What’s the Deal with Altitude Sickness in Peru, and How to Avoid It?

What’s the deal with altitude sickness in Peru,

and how to avoid it?

I spent the better part of ten years living in Cusco and guiding hundreds of visitor through the Andes. The people I guided came from all walks of life, were of all ages, and spanned every fitness level from “never been hiking and have two knee replacements” to “I run a marathon every other week.” So, I’ve personally experienced about all that can be experienced when it comes to travelers dealing with the challenges of altitude in Peru.   

Altitude issues in Peru is a major worry for most first time visitors, and “how will altitude affect my trip/affect my client’s trip” is the the most frequently asked question I receive. This blog shares my personal experience, advice on what to expect, and preventative measures you can take. But do note that this is not from a medical professional’s point of view, but from a practical sense as experienced during my years of guiding.  

First, most people ask, “will I get altitude sickness?”. The straight answer to that is, “I don’t know, and neither will you, until you are there.”  I’ve had guests as young as 3 and as old as 83 on trips, age doesn’t seem to matter. I guided an ultra-marathon runner who was used to running up to 120 miles at a time, ate a perfect natural diet and he was utterly destroyed from arrival until departure with altitude sickness. On the other end, I’ve guided many “party dudes” who insisted on lighting up a cigarette and seeking out a beer the moment they disembarked at Cusco’s 12,000ft rarified altitude, and suffered no ill effects whatsoever. So really, altitude sickness is indiscriminate, and effects every single person differently.  You’ll never know how you fare until you get there.

But that doesn’t mean you should pour yourself a snifter of brandy, light up a cigar and leave it in the hands of the Pachamama.  There are certain things you can, and should do, prior to your trip, and during your trip, to “stack the deck” in your favor.  Let me elaborate on a few of them:

1)    Intelligent itinerary design. 

Just as people who climb Everest make their ascent slowly, and incrementally increase their altitude over time, a well-planned itinerary in Peru should do the same.  Start low and end high. The graphic below from Inkaterra is an excellent one which shows the major points of interest in Peru and their respective altitudes. Here are the main visitor sites in ascending order:

Lima:  Sea Level

Amazon:  600ft (183 meters)

Machu Picchu:  6,627 feet (2020 meters)

Arequipa: 7,600 feet (2,315 meters)

Sacred Valley: 9,776 feet (2,980 meters)

Cusco: 11,152 ft (3,400 meters)

Lake Titicaca and Puno: 12,500 feet (3,810 meters)

Since most everyone coming to Peru will be visiting Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu – let me use that as an example.  To get to Machu Picchu (which people are always surprised to learn is actually quite low in elevation and in the subtropical cloud forest) you must fly from Lima at sea level to the airport in Cusco at 11,100 feet.  This is a huge jump in altitude in just a one hour flight.  It’s generally not the best to land and sleep in Cusco as a first stop.  It’s better to land in Cusco, and then get down to Machu Picchu at 6,600 feet by vehicle and train in one day.  Or arrive in Cusco and take the one hour drive into the Sacred Valley to spend your first few nights at 9,776ft which is much easier to acclimate at than at the height of Cusco.  It puts less strain on your body. For every thousand feet of increased altitude, the amount of oxygen in the air decreases exponentially, thus increasing the likelihood of experiencing altitude sickness. This is especially true after crossing 10,000ft elevation.  So head first to Machu Picchu or the Sacred Valley, then come back to enjoy Cusco once your body is better acclimated from the time spent at a lower elevation in the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. 

As another alternative, you could choose to make a stop in Arequipa or go to the Amazon basin as a first stop on your trip before tackling the higher elevations.  And if you plan to do Lake Titicaca, make sure you do this as a last stop on the trip as it is one of the highest places most visitors to Peru go and the one where people are more likely to have issues.   

