Best Amazon Rainforest Tour Companies

My wife and I just returned from a wet season trip with International Expeditions (IE) to Lima and the Amazon.
It was tremendous:
1. The diversity of wildlife is extreme and up close and personal.
2. The vastness of it all approaches infinity.
3. The staff and guides were top drawer professionals.
The IE mother ship (Zafiro) is in great condition and very comfortable, clean and welcoming. The staff is friendly, helpful, supportive, knowledgeable. The naturalists/guides are the best. Experts in the wildlife and flora and good-natured and personable.
Yes, it is hot and humid, but very bearable. Yes, there are mosquitoes at night, but again very manageable. (We've all experienced much much worse in the US.)
In the wet season (50 feet higher water than in dry season) you don't get to walk as much as you do in dry season because terra firma is so much further into the rain forest than you can reach in a boat. But we did get to visit villages and walk in the rain forest.
We swam. We went out every morning and afternoon in the skiffs to explore smaller rivers and lakes. Sloths, monkeys, iguana, boa, anaconda, caiman, tarantula, piranha, frogs, toads, and more bird types than you can count.
Wow - What a Show!

A really full on trip to Peru... jungles, Machu Pichu, Cusco and Lake
Titicaca...what more could you ask for! Thoroughly recommend.
Visiting the jungle.


Brilliant. Knowledgeable and easy to get on with.Thank you!


Thank you!

Fantastic trip! Great itinerary, great leader and wonderful country.
Everything was beyond expectations. A busy and well organised adventure that
highlighted the diversity of Peru.
Many wonderful moments. Flying over the Nasca lines was a highlight, having
studied pre-Hispanic South American history decades ago and finally seeing
them. The condors at Colca Canyon were amazing. On of our free days, we
visited Rainbow Mountains; a surreal landscape that was breathtaking.


Excellent leader. Knowledgable, passionate, very calm and relaxed. Very
hard working and kept everything running smoothly, organising many activities
for the diverse group. Amazing organisational skills. I've done a number of
small group tours (Intrepid, Geckos) and Reynaldi is one the best tour
leaders I've known. Outstanding.


Plenty of sunscreen. If hiking, take good equipment, although some can be
hired before trekking. Take layers of clothing, as weather ranges from very
cold to very hot.


If you wish to visit museums on the itinerary, check that they are open on
the day that you visit. I was looking forward to visiting the Ica Museum,
but it was closed on the day we were there. Unfortunately, that wasn't
mentioned in the trip notes. I think it would be good if Exodus mentions
museum closures in the trip notes.

As described, the itinerary encompasses a tremendous range of activities,
venues and experiences which provided insights into the country's culture,
history and heritage. We met many interesting people along the way and had
great fun with fellow travellers and guides. As usual with Exodus trips there
were many early mornings and some long journeys, but these are necessary for
the trip to achieve the stated aims! Hotels were comfortable and all had
suitable amenities. Food - and drink - was plentiful and tasty and generally
good quality. The route was well planned and enabled us to fully acclimatise
before attempting the focal activity for us - the Inca Trail. It also put the
trail and Machu Picchu into a broader context so that we appreciated it all
even more. Support on the Inca Trail, from our guide and 'porters' was
exceptional. We had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed (almost) every
minute.
Walking the trail, arriving at and visiting Machu Picchu was the real
culmination as that was our main objective, but was heightened as a result of
what we had experienced on the trip beforehand. There was magnificent scenery
in many places, but especially at sunset and sunrise on the trail. Condors
soaring overhead in Colca Canyon were also awe inspiring.


Mike was exceptional. His knowledge enthusiasm and passion for his country
and its cultural heritage added a whole extra and very special dimension to
the trip. He ensured that everything was very well organized and he managed
individual needs particularly well - especially on the Inca Trail. He also
ensured that we got full benefit from other local guides and anyone else
supporting the trip, such as porters and drivers. There was a real feeling of
one team dedicated to helping us to get the most from the trip. He also
engendered a real sense of 'family' for us trippers. All this with a 'wicked'
sense of humour!


