RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT LIST (things you should plan to bring):

  • Backpack (find one that suits you best, but it should be able to hold your personal supplies plus some food/extra gear)
  • Waterproof pack cover
  • Sleeping bag (it is hot in the Amazon, light, synthetic bag is recommended)
  • Sleeping pad (Thermorests are quite comfortable, Ridgerests are a bit cheaper)
  • Water bottles (Nalgene works well, hydration bladders may get moldy or leak, but hold more)
  • Small backpack or hip-pack (for day trips, hip-packs are better to avoid back sweating)
  • Flashlights with extra bulbs if needed (the trick is to get something bright that doesn’t eat batteries; mini-maglites are nice to have, and there is an LED Energizer headlamp that seems to outcompete even the expensive Petzl brand in brightness and battery life)
  • Binoculars (10x40 or 8x42 are best; Zeiss, Swarovski, Leica are great names but very expensive. Eagle Optics makes a nice, middle-priced set called the Ranger that people (and I) have been happy with, Nikon Monarch is nice as well)
  • Pocket knife or multi-tool (Swiss Army, Leatherman)
  • Rain gear (small umbrella works best, poncho works but is hot, breathable rain suit –it may be too hot as well, but I always bring mine)
  • Rubber boots (you can find a great pair in Iquitos if you need to, and this will be a requirement)
  • Field pants (2-3 pair), jeans or “nice” pants (for Iquitos/travel), shorts (1 pair, for soccer)
  • Long sleeved shirts (2-3, button-up shirts are ideal for buggy, hot places), field t-shirts, nice shirt (1 for Iquitos/travel)
  • Socks (lots, Smartwools are good, something you can ring out and wear for days on end)
  • Tennis shoes (for travel, campsites)
  • Sandals or Tevas (for showers or swimming)
  • Hiking boots (not important, you will have to wear rubber boots all the time)
  • Ziplock bags (various sizes, also necessary to get liquid toiletries, etc. through airport checks; available in Iquitos, but more expensive)
  • Extra batteries (enough for your own equipment, if you bring rechargeable batteries also bring a charger, available in Iquitos but I had problems with their quality)
  • Insect repellent ( it is buggy down there…, 100% deet can be diluted to your liking)

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT (things that assistants have brought along in the past):

  • Tent (1-2 person, with rain fly and waterproof footprint. Having your own tent is recommended for your own privacy. I have one spare 4 person tent.)
  • Hammock (you can get that in Iquitos too)
  • Field notebook/journal
  • Camera (don’t forget extra batteries and memory cards)
  • Laptop
  • iPod/MP3 player and headphones (useful for birdsongs, and music is nice to have)
  • Drybag or water resistant stuff sack
  • Comfort foods (candies, peanut butter)
  • Water filter, iodine tablets, water treatment drops (we’ll have these, but having multiple filters has come in handy in the past)
  • Headset with mic (for making phone calls on Skype)

STANDARD IMMUNIZATIONS:

  • Yellow Fever
  • Typhoid
  • Tetanus
  • Hepatitis A,B
  • Something against malaria (Malarone is expensive but with no bad side-effects, Doxycyline works well, it is cheaper (free in some states), but may get sun-sensitivity, yeast infections as side effects)

RECOMMENDED MEDICATIONS/FIRST AID SUPPLIES TO BRING

(all of these can be bought in Iquitos for much cheaper and we will have some in the first aid kit in camp, but you may want some personally):

  • Anti-diarrheal medicines
  • Antibiotics: Ciprofloxacina, Amoxicilina, Tetraciclina (one of these)
  • Antihistimine (Benadryll)
  • Bandages & tape (Lots of Band-Aids in various sizes)
  • Foot fungus medication (Ketaconazol, since there are resistant types of fungus)
  • Hydrocortizone cream
  • Optical antibiotic (especially if you have contacts), Terramicina
  • Ibuprofen/Tylenol/Advil (one of these)
  • Sun block
  • Topical antibacterial cream (Neosporin)
  • Metronidazol (Flagyl) for giardiasis or Colufase (anti-parasite treatment), Nitazoxanida (Noxzolin) 500 mg
  • Snake bite kit
  • Foot or talcum powder

EQUIPMENT FOR GENERAL USE THAT WILL BE PROVIDED:

  • Water purification (I use chlorine to clean the water, and have a UV steripen as well).
  • Complete First aid kit
  • Camp dishes, eating utensils, cups