Along the Amazon in Peru | DW Documentary

The government intends to expand and deepen the River Amazon’s tributaries to allow passage for large container ships and is meeting stiff resistance from the region’s indigenous peoples.

A decrepit old cargo ship is the only means of transport on the Amazon in Peru. South America's great river is still relatively narrow here, but it’s also the only lifeline for the region's people and economy. We travel on the Eduardo III, an overcrowded steamship on its three-day voyage up the winding river from Yurimaguas to Iquitos. Timber and other goods are loaded in chaotic ports, and people doze in hammocks on the cramped passenger deck as the ship passes through one of the last untouched natural paradises in the world. If Peru's government goes ahead with its plans, the Amazon region in the northeast of the country will soon be developed and links to the country’s economic infrastructure significantly improved. A Chinese company, for example, is to deepen the Amazon tributaries Marañón, Ucayali and Huallaga to allow large container ships all-year passage. But the excavation project is highly controversial and the region’s indigenous peoples are putting up a stiff fight against it. Water has a deep spiritual meaning for the tribes of the Amazon, who believe the spirits of their ancestors live on in the river. But will Peru’s advocates of progress allow objections like that to get in their way of their plans?

--------------------------------------------------------------------

DW Documentary gives you knowledge beyond the headlines. Watch high-class documentaries from German broadcasters and international production companies. Meet intriguing people, travel to distant lands, get a look behind the complexities of daily life and build a deeper understanding of current affairs and global events. Subscribe and explore the world around you with DW Documentary.

Subscribe to DW Documentary:

Our other YouTube channels:

For more documentaries visit also:
Instagram
Facebook:

[puiip]

Truly a wonderful documentary!
1996, I was on one of these boats, traveling alone, with a hammock used as bed, spending 3 nights on the Amazon! This of course was a most amazing experience in life

[bajoobiecuzican]

Hard working peoples. Thank you DW for shining their light.

[Indian]

Once again awesome job by DW... Great to witness the greatness of nature called "Amazon"

[angelobugini]

The River of Spirits is an astonishing documentary! I truly did appreciate it so much. Thanks a lot for sharing! Keep it up!

[liganiwau]

Please respect indigenous peoples 🌺🐗love from Fiji island South Pacific.

[jabnaeratchi]

I’ve been to Iquitos Peru. What a beautiful place. An amazing experience I will never forget!

[malikqadeer]

As usual, a very good documentary. only DW can produce such great documentaries. Keep up the good work.

[cristianalvarez]

Iquitos is really something worth visiting, so is the nice people from the jungle, always easygoing and friendly with visitors

[sherhasim]

Thank you DW for this documentary. 🙌
Greetings from the Philippines! ❤️🇵🇭

[latitude]

Great documentaries and storytelling as always, thank you DW 👍

[sultanbobby]

Thank you DW, for the people centred documentaries

[anacipaulina]

Thank you DW.. for amazing documanteries..I was watching silk road yesterday.. and today about peru.wow
Danke🇮🇩🇮🇩🇮🇩🇮🇩🇮🇩 terimakasih.

[hzilla]

Bye bye Peru. Development of big shipping channels will be the final stake in your heart. Exploitation by 1st world countries, over population, and habitat destruction are what await you. My trip from Iquitos to Pacaya Reserve was most memorable. This video makes me want to cry. Save your country Peruvians! Limit tourism and "development!"


There was also discussion of a new super airport to service the Machu Picchu. What happened to this?

[josephcampbell]

Words like Development and Change really scared me .

[adijayaification]

DW you are our eyes, ears and foots 👍🏿😃❤️

[ogriss]

That painting in the beginning 🔥🔥🔥❤️❤️❤️

[patriciaosayimwen]

Thank you DW for all your awesome documentary. NICE CONTENT.

[yahooo]

Thank you for the wonderful video. Also, thank you for the hard working people. I hope that the beauty of the area is preserved and no longer affected by human activity.

[homehealthphysicaltherapy]

Peru's main exports are copper, gold, zinc. Great reporting DW.  Let's take care of the Earth... It's our only home. We are all Earthlings.

[TmaadHMD]

My mother is from Iquitos and I will someday visit her land. :-)