Logo Peru For Less white
We customize every detail of your trip.
Destinations

Amazon Rainforest Tours


Appreciate nature’s diversity while adventuring on trails, search for caiman and river otters, and walk on platforms in the high canopies of the Amazon rainforest. All of our Amazon vacation packages include transfers, expert local guides, and a comfortable jungle lodge to rest in after spending your days exploring the most biodiverse place on earth.

Pen and checklist icon.
Fully Customizable
Handshake icon.
Personalized service
Hotel room icon.
Handpicked hotels
Shield with check mark icon.
5000 + testimonials

Book with confidence! Postpone at no cost up to 30 days prior with zero fees with open dates. Learn more.

Things to See in the Amazon Rainforest

There's few travel experiences that can compare to seeing the Amazon Rainforest in Peru. Whether you're discovering it from a lodge or a luxury cruise, there's something in store for all.

Puerto Maldonado

Puerto Maldonado is the heartland for Peruvian Amazon Rainforest tours. Its location in the south-eastern region of Peru makes it strategic to add to a visit to Machu Picchu or Cusco. A boat ride will take you from Puerto Maldonado down the Madre de Dios river to a comfortable jungle lodge. Here you can spot all kinds of unique wildlife, visit the Tambopata National Reserve, or the world's largest macaw clay lick, the Chuncho claylick.

Iquitos

Iquitos is the gateway to Amazon River exploration in the Peruvian Amazon. Lodges tend to be more rustic, but Iquitos is where the most luxurious Amazon River cruises embark. Iquitos city has a fascinating history, while just beyond the buildings, the dense rainforest seems to go on forever. River cruises sail around the Pacaya Samiria Reserve where you'll have ample opportunities for bird watching, sporting pink river dolphins, and maybe an elusive jaguar.

Manu National Park

Manu National Park is for off-the-beaten-path Amazon touring. This UNESCO World Heritage site spans an astonishing 1.5 million hectares of highly protected Peruvian Rainforest and is not easily accessible. Expect long car and boat rides through the jungles to get to your lodge, all the makings for a wild adventure!

Tambopata Research Center

The Tambopata Research Center is an eco-friendly lodge in the Peruvian Amazon near Puerto Maldonado. This research center is the only lodge within the Tambopata National Reserve, giving you prime opportunities for wildlife spotting. Ongoing research for the Macaw Project continues onsite.

Puerto Maldonado Lodges

Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica is an eco-luxury lodge situated about 45 minutes by boat from Puerto Maldonado. Combine canopy walks, spa treatments infused with exotic Amazon ingredients, and fine-dining on an unforgettable Amazon stay.

Expedia Logo 4.6 | Wonderful
Tripadvisor Logo 4.5 | Excellent

Refugio Amazonas

★ ★ ★ ★

Situated about a 3.5-hour transfer (drive + boat) from Puerto Maldonado

Refugio Amazonas is a unique Amazon lodge because one wall is open, like a floor to ceiling window, facing into nature. Enjoy all that the Amazon rainforest has to offer with daily excursions, fantastic food, and the symphony of the jungle singing you to sleep.

Expedia Logo 4.3 | Excellent
Tripadvisor Logo 4.5 | Excellent

Posada Amazonas

★ ★ ★

Situated about a 2-hour transfer (drive + boat) from Puerto Maldonado

Posada Amazonas is jointly owned by the Ese’eja community, native to Tambopata, and Rainforest Expeditions. Bringing you closer to nature, one wall of each immaculate room is completely open to nature, like a panoramic window to the rainforest.

Expedia Logo 4.6 | Wonderful
Tripadvisor Logo 4.5 | Excellent


Peru Highlights

Peru is filled with archaeological ruins, scenic landscapes, and delicious flavors. Must-see places in Peru include:

Peru Highlights

Peru is filled with archaeological ruins, scenic landscapes, and delicious flavors. Must-see places in Peru include:

Inca trail

Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in four or two days. The Inca Trail is a 500-year old pathway where the elite Incas once entered into the “Lost City of the Incas”. Plan with your Peru for Less travel advisor in advance, Inca Trail permits tend to sell out even 6-months in advance.

Amazon Rainforest

Step into the lush Peruvian Amazon Rainforest and witness a spectacular array of wildlife in its natural habitat. Lodges in Puerto Maldonado are ideal for excursions and daily activities. Those looking for a more luxurious Amazon experience would love an Iquitos Amazon River cruise. Colorful macaws, giant tarantulas, and playful river otters are among the sights you’ll behold.

Cusco

Cusco city has it all, archaeological ruins, colonial buildings, top-rated restaurants, and countless places to explore. Your Cusco City Tour will take you to the top highlights like Sacsayhuaman, Q’enko, the Cusco Cathedral, and more.

Lake Titicaca

Sail on the deep blue waters of Lake Titicaca and step on the reed Uros and Taquile floating islands. Some of the best weavers are found in this area so pick up some Peruvian textiles here for unique souvenirs.

Lima

Lima is a mixture of modern city living and historical significance. Here you’ll find Central restaurant (ranked #6 by 50 Worlds Best), UNESCO World Heritage sites like Historic City Center with the San Francisco Convent, and the best shopping in Peru.

Nazca Lines

The Nazca Lines are mysterious geoglyphs and geometric shapes drawn onto the desert floor hundreds of years ago by the Nazca culture. Little is known about them nevertheless, the Nazca Lines inspire awe in those who take a flight over them.

