Explorations Inc. is proud to offer this adventurous fishing experience for another year! Since 1993, this trip has been designed for people with a love of fishing and the outdoors who are looking for adventure in relative comfort. The renovated passenger riverboat, M/V Amazon Explorer, is your base of operations. The ship has eight air-conditioned cabins, each with twin beds and private bath/shower. The trip is limited to approximately 10 anglers. Traveling on the upper part (over 2,300 miles from the mouth) of the Amazon River and its tributaries, you will fish pristine areas far removed from cities and civilization. You will be fishing in the middle of a sea of green - the vast Amazon rainforest.

Fishing challenges with exotic species await you! The most infamous are the colorful tucunare, or Peacock Bass, and the red-bellied, black and white species of piranha. Other aggressive species include arawana, with its upturned mouth, famous leaping ability and aerial displays when hooked; payara have awesome teeth; pacu and oscars also provide tough fights; several species of catfish such as the suribim will also hit lures; and many more species hardly even known to man inhabit the region. One must often be alert to avoid hooking a caiman or fish hawkwhich are also attracted to lures.

We are now fishing in Peru's largest nature reserve, the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, with catches of 40 - 100 fish a day being common. This vast wilderness of almost 7 million acres, or 10,800 square miles, is protected from fish netting, and by virtue of being seasonally flooded, it is not populated. It is a very productive habitat for aquatic wildlife and the fishing should remain strong or even get better with each succeeding year! The lush tropical setting adds a great dimension to the outdoor experience. While fishing in remote jungle rivers, lakes and lagoons, you are likely to see monkeys, sloths, brilliantly plumed birds overhead in the orchid-laden trees, caiman and river turtles throughout the waterways. Often spotted in your fishing waters and your prime fishing competitors are the pink and grey species of freshwater dolphin and the impressive giant paiche (or pirarucu) which matures at lengths of 6 to 9 feet. (Usually on every trip several of these prehistoric looking fish are boated, mostly babies from 10 - 25 lbs, with the largest caught to date being approximately 130 lbs.)

This special fishing adventure and custom boat charter takes you to a remote part of the globe; to areas void of commercial fisheries and sportfishing lodges. Excluding occasional local natives, dolphin and water birds, you should see no other fishers! The all-inclusive (air, lodging, meals, fishing excursions) format helps to insure that the only hidden surprises are the daily natural wonders and catches, not additional charges.

Late summer/fall is the low water period in this part of the Amazon and therefore the best fishing time. We currently have six departures planned for 2001 (see top of page for Saturday departure date); just call for availability, as some dates often fill up soon or may be chartered! (Most past trips have been sell outs and 1999 and 2000 have been our most productive years since 1993!)

2002 Dates August 17 August 24 August 31 September 14 September 21 September 28 Ocotber 5

8 Days & 7 Nights Only $2495 to $2695 with air from many USA cities for this unique and challenging fishing adventure!

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Peacock Bass

Many consider this fish to be the toughest fighting fish in the world! It is extremely aggressive and acrobatic when hooked. Despite its name, the infamous Peacock Bass is the largest member of the cichlid family in the Amazon Basin. In some ways it does resemble a large mouth bass, but the larger Peacocks do not develop a pot belly and, during mating season, the males develop a large bump behind the head. In Portuguese and along most of the Amazon, the fish is called tucunaré. Due to the spot at the base of the tail, the Spanish nickname is pavon meaning peacock. In contradiction to North American bass, the larger the Peacock Bass, the better it fights. Be prepared for broken and lost tackle!

The Peacock live in the same habitats as other such notorious angling challenges as piranha, arawana, pacu and Zungaro catfish. Occasionally caught with lures, one of the largest freshwater fish in the world (over 800 lbs) the paiche or pirarucu also inhabit these waters. In this area of the upper Amazon (and most areas), the reality is that the majority of the Peacock usually boated are in the 2 - 5 lb range as they school and are more aggressive. Many 6 - 10 pounders are caught and larger ones have been lost! While the quantity is usually good, the trophy size Peacock (20+ lbs) have yet to be caught by sportfishers in the upper Amazon, the largest to date is 12 lbs. Maybe one day...

Fishing book author Larry Larsen calls the Peacock Bass:

"The World's Greatest Game fish- because it is attracted to cover, strikes top water lures regularly, jumps when hooked, never gives up a battle, is powerful enough to test anglers skills and tackle, breaks line and lures easily, has a physical appearance that looks exciting, and obtains a size of 15 to 25 pounds."

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Your Ship: Amazon Explorer

Your ship and accommodations for six nights (one night in hotel) will be the M/V Amazon Explorer. She is a twin-engine, steel-hulled, 16 passenger vessel. It has been refurbished for the purpose of providing travelers with a comfortable, yet adventurous way to visit the remote tributaries and backwaters of the Amazon. She is 85 feet long, 16 feet wide and draws only 6 feet of water depth, allowing access to remote tributaries of the Amazon.

