#4 Cross the Andes to the Amazon
Machu Picchu, Cusco, Amazon, Arequipa, Colca
Puerto Maldonado is the gateway to Peru’s southern rainforest. Cusco and Machu Picchu are to the west, the border with Bolivia to the east. Easy access to Tambopata National Reserve and a large number of eco-lodges draw adventurous travelers seeking a rainforest immersion. Browse our guide below for essential facts, travel tips, and top attractions on a tour to Puerto Maldonado.
Machu Picchu, Cusco, Amazon, Arequipa, Colca
Amazon, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Titicaca
Machu Picchu, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Amazon
Machu Picchu, Cusco, Titicaca, Amazon, Lima, Paracas, Arequipa & Colca
The jungle city of Puerto Maldonado represents a different side of Peru. Temperatures are warmer than in the frigid Andean highlands. Boats are the easiest mode of transportation. And the waterways provide entry into nature reserves where exuberant greenery flourishes and rare fauna frolics.
For a full jungle immersion, spend 2 or 3 or more nights at a rainforest lodge. By day, enjoy excursions along jungle trails, to the tops of canopy towers, and into the corners of hidden lagoons where caimans and otters and sometimes jaguars bathe in the sun. After dark, relax in a hammock rocked by a warm jungle breeze and marvel at the mysteries of the rainforest’s nocturnal world.
Long before European explorers arrived to South America, indigenous tribes inhabited the Amazon of present-day Peru. These peoples were mostly nomadic and survived by hunting, fishing, and gathering wild foods. Archaeological evidence of the oldest known Amazonian settlement dates back an estimated 11,000 years.
1450-1535 AD: The Inca Empire comes in contact with indigenous jungle cultures. Some tribes were conquered and integrated into the expanding empire. Others successfully warded off the Inca incursions and their ferociousness in battle became a detail weaved into oral traditions in the Andes and Amazon.
16th century: Spanish explorers write about their first expeditions into the jungle. Some were sent to settle the area, but often failed. Others set out in search of the fabled jungle city of gold, El Dorado. Catholic missionaries also set out on a mission to spread Christianity among remaining jungle communities.
19th century: Opportunistic businesses began to exploit natural resources from the Amazon under that assumption that it was all inexhaustible. In southern Peru, the city of Puerto Maldonado developed as a frontier town as demand for natural rubber took off. Later, timber, animal products, and fertile land for farming was later exploiting. Disease spread rapidly among the indigenous people and resulted in a high mortality rate and rapid depopulation.
Puerto Maldonado Today: The southern jungle of Peru is a hotspot for nature lovers and thrill seekers. Travelers can get to jungle lodges in the nearby Tambopata National Park the same day they arrive to Puerto Maldonado by plane.
What are the main threats to the Amazon Rainforest?
The bounty of natural resources from the Amazon and the challenge that comes with controlling activity within its remote regions makes the world’s largest rainforest susceptible to exploitation from the outside world. Photos depicting large plots of trees burned to the ground and once pristine rivers now flowing black with oil are snapshots of the devastating environmental destruction taking place in present times.
Despite the establishment of national reserves in southern Peru during the 90s, illegal mining and logging continue to threaten the region’s delicate jungle ecosystems. The completion of the Transoceanic Highway (a paved road connecting Puerto Maldonado to the outside world) also poses questions about the pros and cons of increased accessibility to the already at-risk region.
Fortunately, major players in ecotourism and research are driving forces behind efforts to save the Amazon and grow awareness for conservation programs.
Puerto Maldonado is the capital of the Madre de Dios department in southern Peru. As the largest city in the region, it is a hub for travelers exploring this remote part of the Amazon.
The Madre de Dios River and its tributaries feed the southern jungle of Peru and its thriving ecosystems. One of the most important tributaries, the Tambopata, begins near the city of Puerto Maldonado about 55 kilometers (34 miles) from the Peru-Bolivia border and meanders its way south through the Tambopata National Reserve and the Bahuaja-Sonene National Park.