2)    The First 24 Hours is Vital

I know people are excited to land and hit the ground running in this beautiful and exotic destination, but if you can, force yourself to build in a rest day without anything planned on the day you arrive at altitude. It’s the single best thing you can do for yourself and will set you up for a wonderful trip in the days ahead. When confronted with altitude, your body must work extremely hard to build up more white blood cells to carry more oxygen. So let your body do this and don’t put any additional strain on it than absolutely necessary.  Get to where you are going, and lay down to read a book, take a nap, watch some TV, or whatever, so long as you are moving your body as little as possible. 

The air at elevation is also quite dry and your body needs to be hydrated to build up the white blood cells.  Drink a TON of non-carbonated, non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated beverages in the first 24 hours and keep the intake up the whole time at altitude.  You’ve probably heard of drinking “Coca Tea” in Peru, and yes it is good.  I personally don’t think you are getting any therapeutic magic from the Coca leaves in acclimating, but it is a non-carbonated, non-alcoholic, and non-caffeinated herbal tea, so give it a try. Ultimately you are hydrating with it.  Also your body digests food a lot slower at altitude, so digestion takes away energy from your body that it needs to acclimate.  So eat small light meals that are easy to digest that first day and make sure to eat several hours before trying to sleep; a bowl of soup is perfect.   If you can force yourself to do nothing the first 24 hours, drinks tons of liquids and eat light – you are doing the best thing possible to set yourself up for success, not just initially but for the entire trip.  If you overexert yourself, drink alcohol and eat a huge meal – you are going to feel it, and it’s going to set you back in a major way on the road to acclimation. 

3)    Shall I consider taking altitude medication?

 I’m not a medical doctor, but in my ten years guiding visitors at altitude in Peru I had way more negative experiences with people who arrived taking these medications than positive ones. 

 There is a prescription medication called Acetazolamide (brand name Diamox) that has proven effective for many at altitude. But this medication was not made for altitude, it was made for treating glaucoma. Here is why I don’t like it from a guide’s perspective:  First, you need to start taking it a few days before you arrive at altitude and need to keep taking it.  So you never really know or learn how your body naturally responds to altitude.  Second, the medication is a diuretic, so it’s counter productive in one sense that you are trying to keep your body hydrated, but taking a medication that is making you urinate more frequently.   And third, the biggest drawback I saw with many people is that there are a lot of strange side effects that the medication can produce.  The main ones being tingling in the extremities, lightheadedness, and a weird metallic taste to carbonated beverages.  These uncomfortable side effects often make people hyper aware of their body and thus produce anxiety for them, and make it impossible to determine if these sensations are because of the altitude, or in reaction to the medication.

If you have been to altitude before and know that your body has a terrible time with acclimating, then that is the one scenario where I think trying Diamox is a good idea.  But for anyone else, building in time to acclimate naturally is the best course of action.

4)    What about oxygen supplements?

There are a few hotels that market that they have “oxygen enriched” rooms. This is great if you plan to stay in your hotel the entire time while in the Andes, but is counterproductive to allowing your body to acclimate naturally if you are sleeping in a room full of additional oxygen.

Every hotel in the Andes generally has oxygen bottles at the reception desk and most tour companies have oxygen bottles in their vehicles too.  These are used if someone is feeling very ill at altitude, are dizzy, can’t catch their breath or have a racing heart rate, often from overexertion on arrival.  The treatment is to provide oxygen therapy of 10-15 minute increments as a boost, not to keep the mask on for hours at a time. 

In summary, don’t worry about Altitude too much and certainly don’t let it put you off from coming to Peru.  Millions of people every year come and very few have major issues.  If you have the right itinerary planned, and take the precautions mentioned here, you are sure to have an amazing time.

Here below is a perfect itinerary in Peru, taking altitude into consideration, and staying at Inkaterra’s properties:

Day 1:  Arrive Lima and overnight

Day 2:  Fly from Lima to the Amazon in Puerto Maldonado to stay at Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica or Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion.

Day 3:  Excursion in the Amazon

Day 4: Excursions in the Amazon

Day 5:  Fly to Cusco, drive to Ollantaytambo and take the train to Machu Picchu, staying at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel.

