JUNGLE
SURVIVAL:
The strength
of Amazonia Expeditions program is the degree of personal
attention given to our clients. We are able to customize
an itinerary to the needs and interests of individuals.
Most of our travelers choose from among the softer alternatives
available; peacefully swimming with pink dolphins, visiting
native villages and canoeing along tranquil rivers while
watching monkeys and parrots frolic in the trees above.
But the current public fascination with "survivor"
themes is currently focusing attention on our more adventurous
offerings.
Long before our award-winning lodge was constructed near
the Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve, Amazonia Expeditions gained
renown as the western Amazon's first adventure camping company.
Among the alternatives available in jungle camping is the
jungle survival training itinerary. This option is still
available for our most adventurous clients.
Our jungle survival program has attracted a lot of publicity.
A feature article, "The Teachings of Gerineldo Moises
Chavez" on Amazonia's jungle survival program, written
by Robert Earle Howells, premiered in January 2001 Outside
Magazine. A TV program of the same name premiered on cable
TV January 10, 2001 (video or DVD copies can be purchased
from us).
Another TV program filmed at our lodge premiered on Discovery
Channel's Science of Survival series April 14, 2006. Finally,
Amazonia Expeditions owner, Paul Beaver, Ph.D. had his autobiography
published, "Diary of an Amazon Jungle Guide,"
which relates many tales of jungle camping and survival
aspects.
Amazon
jungle survival training program details:
The jungle survival training program takes place in Peru's
remote Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve. This reserve is famous
for having the highest diversity of mammals of anyplace
studied in the Amazon. It is located approximately 100 miles
SSE of the nearest city, Iquitos.
Some
aspects covered:
1. Construction of lean-to
How to select site, soil and drainage aspects
What woods to use to set up framework; how to use irapay
palm (Lepidocaryum tenue) fronds to rainproof
2. Construction of fire
Recognition of wood that will have hard, dry interior even
when waterlogged by rainforest humidity; use of copal resin
as fire starter
3. Sources of pure water
Immature yarina (Phytelephas macrocarpa) fruits; puca huasca
vine (Doliocarpus dentatus) and cano huasca vine (Uncaria
spp.)
4. Sources of food
Palm fruits; palm hearts from Euterpe and Iriartea genera;
edible beetle grubs; legumes, especially from Inga genus;
using barbasco (Lonchocarpus species) sap to stun fish;
canabrava (Gynerium sagittatum) to build fish trap; tamshi
vine (Carludovica devergens) to make animal snare
5. Raft construction
Recognition of balsa wood, tied together with tamshi vine,
oar from remo caspii (Styrax acuminatum)
6. Mosquito repellent
Made from Nasutitermes termites
7. Weapons
Fishing spear from cumaceba (Cesalpina echinata); bow from
cashapona (Iriartea exorrhiza), string from chambira (Astrocaryum
chambira), arrowshafts from bamboo and arrowheads from cumaceba.
8. Survival Medicines
Venomous snakebite--piripiri leaves (Cyperus articulatus)
Venomous insect--curarina bark (Potalia amara)
Fever--sanango root (Sanango durum)
Disinfectant--pichirina sap (Vismia angusta)
Field dressing--fiber inside bark of machimango (Ceiba species)
Antiparasitical--oje sap (Ficus antihelmintica)
Dysentery or gastrointestinal distress--hierba luisa leaves
(Cymbopogon citratus)
