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Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Guide For Peru Amazon Travel

By Julio Riess


It would be an understatement to say that a Peru Amazon travel experience is an exotic idea. This is the mother of all outdoor adventures, taking travelers deep into rainforests which modernity has not been able to despoil. Participants on these trips will get to see everything from pink dolphins to giant anteaters and thousands of bird species and reptiles.

Lima, the capital of the country, is the entry and exit point for almost all international travelers. However, those entering through Lima will have to take a long domestic connecting flight, because Lima is a long way off from Puerto Maldonado and Iquitos, the two main starting points for all Amazonian expeditions. Puerto Maldonado is the capital of the Madre de Dios Region, while Iquitos is the capital of the Loreto Region.

One of the most popular rainforest destinations in Peru is the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, for which the gateway city is Iquitos. It is also the main starting point for all Amazon River cruises in the country. Puerto Maldonado is a gateway for visitors heading to Tambopata National Reserve, Sandoval Lake or Manu National Park.

Almost two-thirds of Peru is covered by the rainforest, and it is mostly inaccessible by land. Visitors have to reach their destinations by boat or plane. Also, due to the vast distance between Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado, visitors will find it hard, if not impossible, to squeeze in both trips in a short trip of a week or so. Make a choice between one of these two, and plan for at least a week to ten days for the expedition.

Travelers who do not want to undertake strenuous physical exertions may prefer Iquitos. A cruise is a languid affair that allows for exploring the monstrously huge river and rainforests from a comfortable perch on a riverboat. The Pacaya-Samiria reserve, 114 miles from Iquitos, can be easily reached after a quick drive and a short boat ride. It is the largest reserve in Peru, filled with an unimaginably diverse array of wildlife including 130 mammalian species and 330 different types of birds. Not to mention an army of reptiles and amphibians.

Puerto Maldonado is just as popular and the rainforests around it have their own brigades of exotic wildlife and birds. However, there are other advantages too. For instance, Puerto Maldonado is conveniently close to Cuzco and Machu Picchu, so it is possible for the tour itinerary to include both an Amazon jungle expedition and an exploration of Inca culture and relics in the Sacred Valley. Not to mention a trek on the Inca Trail, or birdwatching in Tambopata National Reserve with an expert ornithologist as a local tour guide.

Other destinations that can be included in a tour starting from Puerto Maldonado include Manu National Park and Bahuaja Sonene National Park. Sandoval Lake is also within easy reach. Another reason for choosing Puerto Maldonado is the wide choice in tourist facilities such as Amazon lodges.

For a lot of people, Peru Amazon travel is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Make the most of it by choosing the right destinations to visit. More importantly, do it with the help of the right tour operator who knows how to make the trip memorable and hassle-free for travelers.




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