Money - we didn't have any need for US dollars. Credit cards were usable in
most restaurants. Credit and debit cards gave a far better exchange rate than
cash in the UK - especially if you have a fee free card.
Climate / Weather - didn't really get a feel for the temperature range from
the trip notes and most towns got colder earlier than anticipated.
Inca Trail - the packing list for the trail possibly over complicated
requirements. Also trip notes were not clear that you need stuff for six days
allowing for the night in Ollantaytambo before (as well as the night in Aguas
Calientes after) - but you can leave things in the lodge at Ollantaytambo and
pick up on return. It is worth doing aerobic activity beforehand as the
altitude on day 2 had experienced walkers puffing!


Other companies often have a different schedule for the 4 day Inca Trail. The
Exodus model suited us perfectly and we often had the trail seemingly to
ourselves. If you are thinking about doing it - just go for it!

We went on this trip in July which is the Peruvian winter.
This tour lasts for around 3 weeks and for the majority is packed with a full
itinerary. You start at Lima, known locally as 'Donkey Belly' because it is
always cloudy due to the local topography and weather systems. To be honest
Lima is OK but a typical capital city with usual buildings of interest and
you really don't need to spend much time there. We did however get our first
sample of the local Peruvian alcoholic drink - Pisco Sour. A brandy based
drink made from the skin of grapes. It is one of Peru's best kept secrets.
You must try it! Hotel clean and functional.
From Lima we were driven in a coach that had more room than needed for our
party of 14 which would see us all the way through to Cuzco. We needed space
as the trips can be long and some folks felt a bit nauseous. The two drivers
were lovely chaps and couldn't do enough for us. Exodus always provide large
boxes of water for each leg of the journey and is always needed. From Lima
you then head off down the coast on day 3 to visit Pachacamac Fortress an
Inca coastal settlement. . Interesting enough and a good place to take photos
of the settlement which is dry and dusty. This a good taste of the first of
many Inca sites throughout the trip. Afterwards on to the coastal resort of
Pucusana where we had lunch and a boat trip around the bay photographing the
numerous pelicans. The food at the restaurants here and throughout the trip
was of a high standard and most enjoyable. The hotel here was pretty basic
and the rooms small.
The following day we headed for another harbour for a high speed boat ride to
the Ballestas Islands, which we understand has more sea birds per square
metre than anywhere else in the world. If you have a telephoto lens then take
it as the variety of birds is fantastic, including penguins. You can't get
too close due to the rough sea and rocks but this excursion is truly
spectacular. Can imagine folks could feel a bit nauseous if the sea is too
rough, so keep looking at the horizon. Later we visit the Nazca lines from
watch towers which is really needed to gauge the perspective of these unusual
markings.
The next day is pretty arduous as we travel inland across dry and sometimes
windy uneven roads to Arequipa. A number of our party felt or were ill due to
travel sickness on this 10 hour drive. We have a few short stops along the
way which are greatly needed. The following day we discover this old city and
are rewarded with some great photos of the surrounding dormant volcanoes and
one live one. The city is very interesting and gives visitors a much better
insight in to local Peruvian life and culture. The trip to the convent is
very interesting. The hotel was very quaint but lovely with a huge atrium.
The city square is well worth a visit for supplies and at night is pretty
lively.
On day 7 we visit the Colca Canyon, a spectacular drive along the edge of the
valley. The famous Condors are the treat at the end! We leave fairly early
after breakfast and are lucky as the thermals are starting just as we
arrived. We saw these wonderful graceful birds in all their glory soaring
time and time again. Use that telephoto if you have it. They are not the only
birds as we also saw lots of other smaller varieties including the South
American Large Hummingbird. This spectacular place was surreal, although if
the weather is against you (as it was the day after) the Condors won't come
out to play. The drive here to Chivay climbs high through the mountains and
very bendy but had spectacular views.

The hotel at Chivay was more basic but reasonable enough. Wifi here was poor
and can be patchy at many of the hotels. Exploring the town here and the
local market is relaxing way to spend the evening. Our guide as always will
recommend places to eat. We didn't sample the hot springs but many of our
party did and thoroughly enjoyed it. We had been put off by previous reports
of lack of cleanliness but our group didn't notice anything untoward.
The additional local tour guides that are picked up at each stage along the
way add immensely to the enjoyment with them imparting their specialist
insight to the region we visit. We rated all of them, all of whom had an
excellent command of English.
The next part of the trip was to travel to Puno on the edge of Lake Titicaca.
We are climbing it seems all the time but stop regularly at view points and
to see the wild Vicuna and Alpacas roaming the high plains. Puno is a
thriving bustling City we plenty of sights and local amenities. The hotel and
food here was very good with the central plaza a very popular place to spend
some time. The next day we visit the Lake and board a boat that takes us to
the Reed People who literally spend their lives floating on the lake on the
reeds. Full of local tradition and colour you will be invited to spend some
time with these people with ample photography opportunities. You finish off
by taking a trip around the reed village in their own boats which would look
more at home on a pleasure park, but great fun nonetheless.

