You’ve seen the coast, you’ve more than likely seen the mountains, so now you want a bit of jungle! The more visited Puerto Maldonado and the pristine, but harder to reach, Manu National Park offer great options for riding down chocolate brown rivers with endless green rainforest and diverse wildlife on either side.
Puerto Maldonado, just half an hour plane ride from Cusco, is the capital of Madre de Dios and the gateway to three beautiful Amazon National Parks – Tambopata-Candamo, Bahuaja-Sonene and Pampas del Heath. An accessible 3 hours from this bustling hub of foresters, locals and tourists, you can be at one with nature in the middle of the captivating Peruvian Amazon Rainforest! A trip here can include early morning bird watching, late night jungle walking, or fishing for (and if you’re brave, even swimming with!) piranhas, not to mention a visit to the world’s largest Macaw clay lick, where hundreds of birds meet to feed – a truly colorful sight! Almost all the lodges here were built with the support of local tribes (the ones we work with are even run by them) who are really committed to improving the wildlife population.
PERU’S AMAZON IS WILD AND COLORFUL, ANIMALS ABOUND
If you have more time, love a bit more off the beaten path adventure, and want a pure nature experience, then consider a trip into the Manu National Park. No people, no towns, no buildings, just the Amazon, its flora and fauna in all its glory – that’s probably the best way to describe this enormous and exceptionally beautiful area that extends from the Andean highlands to the lowland tropical rainforests, taking in cloud forests and other habitats in the middle.
Designated a World Biosphere Reserve in 1977, and a World Heritage Site in 1987, visitors can only go into a very small part (the Reserved Zone) of the Manu National Park. Spot giant otters, black caiman, jaguars, tapirs…there are 200 mammal species, over one thousand birds varieties and countless plants. The rest of the park is pretty much untouched by modern man but the park is inhabited by different native groups such as the Mashco-Piro, the Machiguenga, the Yaminahua, the Yuras and there are also uncontacted tribes.
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WHAT NOT TO MISS IN the peruvian amazon
Stay in a Jungle Lodge
The best way to experience the Amazon is to stay in a lodge. It takes usually around 2 to 3 hours by boat to reach the lodge. All lodges are built, respecting its surroundings and by using local materials. There is generally no electricity and the lodges have open structures.
Kayak or Standup Paddle
Some of the Amazon lodges offer stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking to explore your surroundings further. As well as being fun and easy activities these are both great ways to get closer to wildlife as you silently paddle your way down a river flanked by the rainforest.
Trails and hikes
Guided hikes along the numerous trails in the Peruvian Amazon are a great introduction to the rainforest. Whether exploring the rainforest by day or by night you’ll be surrounded by the incredible sights and sounds of the Amazon’s unique wildlife.
Birdwatching at Clay Licks
Within the Peruvian Amazon are a handful of incredible clay licks where hundreds of macaws, parrots and parakeets descend to eat the clay –a truly unforgettable and colorful experience! Some of the smaller clay licks are not as deep into the Amazon as Tambopata Research Center.
Nocturnal hikes
Ethnobotical hike
Only a short walk From most lodges, you’ll learn of the relationship between local indigenous tribes and plant life. Plants are incorporated into the daily lives of the indigenous people as food, medicine, clothing and also as building materials! Interpretive guides accompany you on this walk.
