Calling Peru Amazon travel an exotic holiday would be a gross understatement. It is the ultimate outdoor adventure, leading the traveler into pristine and otherwise inaccessible rainforests where there are no signs of mankind or modernity. This world belongs entirely to giant anteaters, pink dolphins and thousands of similarly stunning reptiles and bird species.
Lima, the capital of the country, is the entry and exit point for almost all international travelers. However, those entering through Lima will have to take a long domestic connecting flight, because Lima is a long way off from Puerto Maldonado and Iquitos, the two main starting points for all Amazonian expeditions. Puerto Maldonado is the capital of the Madre de Dios Region, while Iquitos is the capital of the Loreto Region.
One of the most popular rainforest destinations in Peru is the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, for which the gateway city is Iquitos. It is also the main starting point for all Amazon River cruises in the country. Puerto Maldonado is a gateway for visitors heading to Tambopata National Reserve, Sandoval Lake or Manu National Park.
One thing to keep in mind is that around 65 percent of land in the country is given over to the rainforests, so most of the land is completely inaccessible by road. The only way to explore the jungle and follow the river is to fly in or drive as far as possible and then take a boat. Also, the vast distance between Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado makes it well nigh impossible to cover both areas in a limited timeframe. It's best to plan for an eight or ten day tour that covers just one of these two regions.
Iquitos is much less demanding physically. The cruise will allow travelers to embark on an exploration of the mighty Amazon and the rainforests along the way from the comfort of a riverboat. A visit to Pacaya-Samiria is likewise not too strenuous because the 114-mile trip from Iquitos involves just a short drive followed by a quick boat ride. At the end of it lies Peru's largest reserve, teeming with all kinds of exotic life forms, including 330 bird species, 130 mammals and an unknown number of strange reptiles which can rarely be found anywhere else.
Puerto Maldonado's wildlife cadre is just as diverse and exotic, but this region is more popular for entirely different reasons. One of the main draws is the proximity to Machu Picchu and Cuzco, which means that visitors can combine an Amazonian adventure with some traditional Sacred Valley sightseeing or a hike on the Inca Trail. The Tambopata National Reserve is also better suited for bird-watching, with tour operators offering birding expeditions led by expert local ornithologists.
Other destinations that can be included in a tour starting from Puerto Maldonado include Manu National Park and Bahuaja Sonene National Park. Sandoval Lake is also within easy reach. Another reason for choosing Puerto Maldonado is the wide choice in tourist facilities such as Amazon lodges.
Peru Amazon travel is more often than not the trip of a lifetime for visitors. This makes the choice of tour and the destinations included even more important so as to make the most of this opportunity. Pick a reputed and capable tour operator that can ensure a hassle-free and memorable experience.
Lima, the capital of the country, is the entry and exit point for almost all international travelers. However, those entering through Lima will have to take a long domestic connecting flight, because Lima is a long way off from Puerto Maldonado and Iquitos, the two main starting points for all Amazonian expeditions. Puerto Maldonado is the capital of the Madre de Dios Region, while Iquitos is the capital of the Loreto Region.
One of the most popular rainforest destinations in Peru is the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, for which the gateway city is Iquitos. It is also the main starting point for all Amazon River cruises in the country. Puerto Maldonado is a gateway for visitors heading to Tambopata National Reserve, Sandoval Lake or Manu National Park.
One thing to keep in mind is that around 65 percent of land in the country is given over to the rainforests, so most of the land is completely inaccessible by road. The only way to explore the jungle and follow the river is to fly in or drive as far as possible and then take a boat. Also, the vast distance between Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado makes it well nigh impossible to cover both areas in a limited timeframe. It's best to plan for an eight or ten day tour that covers just one of these two regions.
Iquitos is much less demanding physically. The cruise will allow travelers to embark on an exploration of the mighty Amazon and the rainforests along the way from the comfort of a riverboat. A visit to Pacaya-Samiria is likewise not too strenuous because the 114-mile trip from Iquitos involves just a short drive followed by a quick boat ride. At the end of it lies Peru's largest reserve, teeming with all kinds of exotic life forms, including 330 bird species, 130 mammals and an unknown number of strange reptiles which can rarely be found anywhere else.
Puerto Maldonado's wildlife cadre is just as diverse and exotic, but this region is more popular for entirely different reasons. One of the main draws is the proximity to Machu Picchu and Cuzco, which means that visitors can combine an Amazonian adventure with some traditional Sacred Valley sightseeing or a hike on the Inca Trail. The Tambopata National Reserve is also better suited for bird-watching, with tour operators offering birding expeditions led by expert local ornithologists.
Other destinations that can be included in a tour starting from Puerto Maldonado include Manu National Park and Bahuaja Sonene National Park. Sandoval Lake is also within easy reach. Another reason for choosing Puerto Maldonado is the wide choice in tourist facilities such as Amazon lodges.
Peru Amazon travel is more often than not the trip of a lifetime for visitors. This makes the choice of tour and the destinations included even more important so as to make the most of this opportunity. Pick a reputed and capable tour operator that can ensure a hassle-free and memorable experience.
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