Lima is Peru’s capital and is the first city you will visit on arrival. Peru is famous for containing one of the highest amounts of Amazon Rainforest.
This section of Amazonia is also one of the richest for animals and plants. And many visitors want to visit the Amazon Jungle from Lima.
You may be in Peru just to see Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. But as you're so close, you may also be thinking you should see the world's largest container of wildlife, the incredible Amazon Rainforest.
And in our opinion you would be missing out by not experiencing the rainforest first-hand.
For the best experience of the Amazon, we recommend guided tours from high rated lodges. We also recommend some of the top Amazon River cruises.
We will mention these a little later.
How to visit the Amazon Rainforest from Lima?
There are two main areas to enter the Amazon Rainforest in Peru. One of these is Puerto Maldonado in Peru's south. This is just over the Andes from Lima. And there is also the jungle city of Iquitos, which is a port of the Amazon River itself. This is found in Peru's north.
Lima is a fantastic hub to get to these Amazon Rainforest gateways. And you will just need a short 1 hour 30 minute flight to either destination.
Visiting the Amazon from Lima
If you’re interested in Amazon Jungle tours from Lima, you will need to travel to one of the Amazon’s gateway towns.
The reason you need to travel a bit is because Lima is on one side of the Andes mountain range. And the lowland Amazon Rainforest is on the other side.
Lima is one of the world's driest cities for rainfall. To put this into perspective, the other driest cities are found in Egypt.
Contrasting Lima's dry climate, the Amazon Basin is one of the world's wettest regions. These contrasting destinations are separated by the imposing Andes that runs up the spine of Peru. And to visit the Amazon from Lima, you will need to cross this mountain range.
Both Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado provide access to wildlife-rich rainforest and rainforest lakes. And they are easily visited from Lima.
Let’s have a look at both destinations. For a little more information, you can see our guide to Peru Amazon tours.
Iquitos
If you’re interested in an Amazon River cruise, you will need to fly to Iquitos in northern Peru. This is about 1 hour and 30 minutes of flying time. Iquitos is Peru’s gateway to the northern Amazon and river. There are some fantastic cruises to choose from from Iquitos. This is also a fantastic choice for a deep Amazon Rainforest lodge.
The best lodge to maximize wildlife sightings from Iquitos is called the Tahuayo Lodge. This lodge offers you a custom itinerary, private guide and you will visit two rainforest lodges on tours of 6-days or more.
For a short introduction, click the video below.
Iquitos, Peru
The Tahuayo Lodge
Iquitos, PeruFrom the Tahuayo Lodge, you will explore the Amazon Rainforest’s wildlife-rich Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Reserve with a private guide on a custom itinerary. ...
- Private Guide, Custom Itinerary
From $ 1,295
/ personPuerto Maldonado
Puerto Maldonado is about a 1 hour 30 minute flight from Lima. Most flights stop over in Cusco before landing in the lowland Amazon Rainforest town. This makes it a great choice for an add-on experience if you're planning to visit Cusco for Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley.
You will enjoy incredible wildlife, beautiful Amazon lakes, and the highest concentration of clay licks. Clay licks are areas where many different parrots and other animals visit for salt-rich and medicinal clay. Not only providing the animals much needed salts, the clay neutralizes toxins found in their diet of forest fruits and seeds. This makes these areas fantastic for wildlife watching.
Note that if you are also planning to visit Cusco, you can have a look at the 12-day Cusco and Amazon tour. This includes a visit to the Puerto Maldonado rainforest.
The Cusco & Amazon Tour – 12 Days
Cusco, PeruEnjoy a fantastic 12-day odyssey that combines the ancient allure of Cusco and the Andes with the wonder of the Amazon Rainforest. This tour invit...
- Combines Machu Picchu & Amazon
From $ 2,750
/ personPuerto Maldonado is a good option for an Amazon tour of two or three nights. This is because of the nearby Tambopata National Reserve. You can also travel further in the reserve for deep Amazon Rainforest lodges. The deeper options are fantastic for seeing the most animals and plants. These are usually suited for a tour of a week or more. And one of the deepest rainforest lodges from Puerto Maldonado, and the best option to maximize wildlife sightings, is the Tambopata Research Center.
