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How much are trips to the Amazon? – Updated for 2023
How much are trips to the Amazon? Ok, you know that you will travel to Peru and you are very tempted to visit the Amazon. And why not? More than 60% of the Peruvian territory is covered by Amazonian forests. So if the world wonder of Machu Picchu is on your list, the tropical forest should be on your list of wishes, and you can mark the Amazon as one more.
But first thing first, which Amazon is best for you Tambopata, Manu or Iquitos?
How much does a trip to the Amazon cost?
A trip to the Amazon cost for 2 people for 3 nights, depending on the destination you visit:
- From USD$ 740 for staying in a comfortable city hotel
- From USD$ 580 staying in a closer to the city basic lodge
- From USD00 cruising the Amazon river
But, the first thing you must define is how you want to visit the Amazon and where. In order to not make this article long, I will focus on the 3 great destinations in Peru: Iquitos, Tambopata, and Manu.
The difficulty level is from soft (I) to hard walks (III) , where soft includes easy, short walks on flat terrain, and hard may require a little more physical effort as it may include stairs and terrain with some ups and downs. Usually, this occurs in more pristine places.
I will describe each experience according to the location of the destination on the map, starting with Iquitos, continuing with Tambopata, and finally Manu.
Travel to Iquitos
Iquitos is located in the northeast of Peru. Home of the Amazon River, pink river dolphins, and manatees. Considered one of the natural wonders of Peru. Iquitos has 4 airlines that fly from Lima arriving from 10 am onwards.
Cost of hotels and tours in Iquitos
To get here you must take a flight to Iquitos airport.
The city has an incredible hotel infrastructure with swimming pools and more. You will find hotels in Iquitos from US$ 50 a night to US$ 500. What makes it more or less expensive? The same characteristics that you will find in any city hotel.
The activities that you can find have a cost of for half days up to US$ 200 for full days.
You can find regional restaurants around the square for approximately US$ 10 for each meal
- Approximate cost: US$ 800
- Number of people: 2
- Nights: 3
Cost of ecolodges in Iquitos
With all ecolodges the same rule applies: location, location, location.
Your chances of seeing wildlife and experiencing pristine forests depend on the location and quality of the forest around the lodge where you stay.
Usually the closer to the city, you will get more urban amenities like swimming pools, further away you probably won’t find that but you will enjoy a better connection with nature.
The cost for two people here for 3 nights starts at 00
- Approximate cost: US$ 1500
- Number of people: 2
- Nights: 3
Amazon Cruises in Iquitos
The services begin at the Iquitos airport and end there and include transfers to/from the city of Nauta, meals, excursions, and accommodation.
You can find prices from 0 to 00 per person for 3 nights according to the luxury you are looking for.
Here the level of difficulty includes a couple of easy walks in the forest, canoe rides, and entertainment on board.
- Approximate cost: Between US$ 1500 to US$ 6000
- Number of people: 2
- Nights: 3
In summary, how much does it cost a trip to the Amazon in Iquitos?
How to book the tour in Iquitos?
For hotels, lodges, and cruises I recommend that you go directly to their website, this way you not only benefit from the deals but you can also be in direct contact in case of any eventuality.
For activities from the city, you can find some options online. If you are going to buy directly from the same site, a certain level of Spanish is necessary.
Pro tip: check the latest reviews of each company and remember that having 5 stars with 5 reviews is not the same as having 5 stars with hundreds of reviews.
REMEMBER: Wild animals must be in the forest, do not visit or support activities that involve handling wildlife.
Travel to Tambopata
Tambopata is located in the southeast of Peru, very close to Cuzco. The Tambopata National Reserve is known as one of the most biodiverse places in the world. That means your chances of seeing wildlife here are very good. It has flights from Lima and Cusco which facilitates the planning of your itinerary. In Tambopata, there is no cruise service.
Cost of hotels and tours in Tambopata
To get here you must take a flight to Puerto Maldonado airport.
