INTERNATIONAL EXPEDITIONS travel writers report one and two
Amazon, Galapagos Islands, Indonesia, Antarctica.
     International Expeditions has been in business 20 years and handles trips for many zoos, museums, universities and conservation organizations.  In 1991 the group established a foundation to counteract the misuse and exploitation of rainforest habitats. The foundation helps provide funding for the Amazon Center for Environmental Education and Research (ACEER), a science, education and tourism facility located in a protected Amazon wilderness area. International Expeditions was given a Special Recognition Award by Nature Conservancy in 1996 for its work in the Amazon, the first time the award has ever been given to a tourism organization.
LA AMATISTA
 Passenger Capacity: 29
 Decks: 3
 Officers: Peru
 Staff and Crew: Peru
 Wheelchair access: No
    Itinerary: The eight-day expeditions start four degrees south of the equator at Iquitos in Peru, 2,300 miles from the Amazon’s mouth, the most inland port city in the world. The boat, boarded at Iquitos, goes first along the main channel of the Amazon to where it branches into the Ucayali and Maranon Rivers, going into the Ucayali branch known for its dolphins and night fishing bats, then into the Tapiche River stained black with tannin from jungle trees, then smaller and smaller tributaries and lakes in remote locations of the rainforest. The river is narrow and the shores are close. Several villages of river and rainforest people are visited, but most of the area is scarcely inhabited except for wildlife. The return is scheduled so that the boat returning downstream passes through the region in daylight that was cruised during the night going upstream. A second itinerary includes Pacaya-Samiria. The itineraries vary depending on river conditions and the interests of the passengers.
     Cabins: 14 Cabins are outside, are air-conditioned and have a private bath with shower. Two cabins has a queen-size bed, one has three beds, ten have twin beds.
     Dining: The dining room has floor-to-ceiling windows at the boat’s stern. There is single open seating. Cuisine is international and local with fresh vegetables, fruit, fish and other local produce. Various vegetarian and other diets are available.
     Facilities and Activities: La Amatista is a Brazilian-built exploratory ship that explores areas of the rainforest long considered inaccessible. It goes to the headwaters of the Amazon above Iquitos where most boats stop. The open-air observation deck is partly covered and is open in the bow. English-speaking Peruvian guides accompany passengers on shore excursions to describe wildlife and the cultural heritage of the Amazon. Slide shows are shown.  Passengers are singles and couples of all ages who have the common interest of wildlife and environmental conservation and preserving nature for future generations. Children are welcome on most expeditions and there sometimes are special departures for students and families. Days consist of boat and shore excursions with passengers observing wildlife, hiking in the jungle, and visiting  river and forest villages. There are several picnic lunches along the trail. Each passenger receives very comprehensive information about the destination and with wildlife checklists and reading suggestions. Precautions against malaria should be taken. In the low water season, there is more extensive jungle hiking. High water season has mostly boat excursions. Mosquitoes are worse during low water season; during high water season they were not a problem. Assume that it will rain every day all year round. Temperatures are similar to southern Florida in the summer. For those who take the ACEER extension, the canopy walkway means ascending stairs that encircle the trees then walking out along suspended pathways 100 ft. high through the treetops.
    Typical Rates and Special Deals: Fare for the eight-day trip from Miami is $2,298 (1998) and $2,698(1999) which includes the roundtrip 4 1/2 hour jet airfare from Miami to Iquitos and shore excursions. Optional extensions offered are by air to Cusco and Machu Picchu and the Inca fortress of Sacsahuaman or by speedboat (3 1/2 hours) down the Amazon to the Amazon Center for Environmental Education and Research (ACEER) on the Napo River and a walk on aerial pathways and platforms 10 stories high in the treetop canopy. The five-day optional Machu Picchu extension is $1,243(1998) and $1,298(1999), the  four-day optional ACEER extension is $998. An eight-day ACEER/ Machu Picchu extension is $2,098(1998) or $2,188(1999).  Bonuses are given for group travel (10 persons minimum in 1998 and 15 in 1999).
