The Amazon Rainforest embraces more than 50% of Peru, making it challenging to decide which area to visit. Manu National Park is completely secluded. However, Iquitos is more lavish and draws creatures that are not found in other national parks.
It is Peru’s biggest and most protected region, and many people believe it has the world’s greatest biodiversity!
Traveling through the Manu National Park can be challenging due to the lack of nearby airports and tourist infrastructure. However, it means that you will have the most authentic wildlife experience in Peru when you visit.
You cannot travel directly to the national park. Instead, you must first travel to the village of Paucartambo and then to the Amazon Basin, which is a 7-8-hour journey.
Because wildlife expeditions can take 9-10 days, Manu National Park is recommended for travelers staying in Peru for more than two weeks.
Even the lodges in Manu National Park are simple and minimalistic, owing to the difficulty of obtaining the necessary supplies inside. However, they provide an opportunity to connect with nature, and if you enjoy a bit of adventure, look into tented camps!
Walkways that surface the upper sectors of the trees are possible due to the strategic canopy installed throughout the Park, this is certainly handled by the local communities that deal with tourism and are conditioned for other adventure activities like ziplining. The many species that are present in this sectors of the Peruvian rainforest are varied and one of the highlights is related to the possibility of watching exotic species of birds, even if they are considered as “common” in this region.
Iquitos is known as the “true Amazon” because it serves as a gateway to the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest. It is another excellent destination for wildlife encounters.
Iquitos carries a tradition that has marked this region, if one looks at the city’s background, many influences from South America’s totality and and Europe are present in the city and the inner communities that surround it. The history of this place is certainly intrincated by its complicated past, the history of Iquitos isn’t a compelling one however, many abuses shaped the now called “gateway to the Amazon” and work of renowned artits and professionales like Gustav Eiffel himself.
The seasons that are optimal to visit the Amazon are related to the ones that affect the Andean mountain range destinies, yet, the weather is always humid and warm, no matter the season when visitors get to arrive at this region.
The only way to get there is via a 1.5-hour direct flight from Lima. You can also try a connecting flight to Iquitos via Cusco, but this will cost you more money and an additional $100 in airfare.
Many animals can be seen, including monkeys, sloths, jaguars, pumas, and turtles. But one of the best reasons to visit Iquitos is to see the Amazon River’s pink dolphins.
So, which is the best option? Is it Manu National Park or Iquitos?
This depends on whether you want a remote, simple adventure with a diverse range of animals, or if you want to see unusual ones, such as pink river dolphins. Monkeys, sloths, and pink dolphins are frequently spotted. Jaguars and pumas are relatively rare, so consider yourself fortunate if you happen to come across one!