If we talk about South America, irretrievably we have to mention the Amazon rainforest. The largest rainforest in the world occupies 40 % of South American territory with around 7 million square kilometers. Simply Amazing! Perhaps for this reason the term Amazing comes from the name Amazonas.
427 mammal species, 1300 bird species, 378 species of reptiles, and more than 400 species of amphibians. The biodiversity here is unimaginable. You will see jaguars, sloths, pink dolphins, giant river otters, and macaws. You might also spot anacondas, tarantulas, caimans, monkeys, toucans, and poison dart frogs.
Of course, the river that gives the name to this paradise jungle was born in Peru Andes. After, it runs through Brazil heading to the Atlantic Ocean. In direction west-east. Some streams reach the north of the continent and pass through Colombia Ecuador, Guyana, Surinam, French Guyana, Venezuela, and even Bolivia.
Brazil has around 60% of the Amazon territory, Peru has 11%, and the rest share 29%.
Peru is the cradle of the Amazon River and has the second-largest extension of this forest. It also offers unique and fascinating experiences for nature lovers. And don’t worry, Machu Travel Peru will help you make the best travel plan for Amazon. Let us inform you about the main virtues that saved the Peruvian Amazon.
Different reasons to visit the Amazon in Peru
- What to visit in the Amazon jungle
- Best time to visit it
- How to get to the Amazon in Peru
- What activities to do in the Peruvian Amazon
- What to taste in the Amazon culinary
- What to pack and more tips
- Peruvian Amazon tours
What to visit in the Amazon jungle
1. Manu National Park
The Manu National Park is the most famous national park in the country. The park has the most incredible biodiversity in south Peru, with more than 1.7 million hectares. The park protects many types of plants and animals. It has between 2,000 and 5,000 plant species.
It also has over 2,000 animal species. Some of these animals are endangered, like the Andean wildcat. It also protects non-contacted human populations in its reserved zone. Therefore, the visit here is always through a travel agency.
2. Tambopata National Reserve
The Tambopata region is one of the best refuges for appreciating animals in their natural habitat. You can enjoy excursions in places like Sandoval Lake, Chuncho clay lick, and much more. Tambopata receives many more tourists than the Manu region. This is because trips to Manu Park require much more organization and reservations in advance.
The Tamboapata National Reserve has more than 1,000 square miles of rainforest. You can find 595 species of birds in Tambopata and more than 1,200 species of butterflies, for example. The bird watching is the most demanded activity here. We recommend you visit its Tambopata research center.
3. Oxapampa
The place is famous for hosting many German and Austrian migrants since 1857. There, you can see houses in the Tyrol architectural style, with native people living there. They are descendants of German and Austrian inhabitants, with blue eyes and tall.
They all dressed in traditional customs and offered their typical drink, the Pozuzo beer, showing their traditions and lifestyles. By the way, they are great organic coffee producers! Besides them, you’ll enjoy waterfalls, trekking routes, and natural pools in the middle of the jungle! Also, you will find first-level tourist services like lodges, hotels, and tours among other things.
4. Chachapoyas
Chachapoyas has stunning natural attractions, such as hiking to Gocta waterfalls and Sonche Canyon. It also boasts historical treasures like the ancient city of Kuelap.
Kuelap was the capital of the ancestral jungle pre-Inca culture called Chachapoyas. Seeing a stone city among forested mountains, wetlands, and mist will impress you!
5. Iquitos
Iquitos reached its maximum splendor in the early 20th century. At this time, many European people came to Iquitos to take advantage of the rubber boom.
Of course, the rubber fiber didn’t last long, and they abandoned the city. After abandonment, they left houses his house of European architecture style. Thus, visitors can appreciate many things in the Historical Center of Iquitos.
Besides, you will have many options if you’re looking for things to do in Iquitos. Of course, some bird-watching activities involve enjoyment. Or sharing the central customs of a native tribe. Since many tribes surround Iquitos.
Another option is to see pink river dolphins, which are unique worldwide. With the instruction of a specialist tour guide, you will see them through a trip by the Amazon River.
6. Pacaya Samiria National Reserve
Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is the second-largest Protective area in Peru, with more than 20,000 square kilometers. Its vast territory hosts a great variety of biodiversity in Peru. More than 1000 animal species and 965 types of plants.
Even more, the activities that you can do there are more important like taking a cruise by the Marañon. This river is the most important tributary of the Amazon River in this part of the Loreto Region.
Pacaya Samiria has many other options for different pleasures, such as seeing a beautiful sunset in El Dorado Lake. Or taking a walk by the border of Yanta Lake. In another sense, you can pay attention to your guide about the different types of plants that are there. Or take a walk at night through the jungle of Pacaya Samiria.
Best time to visit it
The best time to visit the Peruvian Amazon is from November to June, during the rainy season. This is because the humidity during this time makes the Amazonian trees more lush, colorful, and with freshly germinated fruits.
