Jungle Adventure!

Hello,
my friend and I are residents of Montréal, and we are planning and expedition to Peru for the beginning of next summer, simply for the sake of adventure in the South American wilderness. We are wondering, is it safe to go off into the jungle with a tent and some provisions? Should we bring a guide? What kind of insects and animals should we watch out for? Are there any areas one should avoid? Are there books one might recommend, survival tips, training one should consider before heading out on such an expedition?
We are planning on flying out to Lima and starting our trip from there.

Thanks very kindly for your help!

David and Jules Reply to this

Hiii David and Jules, my name is Leonor , i am from Peru, and i will go to the Amazon for new year...I will take a fly to Pucallpa, i catch a boat for 3 days to Iquitos....i had the same questions , i was searching information, and i will go to the jungle with tent and some provisions too....if u dont speak spanish is better bring a guide....u need to vaccinated yourself against the yellow fever..they said is better 10 days before the trip..bring with u a lot repellent..ohhh aobut the malaria, some doctors recommend take a pill one week before the trip, but another said u can take with u some stronge pill,. and u use that only if is necesary..
i hope have fun in this trip 😊))
good luck
Leonor Reply to this

Hello, this is Gerson from Iquitos in Peru, I was born in a village near Iquitos and since I was 8 years old my whole family have worked in jungle tour company thaT exploited me and my family, now we have decided to show and teach to the People on Earth about the Amazonian Basin and its Importance for the entire human living...
we are family descendant of Cocamas and Jibaros Etnic race and thanks to my family I was able to learn english at the University in Iquitos...we were being exploited by owners of Jungle tour agencies in Iquitos, those people were NOT born in the jungle, some of the owners are from other places and some are foreigners.
now we give our guidance service to the tourists who are interesting to help out and support to the local people in Amazonian Basin a long the rivers.
we have all our camping equipment such as : mosquitoes net, boots, flash lights, tent, sheets, fishing rod, water proof coat, raincoat, machete and etc, of course our Hospitality, friendship to you as our brothers.
for further imformation email me :
we will happy to meet you to show and teach you about the real life in the our village and in the Jungle.
thanks in advance.
sincerely

Reply to this

Hello guys,
Take note that wish and dream of yours is very serious.
Entering a bath tub is not safe.
But, also, Peruvian Amazonas has it's demands, and also is not deadly so much if a person knows something before. That much for the safety.
There are many tours, but from you had written I understand that you are on some personal adventure.
First of all, you have to determine the part of Peru you want to go, and also the type of your expectation.
If you are into something that is out of touristy limits (albergues, organized visits, guided tours) - I strongly urge you to reconsider, or to take some serious learnings about the environment.
There are some organised tours that include sleeping in tents, outside of any civilization. But even for that purpose, one must be prepared, physically and mentally.
Ask yourselves: how much do we know about trekking, mountaineering, staying out there in the nature, then in your mind translate that into some new environment, different from all things that you may encouter in your country.
I can tell you much about spiders, snakes, poisonous plants, but what the heck? I have no knowledge where you're going, which part of Peru, neither other participants of forum.
But, it is very good that you ask, you must know that many tourists and adventurers die or become injured because of lack of knowledge.
By some answers given here, I can understand that people are trying to offer you "the taste of the Amazonas". That is our problem, of real travellers: to choose between touristy taste and real adventure.

Some kit to make you start:
1. Yellow fever vaccine
2. Tetanus shot also
3. Malaria: a more complex question. All of the pills available keep you safe from just a part of the malaria sickness forms. Some can damage your liver. Repellents are highly reccomended.
4. Antibiotics. Definitely to take, like some Sumamed pills (Azitromicina).
5. Beware of the ants. Take some antibiotic grease.
6. Pain relief, alcohol, cotton, first bandage for the bleeding (elastic if possible),
7. And do not be locos (crazy) about the water pills. Bottled water is available, if drinking (or forced to drink) water like locals - take their advice. There is no safety guaranteed, even in developed countries. I.e. bottled water in some countries is filled from the tap.

Oh, I forgot: there are many possible parasites that can enter your skin and orifices. never swim, unless forced to, avoid barefoot walking, in dust and sand, and take note that piranhas are not so dangerous as in the movies. And that aligators are also not 12 meter bloodthirsty animals. Ask the locals.

After all, it is not so bad.

Learn more: google, wikipedia, lonely planet.

But do not go unprepared - if you want to do something of your own.
Never!

Mike65

Greetings from Croatia.

P.S. - PM me if you have some additional questions. Maybe I can dig something that you like.
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