Thursday, May 9, 2013

About Peru Amazon Travel And Tours

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.

Iquitos can serve as a base for visitors planning to visit the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Puerto Maldonado is a gateway into the Tambopata National Reserve and Manu National Park, along with other popular destinations in the vicinity such as Sandoval Lake. Travelers interested in an Amazon River cruise should probably stick with Iquitos.

A full two-third of Peru's land area is covered by rainforests, which makes a large part of it entirely inaccessible by road. The only option is to enter by air where possible, and continue by boat. Another thing to keep in mind is that it will be next to impossible to spend time in the rainforests near both Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado. Select one of them, and set aside 8-10 days for the tour.

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's wildlife cadre is just as diverse and exotic, but this region is more popular for entirely different reasons. One of the main draws is the proximity to Machu Picchu and Cuzco, which means that visitors can combine an Amazonian adventure with some traditional Sacred Valley sightseeing or a hike on the Inca Trail. The Tambopata National Reserve is also better suited for bird-watching, with tour operators offering birding expeditions led by expert local ornithologists.

The range of Amazonian destinations accessible from Puerto Maldonado is another big advantage. Apart from Tambopata, the tour itinerary can easily include visits to Manu National Park, Sandoval Lake and the Bahuaja Sonene National Park. Another factor that makes Puerto Maldonado more appealing is the availability of Amazon lodges and other facilities for tourists.

Peru Amazon travel is more often than not the trip of a lifetime for visitors. This makes the choice of tour and the destinations included even more important so as to make the most of this opportunity. Pick a reputed and capable tour operator that can ensure a hassle-free and memorable experience.




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