destination map
| Title | Address | Description |
|---|---|---|
Machu Picchu | 08680, Perú | Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas, is quite possibly the reason you chose to travel to Peru in the first place! It was recently voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World and we guarantee that this magical spot will not disappoint you. Read more… |
Cusco | Cusco, Perú | Cusco is the jump off point for a trip into the surrounding Sacred Valley to the less visited ruins and brightly painted churches of the southern valley en route to Puno or to crop circles and Inca salt pans…and of course to the World Wonder of Machu Picchu! Read more… |
Sacred Valley | Valle Sagrado, 08670, Perú | Nestled deep within the Peruvian Andes, the Sacred Valley is home to charming Inca towns, impressive archaeological sites, and traditional local markets. It is also one of the best areas in Peru for a wide range of adventure activities while en route to Machu Picchu. Read more… |
Lima | Lima, Perú | Known as the ‘City of Kings’, Lima is a city of contrasts. A mix of the old world and the new; modernity and tradition…Lima is a chaotic yet fascinating capital city. As well as being Peru’s capital, it is also the capital of gastronomy for all of the Americas! Read more… |
Lake Titicaca / Puno | Titicaca | Legend has it that the children of the sun god, Manco Capac, and his sister, Mama Ocllo, rose from the depths of Lake Titicaca to build the Inca Empire. Explore the floating Uros Islands made from totora reeds and, discover the region’s authentic folklore. Read more… |
Arequipa & Colca Canyon | Chivay, Perú | Legend has it that the children of the sun god, Manco Capac, and his sister, Mama Ocllo, rose from the depths of Lake Titicaca to build the Inca Empire. Explore the floating Uros Islands made from totora reeds and, discover the region’s authentic folklore. Read more… |
Peruvian Amazon | Selva Amazonica, Perú | Early morning bird watching, late night jungle walking, fishing for piranhas, or a visit to the world’s largest macaw’s clay lick where hundreds of birds meet to feed – a truly colorful sight! There’s nothing like the wildlife that thrives in the Peruvian Amazon! Read more… |
Ica, Paracas, Nazca | Ica, Perú | Situated on Peru’s arid desert coastline, this region boasts an interesting mix of ancient local culture, spectacular natural beauty and adventure sports. Ica, Paracas, and Nazca makes a great stop off or break point on a coastal ride towards Arequipa. Read more… |
Trujillo & Chiclayo | Trujillo, Perú | |
Chachapoyas | Chachapoyas, Perú | |
Huaraz | Huaraz, Perú | Surrounded by jagged snowy peaks, glaciers and turquoise blue lakes, Huaraz is a real mountain adventure destination, not to mention home to ancient cultures and charming little villages. Read more… |
Depending on your client’s preferences, we can help you determine the best experiences tailored for your clients. From where to visit, when to go, what to do and how to get there safely, our travel experts will help you create an experience your clients will love.
Best times to
visit THE AMAZON
The best time to visit is during the dry season from May to October, though rains only become unbearably heavy during January and February. In May and June, the beginning of the colder and dry season, the odds increase of seeing jaguars, which come out to sun themselves on river logs. From July to November, near the end of the dry season, macaws, parrots, and parakeets are especially abundant around the riverside clay licks.
practical information
HOW TO GET THERE
The most convenient, comfortable and safe way to arrive to Puerto Maldonado is by airplane. Daily flights depart from Lima and Cusco and fly directly to Puerto Maldonado’s Padre Aldamiz International Airport. The journey takes approximately one hour and 45 minutes when flying from Lima and from Cusco it is only a 30 minute flight.
Upon arrival the lodges will meet you at the airport and a short drive to the harbour where you will board a motorized panga (or peke-peke, what they call them in Peru). The lodges are between a 2 hour and 3 hour boat ride away.
WHERE TO STAY
Many jungle lodges are available in the surrounding area and offer complete packages. A boat ride up the Tambopata River or Madre de Dios River is necessary to reach these accommodations.
The Posada Amazonas Lodge is adjacent to the pristine rainforests of the Tambopata Research Center and offers comfortable accommodation but no electricity. The Sandoval Lake Lodge is located on the beautiful oxbow lake of Sandoval, and is equipped with hot water, electricity, and comfortable rooms.
The Tambopata Research Center can be found in the Tambopata-Candamo Nature Reserve and offers rooms with beds and patios but no electricity or private bathrooms. The Reserva Amazonica Lodge is the oldest in the area and offers luxurious private cabins with full bathrooms but limited electricity.
Corto Maltes Amazonia is located on the Madre de Dios River and is smaller than the other lodges. There are 22 bungalows available, with hot water, electricity, comfortable beds and an outside deck.
Transport in the jungle area is exclusively by boat or on foot. In the city, there are taxis or “mototaxis” a hybrid taxi with a small cab in the back, available to get around.
The cuisine is limited to the lodge’s discretion but vegetarian or other gastronomic accommodations can be provided while the food in the city is also limited to the local produce.
GETTING AROUND
The best way to see the attractions is by taking guided tours that not only take you to the place, but also explain (in Spanish and English) what you are about to see. You may also take regular buses to each highlight spot.
Moving around by car or 4×4 trucks is also possible. The most important car rental agencies have an outlet in El Calafate.
To get to El Chaltén, you can take regular buses that leave El Calafate every day. Trips last around four hours. It is also great idea to hire a car and drive through the stunning landscapes independently.
more highlights of Peru
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