How to Walk Through the Amazon
- 1). Purchase the correct clothing and wear it before you enter the Amazon to break it in so you avoid blisters and to ensure your outfit is comfortable to wear for a long period of time. You will want sturdy pants, such as jeans or khakis, and you should tuck these pants into your hiking boots to prevent insects or small animals from biting or stinging the skin on your legs. Wear layered tops, such as a tank top and a jacket, because the temperature of the forest will vary depending on the time of day. Frequent rainfall also means that you may have to take off your jacket to let it dry while depending on the shirt you have under it for protection. You should also bring a basic first aid kit in case you or anyone with you is injured.
- 2). Apply sunscreen and bug repellent. Though the Amazon is home to a dense growth of trees, you may still get a sunburn from the rays that filter between the leaves. Bug repellent with DEET or Picaridin is considered the most effective by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Remember that some of the insects in the Amazon are poisonous. While you are unlikely to encounter any insects that will kill you outright, creatures such as mosquitoes can carry diseases that could make you very ill. Reapply your bug repellent if you're been sweating, swimming, or if you notice more insects biting you.
- 3). Purchase a recent map and carry it with you. Maps of the Amazon rain forest should show you established trails that you can follow to stay safe and easily find your way. You can buy maps online from many book or camping retailer. Consider getting a topographic map if you intend to leave established trails, as this can help you know what type of terrain you'll be facing. Purchasing a GPS can also help you find your way--many conservationists and native tribes in the Amazon rain forest use GPS to map their homes and the boundaries of their land. GPS won't always get signal, however, and relies on batteries, so don't depend on electronics as your only map. The Amazon is large and dense--it would be possible to become entirely lost and wander for weeks without rescue. Marking your map as you walk through the Amazon will help you find your way to the correct destination or back to your starting point. Consider leaving environmentally safe trail markers as you go, if you're going off established trails. Piles of stones are a good maker that you can use to guide you back to your starting point.
- 4). Talk to touring agencies about guided tours. Barring that, hire a guide from a town that borders the Amazon. You should be able to ask at any outdoors store, sporting goods store, or at local travel agencies in cities that are close to the Amazon, like Manuas, Brazil. Having a guide who is familiar with the Amazon--or taking a guided tour with other visitors--may help you avoid becoming lost or injured.
- 5). Be aware of your location and the dangerous animals you're likely to encounter before stepping into the Amazon. Electric eels and piranhas, for example, are commonly found in the Amazon River and its tributaries. Electric eels can shock you with 500 volts of electricity and tend to spend time in the shallower river waters. Knowing the types of dangerous animals you're likely to encounter can help you keep an eye out for them and then avoid them.