#4 Cross the Andes to the Amazon
Machu Picchu, Cusco, Amazon, Arequipa, Colca
12 Days / from $2559
Our Amazon Rainforest tours put you in close contact with the rare animals and remote pockets of the jungle during an unmatched adventure into the wild. Appreciate nature’s elegant majesty on Peruvian Amazon trails and tranquil waterways, search for caiman and river otters, and walk on platforms in the canopies, high above the forest floor. All of our Amazon vacation packages come complete with transfers, expert local guides and a comfortable jungle lodge to rest after a day in one of the most biodiverse places on earth.
Join small or private group tours.
Great hotels with superior attention
Our dedicated team is ready to customize your trip to the Amazon of Peru and beyond. Browse our selection of Amazon Rainforest tours below, and we will help tailor your trip to include all the jungle activities and destinations you dream to visit. Contact our Peru specialists to plan a quality trip that matches your exact preferences and travel needs, completely based around your schedule and budget.
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Jungle Animals
The Amazon Rainforest is one of the most diverse places in the world, with winged, finned and pawed animals of all kinds peering at you through the dense jungle greenery. Step into the Amazon and you may be greeted by red howler monkeys, giant river otters, pink river dolphins, sloths, macaws and so many more forest friends. You’ll be amazed at the wildlife you can spot.
Puerto Maldonado
Puerto Maldonado is the gateway to an exciting jungle stay and exploration of the Tambopata National Reserve. Its location in Peru’s southern Madre de Dios region (only 1 hour by plane from Cusco) means a Puerto Maldonado tour can easily be added to a trip with Machu Picchu.
Iquitos
Gateway to the northern Amazon River and home to an array of attractions as eclectic as the city’s history and its people, Iquitos is a remarkable city. Stay at a jungle lodge or wander the waterways on premier Amazon river cruises.
Manu National Park
Manu National Park is home to a bewildering number of plant and animal species and encompasses an astounding variety of climates. Limited access to this part of the Amazon basin makes it less traveled.
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.
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:
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.
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.