Day 6:  Spend the morning enjoying the free activities on the hotel grounds of Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel (tea plantation, orchid garden, bird watching, the spectacled bear project, etc) then head up to Machu Picchu after lunch around 2pm.  There are far fewer people in the afternoon than in the morning, and the light is glorious.  Sunset is often more spectacular than Sunrise in my experience.  Spend a second night at the Inakterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel.

Day 7:  Take a morning train from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley.  Tour the Sacred Valley and overnight at Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba.

Day 8:  Additional day exploring the Sacred Valley and staying at Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba.

Day 9:  Drive to Cusco in the morning and explore Cusco and surroundings this afternoon.  Overnight at Inkaterra La Casona.

Day 10:  A full day exploring Cusco and a second night at Inkaterra La Casona.

Day 11:  Fly back to Lima and depart, or extend your trip at this point to visiting Lake Titicaca and staying at Titilaka.

Summer Trips that Transform - Inkaterra Guides Field Station

Immerse Yourself in Amazon of Southern Peru at Inkaterra Guides Field Station

Many visitors are happily surprised, if not shocked, when they check into one of Inkaterra’s luxury properties in Peru like the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel to discover it contains the world’s largest collection of native orchid species (372) in the world and an Andean Spectacle Bear Rescue Project.  Or to learn that they are sleeping in one of Cusco’s most historic and meticulously restored XVIth century mansions, the same very place Simon Bolivar once called home, when arriving to Inkaterra La Casona. 

Most guests learn, only upon arrival, that their Inkaterra luxury hotel (usually chosen due to rave reviews, luxury hotel association affiliations and glossy travel literature or awards) is actually integral to the broader aims of the non-profit Inkaterra Association (ITA).  The Inkaterra Association is self-funded through ecotourism profits and is committed to scientific research as a basis for biodiversity conservation, education and the preservation of Peruvian culture and history.

Guests staying at Inkaterra properties not only support ITA by funding this vital work through their hotel choice, but in turn, their experiences staying at these properties are enhanced by learning about the rich cultural and natural heritage that Peru contains, the threats facing its well-being, and the steps ITA is taking to confront them.  It’s the “ah-ha” moment where luxury travelers turn into eco-tourists and begin to seek out, on future travels, properties and experiences that are not just extremely well appointed, but are also educational, interactive and focused on giving back.

Understanding that today’s travelers, or those turned on to this style of travel from previous stays, are now, at the outset seeking out a more experiential style in their hotel choices, as opposed to solely tangible luxury amenities – Inkaterra has opened the doors of its Inkaterra Guides Field Station, deep in the Southern Peruvian Amazon, to guests.

Less refined in infrastructure and amenities than Inkaterra’s other two, well-heeled, neighboring Amazon Lodges, Hacienda Concepcion and Reserva Amazonica – The Inkaterra Guides Field Station was built and still functions as an educational and scientific field station for visiting scientists, volunteers and students.  And as the name implies, it is where Inkaterra’s own explorer guides are trained in managing ecological projects, gain knowledge of the different Peruvian ecosystems and in guiding skills to be applied in work at any of Inkaterra’s properties throughout Peru.

Although still able to experience the popular tourist excursions provided by the other two Inkaterra Lodges in the area, such as the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway or the numerous trail networks – guests at the Inkaterra Guides Field Station get special behind the scenes access and the opportunity to participate in and learn of the ongoing projects at the field station such as the maintenance and creation of the bio-orchard of native edible plants, the “palmetum” which conserves a diverse sample of native palms, bird monitoring through techniques such as banding for codification of species and the monitoring and identification of fauna through a network of digital trap cameras around the property.

Through recently opening the Inkaterra Guides Field Station to regular eco-concious guests in search of a hands-on experience, Inkaterra has come full circle in their mantra of spreading “conservation through tourism”.  The educational aspect of staying at their other more well-known luxury properties around Peru is not just an enhancement here, it is a fully integrated experience for those seeking out a transformational travel experience.
 

