HEALTH INFORMATION FOR TRAVELERS TO PERU

Here is a little info about recommended vaccinations and medications for vaccine-preventable diseases and other diseases travelers might be at risk for during your trip to the Amazon. Please contact Maniti Camp Expeditions for all of your Amazon Rainforest Holidays, Iquitos Jungle  Tours, Amazon River Cruises, and more!

Bernard Weber, Founder-President of New7Wonders, and Jean Paul de la Fuente, Director of New7Wonders, celebrate with delegates at the recent Consejo Interregional Amazónico summit in Iquitos, Peru.

Representatives of New7Wonders attended a recent summit of the Amazon Interregional Council (Consejo Interregional Amazónico, or CIAM, for short) in Iquitos, Peru, chaired by Iván Vásquez Valera, president of the largest Peruvian Amazonian region, Loreto.

CIAM is comprised of the regional governments of Amazonas, Loreto, Madre de Dios, San Martin and Ucayali. It seeks to streamline initiatives to promote sustainable development of the Peruvian Amazon, and it views the election of the Amazon as one of the New7Wonders of Nature as having significant positive implications for the region. As a result, Bernard Weber, Founder-President of New7Wonders, and Jean Paul de la Fuente, Director of New7Wonders, were warmly welcomed by the regional delegates at the meeting.

“Tourism combined with environmental protection can bring great economic benefits to Peruvian Amazon region since an unspoiled ecosystem is what 21st-century tourists are increasingly looking for,” said Bernard Weber, reflecting upon his visit to Peru. “New7Wonders looks forward to working with the governments of the countries that share the Amazon to ensure that eco-tourism, along with forestry and biodiversity conservation, is placed at the very heart of regional economic development.”

In alphabetical order, the provisional New7Wonders of Nature announced on 11 November 2011 are: Amazon, Halong Bay, Iguazu Falls, Jeju Island, Komodo, Puerto Princesa Underground River and Table Mountain. Both Jeju Island and Puerto Princesa Underground River have been confirmed on a preliminary basis. The remaining five provisional New7Wonders of Nature are currently undergoing the three steps of the verification process, namely the national voting validation, the global voting calculation confirmation by an independent audit firm, and the preparation and implementation of the Official Inauguration ceremonies.

Bernard Weber, Founder-President of New7Wonders, and Jean Paul de la Fuente, Director of New7Wonders, celebrate with delegates at the recent Consejo Interregional Amazónico summit in Iquitos, Peru.

1. It’s easy to see animals in their natural environment: Many people travel to the Amazon with expectations of seeing jaguars, anacondas and giant otter swimming around their boat. The truth is that the Amazon is a habitat, not a zoo. Animals often disguise themselves for protection from predators. In order to spot wildlife, you need to be very quiet and use each of your senses. Listen to leaves rustling in the tress and you may just see a monkey. If you’re lucky you may see some colorful birds, such as Macaws eating clay along the bank of the river.
2. The Amazon is dangerous: While the Amazon is filled with amazing creatures such as jaguars, anacondas, and caiman, they have little interest in human contact. They prefer their natural diet. Most snakes and spiders in the Amazon are not venomous. They are afraid of humans so when they see them coming, they go in the opposite direction. Guests who visit the Amazon rarely encounter dangerous animals because they stay on well maintained trails.
3. The Amazon is unbearably uncomfortable: Some people think of the Amazon as deathly hot, humid and filled with mosquitoes. While the Amazon is indeed humid during the rain season, the dry season can offer a pleasurable climate. Yes, it’s hot in the sun, but the canopy provides a comfortable shade year-round. The majority of mosquito bites can be avoided by wearing tightly-woven long-sleeved clothing.
4. It is only for expeditionaries: Iquitos, Peru offers a variety of activities and experiences for people wanting to visit the Amazon. While some Jungle Lodges offer adventure tours, most have well-maintained trails for mild jungle walks. Many accommodations provide a hammock and have yoga classes and spa activities such as massages or facials. While some visitors prefer to climb trees, kayak or bush-wack through the forest, for others the Amazon can be a great place to relax and rejuvenate.
5. The natives are armed with bows and arrows: Some uncontacted tribes still exist in the Amazon. They are not aggressive and prefer to stay away from other civilizations. However most native people in the Amazon live much like you and me. The indigenous people around Iquitos have a strong appreciation for and dependence on the forest for their livelihood. While they recognize their ancestry and engage in traditional customs, they wear modern clothing, go to school and participate in business.
6. The Amazon is like any other rainforest: The Amazon is the largest rainforest in the world. It covers roughly 40% of the South American continent and is in part of eight countries. It is often referred to as the “capital of biodiversity” due to its incredible variety of plant and animal species. It is the ancestral home to around one million indigenous people who can be divided into around 400 tribes. The Amazon has an abundance of cultural traditions, natural properties, medicinal uses, and animal life than cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Tourists at Machu Picchu. Photo: ANDINA/Archive