The city has some 2 and 3-star hotels. You will find hotels in Puerto Maldonado from US$ 50 a night to US$ 110. What makes it more or less expensive? The same features you will find in any city hotel and the style of accommodation.
Here the location intervenes since there are boutique-style hotels that are not very accessible and although they look close on google maps, remember that you are in an Amazonian city, and there are no UBER-type taxi services, so it is good to consult these accommodations for their facilities to get closer to the city when you need it.
The activities that you can find have a cost of US$ 70 for half days up to US$ 180 for full days. Again, if your hotel is far from the city, ask the tour operator if they can pick you up from your accommodation or if you will have to go to a meeting point.
You can find regional restaurants around the square for approximately for each meal
- Approximate cost: US$ 740
- Number of people: 2
- Nights: 3
Cost of ecolodges in Tambopata
It is worth repeating that your experience in ecolodges in Tambopata will depend on the location as we mentioned before, plus a super plus: in the region, different ecolodges distribute their resources for the development of conservation, science, and work with native communities. This is a super plus if you are looking for this trip to leave a positive impact on the forest and its inhabitants.
Madre de Dios, the region where Tambopata is located, for many years had agriculture as one of the main activities, so here more than anywhere else it is important to know the health of the forest if your interest is the observation of wildlife.
How do you know if the lodge you visit has a good forest for wildlife observation? Ask on their social networks when was the last time they saw jaguars, spider monkeys, and tapirs. Or check on travel forums what other travelers are saying about this topic.
The exploration of the forest and the chances of seeing wildlife can reach 5 stars if the lodge is well located. Here comfort could be sacrificed for the exploration of fauna, but it is not in all cases. You will not find air conditioning or swimming pools, but your contact with nature is much richer.
Our eco lodges are designed for just that, to connect with nature at all times, that’s why you won’t find walls in the common areas or on the bridges. In your room you will find only 3 walls, so one is open to the forest. And yes, if you can have visits from moths, butterflies if you are lucky a frog. But also the best opportunities to see wildlife very close to the lodge you could even see troops of monkeys from your room. After all, we are in the middle of super-healthy forests.
The cost for 2 for 3 nights starts at US$ 580 up to US$ 3417
- Approximate cost: From US$ 580 to US$ 3400
- Number of people: 2
- Nights: 3
How do you book this tour in Tambopata?
Directly on its website, you can find the best deals, in addition to being able to count on personalized attention that will answer all your questions. Our specialists are nature lovers and love to organize expeditions to our favorite place in the world: Tambopata.
For activities from the city, most are only accessible from the city itself through agencies located around the square. Take note that these excursions are in group service, so you may want to know how many people are needed for the tour to depart.
Pro tip: In Tambopata, you will find two important rivers, the Madre de Dios and the Tambopata. The last one crosses the Tambopata National Reserve so its forests are much healthier, however here the location raises the price of the experience since the logistics are more expensive. Two ecolodges in the region are located within the Tambopata National Reserve. Remember location, location, location.
In summary, how much does it cost a trip to the Amazon in Tambopata?
REMEMBER The Amazonian forests are dense, and the wildlife is not arranged like in a zoo. You will not be able to handle animals.
Travel to Manu
Manu is located in the southeast of Peru between Cuzco and Madre de Dios. You have the best chance of seeing wildlife because the Manu National Park groups together various types of clouds and rainforests. There are daily flights to get to Cusco from Lima and other departments of Peru. The trip from the city to Manu takes approximately 7 hours.
Cost of ecolodges in Manu
To get here you must take a flight to the airport in the city of Cusco. Stay in a hotel in the city for at least one night as expeditions to Manu leave early in the morning and they usually have Cusco main square as a meeting point.
The Manu National Park has two visitor areas, including the cultural area where the native communities are located. Make sure you visit the area of your interest and confirm that you will be able to visit the protected natural area and not just the buffer zone to maximize your chances of seeing fauna, the qualification would be as follows:
- Approximate cost: US$ 740**
- Number of people: 2
- Nights: 3 nights is the best
Remember that to take this expedition you must have booked the night before in the city of Cusco.