Let's have a look at some of the top Amazon Rainforest tours you can visit after a short flight from Lima.
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The Tambopata Research Center
This is one of the deepest rainforest lodges in Amazonia. The Tambopata Research Center is positioned in the middle of the Tambopata National Reserve. And it's nearby a very large macaw clay lick. Enjoy guided tours on the many surrounding trails. These wind their way through the rainforest to show off some fascinating things. You will visit the large clay lick to enjoy spotting hundreds of large blue and green macaws and parrots. Click the video below for an introduction.
View The Tambopata Research Center video
Puerto Maldonado, Peru
Because the lodge is close to the lick, macaw researchers often visit the lodge. They study the birds and clay licks. And you’re free to interact and talk with the researchers about the macaws.
In addition to the macaws, enjoy guided tours to see a very high amount of Amazon Rainforest wildlife. See different monkeys, such as tamarins, marmosets, squirrel monkeys and howler monkeys. You can also spot a variety of colorful birds and hopefully some rarer wildlife. To check availability, send a message to the lodge using the button below.
4, 5 days+The Tambopata Research Center
Puerto Maldonado, PeruPositioned in the middle of the wildlife-rich Tambopata National Reserve, near one of the largest macaw clay licks in the Amazon Rainforest, you will ...
- Deep Rainforest Lodge, Access to Tambopata's Macaw Claylicks
From $ 1,296
/ person -
The Tahuayo Lodge
The Tahuayo Lodge is an award-winning lodge for the Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Reserve. This is about 150 km from Iquitos in northern Peru. The lodge provides a private guide and a custom itinerary. And you can concentrate on the itinerary options that interest you the most. The personal experience means you can focus on your interests. Choose photography, exploration, adventure, birding or a general Amazon experience. Choose canoeing in the flooded areas or hiking in terra firma.
The lodge provides access to some incredible areas for wildlife watching. And on tours of a week or more, you will spend time at two fantastic lodges. These are the main Tahuayo Lodge and the Tahuayo Amazon Research Center. The main lodge allows for more itinerary options. Enjoy better canoeing and the largest canopy zipline system in Amazonia. The Tahuayo Amazon Research Center provides access to a one thousand acre primate research grid. This is where researchers are studying primate behavior. Not only making it easier to find monkeys living in the reserve, you are also able to watch them displaying more natural behaviors. On a stay at the Tahuayo Lodge, enjoy guided tours to spot different animals. See howler monkeys, capuchins, squirrel monkeys, tamarins and pygmy marmosets.
6 days+The Tahuayo Lodge
Iquitos, PeruFrom the Tahuayo Lodge, you will explore the Amazon Rainforest’s wildlife-rich Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Reserve with a private guide on a custom itinerary. ...
- Private Guide, Custom Itinerary
From $ 1,295
/ person -
The Delfin I Amazon Cruise
The Delfin I allows you to embrace the heart of the Amazonia in unparalleled luxury. This isn't just a cruise; it's a luxurious floating boutique hotel where exclusivity reigns with only four lavish suites. Each opulent, oversized sanctuary offers you an intimate connection with the rainforest, blending spacious comfort and luxury. Imagine lying on your plush bed, enveloped in fine linens, as the vibrant Amazon life unfolds outside your suite’s floor-to-ceiling window.
Culinary delights await, with cuisine that mirrors the Amazon's beauty and the vessel's elegance. Savor exquisite meals and fine wines, all part of an experience that extends to cabin service, massages, and personalized care.
Join the elite few who have experienced this journey, celebrated by CNN Money, Conde Nast Traveler, and more. Envision the luxury of a private whirlpool in 2 of the suites, as you navigate the wildlife-rich depths of the Pacaya Samiria. Click the video below for a short introduction.
View The Delfin I video
Iquitos, Peru
From this incredible vessel, you will head out with your knowledgeable rainforest guide to find a diversity of animals and plants. Enjoy spotting several different monkeys moving through the trees. See colorful birds flying over the rainforest like macaws and toucans.
