This week Tracy is joined by seasoned travel podcaster and traveller Chris Christensen, host of the Amateur Traveler podcast, to share his recent experience travelling through the Peruvian Amazon.

Together, they explore why this vast and remote region is far more accessible than many travellers expect. Drawing on Chris’s small-group river expedition, the conversation offers a clear-eyed look at what it’s really like to travel the Amazon, from river life and wildlife encounters to village visits and the realities of logistics, comfort, and daily routines.

Chris explains how the Peruvian Amazon differs from the coastal and Andean parts of Peru many travellers are familiar with, what surprised him most about the trip, and why the experience felt adventurous without being as difficult or intimidating as expected.

• Why much of Peru lies in the Amazon basin
• How to reach the Peruvian Amazon via Lima, Iquitos, and the river port
• What it’s like spending a week on a small Amazon river boat
• How seasonal water levels shape routes, fishing, and daily life
• Blackwater lakes, piranha fishing, and safe swimming
• Wildlife encounters including birds, sloths, monkeys, and pink dolphins
• What village visits and local life along the river are really like
• Food on board and sharing a traditional village meal
• Mobility needs, skiffs, stairs, and uneven terrain
• What to pack for heat, insects, and wildlife viewing
• Why the Amazon is more accessible than many travellers expect

You’ll find links to Chris’s detailed article about the Peruvian Amazon and his Amateur Traveler podcast in the show notes globaltravelplanning.com/episode-89

⭐️ Guest - Chris Christensen from Amateur Traveler

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Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

Ever wondered what it actually takes to reach Antarctica and what it feels like when your boots hit the ice? We open up the journey, from long-haul hops to Ushuaia and life aboard a small HX Expeditions hybrid ship to the reality of the Drake Passage, then unpack how strict biosecurity and expert-led briefings make this fragile place accessible without losing what makes it special.

From the first glide through the Lemaire Channel to five unforgettable landings, we share practical detail on zodiacs, group rotations, and why “penguin highways” must be respected. Expect honest gear talk, thermals, waterproof trousers and sunblock over bulky ski wear, plus notes on seasickness, balcony cabins, and how the science centre turns downtime into discovery. We also get real about cost, value, and choosing a responsible operator that prioritises smaller groups and environmental impact.

Guest travellers Karen and David add vivid moments, whales surfacing beside a silent ship, the shock of a polar plunge, and stepping onto the mainland at an Argentine base. We compare Antarctica with the Falkland Islands, weigh when to go, and highlight wildlife spotted from deck. If you’re planning your first polar cruise or simply curious about the White Continent, this is a grounded guide to going prepared and coming home with more than photos.

📝 Show Notes - Episode 88

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode #86 - Around the World in 2025: Global Travel Planning’s Year in Review
• Episode #81 - Stamped: Sinead: Trains, Travels, and Family Adventures Across 80 Countries
• Episode #41 – Tips for first time visitors to Peru with Ariana Svenson

✈️ Want to learn how to plan an unforgettable trip to Europe without breaking the bank? Join the D.I.Y. Trip Summit online this January—completely FREE!
Get tips from seasoned travellers and start planning the trip of your dreams.
👉 Register here

Support the show

🎤 Leave us a voice message via SpeakPipe

🗺 Global Travel Planning
Website - globaltravelplanning.com
Instagram - Global Travel Planning
YouTube - Global Travel Planning

🇬🇧UK Travel Planning
Website - UKTravelPlanning.com
Instagram - UK Travel Planning
YouTube - UK Travel Planning

📍London Travel Planning
Website - LondonTravelPlanning.com

Work With Us - Contact tracy@globaltravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Thank you ❤️

Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!

Planning a great trip in 2026 shouldn’t feel like a second job. We’re kicking off the year with a clear roadmap for slower, more intentional travel—fewer destinations, deeper experiences, and practical steps that make every day on the road feel easier and more rewarding.

Tracy shares what’s ahead on Podcast, from Antarctica reflections and the Peruvian Amazon to Morocco, the Philippines, and a deep dive into Switzerland’s most scenic train routes. We talk about shifting from country‑counting to meaningful time in places you love, using food tours as a doorway into local culture, and designing itineraries that match your pace.

We also spotlight the journey itself. Trains across Europe, road trips to Scotland’s islands, and the allure of motorhomes all feature as ways to turn transit into part of the experience. Tracy opens up about last year’s travel intensity, why she’s prioritising rest and longer stays in 2026.

And to supercharge your Europe goals, Michelle Chang from Intentional Travelers joins us to announce the free DIY Trip Summit - three focused days of expert sessions on slow travel, budgeting with miles and points, multigenerational planning, and on‑the‑ground tactics across Europe and the UK.

Ready to swap overwhelm for clarity and joy? Press play, grab your free ticket to the DIY Trip Summit using the link in our show notes, and tell us where you’re headed in 2026.

📝 Show Notes - Episode 87

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode 85 – Top 10 Most Incredible Train Journeys Around the World for Travel Lovers
• Episode 57 – 15 Essential Europe Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors
• Episode 74 – Brisbane to Perth Road Trip [Itinerary, Tips and Costs]

✈️ Want to learn how to plan an unforgettable trip to Europe without breaking the bank? Join the D.I.Y. Trip Summit online this January—completely FREE!
Get tips from seasoned travellers and start planning the trip of your dreams.
👉 Register here

Support the show

🎤 Leave us a voice message via SpeakPipe

🗺 Global Travel Planning
Website - globaltravelplanning.com
Instagram - Global Travel Planning
YouTube - Global Travel Planning

🇬🇧UK Travel Planning
Website - UKTravelPlanning.com
Instagram - UK Travel Planning
YouTube - UK Travel Planning

📍London Travel Planning
Website - LondonTravelPlanning.com

Work With Us - Contact tracy@globaltravelplanning.com for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Thank you ❤️

Disclaimer: Some outbound links financially benefit the podcast through affiliate programs. Using our links is a small way to support the show at no additional cost. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. Thank you for the support!