Amazon Basin

East of the Andes, the Amazon basin boasts astonishing biodiversity. The sparse vegetation of the Andes gives way to elfin high altitude forests, dripping cloud forests and finally the vast moist rainforests of the tropical lowlands. From Iquitos in northern Peru, the Amazon River provides river adventures but, sadly, poor wildlife viewing. The best wildlife is to be found in the rainforests of the south east, possessing the greatest diversity of animals and plants anywhere in the world and providing good sightings and well-run lodges.

Manu Biosphere Reserve

Established in 1973, Manu was so feted by the world's scientists and conservation organisations that in 1987 it was gazetted as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. There are three vegetation zones within the reserve: lowland rainforest, mid-range cloud forest and the high Andean puna, all with their own distinctive plant and animal life. Regarding fauna, the reserve contains around 1000 bird species including 28 parrots, giant river otters, 13 species of monkey including the rare woolly monkey, and cats such as ocelot and jaguar among the 200 mammal species found there.

Manu Wildlife Centre

Set within its own 40,000-acre rainforest reserve, the comfortable lodge has a large network of trails offering encounters with primates such as the rare monk saki and emperor tamarin. A tapir clay lick enables frequent nocturnal sightings and the famous macaw clay lick provides one of the world’s best avian spectacles. Nearby oxbow lakes enable sightings of giant river otters and many birds like the primitive hoatzin. Two 120 foot canopy platforms allow treetop wildlife observation including mixed feeding flocks of birds and raptors. The lodge can be visited in isolation or as part of a thrilling overland journey from Cusco through all three of Manu's vegetation zones.

Las Piedras River & Alto Purús National Park

East of Manu, the Las Piedras river winds it way through some of the most remote and pristine rainforest in the world. At its head, the 6.7 million acre Alto Purus National Park and Communal Reserve was set up to protect a huge area of forest, home to the nomadic Mashco-Piro tribe. Shunning strangers, little is known about their customs and lifestyle - they remain one of the world's last 'uncontacted' peoples.

Amazon Rainforest Conservation Centre

Reaching this remote lodge is an adventure in itself. After flying to the frontier town of Puerto Maldonado, travel by motorised canoe 110 miles up the rainforested Las Piedras, observing wildlife en route. Awaiting you are comfortable cabins, hot showers and a pleasant restaurant. Located by an oxbow lake containing a family of giant otters, the lodge has a 17,000-acre private reserve of exceptional mammal density. Denizens include black spider, red howler, emperor tamarin, saddle-backed tamarin, squirrel, white-faced and brown capuchin monkeys, black caiman, silky anteater and two toed sloth. Deep in the forest there are clay licks attracting peccaries and the occasional tapir, and closer to the lodge are four macaw and parrot clay licks. With naturalist guides, special hides and a 120ft-high canopy platform, close encounters with outstanding wildlife are assured.

Tambopata National Reserve

The 3.7 million-acre reserve, a diverse mix of rainforest, oxbow lakes, palm forests and savannah, contains a wealth of plants, insects and animals, and the world's largest macaw clay lick.

Sandoval Lake Lodge

Jointly owned by a non-profit company and a local community, the lodge is partly constructed out of reclaimed mahogany. Rooms have electricity and en suite facilities with hot water. The lodge is located on the banks of Lake Sandoval, home to giant river otter and black caiman as well as a staggering array of birds and animals.

Amazon Basin

Manu Biosphere Reserve

Las Piedras River & Alto Purús National Park

Tambopata National Reserve

Peru's Amazing Amazonian and Andean Attractions

The Manu Overland Adventure - With Machu Picchu

The Complete Peru Explorer