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Amazon Riverboat Exploration

Aboard a riverboat deep in the heart of Peru’s flooded Amazon region, you’ll help to conserve river dolphins and monkeys, and protect the fragile South American wilderness.

The vast, pristine Amazonian forests of northeastern Peru are home to an incredible array of wildlife. As you travel along the Yarapa River, you’ll spot pink river dolphins and caimans swimming through the waters, while monkeys and extraordinary birds move through the canopy overhead. In the lakes you can find a vast array of fish, and sometimes you can even spot rare giant river otters hunting and playing.

But this spectacular diversity is declining due to recent intense climate fluctuations that have caused floods and droughts. As part of an Earthwatch team, you’ll help survey the area’s wildlife to gather key information about the health of the ecosystem and the sustainability of traditional hunting and fishing. Through this community-based approach, you’ll help researchers develop conservation strategies that confront the current threats from climate change and ensure sustainable use of these valuable resources.

You’ll sleep aboard a restored, 100-year-old air-conditioned vessel from the Rubber Boom era that is moored in the Yarapa River of the Samiria-Yavari protected areas. There, you’ll discover a flooded forest whose waters run from the Andes Mountains through this delicate wilderness. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet and work with the Cocama people from a nearby village. With your help, Earthwatch and the Cocama will develop management plans to protect both the needs of the indigenous people and the wildlife of the Samiria-Yavari landscape.


For more information or to book contact our office (03) 9016 7590 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Reviews

 

 Alexis Bridoux | 

"I Loved the Amazon Riverboat Exploration!"

The Amazon Riverboat trip exceeded my expectations. It was intellectually and culturally rich. I was involved in the research, and I felt that my contribution made a difference. I learned so much from Dr. Bodmer and his entire team. Plus, there were master's students who were there working on their own research projects which directly related to the different fieldwork we did. So, with each activity, I was able to get more insight from students. Also, the field support was amazing. Generous, kind, and helpful. I loved the trip

 

 2024 Earthwatch Participant | May

"Fantastic adventure, terrific research team. Dr. Bodmer is a wealth of knowledge."

This was my first Earthwatch expedition and certainly increased my excitement about Earthwatch and thirst for further adventures. I am considering returning to the Amazon during the rainy season. Having taken a course in Tropical Rainforest Ecology 40 years ago!), the Amazon was on my "short list" of places to go for decades. Dr. Bodmer is one of the most knowledgeable, dedicated scientists I've known, and his research contributions to the region and to Peru cannot be understated. With so much to see and do, we kept busy for the entire 11 days—covering terrestrial, aquatic, and cultural adventures. Do not sell yourself short—you can do this! His research team and staff are fantastic. You will not regret going to the Amazon. And Earthwatch is the only way I would wish to go back. Far from the commercial world we live in, this is the real deal. Just be prepared to sweat a little!

 

 2024 Earthwatch Participant | 

"A Unique Experience That Will Boost Your Systemic Thinking"

This is an engaging, well-balanced experience. It was great to learn from Dr. Bodmer about the wildlife being studied and how each species fits into the local ecology. He's particularly impressive in the way that he understands and explains the systemic nature of this environment—and not just the ecological systems but social, political, and economic systems as well. The research helps make clear how these things influence each other and cannot be separated. Just getting a better handle on this relationship was worth the price of admission. The accommodations were comfortable, and it was fun to be living on the historic riverboat—definitely a one-off experience. Participants could choose exactly what they wanted to do and how much to do. Nothing was physically demanding (except maybe the mosquitos). I appreciate how the research empowers the local indigenous people to influence policies, protect their environment, and preserve their cultures. They are true partners in the work being done here.

  

 Theresa Siskind | 

"Amazon Riverboat Exploration Offers Wide Array of Opportunities"

The Amazon Riverboat Exploration was my fifth Earthwatch expedition and my sixth "volunteer" expedition of this type. The Riverboat Exploration was unique in many ways, but one surprising facet was the wide array of opportunities in which to participate. I have never been on an expedition that offered me so much latitude about what to do each day and so much variety overall.

$3,850
Duration: 8+ days