The Expedition
About the Expedition:
Expedition Amazonas is a journey and undertaking of a lifetime. Over 7 months and 7000km, a professional team of explorers are trekking and paddling the entire length of the world’s biggest and longest river - the mighty Amazon!
This is a traverse of the South American continent, from near the Pacific coast of Peru to the mouth of the Amazon River where it meets the Atlantic Ocean off Brazil.
Encountering a range of terrain from harsh deserts, the snow-capped mountains of the Andes and ultimately the Amazon itself, the team face adventure, adrenalin, peril, hardship and life-changing experiences at every twist and turn of the mighty river.
- To be the first is not the aim of the expedition.
- To break records is not the aim of the expedition.
- The aim of the expedition is the journey itself!
Background:
Partnered with environmental and indigenous rights action group, Amazon Watch, the expedition will highlight the absolute need for a balance between global, sustainable development and the protection of the earth’s natural environment, along with its most vulnerable populations.
The expedition is being undertaken by a team of experienced professionals using custom-built equipment supplied by industry leaders including Teva, Kokatat, First Ascent, ARK, Suunto and Garmin.
Please explore the website to learn more about the expedition, the team and their equipment, the work of Amazon Watch, committed sponsors and this amazing world in which we all live. Follow the progress of the team with news updates and a unique mapping facility as they face everyday, a new set of challenges and adventures. Be inspired to follow your own dreams and play a part in creating a planet that will allow others to do the same. Awe!
The Expedition in Detail:
The expedition can be broken into five distinct sections.
Summiting the Source:
Nevado Mismi, true source of the Amazon River
The team treks to the Andean summit of Nevado Mismi, which is officially regarded as the ‘true source of the Amazon River’. In May, 2000, a National Geographic team travelled to this region to determine the source of the Amazon River once and for all.
Altitude and unpredictable weather conditions are very real threats in this section of the trip!
Having reached the summit of Nevado Mismi and located the trickle of water which signals the beginnings of the Amazon River, we begin following the banks of the tributary, until such time it grows in size enough to begin the rafting component of the expedition.
It is from here that the expedition takes on a new dimension …
Whitewater Fury:
The Apurimac River
The Apurimac River is the major headwater of the Amazon proper and marks the beginnings of our river journey. Rafting the entire length of the Amazon River awaits …
High in the Andes mountains, 4000m above sea level, the team begins six weeks of rafting some of the most dangerous whitewater found anywhere in the world, navigating rapids ranging from Grade 2 to Grade 6, and a descent through the Apurimac Canyon.
The Apurimac is a relentless test of technical skills and nerve. It is now that teamwork & performance under daily pressure will be tested. The Apurimac combines both technical rafting with big volume pushy whitewater – it has a reputation for intensity and punishment!
The Great Flat Expanse:
The Apurimac Canyon gives way to the Ene River
At long last, the ‘Whitewater Fury’ eases but we now enter the Ene River, a ‘red zone’ hotbed of militia and rebel activity. Our technical skills will not be as important as our skills in negotiation and communication as we travel through a known political ‘hotspot’.
An oar frame is fitted to the raft and so begins a journey of endless days of rowing, filming, eating and sleeping (or at least trying to).
After time the Apurimac River merges with the Perene and Urubamba Rivers to form the Ucayali River.
The Amazon Basin:
The Lungs of the Planet
Here the expedition crosses through the northern section of Peru, touches the border of Colombia and across the entire breadth of Brazil’s northern regions. This involves thousands of kilometres on a river that at times is so wide it is not possible to see its banks!
It is between the towns of Nauta and Iquitos that the Ucayali River merges with the Maranon River to first become the Amazon River by name.
With the Amazon River now in peak flow we will travel nearly 3,700 kilometres through the ‘Lungs of the Planet’ – the Amazon rainforest.
The Last Frontier:
The Amazon Delta
The expedition reaches the Amazon Delta and the team does battle with some of the most powerful tidal flows on the planet, as well as huge waves originating from the Atlantic Ocean.
This final leg of the expedition is technically demanding and a true test of endurance nearing the end of the journey. Massive tidal surges lasting up to 12 hours a day mean patience and planning are vital.
The final destination is Ponte Taipu, at the mouth of the Amazon River!
Subscribe to our RSS feed