Three ways to explore the Amazon
Everything you need to plan a bucket-list trip from Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador.
Picture this: a massive forest that matches the size of 46 U.S. states. Three million species of wildlife. A unique shade of bright green that can’t be seen anywhere else. There’s nowhere like the Amazon, which makes it a top spot in every nature lover’s dream-trip list—and worth a spot on yours, too.
Set across nine South American countries from Brazil to Peru, the Amazon is the world’s largest and most biodiverse tropical rainforest, A.K.A. the perfect place for off-the-grid adventures of a lifetime. If you want to experience nature’s crown jewel at least once, here are the three main ways you can explore the Amazon rainforest. Plus, we’ve found nifty tips from travelers that’ll help you make the most out of your trip.
This guide features activities in Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador—the best jump-off points for Amazon rainforest trips.
Set off on an epic Amazon river cruise
Most excursions that go deep into the Amazon are only possible by boat, making cruises one of the most popular ways to explore the rainforest’s diverse terrain. Operating year-round, boat tours tweak itineraries to match the season—so you’ll always get a worthwhile experience with plenty of photo ops and wildlife encounters.
You’ve got two choices: go during the high-water season from January to June when most of the jungle is underwater and accessible by boat, or go during the low-water season from July to December for premium fishing and to spot wildlife on the sandy shores.
Set off from Manaus, Brazil
Located in the heart of the rainforest, Manaus is known as "the Gateway to the Amazon." Cruises here are longer and go further into the Lower Amazon River, making it an avid explorer’s dream expedition. Most tours will visit Indigenous villages too, so you can learn more about the culture of the region.
Make sure your cruise stops at the Meeting of the Waters, where the black-tea waters of the Rio Negro and the sandy-shaded waters of the Amazon River run side-by-side.
Travelers say: "[The 3 Days Amazon Jungle Adventure Tour was] truly a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Got to see and do so many incredible things. I recommend adding on swimming with the pink dolphins and sleeping out in the jungle in hammocks. Our guide was amazing—especially when we camped in the jungle."—@kellydavies1221
Recommended tours and activities
Explore national parks and wildlife reserves
The Amazon is home to 30 percent of the world’s species—including endangered caimans, the elusive jaguar, and the goofy pied tamarins. This impressive biodiversity has drawn in mountaineers, photographers, and wildlife spotters all over the world in search of their next great adventure.
Look no further than the national parks and wildlife reserves in Ecuador—they’re smaller in size compared to the rest of the sprawling giants in Brazil and Argentina, but make up the most biodiverse area of The Amazon. Expect swinging spider monkeys, sky-high trees, and choruses of colorful toucans.
Set off from Napo, Ecuador
There are 11 national parks and 25 wildlife reserves across Ecuador. Short on time? Travel along the Napo River and add the biggest rainforest preserves—Yasuni National Park and Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve—to your Amazon itinerary.
Travelers say: “This tour offers a nice introduction to the Amazon basin if you are short on time, but want to say I've been to the Amazon. Our activities included visiting the nest of the Harpy Eagle, boat rides down the river, and a visit to the clay licks of Yasuni National Park. The clay licks were a spectacular display of colors from the macaws and parrots that visit them and the sounds were incredible.”—@amandadK2542QM
Recommended tours and activities
Go glamping in a luxe jungle lodge
Looking for an immersive all-day jungle experience? Go glamping at a jungle lodge in Peru to stargaze in the jungle's pitch darkness and wake up to distant sounds of Amazonian wildlife. Look out for lodges featuring macaw clay licks and canopy viewing towers that provide great photo ops.
Most lodges offer daily excursions including guided treks, night safaris, canoe outings as well as visits to Indigenous villages. Design your own jungle adventure and get acquainted with the Amazon however you’d like.
Set off from Madre de Dios, Peru
Madre de Dios represents 15 percent of the Peruvian Amazon and is the capital of biodiversity in Peru. Heavenly jungle lodges are often found in or near Tambopata National Reserve—don’t forget to stop by Lake Sandoval, a gorgeous oxbow lake home to a variety of wildlife.
Travelers say: "We had the absolute best time at Muyuna Lodge! The excursions were brilliant and we saw so many amazing species. We felt so safe yet so comfortably outside of our comfort zones. Most importantly, we had the BEST GUIDE, who suited our group perfectly and made the experience infinitely better. Melisa was a fantastic guide, born and raised in the jungle, so had the eyes of hawk when it came to spotting even the most hidden creatures. 10/10 would recommend!"—@S Patel
When to visit the Amazon rainforest
High-water season: January to June
Best for: Bird-watching, canoe trips, river cruises
The main draw of the wet season is the dramatic high-water panorama, where river levels rise up to three stories high to cover most of the jungle floor. Most Amazon rivers, creeks, and lakes become navigable during this period, making it a prime season for river cruises, boat trips, and kayaking adventures. Find yourself closer to the canopies, making it easier to spot birds, monkeys, and other creatures that make the treetops their home.
You’ll experience cooler and rainier weather around the forest, with average temperatures dipping to around 86°F.
Low-water season: July to December
Best for: Wildlife-spotting, fishing, jungle treks
Good news, hikers: during dry season, water levels drop to reveal previously inaccessible sandy shores and trekking trails—making deep jungle explorations on foot (finally!) possible.
The receding waterfront makes it easier to spot nesting caimans, snakes, and lizards by Amazon shores, plus fishing for piranhas becomes much easier by boat. Expect less rainfall (though heavy showers can still happen!) and an average temperature of 98°F, with mosquitos less likely to bother you.
Tips on preparing for your Amazon rainforest trip
1. Plan. In. Advance.
Only a limited number of tour operators are authorized to conduct Amazon tours, which means they’ve got limited slots for peak seasons. Once you decide between high-water and dry season, book your tour early to secure your spot.
2. Support local guides
Make sure you pick tours from local tourism companies; it’s a great way to support the community sustainably. Local guides are expert naturalists who know best how to navigate the jungle and are more than happy to share everything they know about this unique ecosystem with you.
3. Choose responsible tours
Smaller group tours leave a smaller environmental footprint. Go with a trained guide who'll ensure your group sticks to good practices like staying on designated walking paths and mindful excursions that don’t disturb the wildlife.
4. Leave no trace behind
Dispose of any waste properly and adopt a ‘take in, take out’ approach when exploring. Commit to bringing a portable trash bag and keep it with you throughout the journey.
5. Bring binoculars
Travelers suggest investing in a pair of binoculars to maximize your wildlife viewing, especially if you’re aboard a cruise boat. Many animals in The Amazon are tree-dwellers and can be frequently spotted frolicking high up in their canopy homes.
6. Prepare for mosquitos
The Amazon’s warm, humid nature makes it a hotspot for mosquitos. Pack long-sleeved, light-colored clothes, and mosquito repellent and don’t forget to get your malaria shots in advance. When you do get bitten, calamine lotion and hydrocortisone cream will help to ease the itch.