Peru is surely an astonishing country when it comes
to the different landscapes that you will find within
its borders. Visitors who don’t have much time to
travel in Peru might find themselves struggling with the
decision of where to go and what to do. Generally, the
decision comes down to whether or not you want to relax
at one of Peru’s beaches,
explore its famed ruins, trek its majestic peaks, or explore
its astonishing Amazon Jungle. If you love animals, crave
the great outdoors, or want an environment that is sure
to impress you, heading to the Amazon in Peru will certainly
not let you down should you decide to go there. Just don’t
wander too far off the beaten path. You might not make
it home to tell all your Peru travel stories.
lf you are not yet intrigued enough to explore the options
for an Amazon Peru vacation, consider these mind-boggling
facts. The Amazon Jungle is as big as the Australian
continent. It is found in 8 different South American
countries, and it has almost one-quarter of all the Earth’s
species of plants. There are more than 60,000 different
species of tropical plants here, and around 4,000 species
of trees. If you were to wander parts of the Amazon Rainforest,
it would not be rare for you to come across some 300 separate
species of trees in one single acre. Try this in a forest
in the United States, and you will be lucky to find more
than 15. There are over 14,500 species of animals living
within the Amazon Jungle. Pink dolphins and 600 lb. lowland
tapirs are just some of the specimens you will come across
if you decide to make a trip down to the Amazon in Peru.
Unfortunately, the Amazon Jungle continues to disappear
at a rate that is, for lack of a better word, frustrating.
Though attempts are being made to conserve it, what you
might see today could be gone tomorrow. So, book your
trip now for the Amazon in Peru and enjoy this amazing
part of our planet while you can still enjoy it in all
its glory.
Most of the Amazon Jungle is found in Brazil,
where the Amazon River runs the bulk of its course. The
mighty Amazon River, which gets its origins from a series
of major rivers in Peru, is the largest on earth in terms
of volume. The volcanic peak of Nevado Mismi, which is
among the highest points of Peru’s Colca
Canyon, is where the Amazon River’s glacial
source is found. Colca Canyon is just 100 miles west of
the city of Arequipa, and the
region itself is ideal for trekking
and mountain climbing. The
waters from Nevado Mismi eventually flow with other rivers
to form the Rio Apurimac. This river in turn flows into
the Ucayali River, and where the Ucayali meets the Marañón
River is where the Amazon River officially begins. There
are tons of different options for Amazon Peru
tours and vacation packages, most of which have you
staying at least one night in an Amazon Jungle lodge.
From Cusco, those seeking adventure
in the Amazon Jungle generally head to Manu
National Park. It is here that you will arguably see
the most diverse scale of animal and plant species. Good
choices for an Amazon Jungle lodge in Manu are the Manu
Wildlife Center, and the Manu Lodge. Highlights in Manu
include the large parrot and macaw clay-licks.
Further north, the river city of Iquitos is another popular base for Amazon Peru vacations. The city itself is a joy to explore, and river cruises here are among the most popular pursuits. If you are visiting Iquitos, you might look for Amazon Jungle packages that have you staying in the award-winning Yarapa River Lodge. It is often hailed as the best Amazon Jungle lodge in Peru. You might also consider starting your Amazon Jungle adventure in Puerto Maldonado, which is usually reached by airplane from either Lima or Cusco. If you are staying at an Amazon Jungle lodge here, a guide will likely meet you at the airport, and then accompany you by van and boat to the site. Trekking the extensive Amazon trails Peru has to offer is usually part of the package when you enter the jungle. Some tours have you hiking trails with locals, who are a great source for firsthand information on the surrounding flora and fauna. There is, as mentioned, a vast number of tours to Peru’s Amazon Jungle, so you might explore a bunch of options to see which one best suits your wants and needs.
