Visiting the Amazon Jungle was a must-see during my time in South America. If you love exotic animals and untouched wilderness this destination is for you. It can be a little difficult navigating how to visit the Amazon Jungle when you’re not on a tour, so here are all the details on how I added it to my Peruvian itinerary.
How to get to the Amazon Jungle
It is likely that Cusco will be part of your Peru itinerary already and this is the perfect place to depart from. From Cusco you can get a cheap domestic flight to Puerto Maldonado. All lodges near Puerto Maldonado provide transport by van and motorboat to their remote jungle locations. The lodges are scattered within Tambopata National Reserve which is considered the best place to witness the vast biodiversity of the Amazon in Peru.
Where to stay in the Amazon
I chose to stay at Eco Amazonia Lodge, two hours from Puerto Maldonado. We were transferred from the airport to the dock and taken down Madre de Dios River into the heart of the rainforest. The lodge was absolutely stunning. Full-board is included during your stay and the quality of the authentic local food was amazing.
- Related Article: 5 things you should know before visiting Machu Picchu
What to see and do in the Amazon Jungle
During your stay, all activities are included. The Amazon is a dangerous place so you need a guide every time you leave the lodge grounds. The activities I suggest you definitely include are:
Amazon Trails
The best thing about visiting the Amazon is going on a trail and learning about the animals. We saw so many insects, birds, crocodiles, and even a cougar footprint! On our first day, we were taken on a trail to the Caimán Cocha. This is a small lake with an abundant presence of Caiman Crocodiles. In the picture below, there are over 100 crocodile eyes poking out from the water.
On our second day, we visited Lake Apu Victor which is surrounded by marshes and giant trees. There is an Observation Deck, where we enjoyed panoramic views of the forest.
Amazon Lake Cruise
After our trek on the second day, we were taken on a cruise to watch the animals and birds on Lake Apu Víctor. It was cool to watch the animals from this perspective and a refreshing break from the humid forests.
Monkey Island
Monkey Island is located in the middle of Madre de Dios River. It was a short boat ride to the island from the lodge. The cheeky monkeys are very used to seeing humans along the trails and love causing mayhem. I had a particularly close encounter with a spider monkey that insisted on sitting and eating on top of my head!
I hope you have found this guide to visiting the Amazon Jungle useful and if you have any questions, comment below or send me a DM on @suitcaseandi 🙂