Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Iquitos & the Amazon Itineraries
You could spend weeks - or just a few days - exploring
the Amazon Basin. A couple of well-situated airports and
a network of comfortable jungle lodges make visiting the
world's most fabled river basin relatively easy.
AROUND PUERTO MALDONADO
Quick Jungle Hop
Start by jetting into the southern jungle town of
(1) Puerto Maldonado
, which can be
reached by direct flights from Lima or Cuzco. While you wait for your boat to transport
you to your lodge, walk around the colorfully ramshackle town, and climb up the 30m
tower known as the Obelisco, which offers terrific views of the area. Something else worth
searching out while you're in town:
juanes,
tasty jungle tamales crafted with yucca and
rice, with seasoned chicken, and steamed in
bijao
leaves.
From Puerto Maldonado, boat over to one of the nearby lodges on the
(2) Río Madre de
Dios
- many of which are less than an hour out of town. From the comfort of your hotel,
you can organize hikes through the jungle and explorations by boat. Look for the macaws,
