7 reasons to visit The Amazon
by Chris on 18th October 2018
Chris is the CEO of The Adventure People and has over 20 years experience in the travel industry.
1. Amazon River
Containing a whopping 20 percent of the Earth’s fresh water, the Amazon River is (controversially) the longest river in the world, winding its way from high up in the Andes all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. As you can imagine, being so big, it’s got a lot of things living in it. Around 2500 different species live in the river, including many unique to the Amazon like the pink dolphin, giant otter, and the Amazonian manatee. It is also home to giant lily pads, which can get to 8 feet long, and are so strong that they can withstand a human standing on them (although we wouldn’t recommend trying that. Just take our word for it).2. Wildlife
The Amazon jungle is teeming with wildlife, with an estimated 10 million species calling it home, from noisy howler monkeys, tropical birds like the iconic toucan, native pink dolphins, many types of frog, the elusive jaguar, and the loveable sloths. I once caught the attention of a sloth as he navigated through the jungle canopies. As he stared at me, not paying attention to his swinging, he reached for the next branch not realising it was actually his other arm. Luckily the fall wasn’t too far so he just shook it off and climbed back up with just his ego damaged.3. Local People
We’re called The Adventure People for a reason; we want to provide genuine adventures with local people. There’s perhaps nowhere in the world where people are friendlier and warmer than in the communities of the Amazon.
Life is slow-paced and relaxed here, especially in the Ribereños villages of Peru. The local guides know the jungle inside-out so will make sure you get the absolute most of your time in the Amazon. You might get the chance to meet medicine men, witch doctors, and the local shaman who are masters in the healing power of the plants and even animals!4. The Pristine Rainforest
Do you like trees? Well the Amazon rainforest has 390 billion of them! So much so that 20 percent of the Earth’s oxygen is produced there, and it’s so thick that the water takes 10 minutes to hit the ground when it rains. With 5.5 million square km of lush green forest, there is a lot of exploring to be done here in ‘the lungs of the Earth’.
Whilst deforestation has decimated many parts of the jungle in Brazil, the Peruvian Amazon remains pristine. Since 2014 the government in Peru has been making efforts to conserve its rainforest as part of a plan to keep many of the country’s heritage sites - such as The Inca Trail & Machu Picchu - and its natural habitat protected.
Check out our blog, Top 10 things to do in Peru – HERE.
5. Fusion Of Flavour
South American cuisine is a fusion of influences from all over the world, and that has given it unique character. It’s taken influence from European countries like Spain and Portugal, China, Africa, and of course ancient indigenous culture and tradition. With about 3000 types of fruit growing in the Amazon rainforest, the local ingredients are fresh and flavoursome, often going from the tree to your plate the same day. There’s a reason Peruvian cuisine is so popular all over the world! Look out for ‘Cuy’ on the menu.6. Sunsets On The River
That moment you catch the sun setting in the Amazon, watching the greens of the forest fade to black as the sky is ablaze with oranges and reds, colours bouncing off the water, with the sounds of the jungle coming to life… well, that’s a moment you won’t forget in a hurry.
Make sure the weather is just right when you go. Read our blog Best time to go to Peru and Machu Picchu – HERE.
7. Adventures in the Amazon
The Amazon is perhaps the biggest playground in the world! It’s somewhere that fascinates and intrigues as one of the iconic places in the world to have an adventure. Now, with so many tours led by expert local guides, it’s never been easier and more accessible. Take a look at some of these hand-picked adventures in the Amazon. Amazon Riverboat Adventure In Depth – 9 Days Explore the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve — the largest national park in Peru, dine on food fresh from the jungle, spot pink dolphins on the Amazon River, interact with members of the local community, learn the intricacies of Amazon wildlife. Amazon To The Andes – 12 Days Soak in the views and culture of the Sacred Valley, devour seafood in Lima, climb the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, spot wildlife at our exclusive Amazon lodge. Explore Machu Picchu & The Amazon River – 11 Days Explore ancient ruins off the beaten path in the Sacred Valley with our expert guide, meet local artisans in a local village, take in mountain views on the scenic train to Machu Picchu, Explore the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, dine on food fresh from the jungle, spot pink dolphins on the Amazon River, interact with members of the local community, learn the intricacies of Amazon wildlife.Explore Machu Picchu & The Amazon River – 11 Days
Explore ancient ruins off the beaten path in the Sacred Valley with our expert guide, meet local artisans in a local village, take in mountain views on the scenic train to Machu Picchu, Explore the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, dine on food fresh from the jungle, spot pink dolphins on the Amazon River, interact with members of the local community, learn the intricacies of Amazon wildlife
Peru Family Experience – 9 Days Search for wildlife along the Amazon River, explore the mysterious Inca ruins at Machu Picchu, sample the seafood in Lima. Ecuador Amazon Jungle – 4 Days Discover the secrets of the Ecuadorian Amazon on this breath-taking tour into the heart of the jungle. Take guided walks to discover the abundant plant and animal life that call this part of the Amazon home. Awake to the exotic sound of birdcalls and discover the thrill of sleeping in this secluded spot deep in the Ecuadorian jungle. Bolivian Amazon Jungle – 5 Days From the brightly coloured busy streets of La Paz to lush canopies of Madidi, indulge in equal parts activity and relaxation on this exciting five-day jungle adventure, deep within the Amazon. Take a motorboat up the Tuichi River, hike along the Tareche Trail, observe exotic birdlife, howler monkeys and peccaries on the Biwa Trail, or arm yourself with a torch and explore the jungle at night with a local guide. Learn about the jungle’s many medicinal plants, fish for piranha and chill out with a cool drink in your hammock.