This season is also propitious to observe a greater quantity and activity of insects and their jungle predators such as amphibians (frogs, caimans, iguanas). Also, both birds and mammals (especially monkeys) take advantage of this season to nest and raise their chicks or newborns. In this sense, you can see more activity of these fantastic animals in the jungle, walking with their offspring.
How to get to the Amazon in Peru
The Peruvian Amazon has four important access doors, including Puerto Maldonado (Madre de Dios) in the south. Tarapoto and Pucallpa are in the center, and Iquitos are in northern Peru. Puerto Maldonado is a city in the south of Peru and border with Cusco.
Consequently, all Amazon tours from Cusco begin from this city. You can take a flight from Cusco (01:00 hr trip), flight frequency 1 per day. Or from Lima (01:45 hrs trip), flight frequency 3 a day. The flight cost from Lima is around $55, and from Cusco is around $45 per person.
Otherwise, you can take a bus from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado. The trip lasts 13 hours and costs $40 per person one way.
If you are in Lima, you can take direct flights to Pucallpa (01:20 hrs trip) or to Tarapoto (01:30 hrs trip). The flight cost go from $50 to $60.
Otherwise, bus transportation to Pucallpa takes 15 hours and has a cost of $40. Or, you can take a bus to Tarapoto and take 17 hours of travel. This costs around $50 per person.
Iquitos is a north Peruvian jungle city that can only be reached by air. In this sense, a flight from Lima to Iquitos lasts 02 hrs and has a cost of $60 per person.
What activities to do in the Peruvian Amazon
These are just a few suggestions to bear in mind. But there are many other fabulous things that you can see and enjoy on your jungle adventure. Take the time to search for the best-guided tour offering what you want to see in the time frame you have available.
1. Shamanic rituals in the jungle
In the Amazon, shamanism is a ceremony in which a Sahaman managed a sacred health ritual. He invokes the ancient spirits of the jungle by taking hallucinogenic and organic substances based on local plants. Participants, who seek physical and spiritual healing, also drink these beverages, by participating with Icaros sings.
This was an ancient practice passed down for generations in Amazon tribes. Nowadays, the natives consider this practice a community service in which even foreign people can participate. These cleaning rituals can include plant diets, Wachuma, and the famous Ayahuasca.
Participating in these ceremonies is an excellent way to learn about the ancient traditions of the native peoples.
2. Cruise the Peruvian jungle
If you are near Iquitos, you cannot miss navigating the fantastic Amazon River through Cruises 5 stars. These are authentic floating suites of 5-star hotels.
Numerous exclusive ships and cruises offer relaxation while enjoying the scenery. These trips complement their fantastic experiences with luxury onboard service. In addition, these offer excursions, bird watching, paddle boarding, fishing, and qualified tour guides.
Aqua Expeditions and Delfin Amazon Cruises offer numerous luxury options to experience on Amazon.
3. Walking by the jungle
Taking a walk through the jungle guided by a local tour guide is one of the best activities that you can do. Usually, the Jungle lodges include this activity in their complementary experiences. On the banks of the river, day or night, you will be able to see the most incredible Amazon Rainforest animals. We can mention tarantulas, ronsocos, diverse insects, and even caimans and jaguars.
4. Camping zones
The camping offers the most primitive experience, allowing you to spend several days in the wilderness. Many Amazonian communities offer little small explained close to their village for camping. If you choose this form of activity, you’ll be more in contact with the local way of life, sharing their customs and traditions.
Of course, you’ll have the possibility of waking up with the sing of howler monkeys, parrots, inter alia. Therefore, this form of spending the night is not the most comfortable, but it will be worth it.
5. Other activities that you cannot miss
Let us give you some suggestions on what to do on your holiday to the Peruvian Amazon:
- Canoeing down the river is a great way to experience the mighty Amazon basin.
- Many lodges offer Piranha fishing as part of their programs.
- In Iquitos, the lodges have the opportunity to swim with pink Dolphins.
- Regarding tours in Puerto Maldonado, you should take the time to see a Macaw Lick; the photos are spectacular.
- Enjoy the hike to Sandoval Lake and be amazed by the different animals that inhabit it.
- All the lodges have viewing platforms where you can see the jungle from above.
- Continue on a medicinal walk through the jungle and learn about the benefits of the jungle plants.
- Take a river boat at night and see the caiman.
- Take the opportunity to visit a local community and see the way the local people live.
What to taste in the Amazon culinary
The cuisine of the Peruvian Amazon invites its delicious exotic dishes and attracts travelers. The Amazon in Peru is a popular destination for food lovers because of its wide variety of culinary delights.
In addition, you will find unique fruits to enjoy countless juices and other drinks. One of the best things to do in Iquitos is to experience new dishes. Besides, you can experience up to 3,000 types of fresh and native fruits. Do not miss this unique opportunity.