LA ESMERALDA
 Passenger Capacity: 16
 Length: 91 ft.
 Beam: 24 ft.
 Draft: 15 ft.
 Decks: 3
 Elevator: None
 Officers: Peru
 Staff and Crew: Peru
 Wheelchair access: No
    Itinerary: The eight-day expeditions start four degrees south of the equator at Iquitos in Peru, 2,300 miles from the Amazon’s mouth, the most inland port city in the world. The boat, boarded at Iquitos, goes first along the main channel of the Amazon to where it branches into the Ucayali and Maranon Rivers, going into the Ucayali branch known for its dolphins and night fishing bats, then into the Tapiche River stained black with tannin from jungle trees, then smaller and smaller tributaries and lakes in remote locations of the rainforest. The river is narrow and the shores are close. Several villages of river and rainforest people are visited, but most of the area is scarcely inhabited except for wildlife. The return is scheduled so that the boat returning downstream passes through the region in daylight that was cruised during the night going upstream. A second itinerary includes Pacaya-Samiria. The itineraries vary depending on river conditions and the interests of the passengers.
     Cabins: 8. Cabins are outside, are air-conditioned and have a private bath with shower. One cabin has a queen-size bed, one has three beds, others have twin beds.
     Dining: The dining room has floor-to-ceiling windows at the boat’s stern. There is single open seating. Cuisine is international and local with fresh vegetables, fruit, fish and other local produce. Various vegetarian and other diets are available.
     Facilities and Activities: La Esmeralda is a Brazilian-built exploratory ship that explores areas of the rainforest long considered inaccessible. It goes to the headwaters of the Amazon above Iquitos where most boats stop. The open-air observation deck is partly covered and is open in the bow. English-speaking Peruvian guides accompany passengers on shore excursions to describe wildlife and the cultural heritage of the Amazon. Slide shows are shown.  Passengers are singles and couples of all ages who have the common interest of wildlife and environmental conservation and preserving nature for future generations. Children are welcome on most expeditions and there sometimes are special departures for students and families. Days consist of boat and shore excursions with passengers observing wildlife, hiking in the jungle, and visiting  river and forest villages. There are several picnic lunches along the trail. Each passenger receives very comprehensive information about the destination and with wildlife checklists and reading suggestions. Precautions against malaria should be taken. In the low water season, there is more extensive jungle hiking. High water season has mostly boat excursions. Mosquitoes are worse during low water season; during high water season they were not a problem. Assume that it will rain every day all year round. Temperatures are similar to southern Florida in the summer. For those who take the ACEER extension, the canopy walkway means ascending stairs that encircle the trees then walking out along suspended pathways 100 ft. high through the treetops.
    Typical Rates and Special Deals: Fare for the eight-day trip from Miami is $2,498 which includes the roundtrip 4 1/2 hour jet airfare from Miami to Iquitos and shore excursions. Optional extensions offered are by air to Cusco and Machu Picchu and the Inca fortress of Sacsahuaman or by speedboat (3 1/2 hours) down the Amazon to the Amazon Center for Environmental Education and Research (ACEER) on the Napo River and a walk on aerial pathways and platforms 10 stories high in the treetop canopy. The five-day optional Machu Picchu extension is $1,398, the  four-day optional ACEER extension is $1,098. An eight-day ACEER/ Machu Picchu extension is $2,198. Field guides, water filters, silica gel packs and other hard-to-find travel items are available. Bonuses are given for group travel.
LA TURMALINA
 Passenger Capacity: 28
 Length: 110 ft.
 Beam: 24 ft.
