Ever felt transported or wished to be? Bucketlist confession: That’s the Amazon and the Sahara for me. Opposites for most. I reconcile contradictions. We landed in Alfredo Vásquez Cobo International Airport (LET) in Leticia, Colombia having booked the flight a week prior. Greeted by Lilia and Ramiro, a Huitoto couple, and rubber boots. We headed straight into the mysterious Amazon Rainforest. 99% excited. 1% nervous. My last “hike” was Pelham Bay Park, Boogie Down. Bucketlist Travelhack™: Travel light.
We arrived at the beginning of rainy season. After six hours of trekking on newly forming rivers, we reached the Maloca. A large traditional communal home designed to represent the universe and knowledge. Shaped by wood and palm into a giant circle with pointed ceilings. Our days would pass in humble hammocks within this peaceful temple.
Abuelo, the Shaman, met us with a gentle welcoming smile. Funny how language is irrelevant in certain encounters. With our broken Spanish and his ability to transcend language, we spoke for hours. Abuelo unexpectedly invited us to an Ayahuasca ceremony. Bucketlist Healthhack™: Zero alcohol and Death-Free™ ensured Ayahuasca was easy on our body and revealing for our mind. I saw the rare Black Jaguar.
The Amazon has no borders. Bucketlist fact: Our world is borderless. We traveled the Amazon River in Columbia, Peru and Brazil passportless. Swimming with native free living Pink Dolphins (they surrounded us), and watching the night sky with Caiman. We met the largest weaver in the world, the Golden Web Spider.
We feasted on incredible no-where-else-on-Earth fruits collected before our eyes. Like, cupuaçu. We’d crave ’em long after our departure. Bucketlist Healthhack™: Avoid killing animals in the Amazon or eating their cadavers. Piranhas are prime tourist victims. Sometimes locals encourage sharing or creating damage to please tourists. That’s never the “native” culture to experience. Bucketlist conscious travel is exchanging goodness. We Travelers sow seeds in hearts and minds, with deeds and words.
The mark you’ll leave is the infinity of your lifetime.
We learned healing techniques, and shared knowledge of Mushrooms and living Death-Free™. We spent hours in a rare true sanctuary for Monkeys rescued from capture. No fences or cages, the Monkeys roam free in their jungle. The sanctuary simply provides safety for these animal-people that remind us who we are and who they are – reflections. Charlie did swipe our keys. Luckily, he hides everything in one treasure chest. The night ground was lit by bioluminescent Mushrooms. Bucketlist Soulhack™: It’s nature that gives us ideas, not the other way around.
We’d swing through trees too. Nothing took our breath away like the majestic ancient Ceibas.
Two weeks later on our journey out, tattooed with jagua and wayruru beads, la Amazonia’s second deadliest Snake graced our path. Abuelo gently moved the Snake with a nearby stick.Voilà. Bucketlist Lifehack™: Fear and greed destroys. The Amazon is ripe with examples of both as this sacred haven is mowed for nonsense.
Brazil (60%), Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname are entrusted guardians of our Amazon Rainforest owing a duty to all. Bucketlist Travelhack™: Experience the Amazon like a Bucketlister. Hold sacred that your travel is not to cause, learn or teach harm. The mark you’ll leave is the infinity of your lifetime. Be a Traveler, not a tourist. Use the exclusive Bucketlist Amazon Traveler Guide complete with packing lists, language and safety hacks, and insider recommendations. You deserve this.
Bonne vie, Friends.
Video: Bucketlist Travel the Amazon Rainforest by Bucketlist
BUCKETLIST TRAVEL LIGHT
Dry or Wet Season
∞ Backpack (waterproof or rain cover)
26 liters 12.5L×6.8W×18.5H in or
35 liters 14L × 9W × 19H in
∞ Roll up Hat (sun protection).
∞ Light Scarf (sun and bug protection). See video, gently fan scarf to keep clear of mosquitos.
∞ Sunglasses.
∞ Head lamp (for night walks).
∞ Bucketlist Wash or castile soap 2oz (hair and skin).
∞ Bucketlist Sun Protection or nontoxic SPF30 sunscreen (Bucketlist Healthhack™: Avoid direct sun exposure between 11 AM – 3 PM).
∞ Light colored full sleeve clothing (4 tops/2 pants).
∞ Underwear/socks (5 days)
∞ Light sweater/cover.
∞ Swimsuit (if river swimming).
∞ Quick dry linen or bamboo towel (avoid microfiber).
∞ Snake bite venom extractor.
∞ Oregano, Citronella and/or Tea Tree essential oils (insect repellent) .
! Do not take commercial insect repellents into the Amazon.
∞ Collapsed duffle bag (for purchases).
∞ Medication, inhaler, glasses, etc.
Wet Season
∞ Reusable Rain Poncho (with hood and sleeves)
∞ Waterproof Socks (4 pairs)
∞Note: Rubber boots provided by local guides or rent/purchase in Leticia.
BUCKETLIST RECOMMENDS
∞ Flights
Flights to Leticia are from Bogotá. Fly with a reputable airline. Consider checked baggage if traveling with protective equipment (mace/taser*) or extra duffle for gifts.
∞ Best to Visit near end of dry season and beginning of wet season to experience both (Dec. – Jan.).
∞ Minimum visit 5-7 days, ideal 10-14 days.
∞ Use local guides that are community members avoid tour groups.
∞ Maikuchiga Foundation Monkey Sanctuary.
∞ Maloca stay.
∞ Spend hours walking the jungle.
∞ Take an evening walk to see bioluminescent Mushrooms.
∞ Canoe the Amazon river.
∞ Watch sunsets and sunrises.
∞ Enjoy local fruits.
∞ If you plan to participate in an Ayahuasca ceremony use the Bucketlist Plant Medicine Guide.
∞ ! Decline tours or offers to hunt or fish (even if not vegan or vegetarian because this type of tourism causes longterm damage).
*mace/taser unnecessary in the Amazon but may be if continuing to travel Colombia or South America read Bucketlist Safe Travel Guide
Bucketlist Pledge: Traveler not tourist™