Loreto and Amazonas: a gateway (and getaway) into Peru’s nature
Peru offers its visitors unparalleled encounters with nature, and its allure entices the inquisitive explorer to venture deep into its heart.
Peru is one of the most geographically and biologically diverse countries in the world, teeming with life and bursting with inspiration. On the Pacific Coast of South America, between Ecuador and Chile, Peru is classified as being mega-diverse, hosting over 500 species of mammals (fifth in the world), over 1,800 birds (third in the world) and 2,100 fish (first in the world).
With so much to discover, this amazing country piques the interests of cultural-learners and thrill-seekers, and speaks particularly to the heart of nature lovers, enticing visitors with its variety of vibrant natural wonder.
For those keen to explore the Amazon, wanting to take in its rainforest and river, there’s one region in particular that stands out: Loreto, a gateway into the Amazon.
Loreto: Land of a thousand colors
The region of Loreto is situated in the northeast of Peru. Iquitos, its capital, is also the largest city in the world that’s inaccessible by road – the only way in is by air or by water. It’s almost as if the city gives a subtle “heads up,” priming you for the grand adventure that awaits – one off the beaten track.
The intrepid traveler is richly rewarded for the effort to get here – Loreto boasts colorful marketplaces, delicious dishes and welcoming citizens. What truly beckons the traveler to its center, however, is its otherworldly connection to the natural world.
Nestled deep within seemingly endless nature, Loreto rubs shoulders with the Amazon River, the behemoth that begins its 4,345-mile journey from Peru. Loreto’s native populations, like the Yagua and Witoto, have resided here for centuries, and as a result their understanding and connection with the rainforest runs as deep as their rich culture and natural heritage.
Walking and boat tours
Their multi-generational ties to the region create opportunities for community-based tourism. Walking tours are a great way for visitors to gain a unique and intimate look into the lives of the people sustained by the rainforest, giving a flavor of their daily existence and local culture. For instance, there’s the chance to accompany guides and experience their way of life up close and personal, learning about everything from local foods to the medicinal plants they source from the rainforest. What better way to soak in the Amazon than basking under its leafy canopy, guided by a local expert on the different bird songs that reverberate through the forest? This will come in handy as Loreto is a paradise for bird-watchers, with over 1,000 bird species to spot.
If walking doesn’t float your boat, you can embark on a river cruise of the Amazon. Setting sail on a boat tour run by local companies provides an alternative for travelers interested in experiencing the richness of the rainforest from a unique perspective.
As you journey down the river you can soak up the astounding sights of the Amazon, while being swept up in the water’s ebbs and flows. If you listen closely and look even closer, you may encounter an animal that is doing the same to you – the boto (pink river) dolphin.
A mystical being, its charm is as captivating as the Amazon it inhabits. Myriad legends associated with this animal reveal the reverence that locals have for it. Also fascinating is the fact that the pink coloration of males doesn’t occur genetically, but is a result of scar tissue on wounds suffered when they fight for mates. No need to worry though, humans are met only with playful curiosity.
Tracking the boto, you’ll experience the Amazon from a special viewpoint, learning about the creatures that lurk beneath its waters. As interesting as the animals in the river are those that live on the rainforest floor and the skies above, including the scarlet macaw with its dazzling red, yellow and blue plumage.
Eco lodges
With so much to experience and so little time, it’s advisable to spend more than a day exploring what Loreto has to offer. Luckily, there’s the option to wind down for the night in one of the many eco-lodges dotted throughout the region. These lodges are fashioned from locally sourced and sustainable materials, and many harness renewable energy, so you can enjoy a fully immersive stay near the Amazon with minimal environmental impact on the surrounding ecosystem. This means you can confidently connect with nature around the clock in an organic, profound and comfortable way.
But the wonder doesn’t end there, for the intrepid explorer can journey even deeper into the Amazon rainforest, uncovering its jaw-dropping water basin: the Amazonas.
Amazonas: Home of the rare and remarkable
The Amazonas region sits in Northern Peru, where the Andes mountains meet the rainforest – Chachapoyas is its capital city. It is an ecological phenomenon, a hub of biodiversity bursting with color and life. Bird-watchers will strike gold with the abundance of species that thrive in this stunning habitat, including the endemic, protected marvelous spatuletail hummingbird. Taking a trip into its heart leads to Gocta falls, one of tallest waterfalls on Earth.
Gocta Falls
At a height of 2,530 feet, Peru’s highest free-falling cascade is mesmerizing, standing taller than Yosemite Falls. The waterfall was veiled from the outside world for centuries and, according to local folklore, the falls are guarded by a beautiful, blond mermaid ready to curse anyone who ventures too close. Though the myth cannot be confirmed or denied, it aptly reflects the level of mystery that shrouds this epic curtain of water, inspiring curiosity and awe among those who lay eyes upon it.
This sense of wonder is gracefully extended to the waterfall’s resident animals. The forest surrounding Gocta Falls is also one of the best places in the world to find exceptionally rare mammals, such as the endangered yellow-tailed woolly monkey and spectacled bear.
Return from your trek and retire to the peace of a lodge, such as Gocta Lodge in Cocachimba, where you can maximize your time in the region and enrich your trip.
Ultimately, as you rest your head on a comfy pillow and reflect on your Peruvian experience, you can bask in the knowledge that you were able to explore this one-of-a-kind country with your own eyes and ears, your adventure enhanced by the insight of local guides.
