Hi guys,
So in my research I have come across three main points in three countries where travellers tend to visit the Amazon:
Manaus, Brazil
Iquitos, Peru
Rurrenabaque, Bolivia
I know "best" is very subjective, so let me tell you what I see when I see the Amazon. I see the river, surrounded in its entirety by the rainforest, with the banks lined with scatterings of exotic wildlife and a sense of real adventure. This probably doesn't help but anyway.
Currently I am tending towards Rurrenabaque in Bolivia as advised by a girl who had done a very similar trip as I plan to follow and who saw the Amazon from Manaus. It is also the the most convenient for me given my planned route Brazil-Argentina-Bolivia-Peru, in which at no point do I plan to visit the North or Brazil or Peru.
Thoughts/preferences/opinions/reasons?
Thanks guys
Best place to see the Amazon
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www.otorongoexpeditions.com
best for True Amazon tonnes better than where you are
looking at the Amazon River is not even over there
the headwaters are at Iquitos so head there...
www.andeantravelweb.com/iquitos for best info
For upscale luxury cruise Iberostar Grand Amazon
out of Manaus tends to work best if budget is good..
Happy Journey,
premcng,
Explorama http://www.explorama.com/ offer different Amazon experiences at different comfort levels from Iquitos in Peru. I stayed at Ceiba Tops last July, however the ACTS field station or Explor Tambos Camp may deliver the type of experience you are seeking.
Happy planning,
Pol
I will planing for that it is really good suggestion.Thanks for sharing this site it's really nice.
Lots of other choices around Iquitos, Explorama is the most expensive and most wellknown, book ahead with a reliable operator.
I went to Tahuayo Lodge and it was good, bonus they don't charge a single supplement. You are supposed to have your own guide but they will still group you with others for most excursions. You can look at my trip report for more impressions.
www.peru-jungle.com
thanks guys, will have a serious look at all of these. Have swayed back to iquitos again. another question then. I plan to spend 3/4 weeks in peru- thinking a week doing ollantalaytambo/inca trail/cusco, then do you think a flight from cusco to iquitos is best? the plan was to finish in lima because i will catch a flight back to the uk from there. what else do you think i can fit in viably?
I doubt you will find a direct flight Cusco to Iquitos. If you are going to end up in Lima just get from Cusco to Lima, do your flight r/t LIma to Iquitos.
You might also look into doing the Gringo Trail back to Lima.
For Iquitos: The above link to Tahuayo Lodge isn't for the Tahuayo Lodge and neither is tahuayolodge.com - both of these seem to be companies stealing traffic from the official Tahuayo Lodge operators (Amazonia Expeditions) and you will not get the same high quality experience.
This link puts you in direct contact with the Tahuayo Lodge - Amazonia Expeditions owners Paul and Dolly Beaver:
http://thinkjungle.com/amazon-jungle-tours/tahuayo-lodge/
The other popular tour in Iquitos is Explorama Lodges already mentioned. The main difference between these is that the Tahuayo Lodge is in its own reserve (the Tamshiyacu Tahuayo) and provides a canopy zipline system and a private guide. Explorama offer group tours and provide a canopy walkway.
For Manaus, the main tours people like are Gero Tours
http://www.amazongerotours.com/home.php?lang=english
and Maia Expeditions
http://www.maiaexpeditions.com/
My preference would be to take an hour plane flight from Manaus to Tefe (properly in the middle of the Amazon) and stay at the highly regarded Uakari Lodge
http://www.uakarilodge.com.br/
In Bolivia, one of the top lodges is the Chalalan eco lodge
http://www.chalalan.com/
All of these should provide an authentic Amazon experience and receive very positive reviews.
Also, one of the most well thought about and developed Amazon tour destinations is Puerto Maldonado in southern Peru.
http://thinkjungle.com/jungle-tours-puerto-maldonado/
Here, consider the Tambopata Research Center (along with the Tahuayo Lodge is one of the most remote Amazon lodges), Refugio Amazonas Lodge, or Posada Amazonas Lodge. All of these are owned or managed by Rainforest Expeditions in conjunction with local communities.
Also, Tarapoto in Peru is a more off the beaten path destination to explore the Amazon.
And don't forget the largest and apparently most pristine conservation park in Peru, Manu National Park. Consider the Manu Wildlife Center operated by Inka Natura for this.
Don't forget the Amazon Rainforest covers about 40% of South America. If you are interested mainly in tours along the Amazon River, consider an expedition cruise where you leave the boat at sections down the river to explore many different areas.