Arequipa

Arequipa is a picturesque town and also the second-largest city in Peru. Local markets, beautifully built colonial architecture, and El Misti volcano are among the things you’ll see while walking the cobblestone streets of the white city.

Faqs

The Amazon Rainforest in Peru can be visited year-round. In the Northern Amazon like Iquitos, the best time to visit is during the wet season from December–May. The high waters allow for more boat excursions bringing you up closer to animals. In the Southern Amazon like Puerto Maldonado, the best time to visit is during the dry season from May–September when hiking trails are less muddy.

Most Amazon Lodges do not have consistent wifi on their properties. The Lodges we recommend are eco-friendly and may only have electricity for certain times of the day. While you may be able to access the internet during your Amazon tour, plan to disconnect.

Puerto Maldonado is the best place to tour the Amazon Rainforest in Peru because the tourism infrastructure there is well developed. Lodges are well maintained, tour guides are well-versed in nature and English and accessibility is easy with daily flights from Cusco and Lima. The best time to visit Puerto Maldonado also lines up perfectly with the best time to visit Machu Picchu.

Although not required to visit the Peruvian Amazon, yellow fever, hepatitis A, typhoid and measles are all recommended vaccines by the CDC. Malaria medication is also recommended for remote parts of the jungle. However, all travelers should be up-to-date on their routine vaccinations before visiting. You should talk with your doctor before travelling.

The Peruvian Amazon is a safe place to visit with violent crime virtually unheard of in touristic areas. The greatest threat to your health comes from bug bites — like mosquitoes carrying yellow fever or malaria — or improperly handled food. You can protect yourself by getting all the recommended vaccinations, wearing insect repellant and by eating at reputable establishments. However, travelers should avoid going to remote parts of the Amazon where illegal mining and logging are prevalent.

The best Peruvian Amazon adventure tours are:

  • Pacaya-Samiria camping tour with overnight camping in the Iquitos jungle.
  • Multi-day lodge program in Puerto Maldonado with piranha fishing, nature hikes, and canopy towers and walkways.
  • Multi-day program with Treehouse Lodge with adventure activities during the day and treehouse hotel rooms built at varying heights above the forest floor.

Mosquitoes are present year-round in the Amazon Rainforest. Depending on the season, the severity of mosquitos changes: the dry season tends to have lower levels of mosquitos while the wet season has more. Using insect repellent with approximately 25 percent deet is the best way to protect yourself. Regularly reapply repellant to your skin or spray your clothing as rain and sweat can wash it away.

Basics:

  • Daypack
  • Sturdy hiking shoes
  • Waterproof sandals or flip flops
  • Sunglasses
  • Personal medications
  • Camera
  • Waterproof case for phone/camera
  • Fast-dry clothing
  • Water bottle
  • Journal for jotting your thoughts and observations

Clothing:

  • Water-resistant jacket that is lightweight and easy to put in your day pack.
  • Rain poncho
  • Sweater or hoodie for the evening
  • Two bathing suits/swimming trunks
  • One or two pairs of shorts
  • One or two pairs of hiking pants for rugged rainforest walks
  • One or two long sleeve shirts (100% cotton is great for the jungle)
  • Two to three short sleeve shirts
  • Three pairs of cotton socks
  • Underwear

Personal care items:

  • Hand sanitizer
  • Sunblock of at least 15 SPF
  • Insect repellant with DEET
  • Toiletries like toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash etc.
  • Contact lenses and extra pair of eye-glasses if you wear glasses.
  • First aid kit with bandages, aloe, antibiotics, pain reliever, etc.

Forest gear:

  • Flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries
  • Swiss army style knife
  • Sun/ rain hat
  • Plastic bags (zip lock bags and a larger trash bag)

Four days is the recommended amount of time to spend in South America’s Amazon Rainforest. Most lodge itineraries have the first and last dates as arrival and departure days, respectively. This makes a 4-day/3-night program the most complete experience with two full days of jungle tours.

An Amazon cruise is recommended for those looking to visit the Amazon River in luxury. High-end cruise options like Delfin are a must if you have the funds. A lodge experience, on the other hand, offers experiences ranging from rustic to resplendent. Lodges have expansive properties and often provide unique opportunities to spot animals. Both experiences are unique.

Flights operate daily from Lima to Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado. The flight from Cusco to Iquitos only operates three times a week. There are daily flights, on the other hand, from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado.

Puerto Maldonado is also accessible by road, but the bus journey is 11–12 hours from Cusco. Iquitos is not accessible by road.

Contact us today to plan your journey into the biodiverse paradise that is the Amazon Rainforest.

 

Book With Confidence

We're flexible! Postpone your tour with zero cost up to 30 days prior to departure.



The following preferences are optional, but will help enhance your trip's customization.



1 / 3
 

Book With Confidence

We're flexible! Postpone your tour with zero cost up to 30 days prior to departure.

Hotel Quality
(Optional. You may choose more than one)
Number of Travelers
Trip Length
Foodie Highlights (Optional)
Are you interested in adding a meal at one of the best restaurants in Latin America?
(feel free to select both options)

TIP: Tell us the destinations you have in mind.

We sell virtually all services available in Peru, Galapagos, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Bolivia
CNN logo
New York Times logo
BBC logo
USA Today logo
ASTA logo
Better Business Bureau logo