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

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.

Destinations Unlocked:
Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture tripCentralAmerica
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.CentralAmerica
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.CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
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.SouthAmerica
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.SouthAmerica
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.Europe
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.Europe
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.Europe
3. Portugal
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.Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.Asia
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 priceAfrica
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!Africa
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.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.

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.

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.

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.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.