As you travel higher some travellers may start to feel the effects of
altitude. We did take the recommended medication for this part of the journey
and all the way through to Machu Picchu. We felt more fatigued than normal,
so a more relaxed pace and plenty of fluids is the best solution.

Another long coach journey but with more stops and less bendy all the way to
the Inca capital of Cusco. We spend more time at Cusco than anywhere else but
the hotel is ok but fairly basic. Maybe Exodus should look at an upgrade. My
friend didn't do the Inca Trail and spent even more time there. If you are on
the ground floor then there seems to be a lot of noise from staff and guests.

Cusco however is a lovely City full of history and tradition. As always the
central plaza is the main focus of the locals and truly worth an evening
visit. The restaurants were also very good and you can try local dishes such
as Alpaca or Guinea Pig. We visited the spectacular Sacred Valley and the
fortress at Ollantaytambo, and a vibrant local market was well worth a visit
. Take care not to take photos of the locals unless they are happy for you to
do so. Many will ask for a Soles or two.

The next part if the trip is the Inca Trail. Everyone will have wonderful
memories of this but here is what we experienced. You start off early to get
on the trial so the weather is chilly. You climb for most of the first 2 days
then descend for the rest. We travelled in winter and at night it does get
very cold and you are under canvas. We chose to take our own sleeping bags
but I the ones you can get from Exodus are perfectly good with a warm liner.
Unfortunately it did also rain for a couple of the days, which can drench you
all the way through. Fortunately we had decent quality ponchos bought in the
UK (you need them). The paths can get slippery so robust good quality hiking
boots or shoes are a must. Walking Poles, I would thoroughly recommend for
steadiness on uneven parts. The tents are waterproof enough although the ends
did get wet and although the ground for the most part only had a slight
incline you did slip down the tent during the night. Wear dry clothes at
night (I wore thermals) especially if your day clothes are damp. You climb as
high as 16,000 ft across Dead Woman's Pass (another group photo).

The walk is a reasonable pace but due to the altitude a slow pace is best and
the guides will keep this steady pace. The Porters and they were probably 25
of them just for our group, did an absolutely fabulous job, packing and
unpacking each day, cooking really amazing food and just about seeing to
everything. All the water is boiled and therefore clean, make sure you drink
plenty. We took small bottles of concentrated juice from home as this helped
mask the taste of boiled water. Just remember, you will get wet, you will get
cold, you will get hot, so you need to pack for everything but the Porters
will only carry 7kg of your kit. The rest is up to you and your day bag, so
only take stuff absolutely necessary. All of your other luggage and suitcase
will be waiting for you at hotel at the end of the trek. You get an enormous
sense of achievement doing this walk but you will get out of breath
especially on the way up. Along the way you visit some amazing Inca sites and
you have regular stops for rest and refreshments. Exodus plan this very
carefully. Although the trail is only about 26 miles, don't forget it's up
and down all the time. The travel toilets are as you would expect basic, and
only at camp. There are some loos along the way but not many. A trip to the
bushes maybe called for but you must take you own paper and you cannot leave
it in the bushes. Doggy poo bags probably good to take along.

The night before the final day you stay very high up overlooking the
mountains that lead to Machu Picchu. We had a lot of mist and cloud but when
it cleared the spectacular scenery is breathtaking. On the final morning you
say goodbye to the Porters who earn every Soles you tip them. They carry
around 25kg each on their back and speed past you as they go the next site,
sometimes wearing just sandals in the rain.

As you cross the Sun Gate Machu Picchu comes into view in the distance.
Nothing prepares you for this awe inspiring site. Forget the photos you've
seen, this leaves you speechless. The group gather together for the usual
group photo then proceed downhill to this famous Inca phenomenon. You spend
quite a bit of time at the site taking photos but don't go in to the main
part which is the plan for the next day. As you leave the site weary, smelly
but elated you go on a switch back coach ride to Machu Picchu town. After
being fairly remote walking in the mountains you are faced with a loud and
huge swarm of day trippers. You have to queue for the bus which took us about
20 minutes.

