Peru · The rainforest
Few people realize that more than half of Peru is rainforest. Beyond the Andes, the land falls away into the vast green basin of the Amazon, and a journey here is a complete change of rhythm: humid, alive, and measured by the rise and fall of the river rather than the clock.
Most trips begin in Iquitos, the largest city on earth unreachable by road, where the river journey starts. From there we head up the Marañón into the Pacaya-Samiria reserve, Peru's largest protected rainforest, exploring the flooded forest by small skiff in search of pink river dolphins, monkeys, sloths and some of the most brilliant birdlife on the planet, with naturalist guides who know where to look.
The Peruvian Amazon also pairs naturally with our Amazon expedition cruise, which explores these same waters in greater comfort, and we are glad to combine a lodge stay with a few nights aboard for the best of both. Whether you base yourself at a riverside lodge or aboard a small ship, this is one of the most rewarding wildlife experiences in South America.