** The cost on internet does not specify if the accommodation is inside the park. Ask for this, when dealing with the tour operator.
How do you book a tour in Manu?
Ideally, direct on the website of the local operator you hire.
Here is a map where you can see how to get to each destination.
Are you thinking about how it will be to travel to the Amazon and explore its forest? Take one of our virtual tours
Or chat with our rainforest specialist.
By Rocio Guzman
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What our guest say
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- Valuation Excellent
- 5/5
Alan U November 2024
Neal H November 2024
Sergio J October 2024
Megan Jackson October 2024
Hayley October 2024
Jonathan K October 2024
Jonathan Krejci October 2024
Hannah E October 2024
Dave L October 2024
Magnus O October 2024
David G October 2024
T T October 2024
I am normally not a nature-oriented person but spending a few days in the rainforest was mind-blowing. Our guide, Juan Carlos, was knowledgeable, passionate about his work, and a fun person to go on a several hours long hike to boot. He made sure we were taking the activities at our own pace, answered all our questions and had a seemingly endless knowledge of the plants and animals. The lodge is located in a protected area of the rainforest and as a result, the biodiversity is amazing and the staff are very respectful and protective of the wildlife. For a note on the lodging, late september is the end of dry season and also the hottest time of year. If I were to come back, I would upgrade to a room with a fan as there is no AC in the facility. Lodging was clean and I personally enjoyed the chance to unplug and sleep so close to nature. Without hyperbole this was a once in a lifetime experience and I cannot recommend it enough. Read all
We had the experience of a lifetime at Posada Amazonas! For our first trip ever to Peru, we wanted to see as much of the country as possible, and started our journey here. Everything went seamlessly- from the pick up at the airport, check in at the office, to the delicious lunch on the boat during our transfer. The next 3 days were filled with wonderful experiences including the canopy hike, oxbow lake cruise, sunset cruise and more. Luis was our guide extraordinaire. His knowledge and ability to spot interesting flora and fauna were amazing. The rooms are clean and spacious and perfect to experience the jungle. You haven't lived until you are awakened by the calls of howler monkeys at 4:15am! Highly recommended! Read all
We had a truly amazing time at Tambopata Research Center and its sister lodge, Refugio. Days were filled with long walks in the jungle to see all the incredible wildlife and plant life, the evening talks with the researchers were thoroughly enjoyable and inspiring, and meals with like minded travelers were a pleasure. Our rooms were extremely comfortable and well laid out, the food was varied, healthy and tasty, and the staff really went out of their way to ensure we had everything we needed and that our stay was going well. Truly couldn't recommend this experience more. Read all
My husband and I recently had the opportunity to visit the Tambopata Research Center in the Amazon rainforest, and it was truly an unforgettable experience! We did the 5 day, 4 night experience, which was so worth it. I personally think this is the perfect amount of time as it gave us the flexibility to have more opportunities to see wildlife, but also moments of relaxing at the lodge. We booked the trip through Tambopata Travel, with Mike. He was extremely helpful, very organized, and answered all 5 million questions I had haha. He was a very effective communicator and I would recommend anyone and everyone use him to help plan your rainforest experience. Before I get to my review, my only recommendation to the center would be for them to incorporate more of a variety of activities. A majority of the available activities are equivalent to walking around the rainforest looking for animals and learning about the surroundings. Which was amazing to me, but could lead to boredom for some. Thankfully, we had out guide Timo who made every walk through the rainforest interesting. Reaching the lodge does take about 3.5 hours, but if you embrace this part of the journey it only makes everything better. Once we arrived, I found the lodge to be absolutely amazing given its remote location. There will be bugs and there will be loud animal sounds, I think it’s important to remember we are guest in these animals home. Having spent 11 days in Peru prior to this trip, I can confidently say that the food at the lodge was the best we had consistently enjoyed throughout our travels. We also had the opportunity to work with other guides in Peru, all of whom