It would be an understatement to say that a Peru Amazon travel experience is an exotic idea. This is the mother of all outdoor adventures, taking travelers deep into rainforests which modernity has not been able to despoil. Participants on these trips will get to see everything from pink dolphins to giant anteaters and thousands of bird species and reptiles.
Most international travelers enter and leave Peru through the capital city of Lima. Unfortunately, Lima is long way from the main starting points for most Amazonian tours. The two most popular cities where a majority of these tours begin and end are Iquitos (Loreto Region) and Puerto Maldonado (Madre de Dios Region).
Travelers who choose a rainforest tour to the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve will need to go to Iquitos. It is also the main cruise terminal for all boats offering Amazonian cruises in Peru. Those who prefer the Tambopata National Reserve will be heading for Puerto Maldonado, which also acts as a gateway city for visitors heading to Manu National Park or Sandoval Lake.
A full two-third of Peru's land area is covered by rainforests, which makes a large part of it entirely inaccessible by road. The only option is to enter by air where possible, and continue by boat. Another thing to keep in mind is that it will be next to impossible to spend time in the rainforests near both Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado. Select one of them, and set aside 8-10 days for the tour.
A foray into the rainforest near Iquitos involves a lot less hassle and physical exertion since the only two choices are a cruise or a visit to the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. The cruise allows visitors to explore the mighty river and its rainforests without breaking a sweat, so to speak. Even the trip to Pacaya-Samiria (114 miles from Iquitos) is easy enough, with a short drive and then a boat ride to the largest reserve in the country filled with teeming hordes of 130 mammalian species, 330 types of birds and innumerable reptiles and amphibians.
Puerto Maldonado has its own teeming hordes. It also has quite a few advantages that add more depth to the tour. For instance, these rainforests are close to Cuzco, so visitors can combine an Inca Trail trek and a visit to Machu Picchu with the Amazon jungle adventure. Also, Tambopata National Reserve is famed for its birdwatching, so birders can tag along with expert local ornithologists who double as tour guides.
The range of Amazonian destinations accessible from Puerto Maldonado is another big advantage. Apart from Tambopata, the tour itinerary can easily include visits to Manu National Park, Sandoval Lake and the Bahuaja Sonene National Park. Another factor that makes Puerto Maldonado more appealing is the availability of Amazon lodges and other facilities for tourists.
For a lot of people, Peru Amazon travel is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Make the most of it by choosing the right destinations to visit. More importantly, do it with the help of the right tour operator who knows how to make the trip memorable and hassle-free for travelers.
Most international travelers enter and leave Peru through the capital city of Lima. Unfortunately, Lima is long way from the main starting points for most Amazonian tours. The two most popular cities where a majority of these tours begin and end are Iquitos (Loreto Region) and Puerto Maldonado (Madre de Dios Region).
Travelers who choose a rainforest tour to the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve will need to go to Iquitos. It is also the main cruise terminal for all boats offering Amazonian cruises in Peru. Those who prefer the Tambopata National Reserve will be heading for Puerto Maldonado, which also acts as a gateway city for visitors heading to Manu National Park or Sandoval Lake.
A full two-third of Peru's land area is covered by rainforests, which makes a large part of it entirely inaccessible by road. The only option is to enter by air where possible, and continue by boat. Another thing to keep in mind is that it will be next to impossible to spend time in the rainforests near both Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado. Select one of them, and set aside 8-10 days for the tour.
A foray into the rainforest near Iquitos involves a lot less hassle and physical exertion since the only two choices are a cruise or a visit to the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. The cruise allows visitors to explore the mighty river and its rainforests without breaking a sweat, so to speak. Even the trip to Pacaya-Samiria (114 miles from Iquitos) is easy enough, with a short drive and then a boat ride to the largest reserve in the country filled with teeming hordes of 130 mammalian species, 330 types of birds and innumerable reptiles and amphibians.
Puerto Maldonado has its own teeming hordes. It also has quite a few advantages that add more depth to the tour. For instance, these rainforests are close to Cuzco, so visitors can combine an Inca Trail trek and a visit to Machu Picchu with the Amazon jungle adventure. Also, Tambopata National Reserve is famed for its birdwatching, so birders can tag along with expert local ornithologists who double as tour guides.
The range of Amazonian destinations accessible from Puerto Maldonado is another big advantage. Apart from Tambopata, the tour itinerary can easily include visits to Manu National Park, Sandoval Lake and the Bahuaja Sonene National Park. Another factor that makes Puerto Maldonado more appealing is the availability of Amazon lodges and other facilities for tourists.
For a lot of people, Peru Amazon travel is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Make the most of it by choosing the right destinations to visit. More importantly, do it with the help of the right tour operator who knows how to make the trip memorable and hassle-free for travelers.
About the Author:
Find a summary of the benefits you get when you book Manu tours and more information about Tambo Blanquillo Lodge at tamboblanquillo.com/suggested-itineraries now.
