Into the Jungle

The Amazon basin is the world's most diverse ecosystem. The numbers of cataloged plant and animal species are astronomical, and scientists are discovering new species all the time. More than 25,000 classified species of plants are in the Peruvian Amazon (and 80,000 in the entire Amazon basin), including the 2-meter-wide (6-foot-wide) Victoria Regia water lilies. Scientists have cataloged more than 4,000 species of butterfly and more than 2,000 species of fish—a more diverse aquatic life than that of the Atlantic Ocean. Scientists estimate that the world's tropical forests, while comprising only 6% of the Earth's landmass, may hold up to 75% of the planet's plant and animal species. This land is also the largest natural pharmacy in the world: one-fourth of all modern medicines have botanical origins in tropical forests.

Most mammals are nocturnal and difficult to spot, and hunting has made them wary of humans. You're likely to see birds, monkeys, pink freshwater bufeos (dolphins), and caimans along the Amazon River and its tributaries. You're sure to spot large blue morpho butterflies.

It's interesting and worthwhile to visit the small villages of indigenous people. When the boat stops at these settlements, you'll usually find half the village waiting to trade handicrafts for whatever you have with you; items perpetually in demand include umbrellas, hammers, fishing hooks, flashlights, sewing supplies, lipstick, clothing, and school supplies.

The best way to visit the jungle is with a prearranged tour with one of the many jungle lodges, or cruise boats. All the lodges and some cruise boats have highly trained naturalist guides. Among the activities offered are nature walks, birding tours, nighttime canoe outings, fishing, and trips to indigenous villages. Some lodges have canopy walkways that take you into the seldom-explored rain-forest canopy.