Watch kingfishers darting along the riverways and find many different monkey. Guests are often greeted with sightings of pink dolphins playing in the water. On some nights, you will also be spotlighting for caiman crocodilians.
But remember, with only four suites, the Delfin I books quickly. And to ensure your space, we advise booking your journey 3 to 6 months in advance. Don't just dream about luxury in the Amazon — embrace it on the Delfin I.
To check availability for your travel dates, send the Delfin I a request with the button below.
4, 5 daysThe Delfin I
Iquitos, PeruOffering an on-board experience second to none, the Delfin I Luxury Cruise begins in Iquitos, north Peru, and takes you on a cruise of the flooded tro...
- Luxury Cruise, Pacaya Samiria
From $ 4,600
/ person -
The Delfin III
The Delfin III is a wonderful luxury cruise for the Amazon River. This is the slightly larger sister vessel of the Delfin II above. This Delfin III offers you either a 4-night or 5-night experience. On your itinerary, you will explore the Marañon and Ucayali Rivers of the Pacaya Samiria Reserve scouting for a range wildlife. Spot different monkeys, colorful birds and sloths hanging high in the trees. You will also see some of the Amazon icons like macaws, pink dolphins, anaconda and caiman crocodilians.
There are a range of suite options on the Delfin III. These include the Suites and Upper Suites distributed among the first and second decks. There are also the large Corner Suites on the first deck at the front of the vessel. And you can also choose the Owner's Suite on the upper deck. This offers fantastic views as you head deep into the rainforest. And this is the Delfin III’s premium accommodation option.
To check availability for your dates, send the Delfin III a request using the button below.
4, 5 daysThe Delfin III
Iquitos, PeruThe Delfin III provides a luxury cruise of the Amazon River. The vessel features hardwood floors, designer furniture and is dotted with handmade P...
- Luxury Cruise, Pacaya Samiria
From $ 3,700
/ person -
The Posada Amazonas Lodge
A community owned lodge in Puerto Maldonado’s rainforest. The Posada Amazonas provides a fantastic Amazon Rainforest experience. Explore an oxbow lake to see giant river otters, hoatzin, caiman crocodilians and water birds. Enjoy guided tours in the rainforest along well-placed trails. And see a wide range of rainforest inhabitants. Monkeys to spot include capuchins, howler monkeys, titi monkeys and squirrel monkeys. The Posada Amazonas Lodge is also located near a small clay lick. This is where you have a chance to spot agoutis and parakeets feeding from the medicinal and salt-rich clays.
In addition to rainforest animals and plants, you will visit a local rainforest farm. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about life in the jungle. Visit a jungle community and shaman to learn about medicinal plants. And you will see how treatments and medicines are made in the rainforest. Click the video below for a short introduction.
View The Posada Amazonas Lodge video
Puerto Maldonado, Peru
The Posada Amazonas has a 30-meter canopy tower where you can look over the rainforest canopy. See a number of different birds, such as toucans, tanagers, parrots and parakeets flying over the rainforest. You may even catch sight of monkeys moving their way through the jungle. The lodge also contains a rainforest spa where you can enjoy a massage or spa treatment. And you can choose a range of add-on activities. Pick from jungle mountain biking, canopy climbing, kayaking and standup paddleboarding.
3, 4 days+The Posada Amazonas Lodge
Puerto Maldonado, PeruAt the Posada Amazonas Lodge, enjoy a comfortable experience of Peru’s Amazon Rainforest from Puerto Maldonado. Because of the position inside the Es...
- Comfort Lodge, Short Travel Time
From $ 760
/ person
Ash
Tour Advisor at TourTheTropics.comAsh Card is a frequent visitor to the Tropics and has a passion for helping visitors get the best experiences from tropical locations. Ash is a contributor and tour advisor at TourTheTropics.com. Feel free to contact Ash for tour help in the tropics. When not helping tourists with tours and info, Ash can be found traveling, on wildlife tours or salsa dancing. Ash has completed a BSc in Biology, a Master’s degree in Zoology, and has undertaken a research scholarship at a world-class university on animal behavior. He has published scientific research in the Australian Journal of Zoology and the Journal of Behavioral Ecology. His goal is to help a global society live in balance with the natural world.