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The South American explorer was amazing. Lots of fun and unique experiences I wouldn’t have experienced without contiki. It was a good balance of partying and non partying. Our trip manager was also the best, he was awesome and so fun, he really looked after us. One of the guides on the Inca trail was amazing too

This trip is not for the faint- hearted. But for me, part of the appeal was very basic accommodation, sleeping in a hammock on deck and showering in cold river water. If you don't expect any luxury on the water, you'll love it. With no changing facilities on board apart from a rudimentary loo/ shower you get to know your fellow travellers very well. And great teamwork when the boat was caught in a storm, battening diwn the hatches. Explore make it clear that it isn't what most people would describe as a cruise!

The accommodation was as a described in the trip notes varying from a Radisson hotel to cute beach huts, cramped metal cabins on the ferry and hammocks close together on the deck of our private boat. If you can't cope with that then don't book this trip. We had a great group and a wonderful guide who coalesced as friends and had an amazing experience. Don't expect to see much mammalian or reptilian wildlife apart from some monkeys, dolphins and Cayman but on the motorised canoe trip on the smaller reaches of the Rio ***** and on Marajo there was copious exotic bird life. Be super careful about food hygiene on the public ferry - a few of us succumbed - but otherwise the food was good and the fruit delicious as was the piranah soup made from the piranah we caught that day.

This is an excellent trip which gives an insight into life and living on the mighty Amazon. From Belem over to Marajo Island, the size of Holland, to understand the importance of the buffalo on this island and sample all of the products, and then back to Belem. From Belem to Santarem the hustle and bustle of a passenger ferry, living life on board in a hammock alongside the ultra friendly locals. I loved the stops at towns en route to watch the frenzy of loading and unloading, and even better watching how the traders stranded on the ferry when it left dealt with still being on board. Option 1, jump off and swim to the dock. Option 2, try to get a small boat to come alongside and grab a lift back to the dock, or Option 3, accept you're going all the way from Monte Alegre to Santarem (a few hours) and explain to your wife where you've been!!!!!! From Santarem to Alter de Chao, a lovely little town on the banks of the Rio Tapajos, beautiful beaches and forests, the best pineapple, sweet and juicy, and I actually don't even like pineapple, and add in some purple dragonfruit, lovely. From Manaus the voyage up the river will put you right into the Amazon and life around it. Go and do some piranha fishing, pink dolphin observing and steamy jungle walking, but its a busy part of the trip so dont expect a lot of downtime. And finally, the slightly weirdness of the Meeting of the Waters, where the ***** and Solimoes join to form the Amazon proper. Just make sure you enjoy with the odd caipirinha

This was my 5th Contiki and it was another unforgettable experience. The trip manager () was excellent, a true expert in all things South American. My only constructive comment is linked to the number of days spent in Buenos Aires. The add ons and city were disappointing compared to the rest of the trip. I can't believe we spent so long there. I would have much rather spend more time in the Amazon or in Rio.

Unlike the dense Amazon rainforest, the Pantanal is more open and flat, making wildlife easier to spot. Over 650 bird species, including hyacinth macaws, Toco Toucans, Greater Rhea, jabiru storks. Jaguars (we saw Three!) We also saw Capybaras, giant river otters, caimans, tapirs, Coati, Howler and Capuchin Monkeys, Azara's agouti, tamandua, Crab eating fox to name a few!