Access to the Peruvian Amazon is almost exclusively by plane, sometimes complemented by boat. Drivable roads are rare and long (Cusco-Puerto Maldonado by road 12-16h, Lima-Pucallpa by road 18-22h).
For Tambopata from Cusco: Cusco-Puerto Maldonado flight in 50 min with LATAM, Sky or JetSmart (€100-180 return depending on anticipation). At Puerto Maldonado, taxi transfer (15 min, PEN 20-30) to Cuchillamayo or Tambopata port, then motorized boat (peque-peque or fast canoe depending on distance) to the lodge — 1h for Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica, 2h for Posada Amazonas, 4h for Refugio Amazonas, 7h for Tambopata Research Center. Boat transfers are organised by the lodge and included in the package.
For Iquitos from Lima: Lima-Iquitos flight in 2h with LATAM, Sky or JetSmart (€120-250 return). No road connects Iquitos to the rest of the country. Iquitos is the world's largest city inaccessible by road. From Iquitos, boat transfers to Amazon River lodges (Heliconia, Treehouse Lodge, Muyuna) in 1-4h. For luxury cruises (Aqua Expeditions, Delfin), boarding at Nauta (1h by bus from Iquitos) or directly at Iquitos port.
For Manu from Cusco: no regular commercial flights (rare occasional charter flights). The road from Cusco takes 10-12h via Paucartambo and Atalaya to the park entrance, then 1-2 days boat on the Manu River to lodges. Excursions organised by specialised agencies (Manu Expeditions, Pantiacolla Tours, InkaNatura) — €1,200-2,500/person all-inclusive 5-9 days.
Alternative for Iquitos: Pucallpa-Iquitos cargo boat on the Ucayali (4-7 days, hammock on upper deck €50-100, cabin €150-300). Adventure experience for backpacker travellers with available time. Companies: Eduardo, Henry. Very limited comfort conditions but unique human experience.
On site at lodges, no individual transport. Everything is organised by the lodge: morning excursions (6-10am), midday (lunch and rest), afternoon (2-5pm), sometimes night (7-9pm). Transfers between activities are by motorized boat or on foot on marked trails, always accompanied by a naturalist guide (included in the rate). No Wi-Fi in most lodges (total disconnection), electricity sometimes limited to certain hours (generator).
Read also
- Peru — Complete country guide: visa, currency, regions, best time to visit.
- Cusco and Machu Picchu — The cultural must-see — to combine with Tambopata for complete Peru in 14-21 days.
- Lima and the Pacific coast — The world culinary capital and the southern desert triptych.
- Arequipa and Titicaca — The White City, Colca Canyon and the sacred lake at 3,812 m.