When
is the best time of year to travel to the Amazon? Compliments
of the M/V Aqua
The
Amazon basically has two seasons, the flooded and the dry season. Both offer rich rewards
. . . fabulous sites . . . amazing opportunities to view plant and animal life . . . and
hot weather and some rainy days. The Amazon basin is as rich and lush and green as it is
because it gets an abundance of rain (12 feet a year on average). In a typical year, that
adds up to 200 rainy days, which means that there will be days of heavy rain even in the
dry season.
Two
key points to remember, as you choose between the Amazon in flooded season or in dry
season: there will be some rain whichever season you choose, and you will see spectacular
wildlife and plant life, whether you go in wet or dry season. All the rest is details.
About
the flooded season:
Our
flooded season runs from December through April - summer and autumn in the Southern
Hemisphere. It is our cooler and wet season, but keep in mind that we get only a little
more than half (60%) of our total rainfall during the flooded season, and that it is hot
in the Amazon any time of year. During the
flooded season the average temperature is 86 degrees Fahrenheit, 12 degrees cooler than in
the dry season.
There
are great benefits to traveling at this time of year. Perhaps most important, the rivers
and streams are about 23 feet higher, meaning that every river, creek and lake is
navigable. You will get to explore more of the waterways of Amazonia,
and will have access to plant life and wildlife areas that you might miss during the dry
season. Also, that extra 23 feet puts travelers much closer to the jungle canopy, where
monkeys play and our beautiful Amazon birds like to roost.
In fact, you are very likely to see many more mammals, both monkeys and
others, during the flooded season.
Increased
navigability by water has the flip side that areas to walk and hike are sometimes limited
at this time, and if we do find usable hiking trails there will be more mosquitoes than in
the dry season. Fishing is more limited during these months too, but you still have close
to a 50% chance to get out your rod and reel and make a catch.
About
the dry season:
The
Dry Season in Amazonia
coincides with our winter in the Southern Hemisphere (from June to November). This is the
warmer season, with temperature averaging about 98 degrees Fahrenheit, and, despite its
name the dry season still gets some heavy rains.
A
key difference is that trails and jungle paths that are flooded from December to May are
now easily accessible, allowing groups to explore deep in the jungle (accompanied by fewer
mosquitoes than during the flooded season). The flip side of that, however, is that water
levels are about 23 feet lower from June to November, which means that many of the creeks
and lakes that we visit during the flooded season are inaccessible.
Lower
water levels, however, can be a bonus in another way: During these months fishing is 100
percent guaranteed . . . you even stand a fair chance to catch a piranha. And while the
lower river levels mean that you are farther from the birds that roost in the jungle
canopy, you will have the chance to see dozens of species of migratory birds in flight,
something you would completely miss during the flooded season.
The
Bottom Line:
If seeing our glorious flooded forest and getting close-up looks at lots of birds and
mammals (and enjoying a slightly cooler temperature) sounds attractive, then the flooded
season might be the best choice. (Remember: Despite its name it only gets about 10% more
rain than falls in the dry season). If jungle hikes, seeing exotic migratory birds perch
on trees as they pass through Amazonia, still having the chance to see monkeys and other
mammals, and going on great fishing expeditions top your list, you might be happier
choosing the hotter, less rainy dry season. Perhaps the best solution of all: choose one,
and we hope that you will like it so much that you may want to return to experience the
other season in the Amazon as well.
