Amazonian Jungle Trips in Peru
These days, access to Peru’s Amazon Basin is much easier than it was 20 – or even 10 – years ago. Eco-tourists, many of whom have made the trip to explore the Amazon River and Rainforest, agree that this is a double-edged sword. While it allows them to better explore the amazing biodiversity of the area – some say it’s the most bio-diverse area on the planet – it also causes a much greater impact on the area. The proverbial carbon footprint is getting larger and larger as more eco-lodges open and more boat tours commence, all eager to accommodate the visitors who want to spend their tourist money exploring this amazing region.
That said, those who do open lodging or run tours in the Amazon Basin do seem to be quite aware of just how important it is to care for the land and the animals that live there. Eco-lodges, for example, attempt to combine a wilderness experience with comfortable accommodations but still pay attention to things like water and energy consumption and using natural products that don’t interfere with the environment. Many even offer educational programs for their visitors and some provide access to some of the Amazon’s renowned research centers like the Tahuayo River Amazon Center. And while some are pretty primitive others are quite luxurious with modern bathrooms, gourmet meals, plush beds, and much more – though still eco-conscious.
If you are heading to the Southern Amazon Jungle near Cusco, you’ll want to schedule a trip to one or both of the region’s two protected areas – Manu Biosphere Reserve and Tambopata-Candamo Nature Reserve. Jungle trips to Manu tend to be expensive and involve both air and overland/boat travel. You’ll generally need to spend more than a week traveling to and exploring the area to truly appreciate the experience and an excursion to Manu can be quite costly. Tambopata is definitely a more reasonable alternative and quite fascinating as well. The lodges are generally easier to reach and are cheaper as well and the trek to this reserve takes only about 12 hours by boat from Puerto Maldonado, which is a short flight from Cusco. Regardless of which you visit, the best time to head to either is during the May to November dry season.
Iquitos is considered the gateway to the Northern Amazon and the portions of jungle both up- and down-river from this fascinating city are among the most accessible in the Amazon region of Peru. In addition, this area has had a jump on eco-tourism and knows how to do it. For example, some of the eco-lodges that are just an hour or two from Iquitos (by boat) have been there for as long as 40 years. Furthermore, Iquitos is the most developed city in the area, with good restaurants and nice lodging, and is an ideal choice for those who want a little jungle experience but really don’t want to be immersed in eco-travel. Once you reach Iquitos, however, and have had enough of the city, you can make reservations for river cruises, camping trips, lodge stays, or any number of excursions that will allow you to explore the rich Amazon River system that lies just beyond the city.
If you wish for a true Amazon experience in the primary
rainforest in the northern part of the basin, you’ll need to travel a little
further from Iquitos – probably about four hours by boat – to see more flora
and fauna than you’ll see on the short excursions. Trips to the primary rain
forest will also cost quite a bit more, however.
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