The enormous tracts of protected jungle of southern Peru host of different habits where an unprecedented number of flora and fauna thrive. Old-growth Amazonian trees stretch for miles and miles, bamboo groves flourish along riverbeds, and marshes the form in poorly irrigated parts join savannah, floodplain, and swamp landscapes.
Low-lying jungle dominate the southern Peruvian Amazon. The elevation of Puerto Maldonado is 180 m (600 ft) above sea level.
May through October are usually the driest months in the Amazon. Between June to September there are periodic cold spells called friajes that can drop the temperature to 10°C (50°F) for a couple days at a time. Friajes are cold fronts the blow up from Patagonia and then whip down over the southern jungle from the Andes.
The Amazon is a rainforest, so really there’s chance of rain throughout the year. But more constant rains that define the region’s wet season begin in November and continue to April. November and December usually receive the most rainfall.
Puerto Maldonado is the main hub for exploring the southern Peruvian Amazon where the Madre de Dios River intersects with the Tambopata. The small town (about 25,000 inhabitants) is the capital of the country’s Madre de Dios department. For a proper Amazon adventure introduction, hop aboard a wooden boat powered by a small motor in Puerto Maldonado and cruise winding Amazon waterways to your remote jungle lodge.
Ecotourism is a cornerstone of the developing travel industry in Peru’s Amazon. Our team proudly partners with lodges that practice low-ecological footprint programs (recycling, use biodegradable bath and cleaning products, utilize low-to-no energy devices). Jungle lodges not only help support native communities, but also help spread awareness about the continued need for conservation efforts amid the looming threats that cause irreversible damage.
Tambopata National Reserve encompasses 275,000 hectares (680,000 acres) of protected Amazon rainforest in the southeastern part of Peru. A sanctuary of incredible biological diversity, the reserve features stunning Oxbo lakes and different forest habitats. More than 670 bird and 1,200 butterfly species join a long list of endangered animals, such as giant otters, harpy eagles, and jaguars, who call this place home. The reserve boasts numerous clay licks along exposed riverbanks where macaws and parrots congregate.
Bahauja-Sonene National Park hugs the southern part of the Tambopata National Reserve. The enormous 1 million hectare (2.47 million acre) park protects the country’s only tropical humid savanna and some of its most biodiverse tracts of rainforest. Access to Bahauja-Sonene National Park is very limited .
Manu National Park was recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1987. Covering 1.5 million hectares (3.7 million acres), the park protects diverse ecological zones stretching from land on the eastern Andean slopes, north of Cusco, into tropical lowland rainforest. While Manu Biosphere is remote, there are a few jungle lodges that provide comfortable and adequate accommodations for eager adventurers.
Did you know that two-thirds of the world’s plant and animal species make their home in rainforest? And new species are always being discovered! The Amazon is the largest rainforest on earth and its crazy cool biodiversity sparks a cord of fascination with almost every adventurous traveler!
From cute and fuzzy to downright bizarre, the critters of the Amazon are a major highlight of any jungle adventure! Howler monkeys swing overhead, families of 1.8-m (6-ft) giant otters make their homes in the Oxbow lakes, and three-toed sloths, when present, are hard to miss! Though rarely seen, even by long-stay researchers, endangered pumas and jaguars call these tropical forests home too. In southern Peru, the clay licks in the Tambopata and Manu national parks are privileges sites to observe a high diversity of rainbow colored macaws, parrots, and parakeets.
The Amazon jungle covers more than 60 percent of Peru, but the sparsely inhabited region is home to only 5 percent of the country’s entire population. Many indigenous communities live throughout the Peruvian Amazon. But the realities of their daily lives vary greatly. Some live nearby main jungle cities, like Iquitos, Pucallpa, and Puerto Maldonado, in homes with electricity and television. Other communities reside in remote Amazon regions only accessible via riverboat.
