The warm and humid climate remains relatively constant throughout the year, giving this area its botanical category of "Ever wet Tropical Forest". Normal daytime temperature highs are 32† C (90 †F) and nighttime lows are 23† C (74 †F). The average annual temperature is 24† C (76 †F).
The Amazon Region contains the world’s largest tropical rainforest, the world’s largest river, and perhaps the greatest diversity of wildlife to be found anywhere. More than 4000 species of birds, 2000 species of fish, 60 species of reptiles, including the Caiman and the Anaconda, the world's largest non-venomous snake, and a great variety of mammals such as the Jaguar, Peccary, Giant Anteater, Tapir, Capybara and Pink River Dolphin.
The three-rainforest ecosystems that are commonly found are the igapó (flooded by black water), terra firma, and varzea (flooded by white water). The igapó and varzea forest have seasonal variations in water depth of as much as 12 m (39 ft). To adapt to this enormous fluctuation, plants and animals have evolved some of the most bizarre shapes and behaviors. Also due to these seasonal floods, the wildlife is constantly changing and in every trip we may see new and unusual creatures.
The terra firme forest is found just above the high water line and is most people’s vision of the rainforest. On the hills and stretching for thousands of kilometers away from the riverbanks, giant trees dominate the firm land with buttress-like roots well above ground. Along the shaded forest floor you will find wonderfully adapted plants and perhaps we find the tracks of Wild Pigs, Agoutis, Pacas, Jaguars, Armadillos, and other large animals that exist in the rainforest.
The third major type of forest is the varzea. This type is also a temporary flooded forest, but the water that rushes through the trees is café au lait in color and is full of minerals and nutrients eroded from the Andes. In this tremendously rich bio-system we will see large concentrations of birds, mammals, and a collection of plants entirely different from igapó or terra firma.
In addition to our rainforest explorations, another important feature of the program will be our visits to the homes of forest residents. We will visit and learn what their lives are like, living on the edge of this vast trackless forest. A walk through their gardens is always interesting and we will learn their survival skills, which permit them to continue living in the complex tropical forest environment. Almost all forest dwellers collect plants for medicines and we will talk to them about which plants they collect and their uses. During our voyage you will have the opportunity to meet and interact with many different communities that live along the shores of the Napo River Basin.
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