How To Choose A Peru Amazon Rainforest Tour (The Ultimate 2024 Guide)

Known as the most biodiverse region on the planet, the Amazon Rainforest is a very popular place to explore by heading on a tour.

However even within Peru travellers can often get confused as to which type of tour is best, and more importantly picking the right one for the kind of experience that they want.

In this guide we’ll explore the variety of Amazon Rainforest Tours on offer in Peru, including the different types available. We’ll also look at the different Peruvian Amazon regions and how they differ, as well as tips for choosing the best tour for you.

How To Choose A Peru Amazon Rainforest Tour

Selecting the right kind of tour really depends on what you want out of your experience. Those who want to explore virgin jungle and head on a boat along the Amazon River will only need a day or two, whilst those looking to see rare animals are better off with a multi-day tour. Below we’ll now explore your different options.

The Best Amazon Tours For Wildlife Spotting 

The Tambopata Rainforest is one of the most incredible regions you can visit in Peru, and is full of rare and exotic wildlife such as Jaguars, Monkeys, Tapir, Macaws and other species.

On certain tours like our Multi-Day Jungle Explorer Tour, you will also visit the unique Clay Licks which are perfect wildlife spotting areas. In fact – Tambopata has the highest abundance of clay licks out of anywhere in the entire Amazon Jungle!

You’ll also be able to spot lots of animals in other regions of Peru too, however the experience may be different. For example in Iquitos you can see the native Pink River Dolphins, however it’s very busy and touristy so you’ll have to head on a longer trip to get out into the deeper rainforest. Areas like Chachapoyas and Pucallpa offer a much more raw experience with virtually no other tourists around.

The Best Amazon Tours For Luxury Travelers

Again we can find different levels of tours in all regions of Peru, however generally Iquitos tends to have the largest amount available.

Here you’ll be staying in more luxurious lodges, and have that kind of all-inclusive experience that includes all food and extras. These options tend to be more popular for families and bigger groups, although they can often be quite expensive. 

If choosing a luxury tour then you’ll want to do your extra research on different options to find out where you will stay and what activities you will do. This is to make sure you will be staying in an area that suits you – given sometimes tours can bunch up in more touristy areas (which may or may not be what you are looking for).

The Best Amazon Tours For A Cultural Experience 

Whilst seeing rare animals tends to be at the top of most people’s bucket lists, it’s also worth looking at what kind of cultural experience you’ll have.

The Amazon Rainforest is home to many indigenous tribes and cultural practices, and it’s really worthwhile getting to know these whilst here. This also includes learning about different medicinal plants, how Ayahuasca is used by groups as well how tribes sustain themselves.

In Puerto Maldonado there are tours to visit tribes such as the Ese Ejja, who live not too far from the city where you can stay with them. In Iquitos there are also plenty of opportunities, although these are much more touristy and can feel a bit too commercial at times. Again it’s possible to find an authentic cultural experience here, however you’ll need to do extra research.

Where Is The Best Place To Visit The Amazon In Peru?

As we’ve seen above, all Peruvian regions with the Amazon Jungle offer quite an enthralling experience. 

Now whilst all offer a great experience, certain regions will be better for certain things. For example, Iquitos will appeal more to those who want a trip that is fully organised, whilst Pucallpa is better for seeing the jungle without the crowds.

However we believe that Puerto Maldonado is the best all-rounder region. Whilst growing in popularity, it still retains a more authentic vibe and feels more genuine than other regions. The levels of biodiversity here are really high too, and we can see many exotic animals even on a single day trip (for example Giant River Otters in Sandoval Lake or Jaguars at one of the research centres).

Again the ultimate decision comes down to you and what you want, so it’s worth doing more independent research before making your decision.

Is The Amazon In Peru Dangerous?

One of the most frequent questions we get from our clients and readers is whether the Amazon Jungle is dangerous.

Regardless if heading to Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado or beyond, the rainforest remains an untamed and unpredictable place, and therefore there can present some risks. This includes watching out for dangerous animals such as snakes and caiman, and also making sure to use a quality mosquito spray.

However, you can still have a safe and memorable experience when you are here. You’ll want to make sure you head with a reputable tour company who follows safety practices, and also to read their past reviews to get an idea of what kind of service they provide.

Tips For Booking A Peru Amazon Rainforest Tour

Let’s now take a look at some of our top tips for guaranteeing your very best Amazon Rainforest Tour when in Peru.

Book At Least 2 Months In Advance

Whilst it’s certainly possible to arrive and book a tour the day before, we don’t recommend it since you could miss out on a departure during the dates that you are there. Spaces can also fill-up quickly too, especially when heading during the dry season. If possible, we recommend booking your spot 2 months in advance to ensure the experience that you want.

Consider The Season That You Will Visit

The dry season (which runs from April until September) is best for clear blue skies and spotting animals, given they will come out onto the enlarged river banks. The wet season (from October until March) is ideal for heading deeper into Tambopata by river, and also enjoying more wild, brighter green landscapes with less tourists around. Tours will run throughout both seasons, so it really depends on what type of trip you want. You can learn more about the best time to visit Tambopata.

Purchase Travel Insurance Before You Leave Home

As we’ve already seen, the Amazon Jungle remains a wild place. And although we have expert guides to keep us all safe on trips, sometimes things can happen – and this is where having a good travel insurance policy will come in handy. Ideally you want to book it before you leave home, as “already-travelling” insurance policies tend to be more expensive.

Peru Amazon Rainforest Tour FAQ

Here we’ll now answer some of the most frequent questions we get about heading on a Peru Amazon Rainforest Tour.

Can You Visit The Amazon Rainforest From Peru?

Peru is home to roughly 13% of the Amazon Jungle, which means almost two thirds of the country is swathed with rainforest! Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado are two popular areas from which you can head into the jungle, whilst you can also enter from other destinations such as Tarapoto, Manu National Park, Chachapoyas and Pucallpa.

How Much Does It Cost To Tour The Amazon Rainforest?

This really depends on how long you will be heading into the jungle for, and also what type of tours you will choose. A one day tour with basic services and rustic accommodation could cost around $30-50, and a little more if booking online through an external provider (such as GetYourGuide). On the other hand, a 7 Day Jungle Tour with luxury accommodation could easily cost several thousands of dollars too.

Should I Go To The Amazon In Peru Or Brazil?

Both countries are notorious for their share of the Amazon Jungle, and are the two most popular places to head on tours. Peru is generally best for a less-commercial feel, although it can still feel touristy around Iquitos. On the other hand, Brazil has a much larger range of tour options in and around Manaus, and are more customisable. Regardless, with enough research and patience you can easily find the right kind of tour for you in either of these nations.

Overview Of Choosing A Peru Amazon Rainforest Tour

And that’s all for this guide on how to choose a Peru Amazon Rainforest Tour.

With many different types of tours as well as regions to explore the Amazon in Peru, it can be difficult to pick the right one for you. In this guide we’ve helped you narrow down your choices, and also considered different factors that can affect your overall experience.

Are you looking for the ultimate Amazon Jungle experience? Then have a look at our 4 Day Jungle Tour in Tambopata, where you will explore both the majestic Sandoval Lake as well as the remote Clay Lick of Collpa Chuncho.