How to Book
Stays at the Inkaterra Guides Field Station can be booked via any travel agent, tour operator or directly via Inkaterra by emailing sales@inkaterra.com

Accommodation is provided in either 2 or 4 person cabanas or in one of two shared dormitory style pavilions.  All meals and choice of guided excursions with a bilingual explorer guide, as well as motorized dugout canoe transfers to and from Puerto Maldonado airport (PEM) are included in the rates.  (Other optional excursions are available at additional cost) Puerto Maldonado is serviced by numerous daily direct flights from both Lima and Cusco. 

Location
The Tambopata National Reserve is one of the last easily accessible virgin tropical rainforests in the world. The Reserve, a 768,774 acre area, offers a wealth of biodiversity, as well as magnificent natural landscapes. Puerto Maldonado, known as the “Capital of Biodiversity,” is the largest city of the Tambopata region. Overlooking the confluence of the Tambopata and Madre de Dios Rivers, Puerto Maldonado is 1,312 feet above sea level, 404 miles from Cusco, and 9 miles upriver from the Inkaterra lodges.

Luisella Garmendia of Inkaterra La Casona - The People Behind the Experience

Luisella Garmendia of Inkaterra La Casona

 - The People Behind the Experience -

For travel professionals that organize and sell high end travel to Peru, most have a love/hate relationship with Inkaterra La Casona.  They love when they are able to get availability in one of the 11 exclusive suites for their clients, it allows them to offer something so authentic and exclusive that sets their services apart from the masses.  But due to the small size and sterling reputation of the property amongst industry insiders, they hate that availability, more often than not, results in the dreaded waitlist game. 

We sat down with Luisella Garmendia, the General Manager, to learn a bit more about Inkaterra La Casona and what sets it apart in Cusco

---

First, what was your background prior to becoming GM of Inkaterra La Casona?

I worked many years for the Belmond chain of hotels, when they were still called Orient Express Hotels. I worked as receptionist and then in guest services at the Monasterio Hotel, which sits just across the Plazoleta Nazarenas from La Casona. Then I spent a few years in sales for the Belmond Miraflores Park Hotel in Lima. In 2008 I was offered a role in guest services for Inkaterra and took it, eventually assuming the role of GM at Inkaterra La Casona in 2010.

...only those with one of the 11 rooms keys get a chance to experience the history behind these doors.

Considering that Belmond is one of the most internationally recognized luxury hotel brands, what was it that made you decide to go work for Inkaterra?

Correct, I'm extremely grateful for my time with Belmond and still have the utmost respect for the brand, their hotels and service standards. With that being said, first, I wanted to get back to Cusco, there is something magical about this city that never leaves you. Second, I had worked in hospitality long enough to know that what I loved doing, and what makes me happy, is interacting with guests. Inkaterra La Casona, having only 11 suites compared to the much larger hotels I had experience working in, was just a perfect fit for me. You can really get to know each and every guest on a personal level, and the setting is more intimate. I never think anymore in terms of check in and check out, but rather of welcoming them into my home for a few days and making sure they leave feeling like they were part of something special for the time they were with us. Third, I'm proudly Peruvian...and had watched this beautiful colonial building sit in a state of sad abandonment for many years before Inkaterra acquired it in 1999. Then over years and years, the most thoughtful and dedicated restoration process unfolded by Inkaterra. Although known for their hotels, Inkaterra is a true champion in sustainable development and in conserving the biodiversity and cultural heritage that Peru offers visitors. So being invited to be part of such a tremendous local vision, the pride that came along with being able to share that with visitors, and the simple fact of working in Cusco's most storied building every day was just something I would never pass up. Inkaterra La Casona is also the only Relais & Chateaux property in Cusco, a real distinction for travelers looking for someplace unique.

