Home
Peru
PLAN MY VISIT
Peru Destinations HotelsThings to do Transport Maps Vacations Team
  • Top Destinations
PLAN MY VISIT →
  1. Home
  2. Peru
  3. Destinations
  4. Amazon Basin

Amazon Basin, Peru

The Amazon Basin tops all world records when it comes to flora and fauna. A visit to Peru is not complete without at least one venture into the world's largest rainforest. The easiest way to explore this ocean of green is by taking a trip to Puerto Maldonado, which can be visited directly from Cusco. Another option for exploring the Amazon is Iquitos, Peru's most famous Amazon getaway.

Amazon Basin Peru
Amazon Basin Peru
Amazon Basin Peru
Amazon Basin Peru
Amazon Basin Peru
Amazon Basin Peru
Amazon Basin Peru
Amazon Basin Peru
Amazon Basin Peru
Amazon Basin Peru
Amazon Basin Peru
Amazon Basin Peru
Amazon Basin Peru
Amazon Basin Peru
←→

The Peruvian Amazon Basin is part of the largest jungle in the world. The jungle spreads over some 1.7 billion acres (688 million ha) and runs through Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. The source of the Amazon River is in Peru.

All this water must come from somewhere. The real source of the Amazon River is the Mantaro River in southwestern Peru. It also rains four days out of the week on average in the Amazon, but fortunately the rain often descends in sporadic showers. This weather keeps the Amazon Basin moist and fertile, supporting the plants and wildlife that visitors come to experience.

Under the canopy, in a dense tangle of vines, ferns, shrubs, and low trees, the air here is hot and humid, with a huge variety of bats, owls, tree frogs and insects. The forest floor and rivers are home to wild animals like the cougar, jaguar, cayman and anaconda. Their habitat is protected and after decades of conserving the Amazon Basin deforestation rates are finally going down, giving these animals a new opportunity to survive.

The uppermost part of the forest is called the emergent layer. On a flyover, this layer looks like a few broccoli stalks sticking up over other trees. Many trees have trunks that are 16 feet (5 m) across and grow 200 feet (60 m) tall. These trees endure the strongest winds and highest temperatures of the forest and are home to butterflies, bats, eagles, and even some species of monkeys.

Below the emergent layer is the canopy, a dense covering of foliage some 60 to 150 feet (18 to 45 m) above the ground. Here the branches and leaves of trees spread out to form a roof that absorbs 90 percent of the incoming sunlight. Three-toed sloths, monkeys, macaws, frogs, lizards, birds, snakes, and insects live here, giving the canopy the greatest biodiversity of the forest.

Besides animals there are many indigenous tribes living in this secluded part of the world. They are separated into dozens of groups speaking distinct languages. At the time of the Spanish invasion, the indigenous people of the Amazon Basin were mostly semi-nomadic tribes who spent their days hunting, fishing, gathering. These days, they still build their own homes from wood, carve canoes, and hunt using blowpipes and poison-tipped darts.

For centuries, people native to the Amazon have been using the plants for the medicinal qualities. More recently, scientists have discovered that rainforest plants are sources of medicines that can be used to treat diseases like cancer, diabetes, arthritis, AIDS, and Alzheimer's.

Whether it's a week at a lodge in the Amazon or a few days spent exploring the trails and trees here, you won't regret traveling to this incredible region. It's one of the most unique places on the whole planet.

Personalized Trips for Amazon Basin, Peru

A Family Journey of a Lifetime, Peru
Peru
A Family Journey of a Lifetime

Customer Reviewed Anywhere made this so easy! No glitches in our travels at all. From the hike to Machu Picchu to speeding through sand dunes in a buggy, the entire experience was out of this world.

14 days $$$View Trip
 The Best of Peru Family Vacation, Peru
Peru
The Best of Peru Family Vacation

Customer Reviewed We had a first-class tour of Peru and really got to see the sites and experience the culture and people of Peru. We enjoyed the best of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, as well as the Amazon Basin with an amazing stay at Refugio Amazonas! This ecolodge must be visited.

10 days $$View Trip
Amazing Peru Anniversary Adventure, Peru
Peru
Amazing Peru Anniversary Adventure

Customer Reviewed Anywhere Peru made our dream 38th-anniversary trip come true!

18 days $$$View Trip
Peru—Beyond Machu Picchu, Peru
Peru
Peru—Beyond Machu Picchu

Expert Choice Famous sites are just the beginning of this Peruvian grand adventure. Indulge in internationally award-winning cuisine, breathtaking landscapes, and exciting activities.

9 days $$$View Trip
A Family Wild at Heart, Peru
Peru
A Family Wild at Heart

Expert Choice Explore some of Peru’s most exciting destinations when you and your family enjoy delicious cuisine, stunning scenery, and bucket list-worthy sites.

