JUNGLE SURVIVAL TRAINING COURSE - LEVEL: ADVANCED

On August 2013, Amazon Explorer will start a 5-day Advanced Jungle Survival Training Course. From August 21 to 25th, 2013 take advantage of your time, travel to the Amazon in South America, and learn how to survive in the wild.

The instructional training has the aim of providing guidelines and techniques that will be useful for people that have a special interest to learn skills and activities to obtain advanced jungle survival training. This training course contains aspects of jungle survival, giving the most practical ways of adaption to the environment, and the use of natural resources.

The jungle training course is divided into two phases, both taught by military instructors: Theory is given in a conference room in Iquitos (river Amazon, Peru) and the practical part is taught 60 km (37 mi) from the city.

JUNGLE SURVIVAL TRAINING COURSE
Level: Advanced
From August 21 to 25th, 2013
Length: 5 days.

If you are interested, write to info@amazonexplorer.com

ACTIVITIES
Jungle survival training course

Diciembre 2012: Curso Básico y Avanzado de Supervivencia en Selva

Del 18 al 22 de diciembre de 2012, Amazon Explorer estará organizando el curso de supervivencia en selva para todas aquellas personas o viajeros que quieran adquirir conocimientos básicos o avanzados de la supervivencia en la selva o busquen retos físicos.

El Curso Básico de Supervivencia en Selva será dictado del 18 al 20 de diciembre y los que cuenten con el tiempo necesario, podrán continuar con el entrenamiento con el Curso Avanzado que se extenderá hasta el día 22.

Los cursos son dictados por instructores militares calificados y contienen aspectos relativos a la supervivencia en la selva, indicando la manera más práctica de adaptarse al medio ambiente y al uso de los recursos naturales.

Se dividen en 2 fases: Teórica, dictada en un salón de la ciudad de Iquitos y Práctica, dictada a 60 km (37 mi) de la ciudad de Iquitos.

Durante los cursos se impartirán temas como fundamentos de supervivencia en la selva y características de la región amazónica, especímenes nocivos, seguridad, señas, orientación, herramientas, fuego, refugio, alimentación, entre otros.

Al término de cada curso cada participante recibirá un Certificado firmado por la Gerencia y el Instructor principal de Amazon Explorer.

Iquitos, ciudad 420,000 habitantes emplazada a orillas del río Amazonas, en el extremo nororiental del Perú (América del Sur), es la principal ciudad amazónica del país. Iquitos posee los servicios de toda gran ciudad como cajeros automáticos, bancos, supermercados, restaurantes de comida vegetariana, peruana o internacional; un hotel de 5 estrellas, varios hoteles de 3 y 2 estrellas, así como alojamientos económicos y dormitorios compartidos para todo tipo de viajero.

Existen tres aerolíneas que cubren diariamente la ruta Lima-Iquitos:
• Peruvian Airlines (www.peruvianairlines.pe)
• Star Perú (www.starperu.com)
• Lan Perú (www.lan.com)

Asimismo, dos veces por semana se disponen de vuelos Panamá-Iquitos:
• Copa Airlines (www.copaair.com)

Para los que viven fuera del Perú y quieren un vuelo directo a la Amazonía peruana, Copa Airlines se presenta como una opción ideal pues gracias a su alianza con United Airlines y su membresía en Star Alliance, la principal alianza de aerolíneas del mundo, posee conexiones desde EE.UU. (New York, Miami, Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Newark y Washington), Canadá, México, Costa Rica, Colombia, América Central y el Caribe.

Curso Básico (3 días):
Inicio: 18 de diciembre.
Final: 20 de diciembre.

Curso Avanzado (5 días):
Inicio: 18 de diciembre.
Final: 22 de diciembre.

Contáctese con nuestros asesores a: info@amazonexplorer.com

More information: info@amazonexplorer.com

ACTIVITIES
Jungle survival training course

Expeditions Available For October 2012

All around the year, Amazon Explorer runs three days to two weeks or longer expeditions to the deep rainforest from Iquitos, Peru, South America. To ease take you the decision sign you up to a group, on our calendar (http://www.facebook.com/AmazonExplorer/app_128953167177144) are available all the scheduled expeditions till the moment.

In this regard, beginning on the 2nd till the 7th we will head to the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, the largest government protected area within the floodable Amazon rainforest in South America. This is the best place for wildlife spotting and birding for less than ten days available. These dates above in October are closed now, but it is possible to open a new group beginning the 10th or with months in advance for 2012 or 2013.

