Amazon Jungle, Peru

The Peruvian Amazon contains the most biodiverse areas in the world, with incredible vegetation, birdlife and wildlife. The inaccessibility of most of the jungle means that much of it is still intact and in many cases virgin.  Many of the lodges in this part of the Amazon Jungle are attractive and include excellent food and guides to show you around the jungle. 

Peru Jungle Location

The Amazon Jungle accounts for over 50% of Peru's area but only about 5% of its population. This huge disparity can be explained by the area’s inaccessibility. Puerto Maldonado is a small jungle town in the south of Peru, close to the Bolivian and Brazilian borders. It is located on the chocolate-brown Madre de Dios and Tambopata Rivers, and the nearby jungle lodges offer excellent opportunities to explore the surrounding jungle.

How to get to the Peruvian Amazon

Most roads to jungle towns and cities are in poor condition, and to reach the Amazon from the highly populated coast requires crossing the Andes. To get to the Amazon Rainforest from Lima, you can take a flight to the jungle town of Puerto Maldonado and from there, a canoe ride down the river to reach your lodge.

Flora and Fauna

“The Amazon Rainforest is humming with life, from the large mammal species all the way down to the tiny frogs and insects. This is of course why so many travellers venture into the humid depths of the jungle.” – Catherine, Llama Travel

The Peruvian Amazon is home to several monkey species, sloths, macaws, toucans, dolphins, caimans, turtles, otters and even jaguars. Read our blog to find out which animals you can find in the Peruvian Amazon.

Peru Amazon Lodges

A jungle lodge is an excellent way to see the jungle in relative comfort, staying in accommodation made from local materials. English speaking guides take you on excursions through the forest, on the river and on ox-bow lakes. Llama Travel has three jungle lodge options, depending on the level of comfort and part of the jungle you want to visit.

Hacienda Concepcion

Our standard jungle lodge, the Hacienda Concepcion is beautifully set on a small lagoon within 819 hectares of rainforest. Rooms are situated within the main building of the complex, all rooms have ceiling fans and are en-suite with hot water. Cabañas are also available for a supplement. Due to the secluded surroundings, there is limited electricity and lighting is by kerosene lamps. Jungle excursions from this lodge include nature trails through terra firma forest, dugout canoe rides down oxbow lakes, visits to clay licks and sky walks across the 300-metre high canopy walkways.

Reserva Amazonica

The Reserva Amazonica jungle lodge is located one hour down river from Puerto Maldonado, on the shores on the Madre de Dios River. The lodge is the most comfortable in the area, with screened bungalows with en-suite facilities and hot water. The jungle excursions include a visit to the 300-metre long canopy walkway, offering a different view of the forest, 30-metres up from the jungle floor. You also visit Lake Sandoval, a beautiful, large, ox-bow lake. This has been converted into a wildlife reserve, and the lake is inhabited by a range of animals, including giant river otters, although these are best seen in the early morning or late afternoon.

Tambopata Research Center

If you would like to explore the deeper jungle, a visit to the Tambopata Research Center is a wonderful experience. Located in the Tambopata National Reserve, where there is no human habitation, the lodge is located in primary forest and offers an excellent opportunity for spotting jungle wildlife. One of the highlights is the world's largest macaw clay lick, where hundreds of parrots and macaws of up to 15 species gather on clear mornings. The best months for the lick are July - November. Accommodation is simple, in basic rooms with shared bathrooms.

Read our blog for a comparison of the Peruvian jungle lodges.

We offer Amazon Jungle extensions on all our Peru holidays. Request a quote or order a brochure to find out more.