www.audleytravel.com/amazon ?01993 838 600 ?Amazon25deforestation and development have playedtheir negative part. It is believed that thoseIndians who do still inhabit the Amazon speakover 200 different languages and preservegenerations' worth of tribal tradition andwisdom. It is also thought that more than half of the world's 'uncontacted' tribes live deepwithin the Amazon.Audley in the AmazonBeing so vast if can be difficult to know whichpart of the Amazon to visit. In truth there is noright or wrong answer, it is usually a case ofwhich area fits in best with the rest of yourtravel plans. The traveller's experience can varysubstantially by country, not only in terms ofinfrastructure and accommodation but also dueto the extraordinary biodiversity of flora andfauna. However, to give you an idea of what toexpect we have given a brief insight of typicalAmazon experiences below.River journeysCruises along tributaries of the Amazon operatefrom Manaus in Brazil (page 73), Iquitos innorthern Peru (page 20) and Coca in Ecuador(page 39). They are largely relaxing affairs withthe main benefit being air-conditioned facilitieson board, allowing you to escape the heat andhumidity of the rainforest. Excursions are takenby dugout canoe with naturalist guides alongsmaller, quieter tributaries of the river lookingfor wildlife along the shorelines and in thecanopy above. Stops are also made atindigenous villages to gain an insight into thelocal way of life but on the whole, walking alongtrails through the jungle, is kept to a minimum.Amazon lodgesLodges present by far the widest range ofopportunities for exploration of the rainforest.Within the Madidi National Park in Bolivia, theTambopata and Manu Reserves in Peru, theYasuni National Park and Huaorani Territory in Ecuador and the Anavilhanas and MamirauáReserves in Brazil, there are lodge options forthe keenest of wildlife enthusiasts, those lookingfor a wonderful overview of the Amazon orthose seeking a more 'hands-on' experiencestaying with a local community. Excursions from lodges are usually undertaken atdawn and dusk when wildlife is at its most activeand out of the heat of the day. Experiencesrange from walking well-marked nature trailslooking for various types of birds and species ofmonkey and sloth, to learning about themedicinal properties of plants. In the eveningyou may board a paddle canoe to cross apeaceful blackwater lake searching for caimanand shore birds or head out on a night walk asmany of the insect, frog and snake species arenocturnal. For keen birdwatchers, some lodgesare located close to clay licks which are a vitalsource of minerals for parrots and macaws,attracting these birds in their swathes early inthe morning. If staying at a community-basedlodge you will spend time with the villagerslearning how they live off the forest, cookingwith them, learning about their huntingtechniques and even visiting their local school.Lodges vary from the very basic with sharedfacilities, no electricity and cold water, tocomfortable, well furnished cabins with privatebathrooms. As a general rule, the best chancesof spotting wildlife are at the more remotelodges and these generally have the most limitedfacilities. If you are seeking more of a culturalAmazon experience with more exposure to the indigenous tribes you will find that thechances of seeing wildlife will be less.Responsible travelIt is important that any kind of travel to theAmazon minimises any negative effect (or indeed has a positive effect) on its peopleand the environment. We ensure that any visituses lodges or cruises that work sensitively with local villagers, or are owned and operatedby the local communities themselves. Thisenables the local tribes to be self-sufficient andresist external political pressures and projectsthat can encroach on to their territory anddestroy the flora, fauna and their heritage.Clay lick, Peruvian AmazonTypical paddle canoe excursion, Amazon basin

26Boliviaof the country; from the deep blue waters of Lake Titicaca framed by snow-cappedmountains on the horizon, to the multi-coloured lakes, vast deserts anddazzling salt flats of the southwesternplateau and steamy jungles of the Amazonbasin, and wildlife-rich grasslands of thesoutheast. Cities captivate visitors from the world's highest capital in La Paz, to the whitewashed colonial beauty of Sucre and the ghostly, eerie presence of Potosí.Bolivians are warm and welcoming people,always pleased to see someone who takes the trouble to visit the country they are sorightly proud of. They will ensure your stay,whether for a few days or a few weeks, is amemorable one. Bolivia is truly SouthAmerica as its most visceral.Bolivia, the vast but landlocked country at the heart of South America, is anunforgettable destination. Traditionalreligions, languages, costumes and festivalsthat have spanned many thousands of yearshave been gilded by a layer of Spanishcolonialism, resulting in a colourful andintriguing cultural blend. Combined withthis is the awe-inspiring natural beauty