One of just two of the Plaza View Suites at Inkaterra La Casona

Speaking about the history of Inkaterra La Casona, in a nutshell, what makes it so unique in Cusco?  

Oh, wow...in a nutshell? Hahaha... This site during Inca times was the Warakos Academy, it was the training center for the most elite of the Incan army. The foundations of the current building here are original Inca walls from that period of time. Then after Francisco Pizzaro's conquest of the Inca Empire during the late 16th century, this was the first colonial building erected on top of Incan ruins after the siege of Cusco. The house was first home to Diego de Almagro, who was one of Pizarro's Captains during the Inca conquest and later become the first European discoverer of Chile. Next, La Casona was home to Captain Francisco Barrientos and Don Juan Alvarez de Maldonado who is credited with expanding the conquest into the Amazon. And then the most notable resident of the home was Simon Bolivar who lived here after leading the independence of Peru from Spain in 1825.

So, what about during your time as General Manager, who are some of the most memorable guests you have cared for?  

Well, Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones has a special affinity for Peru and La Casona is his home when in Cusco. We have also had Bono from U2 and Antonio Banderas, to name just a few.

But probably my most memorable guests were in 2014 when the Dutch Royal Family - King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima, along with their children and grandchildren were our guests, they were such a lovely family to host.

When you are not working, what do you do?

I'm always working. But, I have two precious little girls, so I'm enjoying time with them on days off....while still always attentive to what is happening at the property.

A New Rural Retreat in the Sacred Valley

A New Rural Retreat in the Sacred Valley

For over forty years Inkaterra has set the bar for providing guests with the most authentic, personalized and sustainable experiences in Peruvian hospitality.  The newest property in the collection is no exception; since opening in mid 2015, Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba has garnered numerous accolades. The lodge was named one of the Best New Hotels by Conde Nast Traveler in 2016,  made Travel + Leisure’s “IT List 2016″ in the category of The Best New Hotels on The Planet and kicked off 2017 with a feature in Virtuoso's 'Best of the Best' directory as an exemplary property for 'Bringing a Destination to Life."

Anyone who has travelled to Peru in the past few years knows that the Sacred Valley (or Urubamba Valley) is exploding with development.  In the agricultural paradise once known as 'breadbasket of the Inca Empire" there's now no shortage of choice for high end properties with beautiful rooms, great chefs and wonderful spas.  So what makes Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba unique among the other offerings? 

Location, Location, Location: One does not escape the city for the countryside in the hopes of encountering the same. Instead of being located within or adjacent to a town bursting with tour busses or along the busy main road, Hacienda Urubamba offers travelers a true rural retreat, resplendent with peace, quiet and Andean vistas.  Set away from road, between the towns of Urubamba and Calca, the lodge sits on 100 acres surrounded by imposing green mountains. Each room boasts a mountain view and the most disturbing sound you're likely to hear in the morning is birdsong.

Inkaterra property locations in Cusco, the Sacred Valley and outside of Machu Picchu

Honoring Traditional Agriculture: The ancient Incas were brilliant farmers, cultivating hundreds of varieties of potatoes and dozens of other vegetables in a seemingly inhospitable high altitude environment. Their techniques and wisdom are honored in Hacienda Urubamba's 10 acre organic plantation which is cultivated using traditional Andean methods such as hand tools and ox-pulled plows.  Guests are invited to visit the farm to learn about medicinal plants and native food sources and are encouraged to harvest their own produce from the garden for an interactive farm-to-table dining experience!

All meals served at Hacienda Urubamba highlight fresh produce straight from the organic farm

Connecting with Nature & Andean Culture: Like other properties in the Inkaterra portfolio, Hacienda Urubamba offers guests a variety of inclusive experiences to connect guests more closely with the surrounding environment and people. Learn to prepare the traditional Chicha de Jora beverage by harvesting, grinding, fermenting, and finally tasting your own Inca drink. Join an in-house guide to hike the property's trail in search of endemic birds or enjoy the sunset while learning about the importance of astronomy in the Andean world.  These experiences are available daily and do not need to be arranged in advance. Guided excursions throughout the Sacred Valley and to Machu Picchu can also be arranged with the dedicated concierge staff for an additional cost. 

