The rainforest, the salt lick and the Kichwa village

A natural clay wall on the river bank. Parrots come here in the morning to lick minerals from it.

There are two different explanations. Maybe the clay soaks up poisons from seeds that are not ripe yet. Or maybe it gives them sodium (salt), which is almost missing in the inland forest far from the sea. Whether you see the parrots depends on luck, and on whether hunting animals are near.

The Amazon basin covers about 5.5 million km² in nine countries. It is the largest rainforest in the world, several times bigger than all of India. The Amazon River itself carries more water than all the next biggest rivers put together.

Scientists estimate that about a tenth of the world's known plant and animal species live in the forest, across most of its land area. Primary forest has never been cut down, and its tree trunks grow straight. Secondary forest grew back after it was damaged. It is thicker and lower, because the plants compete for light.

A center that rescues and cares for wild animals hurt by the illegal animal trade. It is not a zoo. It was founded in 1993, and you can reach it only by canoe.

More than 150 animals that cannot go back to the wild live here. Other animals here are being prepared to go free. The center is on the edge of the Selva Viva reserve, about 1,750 hectares of protected forest.

A covered garden where you can see the whole life of a butterfly in one place: egg, caterpillar, pupa (the resting stage) and adult butterfly.

Butterflies react strongly to humidity and temperature, so they show how healthy the forest is.

The "chakra" is a family garden. It grows cassava, bananas and cacao together. This way of farming copies the layers of the forest itself.

Chicha is a drink made from fermented cassava. People serve it in a bowl to welcome guests.