were booked through reputable companies, but none compared to our guide, Timo, in terms of his English proficiency and extensive knowledge. The bar manager was also a highlight; he was very knowledgeable about alcohol and offered great recommendations and was able to make a variety of drinks based on what we were wanting to experience. All of the staff at Tambopata were very friendly and always had a smile on their face, especially the busser, I unfortunately missed his name, but he was great and so friendly. From start to finish, the trip was filled with incredible moments, largely thanks to our amazing guide, Timo. Timo was hands down the most knowledgeable guide I have ever encountered. His expertise about the rainforest was impressive, and he had an uncanny ability to spot wildlife that we would have completely missed without him. It was raining one day and we were willing to go out in the rain and Timo was right there with us. We had the chance to see a wide variety of animals, far exceeding my expectations.Timo also provided us with extensive knowledge about the plants and trees, helping us to understand the ecosystem as a whole. I was seriously blown away by how much he knew about the rainforest. Timo’s insights made the experience not just about the wildlife we saw, but also about the profound interconnectedness of life in the rainforest. We also appreciated Timo’s insight about the nature of wildlife viewing in the rainforest; some days were bustling with activity while others were quieter. I think it’s important for anyone wanting to travel to the Amazon to remember, this is a vast ecosystem with thousands of acres of wilderness- not a zoo. Overall, my time at the Tambopata Research Center was filled with awe-inspiring moments, and I learned so much about the rainforest. I highly recommend this experience to anyone looking to connect deeply with nature. Just remember to go with the flow and appreciate the rainforest for what it is! Read all
Fantastic lodge and research station deep in the reserve and the Amazon forest far from all visible signs of humanity, dense rainforest teeming with birds, animals, insects - it balances the discomfort of the steamy forest heat and biting insects perfectly with a little luxury when you are not out on excursions in the jungle - exactly what one would want from an Amazon experience. Read all
This lodge is a bit of a splurge, but for me, totally worth it. The staff were, without exception, cheerful, friendly and helpful. Our guide, Dino, was a true professional: a calm presence and a genius at spotting wildlife, and having no more than seven people in our group at all times was a plus (the other Rainforest Expeditions lodges have up to ten). We opted for a Comfort Room, and it was lovely; spacious and attractive, with a hammock and a terrific shower. The biggest surprise for me was the food, which was consistently terrific. Finally, it is clear to me that Rainforest Expeditions is truly committed to environmental preservation and giving back to the local community. As for the rainforest itself, it was interesting and we saw lots of wildlife, but don't expect it to be like an African safari. You can walk for a long time without seeing much, and often the animals are far way or well hidden (this is one reason group size matters; we often took turns looking through our guide's high-powered telescopic lens). Also, your experience will depend a lot on the weather. Two of the days we were there were quite nice; the other two were oppressively, stultifyingly hot and humid. Read all
This lodge is a bit of a splurge, but for me, totally worth it. The staff were, without exception, cheerful, friendly and helpful. Our guide, Dino, was a true professional: a calm presence and a genius at spotting wildlife, and having no more than seven people in our group at all times was a plus (the other Rainforest Expeditions lodges have up to ten). We opted for a Comfort Room, and it was lovely; spacious and attractive, with a hammock and a terrific shower. The biggest surprise for me was the food, which was consistently terrific. Finally, it is clear to me that Rainforest Expeditions is truly committed to environmental preservation and giving back to the local community. As for the rainforest itself, it was interesting and we saw lots of wildlife, but don't expect it to be like an African safari. You can walk for a long time without seeing much, and often the animals are far way or well hidden (this is one reason group size matters; we often took turns looking through our guide's high-powered telescopic lens). Also, your experience will depend a lot on the weather. Two of the days we were there were quite nice; the other two were oppressively, stultifyingly hot and humid. Read all
