Iquitos Travel Forum

A: I too will be taking the bus from Lima, Trujillo, Yurimaguas. When you said that the ferry takes 20 Hrs, did you mean from Yurimaguas to Iquitos, or all the way to Tabatinga. From there I will try to find a freighter and go all the way to Manaus. Any idea how lang that may take? I should be there by the second and third week of February, and hope to stay in Manaus for the carnival.

Hello,

well, haven't been to Manaus/Brazil yet but found a webpage where you can read how long more or less the journey from Tabatinga to Manaus by boat is:
http://www.pacificislandtravel.com/south_america/brazil/about_destin/riosolimoes.html

Greetings
Evelyn

Hello: 20-24 hours is the travel time between Lima and Yurimaguas. The ferry takes 20 hours more.
The route begins in Lima to the north along the Peruavian desert coast, then in Trujillo (A 500 000 inhabitants city) there is a stop. Later, the bus continues to Chiclayo and through the North Highlands (Andes) to finally get Yurimaguas in the middle of the jungle. There you can take the ferry through Huallaga and Amazon river (Consider that this service doesnt have the facililities that commonly you have in the developed world, for example clean restrooms or security)

Iquitos - Tabatinga: 2 days on a normal ship, faster on a speed boat ( i think 6 or 8 hours, not sure)
Tabatinga - Manaus: 3-4 days
Manaus - Santarem: 2 days
Santarem - Belem: 2-3 days

You can sling your hammock on the boats or rent a cabin. The best is to go as soon as you arrive and check on the boats to your next destination. Sometimes the hammock space getīs really crowded, if you need privacy try to get a cabin.