Photo. Ilustration photo of one of many tribes deep in the Amazon jungle - from Reiseliv - www.Reiseliv.no - Per Henriksen.
The brave Norwegian adventurer encountered unknown Indian tribes, illegal logging, enormous coca factories (coca leafs; the raw material for cocaine) and drug smuggling in the rain forest in Peru. His tour exceeded all his wildest expectations.
Last year in June he set off to Peru, with an one-way ticket to Iquitos, a big city in the rain forest (Spirit - Magazine). In South America there are approximately 40.000 tribes today. On the border between Brazil and Peru, is the area Yavari Delta located. It is probably the most isolated region in the whole world. You can find tribes here everywhere.
Today there are at least ten unknown tribes here. The natives know nothing about national borders. Drugs are an natural integrated part of many tribes culture. For example the tribe Mayoruna use drugs for ritual witchcraft ceremonies (sorcery). Indians also use drug for talking to spirits, healing or to develop them spiritually. This is in contrary to the "civilised" world where drugs are used in party life and to escape from personal problems.
On his last expedition Krogh thought he and his guide should die. They became lost in the dense and vigorous green bush. This must be the world's biggest labyrinth. They didn't know were they were, so the panicked. Fortunately they manage to find their way back to an earlier camp "navigating " by the sun. They felt very relieved.
Short time after they found the Indians` camp, but it was left. Later he heard rumours about an unknown tribe that raided an village regularly. It was not so far from there they had searched. He visited this village to wait for the next attack.
One week after he arrived the village, the unknown tribe Pelo Largos (means people with long hair) emerged. They were well armed with sticks and stormed the village. He went away to one of raiders, and the first thing the native did was to rip of his clothes.
The Norwegian stood there naked when the native pulled his hair. After the native had studied him carefully enough, he released Krogh`s hand and went further. This was an incredible adventure for the Norwegian to know that the man he had met hadn't seen a western before.
Anders Krogh has mixed feelings about disturbing tribes peacefully life, but at the same time he wants to live with them. Together with the organisation IIAP, Krogh works now with an environment programme called Yavarita. The government in Peru has already shown big interest for supporting the project. He is also writing a book about his unique experiences.
This is apparently a person who has followed his dream. He made it even though not everything turned the way he expected.
Stein Morten Lund, 18 December 2000
Additional information
Read more about other incredible expeditions on our website.
Some facts about the country:
- Formal country name: Republic of Peru.
- Area: 1.28 million sq km.
- Population: 28 million.
- People: 54% Indian, 32% Mestizo (mixed European and Indian descent), 12% Spanish descent, 2% Black, Asian minority
- Language: Aymara, Quechua, Spanish; Castilian.
- Religion: Over 90% Roman Catholic, small Protestant population.
- Government: constitutional republic.
Read more about Peru on our website www.TravelExplorations.com
- Visit the ancient Inca capital of Cuzco,
- Explore the lost city of Machu Picchu.
- Study the enigma of the Nazca Lines. What is really the purpose of these lines?
- Experience the country`s beautiful scenery, the Peruvian Andes.
- Visit home to some of the millions of highland Indians who still speak the ancient tongue of Quechua and maintain a traditional way of life.
- Get an adventure of life in the Amazon Basin, which occupies half of Peru. Look up for the puma!
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