15-day Matses Expedition

From October 16 to 30 we head our tracks to the Matses tribe territories, near the border between Peru and Brazil. If you are a cultural-oriented traveler and have available 15 days this is your opportunity for visit this interesting people far from the cities and the beaten tourist paths. Because Matses live far away, we visit them two to four times per year. Take advantage of your time and this opportunity once in life…!

With less than three weeks missing for beginning this adventure, it is strongly suggested you contact us as soon as possible to join to this trip. Our rates include transfer from Iquitos airport, all land and river transportation, plane ticket from Iquitos to Angamos, all meals provided for duration of trip, purified water, indigenous Matses guides and support for the tribal communities. Materials: Mosquito nets, sheets, hammocks and rubber boots. Discounts are available for group bookings.

Iquitos, located on the north of the Peruvian Amazon rainforest, South America is a 420,000 inhabitant city, bordering with Ecuador, Colombia and Brazil. Iquitos has a 5-star hotel, many comfortable 3 and 2-star hotels, and budget accommodations and dormitories, as well as luxury river cruises (have to be booked in advance), restaurants offering Amazonian, Peruvian, vegetarian or international food.

For those who live in the USA, Iquitos can be reached easily from New York, Miami, Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Newark, and Washington through Panamá by Copa Airlines (www.copaair.com) with available flights Wednesday and Saturday (Panamá-Iquitos-Panamá). Additionally, Copa Airlines has connections to Panama and from there to Iquitos from Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Central America and the Caribbean. Note: Copa Airlines has an alliance with United Airlines and is member of Star Alliance (the world's first and largest global airline alliance).

If you are now in Peru or wish to begin your Peruvian adventure from the jungle, there are three airlines flying daily from/to Iquitos:

• Peruvian Airlines (www.peruvianairlines.pe), from/to Lima.

• Star Perú (www.starperu.com), from/to Lima, Pucallpa and Tarapoto.

• LAN Perú (www.lan.com), from/to Lima and Tarapoto.

At this moment Peruvian Airlines and Star Peru are the cheapest airlines, and LAN is really expensive for non-Peruvians, but is the most punctual company. You can book by Internet either buy a ticket direct at a travel agency or at the airport.

Iquitos has daily river boats towards Yurimaguas/Tarapoto, Pucallpa and Brazil or Colombia.

Check some pictures on:

Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve:

• http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150672638870780.383410.329177975779&type=3

• http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150855257905780.394764.329177975779&type=3

• http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150861683605780.395386.329177975779&type=3

Matses Expeditions:

• http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150287740245780.330548.329177975779&type=3

• http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150336460065780.339584.329177975779&type=3

• http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150368815175780.344859.329177975779&type=3

Amazon Explorer welcomes nature enthusiasts, families, birders, scientists, and adventurer tourists that wish to enjoy real jungle.

If you have any question or concern about Iquitos and the Amazon, please do not hesitate to contact us. Also, we strongly suggest you contact iPeru, the National Tourism Board (iperuiquitos@promperu.gob.pe; phone: (+51 65) 23-6144, 26-0251 from Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 9am-1pm, or call the 24-hour line (+51 1) 574-8000, www.peru.travel).

At iPeru you can obtain free and official information about Iquitos, Peru, a list of registered tour companies and interesting places. This organization only gives information about registered companies and their record of complaints (reputation), in order to have a good and safe tour.

More information: info@amazonexplorer.com

ACTIVITIES
Jungle survival training course

Matsés Indigenous Traditions IV. Copal Torches

Indigenous people of the Amazon extract the copal tree (Protium ferrugineum) resin through incisions for use in different applications. Matses / Mayoruna, stockpile this resin to make torches, with an elongated shape of 50 cm. Then they cover it with palm leafs and tied with barks. These torches are used by them to light up their homes at night.

More information: info@amazonexplorer.com


ACTIVITIES
Jungle survival training course

Matsés Indigenous Traditions III. Barbasco (Lonchocarpus sp.)

Also known as “cubé” is a plant part of the Fabaceae family that grows in the South American rainforest, used in the traditional fish by indigenous peoples of the Amazon.

Fishermen take the barbasco roots and smash them with a piece of wood. In a brook, they contain the water current in different points; then dip and shake the smashed roots in the water, releasing the venom and waiting until it works. Immediately, poisoned fish come to the surface, easy to take them with a net. Finally, fishers open the dams in the brook allowing the venom dissolves in the waters and loses its effect.

Barbasco root extract contains mainly rotenone and deguelin, as well as tephrosin and toxicarol.

