Amazonian activities organise around guided excursions from lodges. At Tambopata (most accessible from Cusco), a typical day includes: morning forest walk (6-9am, bird and wildlife observation with naturalist guide — monkeys, sloths, frogs, butterflies), oxbow lake excursion (Sandoval Lake or Tres Chimbadas Lake, by boat and on foot, observation of giant otters, hoatzins, caimans), parrot clay lick visit (clay lick, at dawn from a hide, observation of 100-300 parrots and parakeets on the clay cliff, at Tambopata Research Center mainly), night walk (search for caimans, tree frogs, insects), canopy walkway (walkways in the canopy at 30-35 m height, plunging view of the forest, bird observation), Ese'eja Infierno indigenous community visit (at Posada Amazonas, craft demonstrations, mythology). The best lodges (Inkaterra, Tambopata Research Center) integrate all these activities in an all-inclusive package.
At Iquitos, activities are more diverse. Urban visits at Iquitos itself: Casa de Fierro (1887 manor signed by Gustave Eiffel), Amazonian cultures museum, Belén floating quarter (walking visit in the morning), Plaza de Armas. Excursions from Iquitos: Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve (largest national reserve in Peru, 2 million hectares, access from Lagunas, 4-7 night cruises on M/V Aria Amazon or Delfin Amazon Cruises, €1,500-3,500/person luxury cruise), excursions to Yagua and Bora communities (shamanism, crafts), Pilpintuwasi sanctuary (rescued wild animal refuge), Quistococha (natural lagoon in the jungle), Iquitos-Pucallpa cargo boat (4-7 days on the Ucayali, adventure experience for backpacker travellers).
River cruises on the Amazon and Marañón from Iquitos are the Peruvian Amazon luxury experience. M/V Aria Amazon (Aqua Expeditions, 16 passengers, 3-7 night cruises €4,000-9,000/person, private suites, refined Peruvian gastronomy), Delfin I, II, III (3-7 night cruises €3,000-7,000), Anakonda Amazon Cruises (Ecuador but possible from Iquitos). Exceptional experience for premium budget.
At Manu, the experience is more adventurous and raw. Classic 5-9 day circuits from Cusco by road then boat, accommodation in eco-lodges or tent camps — jaguar observation (rare but possible), spectacled bears (cloud forests), giant otters, Peruvian cock-of-the-rock (national bird, observation lek at Pillahuata), parrots on collpas. Manu lodges: Manu Wildlife Center, Cock of the Rock Lodge, Pantiacolla Lodge, Romero Rainforest Lodge. Rates €1,200-2,500/person all-inclusive.
Ayahuasca and shamanism: Iquitos is the world centre of tourist ayahuasca. Ceremonies supervised by a curandero over 1-14 nights (€200-2,000/stay). Prefer recognized centres with verified recommendations (Templo de la Luz, Nihue Rao, Riosbo). Deep personal approach — not a light tourist decision.
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.