One of the hot spots for world travel today is Peru. A country that is bigger than you think, it has so much to both see and do that you need to leave some great destinations out. Heading to the Amazon in Peru should definitely not be missed.
The Amazon covers a large area in Peru and can be accessed at various points. The Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve in the north is accessed through Iquitos, the south is home to Manu National Park and the Tambopata National Reserve are the three hot spots when it comes to jungle touring. As a general rule, the more time that you can spend on your tour, the deeper into the jungle you can get and, therefore, the more flora and fauna you can potentially see.
Manu or Tambopata are chosen by many people because of their easy access from Machu Picchu and Cusco trips which are often visitors top priorities. To reach the Tambopata Reserve, you can fly from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado, the starting point for the various tours that are available. Many of the tours will include both traveling along the river as well as hiking in the jungle, in particular night walks when more of the animals are active. Birding enthusiasts will want to choose an option that includes clay licks where one can see a wide variety of colorful parrots. Two nights and three days tends to be the optimum tour length for visitors.
The Manu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, can also be reached by first traveling to Puerto Maldonado and from there by river. However, many tours use land transportation from Cusco, sometimes with a flight back by light plane. This jungle area offers even more untouched areas than Tambopata. There is so much wildlife to potentially see with giant otters, monkeys, spectacled bears, tapirs, jaguars and black caimans calling this place home. There are around 1000 species of birds that make there home here as well. This is a better option for observing different species of mammals than Tambopata. In addition to hiking, there are also tours in Manu that include mountain biking.
Another common route for accessing the Amazon is via Iquitos, a city that can be reached by flight. From here, you can visit the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve in the northern jungle. Most tours do not extend this far (it's around 120 km from the city) but this protected area offers the best opportunity for viewing wildlife including pink dolphins, manatees, black caimans, giant turtles, monkey and a multitude of birds. In this area, one can find a canopy trail where one can walk through the jungle at a height of greater than 30 meters, offering an excellent way to observe this habitat.
River cruises can be a luxurious way to go but do not offer as much opportunity to see wildlife although, if you choose one that includes day hikes, you will stand a better chance. Finding a reserve that has canopy walkways - like Explorama lodge - is easily the best option when you are looking to stay in the jungle a few days and see wildlife. Other lodges specialize in shamanic tours while still others offer night hikes and even survival tours. Be wary of traveling with independent guides unless you have a trustworthy recommendation.
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Peru travel packages are available from many places at various costs. Make sure that you find the right one for your next vacation, and use an agent with an array of trips to Peru to choose from.
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