Think about the Amazon jungle, then think about a country. Chances are you’d say Brazil.
That’s fair enough. The Amazon covers a huge chunk of Brazil. But it’s so big that it spills into plenty of other countries too. A large slice of eastern Peru is the Amazon — in fact, the jungle covers around 60% of the country.
Some areas of the river bank almost felt beach like – however never fooled to know what was underneath the water!
Peru also happens to be one of the most visited countries in South America, which makes adding an Amazon side trip surprisingly easy when you’re already heading to Machu Picchu or Cusco.
The gateway to the Peruvian Amazon is the fairly unremarkable town of Puerto Maldonado, with regular flights from Cusco and Lima. Don’t be put off as you drive through the streets. It’s just a stepping stone — the good stuff comes next.
After a short 30-minute flight from Cusco, we boarded a boat and spent around 45 minutes cruising down the Tambopata River, surrounded by dense rainforest. Within a few minutes of setting out on the river, we knew we were in the Amazon.
These wooden boats cruise you up and down the Tambopata River seeing everything there is to see from the water.
One of hundreds of tracks around the jungle – you definitely stick with your group as it is easy to get lost.
Once we arrived, a short walk through the jungle brought us to the lodge itself — a beautiful Rainforest Expeditions property tucked deep in the Peruvian wild.
The rooms are designed to fully immerse you. Open-air, netted roofs and walls mean you hear everything: rustling trees, distant animal calls, the loud chorus of insects after dark. What I expected to feel intimidating turned out to be the opposite — peaceful, calming, and the easiest disconnect from the outside world I’ve experienced in a long time.
(Although unfortunately a number of lodges now have Wi-Fi, try not to log on if you can)
Accommodation in the rainforest where you can immerse yourself into the Jungle life – with nets to cover your bedding, it was actually some of the best nights’ sleep I have ever had.
There is no shortage of adventure either. Piranha fishing, canoeing, tree climbing, guided night walks — every activity offered a fresh angle on the Amazon and its wildlife. My favourite? Learning about sugar cane, and having a taste straight from the source.
Three to four nights here is the sweet spot. Enough time to really soak up the biodiversity, the rhythm of the jungle, and everything that makes this place unlike anywhere else.
My very own Piranha whom I did throw back very quickly after catching!
Tree Canopy Climbing was definitely tough but a highlight of my time in the Jungle as you climbed as high as some of the smallest trees which still took me 17 minutes to get to!
Here’s the bottom line. If you’re already heading to Peru for Machu Picchu, you’re more than halfway there. Skip the Amazon rainforest and you’ll always wonder what you missed. Add it on, and you’ll come home with the stories nobody else has.
Want to make it happen? Get in touch. We’ll build it into your itinerary and handle the rest.
Justine began her travel career in Canada before working at Flight Centre in Melbourne for a number of years. Her diverse industry experience helps her focus is invaluable in curating her clients’ trips.
Expedition Partners (formerly Flower Travel) specialise in expedition style travel by small ship cruise and private rail journeys.
PH: 1300 654 861
Monday-Friday 9.30am – 5.30pm
