The 10 Best Things to See and Do in the Peruvian Amazon

Amazon
Amazon | © Ben Cumming / Flickr
Brandon Dupre

No matter what you decide to do in the Amazon, it will truly be a unique experience. The culture and traditions you’ll be exposed to are eye-opening, and the volume of spectacular wildlife you see will surely drain your camera’s battery. There never is a dull moment when traveling within the Peruvian Amazon.

Take a Boat Ride

Taking a ride along the Amazon River is a must, because you may never get this opportunity again. The view from the water is beautiful: you’ll be gazing at the colors of the rainforest, seeing small villages (some floating) and, if you’re lucky, dolphins. For traveling along the river, you have many options. There are luxury boats with glass windows and fine dining rooms; big cargo ships; speed boats; and little motorized canoes. No matter which option you choose, all that matters is that you’re out on the water.

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GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

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An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

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A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

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1. South Korea

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

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2. Thailand

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SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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IMMERSIVE KENYA

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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Try Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca tourism is one reason why people have been flocking to jungle cities such as Iquitos. This hallucinogenic brew is made by boiling a vine and leaf together for hours until the liquid becomes a thicker consistency. There are many retreats that have sprung up in the jungle that offer lodgings, an ayahuasca experience, and a shaman to perform the ceremonies. If this is for you, it’s best to do some research on the retreat and the shaman to make sure that they are legitimate. Ayahuasca is a powerful experience and you want to make sure that you’re in good hands. A popular retreat in the jungle with a reputable shaman is La Luna Del Amazonas.

Ayahuasca vine

Swim in the Amazon

The Amazon is hot, oppressively so, and nothing is better than jumping in the river for a quick refresher. While you may have heard that it is dangerous to swim in the Amazon, it’s not if you go with a tour or a local guide; they’ll know of all the best spots to take a dip.

Try Kambo

The new health craze from the Amazon is a poison secreted from a frog, called kambo. A shaman will burn the toxins into your skin, making four dots, allowing the poison (or medicine) to get into your bloodstream. The effects can be intense: you’ll feel fever and nausea, and will experience vomiting and swelling, but the poison is said to clear your body of unwanted toxins and leave you feeling refreshed and healthy once the reaction is finished. It has been used in the Amazon to treat migraines, chronic illnesses, cancer, and depression and remains a popular remedy.

See the Belen Floating Houses

The slums of the city of Iquitos are worth a visit. During the dry season, you’ll find mud and trash everywhere and houses on stilts. Business operates out of the first story, but once the rainy season comes, vendors have to move upstairs, because the first story is underwater. In the rainy season, boats line the streets, moving up and down, taking people from the market to their houses along the river.

Try Some Unique Fruit

Peru is home to 30 of the world’s 32 different climates, meaning that there’s a lot of food native to Peru that you may never have seen before. From spiky fruits to fruits that look like a dragon’s eggs, Peru is sure to have something that you’ve never seen before and that you probably didn’t expect to be edible.

Soursop fruit

Try Amazon Ceviche

Ceviche is Peru’s most celebrated dish and the Amazon has its own take on it. Miles away from the fertile Pacific Ocean, Amazonian ceviche uses freshwater fish from the Amazon River, which tastes just as delicious as anything you’ll have near the ocean.

Hang out with Some Monkeys

Of course, the Amazon is teeming with wildlife, and especially monkeys. You can take guided tours from all cities, and most offer retreats to hang out with some monkeys. Beware of your belongings, however. Monkeys have been known to steal people’s glasses, hats, and cameras.

Do Some Birdwatching

The Amazon is home to countless birds. You’ll definitely want to go with a guide, who will be able to show you all the best places to find the incredible array of avian wildlife the region is famous for.

Red-lored parrot

Take a Hike

If you want to get the most adventure out of your trip and a chance to see true Amazon wildlife, a hike in the jungle is the only solution. You can go on multiple day hikes with guides, and there are also night hikes, on which you may well get to see all the spiders and insects the jungle is famous for.

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