All cabins have air conditioning with twin beds (bunk-style) and private bath/shower. Water for the showers is filtered in a tank and though it is not heated, it is not exactly cold either - a great way to get refreshed after a fishing adventure! The upper deck has a dining room/ lounge area where delicious buffet-style meals are served. The upper deck also has ample covered and uncovered areas for relaxation and superb views of the river and jungle. The decks also have plenty of space for those who may want to night fish after dinner! The Amazon Explorer carries smaller aluminum launches with outboard motors (one boat per two anglers) for fishing and shore excursions. In addition to a bar stocked with cold drinks, the ship also is connected by radio with the main office in Iquitos. Always receiving great reviews, the crew of 10 includes a knowledgeable, English-speaking guide and a professional chef.

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What Did Past Participants Have To Say?

The comments below are direct quotes from Larry Burkall's 1994 trip critique and are typical reactions to the trip!

"Seeing remote areas. The adventure of the daily fishing adventures." (Regarding the best part of the trip.)

"Hated to see it end." (Re: the worst part of the trip.)

"Segundo was terrific, worked hard, fun to be with, very knowledgeable about the area, very adventurous." (Re: the guides.)

"Terrific! Great crew, scenery. A real experience.

"I would go again!" (Re: other comments.)

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Itinerary

DAY 1, Saturday:
Upon Upon arrival in Lima, Peru, you are met at the airport by local staff personnel who will assist with your luggage and then transfer you into town to a nice hotel in the upscale suburb of Miraflores for the overnight stay.

DAY 2, Sunday:
An early morning flight to Iquitos takes you from the urban jungle to the rainforest jungle and your first look at the world's largest river, the Amazon! You are met the airport and transferred into town to the dock where you board a speedboat to catch up with the M/V Explorer which has been sent ahead upriver (in order to save travel time). Leaving Iquitos, you can absorb the dramatic scenery of the town's waterfront as vestiges of civilization quickly give way to native thatched houses along the shore. Once aboard the "mothership" and cabin assignments, the local guide provides an orientation about the M/V Explorer and the week's upcoming activities during the buffet lunch. This day (and all night) is spent traveling upriver, although there is usually time for a short stop at one of the few jungle towns (such as Nauta), for last minute items and a walk around. In the evening you relax and enjoy the beauty of the world's largest rainforest! Sunsets are a special time in Amazonia as they can provide an unbelievable myriad of colors. Later, the dark Amazon sky becomes nature's own planetarium with its open expanse of brilliant stars. You can look for the Southern Cross constellation, shooting stars, satellites, and even the visible band of the Milky Way as the ship continues up the Amazon River.

DAY 3 - 6, Monday - Thursday:
During these four days you will not only have a great fishing experience, you will also have a great life experience. Each day brings you new opportunities to observe some of nature's greatest spectacles and scenic fishing locations. The smaller boats and the determination of the guides provide you with access to backwater lakes and lagoons.

The exact daily schedule is mostly set by the location, weather, fish and your angling desire. The normal and suggested routine is to schedule a 6 AM daybreak (after coffee and toast) fishing excursion, returning to the ship around 10 - 11 a.m., when hunger and heat sets in. After breakfast, resting/socializing and a buffet lunch around 1 - 2 p.m., you head out again in the launches to fish until sunset. Upon your return to the ship, a delicious full buffet dinner is served. Some nights (and at mealtimes) the M/V Explorer may be moving to different locations, if not, you are always welcome to try your luck fishing for the great variety of catfish found in the Amazon rivers.

DAY 7, Friday:
The M/V Explorer heads back to Iquitos and going with the flow of the AmazonRiver allows for less travel time on the return. There is usually time for a short morning fishing session further downriver and another stop later in the day for village walk to better see how the local people live. Although there are no tourist shops where we go, it is usually possible to barter or purchase some souvenirs such as paddles, spears, blowguns, gourds, baskets and other native items.

DAY 8, Saturday:
After breakfast and arrival in Iquitos (for those connecting through Lima), you have some free time in town to explore, relax or shop in this unique town of the rubber boom era. Iquitos and its markets are full of activity and interesting sights. Motorized rickshaws are the principal means of transportation in town and a ride on one is well worth the inexpensive price! The local staff personnel will assist with the transfer to the airport and check-in for the midday flight to Lima. You are then met at the Lima airport and for the holdover (until the night flights back to the USA), we will transfer you into Miraflores (to the hotel previously stayed in for the first night) and have a day room available to store luggage, etc. In the evening, the local personnel will transfer those with night flights out back to the airport. During the afternoon you have free time to walk around, shop, relax, etc., or you can arrange independent optional explorations, activities, museum visits, etc., with the local personnel. Those returning to the USA will be assisted with connecting flights departing Lima this night, arriving in the USA early on Sunday morning, allowing for morning connections back to their home city. (For an additional $75 you may choose to overnight in Lima this Saturday night and fly out either the next morning or next night - hotel and transfers included.)