The diplomat told Andina news agency that about 18,000 Korean tourists arrived in Peru last year, an average of 1,500 visitors a day. “This number will triple once Korean Air starts operations this year,” he said.

The Korean ambassador recalled that in September 2011 Peru and South Korea signed an aviation agreement which provides for the establishment of direct flights between Seoul and Lima in 2012.

Moreover, Park noted that direct flights between the two countries will have a positive impact on tourist arrivals from Asian countries like Japan and China.

“All these countries in Asia are interested in visiting Peru, a country with an extremely rich culture and cradle of the Inca civilization,” said the Korean ambassador in Lima.

On the other hand, Park said that the free trade agreement signed by Peru and South Korea in August 2011 has led to an exponential increase in bilateral trade.

In response to this increase in trade, the diplomat said that Korean Air has already launched cargo service between Korea and Peru.

A gold rush that accelerated with the onset of the 2008 global recession is compounding the woes of the Amazon basin, laying waste to Peruvian rain forest and spilling tons of toxic mercury into the air and water. An army of small-scale miners in the state of Madre de Dios has swelled to some 40,000.

“Extracting an ounce of gold costs from $400 to $500 and the profit is $1,000 per ounce,” notes Peru’s environment minister, Antonio Brack. In just a decade, gold has more than tripled in value.

Government controls are mostly futile.

“We found that nearly all the public officials in Puerto Maldonado were involved,” the minister said. “In 2010, the regional mining director had a mining company. His No. 2 had one. His wife had one. His sister had one (as did) the sister of the No. 2. They were all in it. And you think anyone is going to regulate anything?”

The entire article on the situation can be found here. It is worthwhile reading.

Is is to no ones surprise that with all of the disagreeing happening surrounding these lists created by travelers from all around the world that there is at least 1 thing that is for certain…the Amazon is definitely one of the world natural wonders!

Maniti Camp Expeditions in Iquitos, Peru offers world class amazon river cruises, amazon jungle tours, and more! Maniti Expeditions is based out of Iquitos, Peru and operates between the Peru/Colombia/Brazil border all the way upriver into the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve and everywhere in between. For more information please visit our website at www.manitiexpeditions.com or email us

IDE is a unique on-site learning experience that immerses attendees in the destination and provides agents with the skills to market their business and increase sales.

At the event Maniti Expeditions will offer information on exclusive pre- and post-tour options give attendees the flexibility to extend their journey and learn more about specific interests, at their own pace and on their own schedule.

The anual event hosted by ASTA also offers agents complimentary sightseeing tours that take them to the places their clients want to visit; a trade show featuring suppliers they won’t meet anywhere else; networking opportunities that will translate into future sales; and, industry-recognized destination certification.

“Travel agents attending the upcoming IDE in Lima have the opportunity personally experience the ‘real’ Peru thanks to several can’t-miss events showcasing Lima’s extensive offerings. Being a successful travel professional today means being able to provide the unique details and first-hand experience that means the difference between a good trip and an unforgettable trip for their clients,” said ASTA CEO Tony Gonchar. “There is no other travel industry event like IDE.”

Look for Maniti Expeditions at the event and be sure to visit us for more information, promotions, discounts, and the latest news on tourism in Iquitos, our Iquitos Jungle Lodge, and Amazon Rainforest Tours!