Check out the video below to discover the magic of the Hacienda Urubamba for yourself! 

Welcome to the Jungle... Traveling to the Peruvian Amazon

Welcome to the Jungle... Traveling to the Peruvian Amazon

The Amazon Rainforest is intimidatingly massive. It covers 2.5 million square miles, houses approximately 16,000 different species of plants and spans most of South America, stretching across the borders of nine of the continents' thirteen nations.  Generally, Brazil is the first country that comes to mind when one envisions the Amazon; after all, the majority of the rainforest (approximately 60%) is found here, as is most of the Amazon River which transects the country. However, it is actually Peru, where the headwaters of the Amazon River form in the Andes, that offers travelers what is arguably the best Amazon experience in South America, particularly when it comes to viewing wildlife. Peru contains two distinct Amazon regions with excellent and varied wildlife viewing, offers a choice of logistics that range from short commercial flights to multi-day overland passages through numerous ecosystems, and has a wide range of accommodation options, including truly upscale and comfortable ecolodges that are less common in rainforest environs.  A few days in the Amazon, particularly in the readily accessible southern Tambopata region, is an easy and recommended add-on to a Peru itinerary. 

Where? Peru's Amazon rainforest makes up 60% of the country and can be divided into two major regions, the Upper (northern) and Lower (southern) Amazon.  The Upper Amazon is generally accessed by Iquitos and is dominated by rivers and flooded forest, including the protected Pacaya - Samiria National Reserve, located 75 miles by river from Iquitos. There are a few lodges, but most exploration takes place via live aboard river boats that cruise the Amazon River, beginning and ending their itineraries in Iquitos.  

The Lower Amazon materializes from the eastern flanks of Peru's southern Andes and contains the pristine wildlife sanctuaries of the Manu Biosphere Reserve and the Tambopata Candamo Reserved Zone.  Manu is typically accessed from Cusco via an overland journey of several days through a myriad of ecosystems. Though arduous to reach, the wildlife density is unmatched; 1,000 birds have been identified in Manu, as have 15,000 different plants, 13 species of monkey and millions of insects. Unlike many rainforest regions, Manu has remained untouched by civilization, ensuring healthy populations of jaguar, tapir and the giant otter.

Peru's Northern and Southern Amazon Regions

Reaching the Tambopata Reserve & environs requires a flight to Puerto Maldonado (about 45 minutes from Cusco) and than a boat journey along the Madre del Dios and Tambopata Rivers. The boat journey generally takes place in a traditional dugout canoe (with outboard motor and sun shade) and can last from 30 minutes to 6 hours, depending on how deeply one ventures into this section of the rainforest. However, some of the best wildlife viewing often takes place while in transit by boat, especially at dusk and dawn when animals come to the river's edge to drink! 

What to Expect? It's important to know that viewing wildlife in the Amazon is not like viewing wildlife on an African safari or on the Galapagos Islands; rainforest animals are well camouflaged and fearful of humans so observing them in the jungle requires patience, quiet and stillness. (Though that's not to say that the Amazon isn't a good choice for families! More on that below.) Traveling long distance by boat or vehicle is time consuming and sometimes less than extremely comfortable.  Vaccinations and anti malarial medications are essential. Air conditioning and other resource-intensive amenities such as swimming pools are generally not available, even at luxury ecolodges. (Instead, lodges tend to be open to the forest on at least one side to allow the sounds and atmosphere of the surrounding jungle to penetrate the property.  It's a wonderful experience to wake up at dawn and while still in bed be completely surrounded by the deep whoops of Howler monkeys echoing across the forest!)  And though both Peru's Upper and Lower Amazon contain heavily protected rainforest preserves, the devastating effects of deforestation, mining and oil extraction are sadly encountered en route. 