1. Juane
The dish originates from Moyobamba, a large jungle city located northwest of the Amazon in Peru. Juane is similar to a tamale, in which the rice cover, like a blanket, the boiled egg and the seasoned chicken chunks. Banana leaves wrap all of them. A delicious culinary experience for you.
2. Tacacho with Cecina and Chorizo
Emblematic dish of the Peruvian jungle. The cooks fry the green bananas, then pound and mix them with lard. This preparation makes this dish extraordinary.
Finally, they accompany the dish with Cecina (dried and smoked pork meat) and Chorizo (A large sausage). Creativity at the service of Peruvian cuisine.
3. Patarashca
This is a perfect dish for those who enjoy fish. The locals prepare this dish with Amazon River fish. They season the fish with spices from the Peruvian jungle and wrap it in Bijao leaves.
By the way, the Bijao is a traditional plan of the Amazon. After, they cooked this wrapping on charcoal. Without a doubt, Patarashca is a famous Amazon dish.
What to pack and more tips
Also, we want to give you some recommendations to consider before taking a flight to Amazon in Peru.
- When packing for your tour, there is much to consider. Please remember to bring your lightweight, breathable, quick-drying clothing. Lightweight is best to bring long sleeves and long pants to protect yourself from the insects that will bite. Also, remember that you are in the jungle.
- Good shoes are essential for jungle hikes, as are a hat, a water bottle, mosquito repellant, sunscreen, and wet wipes. A lightweight backpack is also handy for this purpose.
- When in the jungle, there is no way to get money from the bank. So, before you get there, make sure you have enough cash for your jungle journey. The lodges will provide all your meals, but you will need to buy extra snacks and drinks in their mini-markets. So, you might want to consider taking some money for that excursion.
- Vaccinating is an excellent idea if you plan to visit the Amazon. Depending on your nationality, you will need to check the required vaccination. Talk also with your home GP about the requirements for re-entering your home country after being in the jungle.
- Many pesky insects and mosquitos exist in the Peruvian Amazon. Their bites can leave large red welts and cause Dengue and Zika. Thus, you must use repellents that contain DEET to prevent bites. Also, make sure to cover your entire body.
- Exploring the jungle during the dry season, from May to October, will be recommendable. Between these months, you can avoid the heavy rains. But remember, the rainforest is always warm, and the humidity is so high.
- Take the time to search for the best-guided tour that offers what you want to see in the time frame you have available.
Peruvian Amazon tours
We recommend planning an organized itinerary where you are clear about the activities you will undertake. It is also a good idea to determine the infrastructure of our destinations. As well as the lodging alternatives and transportation options throughout our trip.
1. Explore the Paradise of the Peru Jungle and Machu Picchu 9 Days / 8 Nights
This complete tour guarantees a visit to the Peruvian capital. We refer to Lima, with its historic center, quaint churches, and cozy squares. After that, the most important Inca archaeological rest in the Sacred Valley will be the next stop. Of course, Machu Picchu could not miss this tour.
The visitor will have a tour of the central Inca citadel, which includes all necessary services. Following, the Andes with Cusco will be waiting for us with an unforgettable city tour. Finally, the Amazon jungle will be the final stop with attractions like Puerto Maldonado, and the Tambopata National Reserve.
Wildlife, beautiful landscapes, and unforgettable memories will wait for us on this tour!
2. Explore Machu Picchu and Sail the Amazon River 11 Days / 10 Nights
This is another alternative option to visit the fantastic South American jungle. The services will be private, and the emotions and experiences will be the same as the previous tour. All will begin in Lima, the entrance door of Peru, with a complete and fantastic City Tour.
The next stop will be the paradise landscapes of the Sacred Valley and its excellent Inca archaeological rests. Of course, Machu Picchu will be the icing on the cake. The experience will include an expert tour guide, luxury trains to get there, and the most high-quality services. This part of the tour will be simply unforgettable.
The Imperial city of Cusco will be our next stop, with its magical churches and impressive Inca rests. You can enjoy private lodges in the South American jungle and the northern Peruvian Amazon. You can also savor delicious local food during your stay. Additionally, you can have amazing experiences in this unique and beautiful region.
We refer to trekking through the jungle, riding a boat, and canopy, among other activities.
“A BRAVE HEART AND A COURTEOUS TONGUE. THEY SHALL CARRY THEE FAR THROUGH THE JUNGLE”
As you see, the Peruvian Amazon is an absolute natural treasure. This contains a great variety of plants and animals. Naturally, the indigenous people of Peru’s forests offer traditions and customs that visitors can experience and appreciate.
The Amazon in Peru has a lot to offer. Machu Travel Peru can help you plan the perfect trip to enjoy Machu Picchu and Amazon tours. Indeed, don’t second-guess your preferred travel style, be it bird watching, trekking, canopy, or river cruising.
We would be delighted to steer you towards the optimal path to fulfill your Amazon dream.