 Decks: 3
 Elevator: None
 Officers: Peru
 Staff and Crew: Peru
 Handicap access: No
    Itinerary: The itinerary is similar to that of the La Esmeralda, usually going from Iquitos to the Ucayali River and to the Tapiche River and the village of San Pedro, on to the Yanayacu River to Mono Cocha (Monkey Lake), then back to Iquitos. But the itinerary is varied for the interests of the passengers and the season of the year.
     Cabins: 14. All cabins are outside and are air-conditioned. Cabins have queen-size or twin beds, and a private bath with shower.
     Dining: There is an open-seating dining room at the stern with floor-to-ceiling windows for river views. Tables are for four. The meals are international and feature regional specialties with fresh produce and fish.
     Facilities and Activities: An observation deck with bar, tables and lounge chairs is covered midship and open forward. A little observation platform sticks out over the bowsprit as a lookout position. Expert Peruvian naturalist guides accompany guests in small open boats for explorations. Motor launches carry 15 passengers each. During highwater season, most exploring is by boat; during low water, there are more hikes. There is a visit to a river village, different on each trip so that each village is only visited a few times a year. Guests can fish for piranha (and the chef will cook them), paddle two-man dugout canoes, see monkeys, sloths, and butterflies, see a shaman perform diagnosis and treatment, and plant a tree in the Amazonian forest. There is a night excursion by launch to see bats and other night life. In Iquitos you have dinner in a local restaurant and have the opportunity to visit the local market and herbal medicine alley, rent a local canoe taxi (the town is an equatorial version of  Venice) and visit the floating city on the outskirts of town (only recommended with a guide).
    Typical Rates and Special Deals: The per person fare for the eight-day river boat trip is $2,198, including air from Miami. The extensions to Machu Picchu and ACEER are also available.

 ADELAAR
 Passenger Capacity: 14
 Built: 1902 in Holland, modernized, and last renovated in 1992
 Former Names: Heimatland
 Length: 124 ft.
 Beam: 18 ft.
 Draft: 8 ft.
 Wheelchair access: No
    Itinerary: The vessel sails in the isles of Indonesia. Different islands are visited depending on tides, weather and experiences. Typical itinerary begins in Bali followed by a 250-mile voyage through the islands of the Nusa Tenggara chain with stops at  Lombok, Gili Islands, Moyo Island, Satonda Island, Rinca, Komodo Island and Sape. There are departures in March, April, June, July, August,  September, and October.
     Cabins: 7. The cabins are air-conditioned. Some have queen-size beds, some lowers, and some upper and lowers. Toilets and showers are shared.
     Dining: The eating area also has a bar, TV/VCR and stereo system. The Indonesian cook prepares Indonesian and western dishes, served buffet style.
     Facilities and Activities: This sailing vessel, a gaff-rigged schooner, was once a cargo ship sailing between England, Sweden, Norway and Russia. She was confiscated by the Germans in World War II, and without masts she was used to transport war materials. Later she was taken to a shipyard for restoration that by chance was where she was originally built, so that she could be restored to her original interior. The meaning of Adelaar: eagle. The ship has sailed in waters all over the world and in 1988 won the New Zealand Tall Ship Race. There is snorkel and scuba equipment. You need to supply your own BC and regulator (and a mask if you want a good fit).You can take the helm and learn to sail. Fishing tackle is also available. There are two zodiacs for explorations. Passengers swim, snorkel and explore various beaches or volcanic uninhabited islands and visit villages and towns on other islands. Bilingual guides aid interactions with local people.
    Typical Rates and Special Deals: The per person fare for the 15-day expedition all-inclusive from New York is $4,198.

LA MALACHITA
This boat is currently being built. They are already taking bookings for 1999.
 Passenger Capacity: 8
 Built: 1999
 Length: 103  ft.
 Draft: 4 ft.
 Elevator: None
 Staff and Crew: 9
Wheelchair Access: No
 Itinerary: This boat is being designed to handle the smaller black water tributaries of the Amazon in Peru.
 Cabins: 4. All cabins are outside and have individually controlled air-conditioning.