The hotel in Machu Picchu was fairly good although some in our group
complained they had no hot water, which after 4 days under canvas would have
been an extreme disappointment.

The following day our Exodus guide Renaldi (Renny) took us on amazing
historic guide of the Machi Picchu site. You just can't get enough photos of
such an extraordinary and magical place. Nothing really prepares you for what
you see.

In a way everything is sort of an anti-climax after Machu Picchu but you
still wonder at the marvelous scenery of this geographically varied country.
The train back to Ollantaytambo through the deep valley was an excellent way
to leave Machu Picchu. We then catch a minibus back to Cusco, a bit crampt as
all the seats were taken up by the group. The next few days we 'come down'
with a few more days in Cusco and visiting other Inca sites.

The final part of the tour is a short flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado
in the Amazon. You stay in lodges built on stilts and sleep under mosquito
nets with no hot water (cold shower), but of course you expect this. After
the dryness of the west coast and the elevation of the trek, the Amazon seems
to be out of place in Peru. Whilst there we enjoyed the high speed river
journeys, the late night Cayman spotting, the night trek in search of wild
like and the boat trip on the lake catching Piranhas. Great sunsets along the
river and the trek to the lake was very enjoyable. Saw some monkeys and
plenty of birds but I guess we were hoping to see more wildlife.

Just a final point of caution. On our flight back we landed in Cusco to pick
up more passengers for onward to Lima. However at Cusco, the airline company
Avianca in their wisdom, decide that the air conditions (too hot) would
affect lift off and they offloaded some of the suitcases, some of which were
from our party. It took some nearly 2 weeks to be reunited with their baggage
with Avianca hopelessly not interested. It didn't detract however from a
wonderful and memorable holiday.
Lots, but of course the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu itself. The Inca sites
generally were breathtaking. Loved the boat trip to the Ballestas Islands.
Colca Canyon and the Condors. The Reed People and the trip into the Amazon.


Renaldi (Renny) was a fantastic group leader, caring, considerate and
compassionate. Everything worked like clockwork, with him on the phone at
every point to ensure we would be met without hold-up. His knowledge was
phenomenal especially concerning the Incas, Cusco and Machu Picchu. He had
such a vast knowledge about everything Peru. He is a credit to his industry.


Weather: be prepared for everything from wet to hot to cold. Take layers for
the trek that can be taken off. Wear good rainproof hiking shoes or boots.
You need to grip. I slipped over a number of times on the descent even with
good boots. Take a quality poncho. Walking poles a must. Take a good quality
waterproof jacket to suit the season. It gets very cold at night on the hike.
Cameras and phones can't be charged for 4 days on the hike, so take a spare
battery or large battery charger. Caution, all batteries must be carried in
hand luggage including from phones and cameras otherwise Avianca may offload
your luggage.
Headtorch a must for hike and Amazon
Altitude sickness tablets
Refillable water bottle
Hat and sun screen - due to altitude very easy to get sun burn (I did)
Sunglasses


The group we had ranged from 50-over 70 years of age. If you are reasonably
fit with no health problems you can do the trek. You will get out of breath
on the way up, but so did everybody. The Amazon part of the journey didn't
add that much to the trip. Maybe suggest going deeper in to the amazon where
we may see more wildlife.

Make no mistake, this is not a holiday as such but a full-on early morning to
evening priceless adventure and experience. If you are doing the Inca trail
you will probably find yourselves with only a couple of half days spare. Not
one moment of this will you ever regret - we can honestly say that it was of
the best experiences in 40 plus years of travel.
Every day was well organised and went as smoothly as any holiday as diverse
as this one could do.
The hotels were of a good standard, particularly for a third World country.
As far as the Inca trail is concerned, we are in our mid sixties, reasonably
fit and had no real problems completing it. The porters are just incredible
and ran past us as we laboured up and down hills!
The food on the trek was amazingly good and we all ate well.
Too many to list!


Our group leader was Renaldi Chacca. After all our years of travelling we can
honestly say that Rennie, as we called him, was the best we have ever known.
This was a sentiment shared by everyone else in our group. His depth of
knowledge about the history, culture, politics and all things Peruvian was
truly amazing. He was by turns kind, sympathetic, humorous, efficient but
firm when the situation required it. We felt that we were saying goodbye to a
friend at the end of the trip.


In July it snowed on the Inca Trail so go prepared for all conditions.