After an incredible 859 days and 6,000 miles British explorer Ed Stafford has become the first man to walk the entire length of the Amazon.
The former Army captain reached the Atlantic in Brazil – two and a half years after he started his epic adventure in the jungles of Peru.
The final leg proved one of the most challenging, with Mr Stafford collapsing at the side of the road a few hours before reaching his final destination.
But he made it to the Maruda beach on Brazil’s northern coast, accompanied by Peruvian forestry worker Gadiel ‘Cho’ Sanchez Rivera, 31, who joined him five months into his journey.
The ex-soldier wrote on Twitter: ‘Job done. 28 months and Cho and I have finished walking the Amazon. I always knew it was possible.’
Mr Stafford, 33, from Hallaton, Leicestershire, who suffered an estimated 50,000 mosquito bites, said: ‘It’s been an incredible journey with some amazing highs, but also some pretty horrendous lows as well. But I just couldn’t consider giving up.’
Although the Amazon measures 4,000 miles, he estimates he had to walk an extra 2,000 miles up and down mountains and through jungle to conquer it.
He began on April 2, 2008, with walking partner Luke Collyer, 37, an outdoor activities instructor. But less than three months in, the pair fell out over an iPod and Mr Collyer returned to the UK. Mr Stafford advertised for a new walking partner and was joined by Mr Sanchez Rivera.
Living off pirhana and rice, the pair made their way through Peru, Colombia and Brazil.
At one point, in Peru, local tribesmen imprisoned Mr Stafford and his partner on suspicion of murder. They were released after 48 hours.
But then the sponsors pulled out due to the recession, their GPS system failed and their medical insurance lapsed.
Mr Stafford said on Monday: ‘All I want now is a portion of fish and chips and a nice cold beer.’
Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE, the world’s leading explorer, said of Stafford’s achievement: ‘One of the most impressive aspects of his performance throughout this expedition is Ed's absolute determination to succeed.’
‘On an almost daily basis, he must have faced obstacles which would put most people off. His is a truly magnificent demonstration of the stubborn grit which you need to succeed in such difficult and dangerous terrain.’
‘Such stories draw much needed attention to the very real problems which exist in the Amazon basin and beyond.’
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