For tribes living in previously remote jungle regions of Peru, the growth of Puerto Maldonado has not come without challenges and injustice. Mining and logging have destroyed and polluted the environment. Also, the deep-seated culture of political corruption and unregulated businesses have interfered with the fair allocation of monetary aid to benefit local communities and eco-friendly projects.
Fortunately, the Ese’Eja community from the Madre de Dios region is a shining example of an indigenous tribe that is thriving, despite modern influences and past injustice. Since 1996, the Ese’Eja and Rainforest Expeditions, a Peruvian ecotourism company, have been partners in the ongoing operation of the Posada Amazonas jungle lodge. The Ese’Eja own the lodge and it’s managed by Rainforest Expeditions (for a limited time). The ecotourism project has created jobs for many local people and earnings from the lodge are reinvested into community projects job creation and it are just part of. Posada Amazonas also helps keep the Ese’Eja culture alive through sharing their culture and way of life with excursions.
A multi-day adventure at a jungle lodge is one of the best ways to capitalize on the outdoor highlights of southern Peru’s Tambopata and Manu National Parks. Excursions and activities offered at each jungle lodge vary.
Large flocks of macaws and parrots congregate around exposed sections of riverbeds, called clay licks, to nibble at the clay and socialize. Why do the birds eat the clay? Some scientists theorize the clay contains sodium and other minerals that they may need but don’t get from their food. Others think that the birds ingest the clay to help neutralize the toxins they eat from certain plants. To observe these beautiful birds in clay-eating action, guides may point out claylicks along the river while traveling in boat or take you to a protective dry-lead camouflage covering.
Oxbow lakes are unique habitats to Peru’s southern Amazon basin region. These lakes are formed as bends in the river are slowly cut off from the main water flow over hundreds of years. Get an early start to your day and explore the lake waters aboard a paddle-driven boat. With luck on your side, caimans, several species of birds, and resident families of giant otters are among the wildlife you can see!
Gain new perspective of the Amazon on a visit to the jungle canopy. The startling diversity in flora and fauna varies not only by habitat but also by distance from the rainforest floor. The canopy bridge at the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica jungle lodge swings 31 meters (103 feet) above the rainforest floor.
Guided jungle walks are a chance to soak in the surrounding nature you at a slower. Some trails meander old-growth forests of towering trees, others explore shin-deep waters. Along the way, your expert guide will point out hidden wildlife and share knowledge about the native vegetation.
Many jungle lodges work closely with local communities. Posada Amazonas is a popular jungle lodge near the Tambopata National Reserve that’s owned in partnership between the native Ese’eja community and Rainforest Expeditions. Visiting a local farm or traditional community clinic offer great insight to how locals live in harmony with the Amazon.
Many of these remote lodges offer all-inclusive tour packages (accommodation, meals, guided excursions). Amenities vary from lodge to lodge. The following are lodges in Puerto Maldonado our team recommends.
45-minute boat transfer from Puerto Maldonado
Reserva Amazonica is located along the river, on a 40 square mile (104 square kilometer) private ecological reserve adjacent to the Tambopata National Park. Offering 30 private cabanas, 3 suites, and a unique canopy tree house that sits 90 feet above ground and can accommodate 2, the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica provides comfortable accommodation amidst spectacular scenery. Each room is attractively furnished with log chairs, comfortable beds covered by mosquito netting, and a small porch with 2 hammocks. The rooms have no electricity, but after dinner, guests can return to their cabanas across tree-trunk boardwalks to find the entryways and bathrooms lit with candles and kerosene lamps.