Rotenone is mildly toxic to humans and other mammals, but extremely toxic to insects and aquatic life. Fish poisoned with rotenone can be eaten this venom is very poorly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract of humans.

Rotenone is used commercially as an insecticide, but use for fishing can be controversial, as it kills all species of fish.

More information: info@amazonexplorer.com

ACTIVITIES
Jungle survival training course

Matsés Indigenous Traditions II. The Frog Medicine (Kambo)

Frog medicine, known in Spanish as Medicina del Sapo, originally know as Kambo in old Matses language; sometimes referred as kambô and Vacina do sapo in Brazilian portuguese, this ancient ceremony is performed by native experts from the Mayoruna tribe (Matsés people), and other indigenous people of the Amazon.

In the Matsés, the ceremony starts by catching a giant leaf frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor) also called giant monkey frog in English, because it climbs into the rainforest canopy. The Mayoruna expert immobilizes it by tying its four extremities, extracts the poison from its back with a small wooden stick and places it on a piece of cane, then release the frog. He subsequently dries and stores the stick to be used for this practice.

Later, before applying it, the expert rehydrates the dried poison with water or saliva. The expert heats up a thin piece of vine (tamshi) and burns several points on the participant’s arm or chest, producing instant blisters on his/her skin. The amount of burn marks will depend on the tolerance of each person. The blisters will then be scratched open one by one and the poison extracted from the frog will be applied on the wounds.

This practice is usually performed on rainy days by the Mayorunas in order to get more energy, trust and improve their shooting skills for hunting purposes. Several days after having been stung, the Mayorunas will go hunting and try their best shot with bow.  

According to researchs, the substance segregated by the giant leaf frog contains deltorphin, acting as an emetic and dermorphin, acting as a powerful analgesic. This practice is actually used as a treatment in alternative medicine.

An expedition to the Matses territories takes at least 2 weeks.

More information: info@amazonexplorer.com

ACTIVITIES
Jungle survival training course

Matsés Indigenous Traditions I. Nënë or Nunu, The Tobacco Inhalation

The native experts of the Matses (Mayoruna) tribe process a refined green powder that they call nënë in their own language or sometimes referred as nunu in Spanish, using tobacco leaves (Nicotiana tabacum) and the bark of a tree called cacahuilo (Theobroma subincanum).

This practice is usually performed by two people. An adult expert Mayoruna pours a dose of the preparation inside the end of a hollow cane. The other end is placed in the nostril of the person who is going to receive and inhale the tobacco. The expert powerfully blows the powder into the nostril of the person on the other end receiving the "nunu". The amount of inhalations in each nostril will depend on the tolerance of each consumer.

One of the keys to the success of the nunu ceremony lies in that the person blowing must be an expert adult, who, besides the tobacco, also sends his spirit and power to the person inhaling.

This practice is only used by men who want to gain courage, power and energy. However, they can also decide to do it as a celebration, to have visions or just to have a good night’s rest after a bad day. Since this tribe has an obvious relationship between hunting and shamanism they also use nunu to get a good shot with bow and improve their hunting proficiency.

An expedition to the Matses / Mayoruna territories takes at least 2 weeks.
More pictures and information: Facebook.com/AmazonExplorer


More information: info@amazonexplorer.com

ACTIVITIES
Jungle survival training course

THE PACAYA SAMIRIA NATIONAL RESERVE

Herons flying on a lagoon in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve

The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve (PSNR), located close to Iquitos (Peru), is the largest government protected area within the floodable Amazon basin in South America with 2'080,000 ha (20,800 sq km or 5139.7 acres) is twice the area of the Yellowstone National Park (USA).

Herons colony

RAMSAR site since 1986, it is located among the rivers Marañón, Ucayali and Amazon housing a huge biodiversity: 527 bird species, 102 mammal species, 69 species of reptiles, 58 species of amphibians, 269 fish species, and 1024 species of plants. Some of these species are endangered as the charapa turtle (Podocnemis expansa), taricaya turtle (Podocnemis unifilis), the spider monkey (Ateles sp.), the giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), the jaguar (Panthera onca), the Amazon manatee (Trichechus inunguis), black caimans (Melanosuchus niger), the red macaw (Ara macao; A. ararauna), herons, hummingbirds, the harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja), and more.

Jungle trek

The altitude of the Reserve is between 80 to 206 msnm (263 to 675 feet above sea level) and have many lagoons and streams of calm water that reflects the landscapes and sky as a mirror. Due its landscapes and biodiversity, the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is an Amazon hotspot for ecotourism, adventure travel and birdwatching.