10 days $$$View Trip
See More Trips

Where to go in Amazon Basin, Peru

Iquitos, PeruIquitos, Peru
Puerto Maldonado, PeruPuerto Maldonado, Peru
Manu National Park, PeruManu National Park, Peru
Pacaya Samiria, PeruPacaya Samiria, Peru
Tambopata Macaw Project, PeruTambopata Macaw Project, Peru
←→
Excellent!
Trustpilot Rating
Based on 705 reviews
Trustpilot
One of the best I have ever used
Having traveled a lot, I have used many travel companies. The responsiveness and efforts to meet our needs were unmatche...
Dec 08, 2022
– A. Hershe.
Trustpilot Rating
Top Travel Agent for Peru
Anywhere in Peru was amazing! They did everything and more for myself, my mom, and sister while we were in Cusco and Lim...
Nov 21, 2022
– Mandy D.
Trustpilot Rating
Without a Doubt the Best Service Ever!
Peru was beyond beautiful and every journey and experience was tailored to make sure we were safe, happy, and taken care...
Sep 05, 2022
– Cindy Val.
Trustpilot Rating
A PERFECT vacation experience in Peru!
I keep raving about Anywhere.com, especially in Peru. Cesar customized our trip based on the attractions we wanted to se...
Aug 29, 2021
– Raisa S.
Trustpilot Rating
5 nights in Peru
This is the second time we have used Anywhere (Costa Rica last year). The Peru team guided by Cesar was superb. Always o...
Mar 10, 2020
– Steve & P.
Trustpilot Rating
Excellent choice for our trip through…
Excellent choice for our trip through Peru. Lima/Cusco/machu Picchu/back to Cusco then onward to Chile. Good hotels, exc...
Mar 02, 2020
– Anne
Trustpilot Rating
Highly recommend Anywhere Travel
Anywhere does a fantastic job of really building the perfect trip for you. Just tell them dates, general budget, and wha...
Feb 29, 2020
– Ben Gurtn.
Trustpilot Rating
Wouldn't travel any where without Anywhere
Thank you for making this a perfect trip for us. All arrangements worked like clockwork and we never missed a beat as we...
Jan 21, 2020
– IcameIsaw
Trustpilot Rating
I would recommend Anywhere.com Peru to…
I would recommend Anywhere.com Peru to anyone! They did an excellent job coordinating our itinerary and transportation. ...
Oct 25, 2019
– Eddie A.
Trustpilot Rating
Thank you Anywhere.com
I used Anywhere.com to plan a trip to Peru. The trip they organized for me and my mom was amazing. The agent, Sara, was ...
Aug 16, 2019
– Rori
Trustpilot Rating
Outstanding Job!
Anywhere.com did an OUTSTANDING job with helping be coordinate and facilitate the best adventure that I have ever had in...
Aug 06, 2019
– Adam
Trustpilot Rating
Our 2nd time with Anywhere and HAPPY!
We love Anywhere! We just have to pack and we are taken care of basically during our whole stay. Everything is nicely ar...
Jul 18, 2019
– Valery
Trustpilot Rating
Anywhere.com provided us excellent…
Anywhere.com provided us excellent service during our Costa Rica trip in 2016 and Peru trip in 2018.From planning,bookin...
Jun 22, 2019
– Sunil
Trustpilot Rating
Peru June 2019
Anywhere.com planned every step of our trip perfectly. We are very happy with their service.
Jun 21, 2019
– Lata
Trustpilot Rating
Our experience with Anywhere travel in…Peru
Our experience with Anywhere travel in Peru was, in a word, remarkable. The sights, experiences, and accommodations wer...
Jun 14, 2019
– Stuart
Trustpilot Rating

Let's Dream Together

Share your bucketlist to get inspiration and local connections.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.

Peru Vacations
  • Adventure
  • Family
  • Luxury
  • Romantic
  • Trekking
Highlights
  • Unique & Authentic
  • Coasts
  • Mountains
  • Beaches
  • Cloudforests
  • Lakes
  • Surfing
  • Spiritual
  • Culinary
PLACES TO GO
  • Machu Picchu
  • Nazca Lines
  • Cusco
  • Lima
  • Aguas Calientes
  • Puno
  • Arequipa
  • Iquitos
  • Sacred Valley
  • Nazca
  • Amazon
THINGS TO DO
  • Culture
  • Get a Guide
  • Ruins
  • Archeology
  • Culinary
  • Train Rides
  • Hiking
  • Museums
  • History
  • Boating
  • Birdwatching
  • Cooking Lessons
Trustpilot 5 of 5 rated service
Trustpilot "Excellent"
Plan My Visit→+1 (888) 456-3212
MessengerContact AnywhereWhatsapp ContactCall USA: +1-888-456-3212

© 2023 Anywhere Inc. All rights reserved.Privacy Policy