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Discounts available when booking direct
with Explorations Inc.

"Early Angler Discount": Register more than four months prior to your departure date and receive a $50 per person discount.

"Group Discount": When 3 or more sign up together, each will receive a minimum discount of $50. With 4 a $75 discount each, etc. With 7 or more particpants, it may be possible to have your own private group charter

Notes:

Explorations Inc. can arrange low-cost air connections. Call for prices from your city.

There is no single supplement if you are willing to share. Otherwise, the single supplement is an additional $300.

This adventure departs the USA on Saturday and returns the following Synday morning.

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For a Non-Fishing Partner

This trip offers exceptional opportunities for the casual angler or non-fishing companion. You will see some of world's most beautiful wildlife and amazing natural wonders. The quiet backwaters and lagoons run through a pristine tropical jungle with orchid-draped trees that soar 200 feet overhead. It is possible to observe a wide variety of wildlife that usually includes pink and grey dolphins, caiman, tree sloths and monkeys. Brilliantly hued parrots, macaws, toucans and hundreds of other species of birds abound throughout the region. The countless varieties of trees, giant ferns, palms, orchids, bromeliads and other epiphytes compete with the birds and animals in their splendor.

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Included in Trip Cost

• Including airfare from Miami on American Airlines, the price for this adventurous fishing expedition is only $2495 per person, double occupancy. Add $100 to $200 for roundtrip connecting airfare on AA from most major USA cities. (Explorations Inc. can assist with the best air connections from your home city.) Starting and ending in Lima, the price for this adventurous fishing adventure is $1,895 including the roundtrip airfare from Lima to Iquitos. Starting and ending in Iquitos, is only $1,695 per person, double occupancy.
• Services of a professional Amazon guide. The ship's experienced crew also includes an English-speaking cruise director/naturalist, a top chef and bartender. They are capable of providing a wealth of information.
• Full escort in Peru, including assistance with luggage.
• All transfers and transportation in South America.
• Three excellent meals a day, served buffet-style (from breakfast on Day 2 to breakfast on Day 8). Purified water and hot water for coffee/tea are available at all times on board.
• All lodging: 6 nights onboard the M/V Amazon Explorer and 1 night in Iquitos or Lima hotel.
• All fishing excursions with two anglers per aluminum skiff. We practice catch and release, except those damaged and saved for mealtime!

Not Included

• USA airport departure taxes (currently $50), which will be invoiced separately and then prepaid on your international air ticket.
• Peruvian airport taxes (currently $30), which you pay directly upon leaving Peru.
• Liquor, beer, and sodas.
• Personal items and non-group functions.
• Gratuities to local guides and crew.

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Some of the previous caught fish species include...

Common: Peacock Bass (tucanare or pavon), Piranha (red, black & white), Arawana, Cashoro (called dracula, it looks and fights like a small barracuda), Fasaco (wolf fish or sleepy fish), Pacu, and Oscars.

Less common: Payara, Sabalo, Añashua and Surubim (tiger catfish).

Rare: Paiche (pirarucu), Tambaqui, Stingrays and electric eels. 

Wildlife

Amazon wildlife that you are likely to see include: pink dolphins, the smaller grey river dolphin, the pre-historic looking hoatzin birds, sloths, monkeys, colorful tree frogs and toads, iguanas, toucans, parrots, macaws, kingfishers, horned screamers, herons, terns, hummingbirds, caiman, leaf cutter and army ants, piranhas, primeval looking catfish, strange looking insects and of course, a myriad of beautiful butterflies such as the iridescent blue Morpho. More rarely encountered are river otter, manatees, capybaras, anteaters, electric eels, the large tapir, and jungle cats. You can also experience perhaps the strangest wildlife of all; the nightlife on a ship in the middle of the Amazon!

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Explorations Inc. is licensed and registered with the State of Florida as a Seller of Travel. The phone number for the Florida Department of Commerce is 904-488-2221 and our SOT registration number is 15176. We are also registered in California as Seller of Travel #2021110-40. We are also an TSI Member of IATAN (International Airlines Travel Agent Network). An escrow account for trip payments is available - call for details and account number. Additional professional and client references are available upon request.

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Explorations Inc.
27655 Kent Rd
Bonita Springs, FL 34135
Phone: 1-239-992-9660
or toll free 1-800-446-9660 (in USA, Canada, P.R.)

Call anytime to receive detailed trip brochures or more information!

Also available are custom itineraries for small groups AND for the angler, our Amazon Fishing Adventures features Peacock Bass and other exotic species!