The Peruvian Amazon stretches from the Andes Mountains to the borders of Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Colombia and covers more than 50 percent of the country. There are 10 major rainforests in the world, all of which are unique in their own way, but none of them match the Peruvian rainforest in its incredible biodiversity.
It is divided into two regions, the highland, and lowland jungle, and is home to more than 12,000 animal and plant species. The forests are also home to hundreds of Indigenous communities that rely on the Amazon for their survival. Thus, every year thousands of nature lovers come to this part of the world to experience its biodiversity and wildlife encounters.
Visiting this part of the world also gives adventure seekers a chance to explore secluded Amazonian waterways on high-speed water taxis or simply relax on a cruise ship. They also get the chance to make friends with local communities, take a dip with pink river dolphins, and see the diverse wildlife up close.
Different Seasons In The Peruvian Rainforest
The weather conditions along the Amazon in Peru can be classified into two seasons: the wet season which generally lasts from December to April and the dry or summer season which lasts from May to November.
During the wet season, this part of the world gets plenty of rain, and the temperature stays at 86 degrees Fahrenheit on average. A visit during this time of the year will increase your chances to see the reptiles and amphibians since a large part of the forest transforms into temporal wetlands. However, keep in mind that the Amazon region gets around 60% of its annual rainfall during this time of the year, so everything is going to be really wet and muddy during this time of the year.
The dry season on the other hand is a lot less muddy, but at the same time, it can be a lot warmer, especially during the day when the temperatures can go upwards of 95 degrees Fahrenheit. However, you do have a much better chance of spotting different birds at the clay licks including parrots and macaws during this time of the year. On the other hand, amphibians can be much harder to spot.
While the entire Peruvian Rainforest is a marvel of nature, there are some areas that you should definitely visit and we can tailor-made your travel experience to fit your preferred level of adventure. Manu National Park and Puerto Maldonado are two of the most visited places when it comes to exploring the Peruvian Amazon.
Puerto Maldonado
Puerto Maldonado is situated at the junction of the Tambopata and Madre de Dios Rivers. This small town is a popular gateway to the southern Amazon jungle and offers access to some incredible national reserves, national parks, and protected areas. Combined with its surrounding protected areas, Puerto Maldonado represents one of the world’s largest tracts of protected tropical forest. Moreover, Puerto Maldonado national parks also contain the best lakes in Southern Peru, including the popular Lago Sandoval, home to many wildlife.
It is also home to the Tambopata National Reserve which encompasses 680,000 acres of protected Amazon rainforest in the south-eastern part of the country. The Tambopata national reserve is a must-visit location for all the nature lovers out there as it is known around the world for its incredible biodiversity and is home to a wide range of flora and fauna.
Moreover, it serves as a sanctuary for hundreds of birds, Howler monkeys, sloths and over a thousand butterfly species along with several endangered animals like giant otters, harpy eagles, and jaguars. Along the exposed riverbanks there are several clay licks whe
re you will see flocks of birds gathering for that extra nutritional boost. Some of the most popular birds here include rainbow-colored macaws, parrots, and parakeets.
As Puerto Maldonado is located in the tropical Amazon Basin, the climate here remains hot and humid all the time, making it an ideal holiday destination for those who want a change of scenery during winter. Some of the well-known parks and protected areas near Puerto Maldonado include the Bahuaja-Sonene National Park, Ese Eja Communal Reserve, and Inkaterra Ecological Reserve.
Manu National Park
Home to hundreds of different plant and animal species and stretching over more than 17,000 square kilometres of land, the Manu National Park is one of its kind. The park encompasses the cloud forest, Andean highlands, and lowland jungle and is known for its rich biodiversity.
The park is divided into 3 different zones: Zones A, B, and C.
- Zone A, also known as Parque Nacional Manu, is the largest zone of the park and serves as an important site for the tropical rainforest research center with highly restricted access.
- Zone B is dedicated for research and tourism and is situated within the lowland rainforest. It is known for its diverse microclimates and wide varieties of flora and fauna that thrive along rivers and lagoons. Also, the place where birds like to congregate for clay licks.
- Zone C, which is also known as the Cultural Zone of the park. It has small indigenous settlements that can be visited with guides to learn more about the culture and history of the locals.
Manu National Park is economically and geographically isolated, so you may not find proper roads here which can make access a bit difficult. However, due to this reason, the park is largely protected from human impact and can be experienced in its true form once you get here. Mentioned below are some of the things that you can experience inside the Manu National Park.
Bird Watching
With over 850 bird species Manu National Park is one of the most well-known sanctuaries for birds around the world. So, naturally, bird watching is one of the most popular activities among visitors in the park. In fact, thousands of people visit this place just to see these birds up close. Resident birds include the harpy eagle, jabiru, roseate spoonbill, and the cock of the rock.
Wildlife Spotting
Manu National Park is also home to monkeys, bugs, and reptiles. If luck is on your side, you might also get a chance to see the jaguar, black panther, tapir, collared peccary, deer, and capybara. Wildlife lovers tend to hang out around forest trails and lagoons as these places are some of the hot spots for spotting wildlife.
Canopy Towers
If you want to take your love for wildlife to the next level, take some time to visit the canopy towers and get a chance to see the rainforest from the perspective of creatures that live at the canopy level. Once you stand atop the platform you will see the park from a completely different lens. You will see a whole new dimension of the park that simply cannot be appreciated from the forest floor.
Travelling To The Peruvian Amazon
A visit to the Peruvian Rainforest will give you the chance to immerse yourself in nature and take a much-needed break from your busy and monotonous life. Not only will it be an adventurous trip, but one where you learn about the forest and appreciate nature on a different level. Looking for one-of-a-kind nature experience in one of the most pristine forests? Drop us a message to find out more!
