warm dry sunny days ensure lots of butterfly activity, and are ideal for photography.

Insects dominate the Amazon rainforest in numbers and animal biomass, so even the most dedicated butterfly enthusiast will become interested in the other insects and arthropods that can be encountered. These include leaf-mimic katydids, brilliantly colored beetles, giant walking sticks, spiders that mimic ants, sticks, flies and flowers, and a host of other arthropods big and small.

Our land-based trips are ideal for insect enthusiasts, and many of our expedition leaders are very knowledgeable about Amazon insects and insect photography. Treat yourself, and come to the land where insects rule!

SAMPLE ITINERARY - ONE WEEK EXPEDITION click here

Interested in a unique family vacation or reunion that people will talk about for years? A new place for your organization or club’s annual meeting? Want to offer a university course in a different location? Come to the Amazon!

The Amazon has much to offer. Those interested in physical pursuits can kayak, swim, hike or fish. Others can explore new cultures, environments, languages and life-styles. If you are on the go 24-7, you CAN get away from it all - no cell phones, beepers, TV’s, faxes, or emails. We have outfitted Amazon trips since 1983, and can tailor a trip to meet your specific needs and interests – all in a setting of incredible natural beauty, the spectacular Amazon!

We arrange private, educational and corporate Amazon charters for any time of the year, and any length of time. Our boat or land-based charters depart from the city of Iquitos, Peru. Land-based trips visit Project Amazonas field stations in the Peruvian Amazon. These sites provide access to excellent trail systems, and are conveniently located for boat exploration of waterways and lakes.

Boat-based expeditions are aboard classic metal-hull Amazon riverboats or our pamacari-style riverboats, and offer access to the upper reaches of remote rivers. A variety of comfort levels are available to match your needs. Our guides  and boat crews have years of experience with travel and exploration of the Amazon. Your safety is always of utmost importance, and we will not put you at risk. We want you to have an enjoyable and memorable expedition, and we want to share with you the delight that we have in sharing with you this special corner of the globe.

Contact us with your ideas - we will work closely with you to ensure that you have a trip to be proud of! Larger groups and educational groups may be eligible for discounts on normal expedition fares.