If touring the Amazon is not on your itinerary, then it’s time you add it. My good friend from Local Removals Highgate is a big fan of the Amazon. Spanning nine countries, the Amazon is the world’s most biodiverse rainforest, with as many different fauna and flora species as you can imagine. Whether you are a lover of animals or nature itself, whatever the reason, a trip to the South American jungle is one of a lifetime. Here are five undeniable reasons to visit the Amazon.
The Colossal Rainforest
The Amazon rainforest covers about 5.5 million square kilometres with a thick, lush green tree cover that produces about 20 percent of the world’s oxygen. Although deforestation has claimed a good chunk of the forest in Brazil, the Peruvian share is still pristine. There is so much to explore in the depth of the jungle and there are expert guides to see to it that you have an adventure of a lifetime.
Rich Biodiversity
If you are an animal lover, this South American jungle should feel like home to you. It is home to over 10 million species of animals, from jaguars, howler monkeys, sloths, and frogs, to the iconic toucan – some of which we only see in documentaries, read in books, or journals. Nearly 2.5 million species of insects and thousands of plant species call the rainforest home. You can only truly appreciate the most assorted wildlife biodiversity by visiting the enormous Amazon.
The People
Talking of biodiversity, the Amazon is also home to an indigenous community of the Maijuna people. They are so familiar with the forest that interacting with the Amazon locals feels warm and natural. Life is relaxed and slow-paced here, and the people are not shy of confirming this. Do not worry, but let the locals show you how easy and comfortable life can be in the forest.
Fruits and Food
Starving in the Amazon is nothing else if not a choice. There are nearly 3000 types of edible fruits, and I am sure you do not know most of them. South American cuisines are also a true fusion of flavour and a delight to visitors. The food here is simple; most of it is prepared from one hundred percent natural ingredients. The flavours are fresh and quite different from what we enjoy every other day. Juane, for example, is one of Peru’s delicacies made from rice, meat, beans, eggs, and olive. Other unique local dishes include tacacho and patarashca.
The Amazon River
The Amazon River is the second longest river in the world, flowing for about 4000 miles, and the largest river by water volume. Wildlife species in the river are also quite varied. The Amazon River hosts fascinating water animals such as the flesh-eating piranha, pink dolphin, and crocodiles. It offers an excellent route to tour or gets around the amazon forest by boat or motorised canoes, with quite a stretch to explore.
Watch the Sunset
Evenings along the river are gorgeous, to say the least, with a very picturesque sunset. The lush green forest fades to black as the sun touches the horizon, and the sky lights up with a warm burst of orange bouncing off the water on the wide river. Sound from the jungle also comes to life, ushering in the night, a moment that will take you a lifetime to forget.
Final Thoughts
The best time to visit the Amazon is during the dry season, which lasts from June to October. A trip to the amazon will fully satisfy your spirit of adventure. You can arrange with expert tour guides from various exploration routes in the forest and treat yourself to an experience of a lifetime. And also, do not forget to bring bug spray.
This is an excellent documentary on the Amazon.