Multinational couple - Stephen Collins from the UK and Tammy Alvarez from the US, who are now resident in Mexico City - spent a week at Muyuna Amazon Lodge in late February, 2024. Here are their impressions … with photos: What was/were your favourite natural destination in the itinerary?  The 24hr camping trip. The camping hut deep in the Amazon rainforest. Who was your guide? How did they perform? Donaldo – excellent in all respects. Donaldo and guests enjoying the Amazon waterways. How was the accommodation? Very good indeed.  A view of a Muyuna bungalow with terrace ..read more

Two thirty-something doctoral researchers in Biological Sciences from Mountain View, CA were drawn to Tambopata Research Center [TRC] for its history of Amazonian investigation deep within Tambopata National Reserve, and so booked a 4-day / 3-night stay in July 2022. Here are their impressions: Accommodation: ‘The access to the jungle was amazing, stepping just feet from the lodge allowed us to be entirely enveloped in the flora and fauna and we saw many animals even from the porch of the TRC. The pictures versus the reality of the TRC was a little different than expected (it wasn't *quite* as ..read more

An adventurous couple from River Falls, Wisconsin spent a month travelling around South America in late 2023. They organised the first two weeks in Argentina and (briefly) Chile themselves, then asked PeruNorth to arrange six days in Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, followed by five nights on board the Rio Amazonas historical riverboat, joining in biological rainforest research. Here are their thoughts on their time in Peru: ‘Miles, thank you for arranging a wonderful trip!  We have gotten through the holidays and can now take some time to again contemplate the experience … Firs ..read more

Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are the largest known fish species in the world, and at certain times of the year can be found off the coast of Northern Peru. Here are some key facts about whale sharks and how you can incorporate them in a Peru visit: 1. Size: Whale sharks can grow to immense sizes, with the largest reaching lengths of up to 12 m (40 ft). The largest recorded individual was nearly 19 m (62 ft) in length! They can weigh several tons, with some estimates suggesting weights of up to 20 tons. Whale sharks pose no threat to humans. 2. Behaviour: Despite their large size, whale sh ..read more

Two Kiwi retirees used PeruNorth’s services for the overland journey from Jaen to Cajamarca as part of a longer South America trip.. A six-day trip taking in some of the archaeological and natural highlights of Amazonas, such as Kuelap, Sonche Canyon, Revash & Leymebamba Museum. Ended with spectacular drive in and out of the Marañon Canyon. Here are their comments and replies to our questions: 'Hi Miles, Yes all back safe and sound. Overall very pleased with the trip and the service. What was your favourite cultural destination in the itinerary?  Kuelap … even tho missed out on ..read more

Lake Sandoval (Lago Sandoval) is a beautiful oxbow lake located within the Tambopata National Reserve, in the province of Madre de Dios. As you may remember from Geography classes at school, an oxbow lake is a U-shaped body of water that forms when a meandering river or stream takes a curved path. Over time, the river's flow erodes the outer bend of the curve, causing the bend to become more pronounced. Eventually, the erosion cuts through the narrow neck of land between the bend and the main river channel, creating a new channel and isolating the looped section of the river. This looped secti ..read more

Carnival - the exuberant celebration that precedes the Christian observance of Lent - is most closely associated with Brazil, and especially Rio de Janeiro with its famous Sambodromo floats and dancers. Nonetheless, there are carnival festivities throughout Latin America, with Peru being no exception. Arguably the best-known in Peru is the Carnaval de Cajamarca, a vibrant and colourful five-day festival celebrated in the city of Cajamarca. Like so many Andean celebrations, the Cajamarca Carnival has deep historical and cultural roots, blending indigenous traditions with Spanish influences. It ..read more

Belen Market (Mercado de Belén) is a famous and bustling market located in the Peruvian Amazon city of Iquitos. It is predominantly located along the banks of the Itaya River, a tributary of the mighty Amazon River, and incorporates various sections. The changing levels of the river over the course of the year have necessitated that much of the market is built on wooden stilts, to keep it above the high water mark. Steps down to the Itaya River with houses built on stilts. Another coping mechanism for when water levels rise is that parts of the market become accessible only by boat … and vend ..read more

For most visitors to Peru’s Amazon region, the pleasure of encountering flora and fauna - and local inhabitants - in the company of a naturalist-guide is sufficient. But for those of a scientific bent, there is the opportunity to get hands-on with some conservation-oriented research, during a stay at the Rio Amazonas Research Station. Note-taking in Amazon rainforest. Not only is this a great way to appreciate the wonders of the rainforest and learn about biodiversity, tropical ecology, and the indigenous peoples of Amazonia, but the field studies you take part in will be used to provide the ..read more

Rochester, NY native, Margaret Riley, took here niece, Jessica, on holiday to Peru as a graduation present in June 2022. Their 10-day itinerary took in: Lima The Sacred Valley 2-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Cusco Palccoyo (an alternative Rainbow Mountain) Tambopata Research Center Here is what they had to say about the experience: “Our trip to Peru was remarkable. Beyond the spectacular landscape and topography, the people of Peru are warm, welcoming and had such a wonderful authentic vibe that made them easy to love and hard to forget.  While speaking Spanish was not nece ..read more