WANT TO VISIT THE AMAZON IN PERU? HERE ARE OUR TOP TIPS!

Want to visit the Amazon in Peru? Here are our top tips!

In addition to a world wonder, the desert, and the Andes, Peru has another gem to offer: the Amazon, a true paradise on earth! The Amazon is the largest rainforest on the planet, spanning nine countries. More than half of all remaining rainforests are located here. The Amazon is a haven for flora and fauna, with about 10% of all plant and animal species in the world living here. Flowing through the rainforest is the world’s second-largest river: the Amazon River. The Amazon is home to 350 different ethnic groups, 60 of which still live in complete isolation. Visiting the Amazon is a breathtaking experience!

The Amazone of Peru

The Amazon is a vast rainforest with an area of 6.7 million km² (2.6 million mi²), most of which—60%—is located in Brazil. Peru ranks second, containing 13% of the Amazon. The rainforest covers about half of Peru's land area, yet less than 10% of the country's population lives there.

Best time to visit

The Amazon has a tropical rainforest climate, meaning it is warm year-round with average temperatures above 22°C (72°F). Tropical rain showers can occur throughout the year. The official rainy season runs from December to March, but due to climate change, this is no longer as predictable. We visited during the rainy season and experienced hardly any rain.

Where to go on an Amazon tour in Peru?

The Amazon covers a large part of Peru, offering various options for trekking through this incredible rainforest. Where you choose to explore the Amazon depends on your travel route and the time you have available. We’ve listed several options for you.

Tambopata

The jungle of Tambopata is located in southeastern Peru and is a well-known national reserve established in 1990. This area is home to many animals, including jaguars, monkeys, spiders, and birds. From Cusco, it’s an 11-hour bus ride or a 1-hour flight to Puerto Maldonado, a small river port where Amazon tours begin.

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Manú

Manú National Park, located in southeastern Peru, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This unique area boasts greater biodiversity than any other place on Earth. It is home to 850 different bird species as well as rare animals like giant otters, giant armadillos, and jaguars.

Manú National Park is remote and difficult to reach by public transport. The best option is to book an organized tour with transportation from Cusco.

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Iquitos

Iquitos is another starting point for trekking through the Amazon. This area is still relatively undiscovered by tourists. Located in northeastern Peru, Iquitos is only accessible by boat or plane and is the largest city in the world that cannot be reached by road. In our article about Iquitos, you can read more about the city and how to get there.

In the jungle near Iquitos, you can spot a wide variety of wildlife, including jaguars, spiders, and giant otters. You can also find the freshwater dolphin, a species unique to this region! We ventured into the jungle from Iquitos and worked with our guide, Humberto, to plan our tour. He grew up in the jungle, and his family still lives there, giving him deep knowledge and plenty of stories to share. Humberto’s phone number is +51 917 861 340.

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What does a trek through the Amazon look like?

There are various options for trekking through the Amazon, depending on your travel route, what you want to do, how far you want to venture into the jungle, and how long you think you can manage. A trek through the Amazon is a back-to-basics experience. You often sleep in simple huts raised on stilts to avoid flooding from the river. These huts may not always have running water or electricity. Most have a communal area where you can eat and relax in hammocks. The deeper you go into the Amazon, the simpler the accommodations become.

In the Amazon, you can enjoy a variety of activities, such as meeting a local tribe, hiking through the jungle, fishing for piranhas, boating on the river, learning about medicinal plants, spotting the pink freshwater dolphin, kayaking, visiting a wildlife rescue center, swimming in the river, and cooking traditional Amazonian dishes.

Tips for a trekking through the Amazon of Peru!

We did a trek from the city of Iquitos and had an amazing time in the jungle. Here are our tips for you!

1. BZZZZZ

One of the animals you'll encounter most often in the Amazon is the mosquito. This little creature makes a cheerful buzzing sound and is excellent at irritating people. Before heading to the Amazon, it’s important to check if you need any medication against mosquitoes. For instance, malaria pills or a dengue vaccine might be necessary.

It's also crucial to pack protective clothing, such as lightweight long pants and long-sleeved shirts. While you might sweat a lot in these clothes, they help prevent mosquito bites. Additionally, it's important to use a repellent containing DEET. The higher the percentage of DEET, the more effective the spray will be.

During your stay in the Amazon, make sure you have a mosquito net, also known as a bed net. Many accommodations in the Amazon provide beds equipped with mosquito nets.

Finally, some luck is involved—mosquitoes may simply find you irresistible. Our Peruvian friends could walk around without protective clothing and barely used DEET, yet they weren’t bitten. Despite wearing protective clothing and using DEET, we were bitten with and without it. Apparently, we were a real treat for the mosquitoes.

2. Where is the ATM?

It is important to bring enough cash to the Amazon, as ATMs do not exist here. Often, you book a tour that includes meals, but it's nice to have the option to buy something extra. For example, in small remote villages, people sell food and drinks. These are often much more expensive than in the city because they need to be transported from far away. Additionally, having cash on hand is useful for tipping your guide.

3. I can't see anything!

Life is back to basic in the Amazon. Most people living in remote areas don't have running water or electricity. In the huts of most accommodations, you often only have limited time with electricity and running water, and after that, everything shuts off. It's helpful to bring a headlamp so you can still see something.

4. Oh no, my white shoes are black!

Absolutely don't wear your new shoes to the Amazon. The Amazon is a rainforest where it rains frequently and is very muddy. It's best to bring rain boots. If you don't want to bring them from home, you can also find them in Peru. If you have a large size, it might be helpful to bring them from home, as Peruvians generally don't have such large feet, making the availability limited. Besides rain boots, you can bring sneakers for the evenings at the accommodation.

5. I need to pee!

At most accommodations, you'll have a toilet with toilet paper. During the day, you'll often be out and about. In the middle of the jungle, there’s usually just a toilet in the bushes. Therefore, it’s useful to bring some toilet paper. Toilet paper can also come in handy for other things, like cleaning your hands.

6. Ew!

It's best not to bring new clothes to the Amazon. One thing is for sure: you're going to get dirty. There's a lot of mud in the jungle, and it's always humid and damp. This is all part of the Amazon experience. We bought jungle outfits in Iquitos, where they have a large and inexpensive selection. That way, you don't have to bring everything from home.

7. Drink!

It is very humid and damp in the Amazon, which causes you to sweat a lot and lose moisture. You're also walking a lot, which makes you sweat even more. It's important to drink plenty of water and to bring enough water with you when you head out into the jungle.

About the authors

How nice that you are on our website and that you have read this article! We are Mirte and Matthew, two Dutch adventurers with a passion for traveling, discovering cultures, and gaining new experiences. We've translated our love for the world into this website. We hope our articles inspire you to go on adventures! You can learn more about us through the button below.

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