The AmazonThe Amazon River is the longest and widest in the world, with by far the greatest volume of water. The enormous Amazon basin covers about one third of Peru where some of the richest biodiversity on the planet can be found. Peru's Amazonia is a maze of waterways and lagoons, densely forested and teeming with life. Iquitos is the first sizeable town the river passes on its 6,762 km journey to the Atlantic Ocean, a town that experienced sudden growth along with a vast ostentation of wealth due to the rubber boom of the 19th century. Today it is a bustling city with an excellent fish market, and the gateway to the northern Amazon region of Peru. From here the region is best explored by boat. A 3 night / 4 day cruise gives you a better understanding of the vastness of the place. The Puerto Maldonado area, east of Cuzco, is the gateway to the southern Amazon region of Peru. Better known for its animals and bird life than the northern region, this area is an untouched wilderness with some of the best wildlife viewing in the Amazon basin; there are over 1000 species of bird, while you may be lucky enough to see giant river otters and the elusive jaguar. Visiting the Peruvian AmazonThe Peruvian Amazon can be split in two, with Iquitos in the north offering Amazon boat trips in comfortable surroundings; whilst Puerto Maldonado further south has larger protected areas and more land based exploration with basic accommodation, coupled with walking trails and more diverse fauna. IquitosBoats are air-conditioned with hot and cold water and allow for side excursions into some of the more remote waterways with plenty of scope to walk on land too. The Iquitos region is also better known for its high indigenous population giving you the opportunity to encounter and understand their way of life. MV Rio Amazonas. This is the largest of the Amazon boats with a capacity of 44 passengers, 16 cabins on the main deck and 5 on the sun deck. Built in Scotland in 1896, she has been on the Amazon for over 100 years. After makeovers in 1981 and 1994, it is now a comfortable, informal riverboat. All cabins have outside views, and are air-conditioned. She has two spacious deck areas with hammocks and deck chairs, and a Jacuzzi/hot tub on the sun deck. A small bar and gift shop is on the covered deck, a great place to relax, and watch life on the river. MV Arca. The Arca has a capacity of 29 passengers in a total of 13 cabins. She has a predominantly wood finish, and all cabins have private baths and air-conditioning. She is considered the prettiest ships in the Amazon with her mahogany panels and white railings. The dinning room is air-conditioned, and other facilities include covered and uncovered lounge areas, a bar and sun deck.MV Amazon Explorer. A smaller vessel, with a capacity of 16 passengers, it is a favourite of many because of its smaller size, which enables it to explore more shallow Amazon tributaries. She has both a main deck and sun deck, with plenty of space for a vessel of its size. The 8 twin cabins have air-conditioning and private bathrooms, whilst there is also an air-conditioned lounge. Each of the boat trips listed above offer terra firma excursions throughout, visiting indigenous Indians, and nocturnal trips spotting caiman amongst other things. They also come equipped with smaller boats to allow for access into the shallower tributaries. Trips can be done for 7 days/6 nights or 5days/4 nights. Puerto MaldonadoThe Puerto Maldonado area is a short 45-minute flight from Cuzco, and gateway to the southern Amazon of Peru. From Maldonado the lodges are reached by a boat trip into the jungle. Below are two of the lodges we feel are the best in the region. Accommodation is in basic yet comfortable eco-friendly lodges, which provide walking trails, nocturnal trips and indigenous encounters. Posada Amazonas. Located in the grounds of the Ese'eja Native Community, the lodge is built of native materials in a style keeping with the environment. The 24 double rooms are open to the forest, to fully experience the marvellous cacophony of sound during the nights, which for many is the highlight of their stay. All beds are fitted with mosquito netting and each room has a private bathroom (cold water only). There are separate dining and relaxation areas with hammocks strung between the beams. There is no electricity at the lodge.Cuzco Amazonico. Located in the Tambopata area, 15 km down river from Puerto Maldonado, in its own private Ecological Reserve. The lodge offers 43 main local style bungalows, each with a porch and hammock, private bathroom, oil lamps and mosquito netting. The reserve itself boasts 18 km of jungle trails with over 100 species of mammal and 366 species of bird. In addition it offers cruises to the Lake Sandoval area where giant otters, caiman, and other bird species can be seen. This is a great introduction to this wonderful and diverse area.Both lodges are on a full board basis with a variety of activities from medicinal trails to night excursions. We would suggest a 3 day / 2 night stay.
| 
