Amazon Holidays

Visiting the Amazon Rainforest is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for many nature lovers. Whether on land or in water, the rainforest that surrounds you is positively teeming with life. The Peruvian portion of the rainforest is second only to Brazil’s in terms of size, covering approximately 60% of the country’s total territory. So perhaps it’s no surprise to realize that Peru has the largest number of birds and the third largest number of mammals in the world.

With over 1,800 species, of which around 140 are endemic, Peru has more than 15% of the world’s bird species. Birds in the Peruvian Amazon come in all shapes, sizes, and colours. Small birds, such as hummingbirds, bee-eaters, manakins and puffbirds inhabit this area alongside immensely popular tropical species, including macaws, parakeets, parrots, and toucans. And of course, there are majestic birds of prey, such as the Black-collared Hawk, Grey-headed Kite, King Vulture, and Spectacled Owl.

The Amazon rainforest basin is home to some of the planet’s most impressive biodiversity, including more than one-third of the world’s known wildlife species. Any visit to this region will include time to explore the forest, rivers and lakes on foot and in both motorised and paddle canoes. Although a lot of the wildlife tends to hide in the dense foliage, it’s possible to see birds, mammals and reptiles and, with luck, we may encounter giant otters that live in the Amazon Basin rivers.

Anyone with their finger on the pulse of current culinary trends knows that Peruvian cuisine has been picking up accolades. Food in the Peruvian Amazon is generally much simpler and less culturally diverse than what you’ll find in big foodie cities such as Lima. But its regional dishes are no less fresh and flavourful.