There are many tour companies -cruises, lodges, travel agencies and local guides of the villages living in the protected area (these people were trainned by the Peruvian government and NGOs)- that organizes jungle trips to the reserve, but always is better contact only with registered ones.

Sunset on the Amazon rainforest

The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is a superb place to see wildlife. Usually is necessary to take a minimun of three days, two nights or more to travel to the Pacaya Samiria and El Dorado lagoon ("cocha El Dorado" as the locals say) is one of the most interesting places within it, because hosts a plenty of birds, alligators, river turtles, paiches (Arapaima gigas, the largest fresh water fish in the world), monkeys, and beautiful landscapes of primary jungle. To visit El Dorado it is necessary to take at least a 6-day expedition.

To obtain official information on activities in Iquitos and Peru, tour companies and their reputation, Amazon rainforest tours, and local guides of the villages living in the Pacaya Samiria area, contact iPerú, the nationwide tourism office (run by PromPeru, the Peruvian tourism board) to iperuiquitos@promperu.gob.pe, www.peru.travel or their 24-hour line (+51 1) 574-8000.

More information: info@amazonexplorer.com

ACTIVITIES
Jungle survival training course

3-DAY BASIC JUNGLE SURVIVAL COURSE ON NOVEMBER 2011

On November 2011, Amazon Explorer will start a 3-day Basic Jungle Survival Training Course. From 08 to 10 November, take advantage of your time, travel to the Amazon in South America, and learn how to survive in the wild.

Amazon Explorer is a licensed company
registered by the Peruvian tourism authorities.

The instructional training has the aim of providing guidelines and techniques that will be useful as a standard for the staff of companies, or people that have a special interest to learn skills and activities to obtain basic jungle survival training. This training course contains aspects of jungle survival, giving the most practical ways of adaption to the environment, and the use of natural resources.

The jungle training course is divided into two phases: Theory is given in a conference room in Iquitos (river Amazon, Peru) and the practical part is taught 60 km (37 mi) from the city.

A day after the training course, on Nov11, 2011, the Amazon would be elected as one of the Seven Wonders of Nature. Please, do not forget vote for the Amazon in www.n7w.com.

The Shuar (Jibaro) People

A Shuar with his traditional crown of feathers
and face painting

Known as a fierce tribe and headhunters, noted for their custom to reduce human heads into an orange size, the Shuar people are formed by four groups: Ashuar, Aguaruna, Huambisa and the Shuar (all these tribes belong to the Jivaroan people, but popularly are known as Jivaros). Their lands extends along the Amazon, northern Peru and southern Ecuador.

Succesfully resistered the incursions of the Inca Empire and later the Spanish conquistadores. Before the Spanish conquest, the Inca Huayna Cápac tried to conquer the Shuar people. Later, in 1549, year in which for the first time arrived a Spanish expedition in the shelters of their isolated jungle. The leader of the expedition, who was really furious, sent a letter to the Spanish King telling him: “I inform my Majesty that their town is the most insolent that I have seen during all the time that I have been travelling in the Indies and fighting to conquer it”. This brave man, who was Hernando de Benavente, arrived there with the idea of establishing a camp, was obligated by the hostile Jibaros to lease their geographic areas.

In his book, which was title The Jívaro: People of the Sacred Waterfalls, edited in 1972, the anthropologist Michael J. Harner, set the place of this tribe in the history saying: “We only know an Indian tribe of American representatives that could fight against the Spanish Empire and failed all the intention of the conquerors to dominate them: the Jibaro people.”

Although, many Spanish armies dominated the tribe during half century, the Jibaro people rose in 1599 in rebellion. The Spanish chronicles related that during that year, aroun 20000 Jibaro leaded by Kirrúba (Quiruba) due the Governor of Macas, representative of the Spanish colony, charged a huge tribute to the indigenous people, the Jíbaro people rose in rebellion and kill a thousand of white citizens in only one day. First, they captured to the Governor in a city named Logroño de los Caballeros, poured melted gold in his throat up to his bowels exploded inside his body and destroyed the village. Some nights later, in 25 leagues of distance, they killed most of the men in the village of Sevilla de Oro and Valladolid, as well as Canelos, Zamora and other colonial villages in the area.

Nowadays, the Shuar people are located in the area of the rivers Tigre, Morona and Pastaza in Peru, and in south Ecuador. An expedition to their lands usually requires sense of adventure and 15 days available.

Further information:
Wikipedia: Shuar (Español).
Wikipedia: Shuar (English).

More information: info@amazonexplorer.com

ACTIVITIES
Jungle survival training course