Amazon Basin and Cloud Forest of Northeastern Peru

An account by guest author Skip Kaltenheuser of his experiences in the Ecuadorian Amazon rain forest, including a shamanic experience, the Ayahuasca Ceremony.

"The Reserve is bordered to the West by the upper Tahuayo River and its tributary the Blanco River. This is a place where seasonally flooded verzea forests and non-flooding terra firme forests meet, making it one of the most biologically diverse environments in the world." Photos.

Enjoy luxury and budget custom charter cruises on the upper Amazon River and its tributaries from Iquitos, Peru. Activities include bird watching, sighting pink dolphins, Peacock Bass fishing, jungle walks, eco tours and adventure, including river raft racing.

Account of a fact finding trip to Tarapoto and Yurimaguas to develop a new tourist route. In Spanish, with photos.

"In the middle of the Amazonian jungle, Pucallpa is the capital of the Ucayali department and it has more than 200.000 citizens. This city is always growing. One of its benefits is that it has a direct road to Lima and a port as large as the Ucayali River where the boats can transport you until Iquitos...Yarinacocha Lake and its Chipibo cities are the most beautiful attractions."

Specialists with 34 years in the Peruvian rainforest. Check out the canopy walkway!

The trip starts from Yarinacocha, through Rio Ucayali to Rio Calleria to camp at the riverbank for wildlfife observation, jungle walks and canoe trips. Maps of the area.

The Lodge borders the Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Community Reserve, an 800,000-acre sanctuary boasting over 500 species of birds and the largest variety of mammals and primates in South America, and offers birding, orchid viewing, angling for peacock bass and piranha, learning about native peoples, swimming with pink dolphins, plus observing exotic wildlife.

"There are several native communities close to Yarinacocha. These can be visited and give a good idea of how indigenous villages are in modern Peru."

Click on a thumbnail for a larger image of colorful wildlife and sights in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.

Palin's observations about Pucallpa on his trip through Peru. Follow the link to his stay in Iquitos.

Unique opportunities to view wildlife including pink dolphins and exotic birds.

The lake, animals, dwellings and people.

"Pucallpa is the unexplored pearl in the jungle of Peru. The area around Pucallpa is the jungle in it's purest form. You will meet almost no tourists there. Please enjoy a very different pace of life here. People are very friendly. You can make friends for ever there."

Descriptions, getting there, things to do and see, restaurants and places to stay.

"A sólo 7 kilómetros de Pucallpa, y 15 minutos aproximadamente en auto está la Laguna de Yarinacocha, famosa por la claridad de sus aguas y su vegetación tropical que impresiona a los visitantes. Está concebido como un lugar ideal para la recreación, el descanso y la relajación."

Workshop retreats exploring multi-disciplinary ethnobotany and traditional shamanic ayahuasca healing practices in the rainforests of Amazonian Perú.

"Located in northeast Peru is the Reserva Comunal de Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo. The Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo was designated a reserve by the Peruvian government in 1991 to protect the range of the rare Red Uakari monkey, an orangutan-looking monkey with a bright red face. Subsequent scientific research has found one of the world's richest variety of plants, amphibians, reptiles and birds."

Account, with photos, of a trip to the area and its attractions.

"Despite being a major trading hub, the city lies in the middle of an area redolent with history and extraordinary natural beauty. Visitors who explore the areas around the city will soon discover how many waterfalls there are in the region. Join our Tarapoto tours and discover the beauty of the Peruvian Jungle."

"Located in the High Amazon Jungle of Northeastern Peru, Tarapoto is the center of the regions economic activity. With it´s easy access to the jungle, tropical climate, spectacular scenery, and fascinating indigenous cultures,Tarapoto has much to offer visiting tourists."

"Tarapoto ofrece una variedad de hoteles y hostales en la ciudad y en sus alrededores para el turista y el negociante. Disfruta de los hermosos paisajes, de la flora, de la fauna, cataratas y del turismo de aventura (canotaje, white water rafting, expediciones y caminatas).En la ciudad de las palmeras podrá degustar una variedad de comidas típicas y tragos exóticos."

"The bustling little market town of Yurimaguas has little to recommend it, other than its three ports, giving access to the Río Huallaga. The most important is the downriver port of La Boca, where all the larger boats leave from, including those to Iquitos."