Peru

This data for Iquitos Peru is from the NASA Langley Atmospheric Science Data Research Center.

Latitude: Minus 3.75 degrees south of the equator.

The altitude above sea level is approximately 350 feet.

The Coordinated Universal Time of Peru is UTC-5, the same as Florida and New York, Eastern Standard Time.

The time difference between the longest day and the shortest day is only 18 minutes.

The temperature measured by ° F averaged from 22 years of data per month:

(Jan. 82.09) (Feb. 81.86) (Mar. 82.60) (Apr. 82.06) (May 82.42) (June 82.20)

(July 82.04) (Aug 83.55) (Sept. 85.78) (Oct. 86.59) (Nov. 84.88) (Dec. 82.87)

The average rainfall at the Iquitos Port is 103 inches per year. March and April have slightly more rain on a 10 year average, and July and August have slightly less than average, but contrary to popular belief there is very little difference in month to month precipitation in Iquitos. The water level of the river fluctuates by as much as 40 feet per year, triggered by rainfall and snow melt on the east slopes of the Andes.

Dawn on the Amazon

This is an account of my interaction with a character I worked with years ago. I hope to develop more stories about Jose and some of what he taught me as I explored the upper Nanay River over 300 kilometers from Iquitos Peru.

Jose

“Pescado fresco?” Jose brings his fingers to his mouth in the age-old sign of eating. “Comer?” He keeps his canoe steady with a one-handed swirl of his paddle, easy as breathing.

He wants to know if we keep the fish we catch today or throw them back. He does not understand catch and release or the crazy gringo who hired him to guide his boat to good fishing on the Nanay River. To come all this way, to expend this energy for nothing is foolish decadence.

“Si,” I say. “Fresco.” Fresh fish to eat will be nice.

Jose smiles. He is happy. This is what a man does. He catches fish. Eats his fill and salts and dries the rest. Then works his yuca patch.

Welcome, I am Bill Grimes, writer, photographer, naturalist, and jungle guide. I live and work in Iquitos Peru, on the rivers, and in the rainforests. I am also the owner and president of Dawn on the Amazon Tours and Cruises, a small but cozy adventure outfitter for independent travelers.

This blog will focus on the charming port town of Iquitos and on my expeditions on the upper Amazon watershed of Peru. You will find travel planning strategies designed to help you save money and time.

I have recently been to Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, Allpahuayo Mishana National Reserve, the newly enlarged Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Reserve, Pevas, Nauta, the triple frontier, and many other exciting river and rainforest destinations. I will post details of those travels and will offer advice that will be valuable to help you build your own Amazon Adventure.

On Oct 22-27, 2007 we will cruise up the Nanay River through Allpahuayo Mishana National Reserve in my riverboat, Dawn on the Amazon III. I will be posting about the behind the scenes work that goes into a successful major expedition into the jungle.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask by going to the contact link on our web site at;
http://www.dawnontheamazon.com/

My most recent photos can be viewed on line at http://www.flickr.com/photos/dawnontheamazon/

Thanks for visiting my blog. Stop by regularly for more information about Amazon cruises, Amazon tours, and the bio-diversity of the rainforest near Iquitos, Peru.

Best regards,
Bill