We had an amazing time during our trip to the Tambopata Research Center. The staff make your stay as comfortable as possible, and the food is delicious. From the moment they collect you at the airport, you don’t have to worry about anything - you’ll be in good hands. Our guide, Boris, did an incredible job of planning our daily activities, and we were spoiled to see and learn about the incredible wildlife - parrots, macaws, monkeys, capybara, innumerable insects, and more! This is a fantastic trip is highly recommended if you are keen on science, nature, and not too fussed about some pretty big bugs! We did a 3-night, 2-day trip (with a travel day on both sides), and would recommend one more day if you can swing it! Read all
This is not a resort but rather a very nice and comfortable eco lodge to view wildlife with friendly and knowledgeable staff. Keep in mind that there is a lot of walking and stairs (almost 0.5 miles) to get to the lodge from the water transport river bank where you are dropped off. The clean spacious rooms are open air concept with mosquito nets for the beds and you can listen to rainforest creatures all night. The activities they offer are diverse (e.g., night hikes, water excursions to see caimans, otters and bird watching, visit to local farm and 40 meter observation tower). You are fed well with breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets. Many thanks to our tour guide Luis M. for his extensive knowledge of the rainforest and keen eyes/ears to find hidden creatures while keeping our group safe. Read all
Fint och trevligt ställe inne i regnskogen. Maten var enkel men god, serverat som buffé. Vatten från egen brunn fanns för påfyllning i medhavda vattenflaskor (fanns att köpa om man missat). Kaffe och te fanns alltid tillgängligt men var oftast kallt och svagt. Mycket häftiga rum som är helt öppna mot naturen på en sida. Var beredd på besök av smådjur och insekter. Gästerna fick komma överens om vilka aktiviteter vi ville genomföra med guiden på plats. Turerna var bra men med mycket tidiga starter. För oss som hade värmebölja med temperaturer uppåt 40 grader passade detta bra. Read all
Our 3-night stay at the Tambopata research was an experience we will never forget. Everything was well coordinated starting with our pickup at the airport. We then took a 10 min bus ride to the Rainforest Expeditions office where a busload of us all repacked our stuff into 30 lb duffel bags. The remainder of our items stayed at the office. Next, we got back on the bus for a 90-minute ride to the boat dock. Along the way, we had a box lunch and had an overview of the area and our upcoming days. Once on the boat, the guides slowed down for wildlife photo ops of capybaras and the many birds we saw. When we arrived at the lodge, Mary gave an overview of the facility while our bags were taken to our room which was a 10-minute walk from the main lodge/dining area on an elevated boardwalk in the rainforest. The room as advertised was open on one side to the rainforest and yes, we did have some nighttime visitors, but the mosquito netting kept them off us. The room was spacious and well-appointed with a fridge, ceiling fan, water, etc. At dinner we met our own personal rainforest guide – Timo. We made our plans for the next day which included a 5AM boat ride to the clay lick where we saw the most amazing macaws. Timo was very knowledgeable, fluent in English and well equipped with a telescope which provided some great pix even with using just an iPhone. Timo also took us on several hikes around the facility and up to the top of the canopy tower where we saw various species on monkeys and more birds. Each evening there were lectures presented by the researchers on various topics. Then there was the food! Each meal was freshly made and well prepared. Quite a variety for all tastes. The food is amazing and goes quickly so be sure to load up your plate. And the bar had a decent variety of beer, wine and liquor! We spent more at Tambopata than we normally would, but I can say it was definitely well worth it!! Read all
Had an amazing stay of 3 nights here. Guide (Lucia) was fantastic, even having a phone attachment to allow you to take photos through her telescope and get fantastic shots, and much of the trip was solo with her. The lodge had blazing fast wifi, mix of craft beers, and was very comfortable (as long as you don't mind the odd butterfly or frog wandering into your room). Friendly service and really well organized w/ lots of variety of things to do - I happened to stumble across a giant Harpy Eagle right outside the lodge, just incredible. Only thing that could be improved is more variety of food and condiments to spice it up, but it is in the middle of the rainforest after all Read all
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