Oh but the brilliant, bold and beautiful things you will see!  Poison dart frogs that glisten in jewel tones, troops of Squirrel monkeys that scamper across rooftops, palms with stilt 'legs' and legions of leaf-cutter ants, bearing their bright green burdens across the forest floor. Giant river otters, tapirs, peccaries, capybara, caiman and the elusive jaguar can be found throughout the Peruvian Amazon. In the North, the pink Amazon River dolphins attract the most attention while in the South, large clay licks attracting raucous bands of macaws and parrots of every color often steal the show. Excursions to view wildlife can be guided forest walks, boat trips along rivers and oxbow lakes and sometimes include ascending towers and walkways elevated above the forest canopy.  Most excursions take place in the early morning or evening when wildlife is most active, leaving the middle of the day to read, relax or take a jungle siesta! Guides are often members of indigenous forest communities who possess ancient forest wisdom; some lodges work in partnership with local tribes to offer travelers a day of cultural exchange and immersion.  

When to Go? In the Northern Amazon the year is divided into “high water” (December–May) and “low water” (June–November) seasons which dictate how you are likely to experience the Amazon (on foot or by water craft) and what species and behaviors you are more likely to observe.  Despite the nomenclature, rain falls year round and the high water season only sees a 10% increase in rainfall over the low water season. During the high water season, the average temperature is 86°F.  Flooded rivers create amazing panoramas and bring one closer to the canopy for more intimate observations of birds and monkeys that dwell in the tree tops.  The low water season is a bit warmer. The average temperature is 98°F, more migratory birds may be spotted, flooded trails dry up to allow for forest hikes and hooking a piranha while fishing is almost a sure thing.  

Peru's Southern Amazon region is far enough removed from equator that it has a somewhat cooler and drier climate to that of the North and more seasonal variation. The rainy season is from November through April when rain can continue for hours or occasionally even days. Around 80% of the annual rainfall occurs during this season. The dry season is from May through October when temperatures are typically in the 80s but can occasionally drop down to 50°F when a cold front moves through. There's a perception that diminishing water sources in the dry season help concentrate wildlife a bit more for viewing, but we've had excellent sightings year round.  

Why Go? Go to experience the most biodiverse ecosystem on the planet; to marvel at the vast medicinal applications and unique adaptations of rainforest flora; to walk through the canopy along a hanging bridge and stare out across a sea of vivid green. If you are a birder, go to tick an almost incomprehensible number of species off of your list in one visit.  Go to experience what it is like to be lulled to sleep and then awakened by the sounds of the forest; to look up and see troops of monkeys feeding in the treetops rimming an oxbow lake; to feel the thrill of spotting a fresh jaguar print in the mud and know that he, though invisible, is most likely watching you. Go because the Amazon rainforest is an endangered species, and conservation-minded and responsible tourism offers it some measure of protection from going extinct. 

Who is it For? Obviously birders, wildlife lovers and overall nature enthusiasts revel in the natural treasures of the Peruvian Amazon. The travel logistics to access certain regions and the pace of exploration do make some parts of Peru's Amazon better suited for adults.  But the Amazon is also a great destination for families.  

Exploring the Amazon with my family.

Inkaterra's Reserva Amazonica sits along the Southern Amazon's Madre del Dios river, just a 45 minute boat journey outside of Puerto Maldonado and close to the borders of the Tambopata Reserve.  A luxury eco lodge, Reserva Amazonica boasts extremely comfortable private screened-in cabanas and offers a variety of guided jungle explorations designed for children as young as five.  While the proximity to civilization makes spotting a jaguar unlikely, it isn't impossible, and excursions to wildlife rich Lago Sandoval (an oxbow lake with a resident family of river otters) and into the tree tops along the lodge's Canopy Walkway bring guests eye-to-eye with the rainforest's wild inhabitants. 

Reserva Amazonica's Canopy Walkway takes guests 100' above the rainforest floor