Hidden Amazon holiday in Peru
Sunset over the Amazon rainforest, Peru
Tuesday, 23, Sep 2008 10:08
With some of the most spectacular terrain on earth, the Amazon rainforest can prove an irresistible challenge for adventurous holidaymakers.
Often referred to as the 'lungs of the Earth' - producing 20 per cent of the world's oxygen supply - the region stretches to cover over four million square miles and incorporates regions of Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Bolivia.
While Brazil maintains the largest section of the rainforest - with over 60 per cent of the total within its borders - it is Peru which is most densely covered with the jungle.
Some 55 per cent of the county is covered by the Amazon canopy, but just six per cent of the country's population inhabits the area - leaving an unspoilt wilderness waiting to be explored.
Hidden Amazon of Peru
The Amazon in Peru is home to a diversity of life unequalled anywhere on Earth and it is this that makes it a paradise for nature lovers.
The region is home to over ten million living species; including 2,000 species of fish, 1,200 birds and nearly 300 mammals - all contained within a region of incredible biological diversity, which brings with it a need to be preserved.
For guests, the main tourist areas are the northern and southern jungles which share similar characteristics - with the main difference being the northern Amazon is based on the Amazon River itself - with the hub located at the Iquitos centre.
Climates in both areas are tropical, with humid weather differentiated into two clearly differentiated seasons: the summer or dry season (from April to October each year) with sunny days and temperatures higher than 30C (86F); and the rainy season from November to March, with frequent heavy showers and large river flows.
What not to miss in north Peru
To get into the wilderness in the north of the jungle, visitors are advised to head straight for Peru's largest natural reserve, Pacaya-Samiria.
Remote and stunningly beautiful, the reserve is among the least visited in Peru.
It has endless waterways - indeed, it is named after the two rivers which flow through it, Pacaya and Samiria - designed for riverboat cruises, as well as wetlands to make it a jungle hotspot for nature tourism.
For guests, there is the potential of nature observation, camping, and fishing tours throughout the reserve, as well as a chance to explore the jungle which covers the area.
Canopy walkways, throughout the region, also afford guests a chance to watch bird and animal life in the forest canopy at first or last light when the jungle comes alive, and from the highest possible level to vividly show the layers of Amazon eco-system.
Jungle lodges - including those at Pacaya Samiria Amazon Lodge - allow guests to stay in the thick of the jungle or by the river for a unique and authentic experience and contribute to the local community and eco-tourism.
For those looking for something a little more developed, Iquitos is the northern Amazon hub and chief town of Peru's Amazon region. It is the capital of the Loreto Region and Maynas Province, but cannot be reached by road!
Not just a jumping off point for the national park, the city - with a population of over 300,000 is home to Belén, which contains a large open air marker.
On of the most interesting parts of the market is the "Pasaje Paquito" - an entire block of the market lined with local plant (and animal) medicines, stocking everything from copaiba to chuchuwasai.
Interestingly, the Casa de Fierro (Iron House) in the Plaza de Armas (main square) in Iquitos was designed by Eiffel (who created the Eiffel Tower). It was constructed for the Paris exhibition in 1889 and then transported from Paris - it now houses a restaurant.
South of the county
In the south of Peru, the Manu Biosphere Reserve and Tambopata National Reserve offer brilliant opportunities to experience a pristine rainforest and untouched jungle life.
Early in the morning visitors will be able to see a multitude of macaws and parrots creating a storm.
Many lodges - including the Libertador Tambopata Lodge are close to the river port hub of Puerto Maldonado and include local communities as part of the jungle experience.
Getting there and away
British Airways flies from Heathrow, via Madrid, to Lima in Peru for a little over £1,000, while slightly cheaper flights are available from Iberia.
Chris O'Toole