A 20-minute boat transfer from Puerto Maldonado
The Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion lodge in the diverse Puerto Maldonado area is one of the best value options to be had in the Peruvian Amazon. The lodge is located just adjacent to the Tambopata National Reserve and the famous Lake Sandoval, allowing it to provide some of the most thrilling Amazon excursions in Peru. Rooms are basic but spacious, and the charming cabañas offer a sitting area outfitted with relaxing hammocks in which to whittle the days away. Professional and knowledgeable guides are available to lead and educate you every step of the way during your fascinating rainforest excursions, offering you with valuable history and context about the jungle environment and lodge itself.
A 45-minute boat ride from Puerto Maldonado
Posada Amazonas is a comfortable, low profile, 30-bedroom jungle eco-lodge owned jointly by Rainforest Expeditions and the Ese’eja Native Community of Tambopata. Each quaint room features three bamboo-walls that act as mesh nets to allow a refreshing cross-breeze through your private accommodation. The fourth side of the charming room is wide open to provide an amazing view of the Puerto Maldonado tropics and to let guests enjoy the natural wonders of this region unobstructed. Because of its accessibility, opportunities for excellent wildlife observation, and comfortable accommodation, a stay at Posada Amazonas is the ideal introductory nature tour to the Amazonian rainforests.
Approximately 2 hours by boat from Puerto Maldonado
The Inotawa Lodge, built by a Swiss-Peruvian family on the border of the Tambopata Candamo Reserve, is considered by its owners to be more than a lodge: “it’s a tribute to nature, whose beauty and majesty inspire us to love, respect, and preserve it.” The large and comfortable rooms are ideal for relaxing and enjoying the natural surroundings, and by adapting the traditional native style of construction, they keep visitors in permanent contact with the rainforest.
Many jungle lodges are only accessible by river transport from Puerto Maldonado. Lodge representatives greet travelers at the airport and then accompany them all the way into the jungle. This usually includes a quick stop at the lodge’s office of Puerto Maldonado where extra belongings are checked into storage, then driving to the port, and finally getting on the boat that will take them along the river to their jungle lodge. River boats are typically open-air with a covering, much like a pontoon boat. Most lodges are located between 45 minutes to 3 hours away. The very remote Tambopata Research Center lodge is about a 7-hour journey along the river.
Lodges range drastically in style and amenities, from the luxurious jungle resort Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica to the rustic and remote Tambopata Research Center. Many Puerto Maldonado lodges are eco-friendly, which means no electricity; offering instead kerosine lamps for night time illumination. WiFi, if available, is usually spotty and slow. A surprising number of jungle lodges actually have hot water for showering.
Days at jungle lodges usually begin early and are filled with different activities. Some excursions, like extending hikes, are more physically demanding than others. Expert guides are always there for your safety, to answer questions, and to point out unique plants and animals you might otherwise overlook. In the evenings you can relax in a hammock and listen to the sounds of the jungle.
No vaccines are required for entry, but yellow fever immunization is recommended if you travel to the Amazon region. Consult with your doctor before your trip.
The Amazon is a year-round destination. There are pros and cons to visiting during each season, and the “best time” to visit really depends on your preferences or interests. If you don’t like the idea of walking in mud, then visit during the dry season. To avoid hotter temperatures, the rainy season is a more enjoyable time. Animal activity varies throughout the year and is a good way to narrow down specific travel dates for your jungle adventure. For example, opportunities to see macaws and parrots at the clay clicks are higher during the dry season.
For a jungle tour, it is important to pack light and bring only the necessary equipment and clothing. Space on the river boat to your lodge is limited. Amazon bound travelers will likely make a stop at their lodge’s office near the Puerto Maldonado airport where they can safely store the belonging they don’t need.
With the help of our friends at Rainforest Expeditions, we shine the spotlight on17 glorious photos featuring jungle animals who have a true sense of individual style!
“Seeing this intricate ecosystem, where each life form depends on the other, made me realize just how interconnected we are to not only one another, but also all lifeforms that make up this great planet.”
Adventures await in the Amazon jungle of South America, where unspoiled national parks are host to remote rainforest lodges. But the planet’s most diverse ecosystem is also its most endangered.