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Most Peru holidays in the Amazon begin in the city of Iquitos. The city was originally founded in 1864 but experienced its first real growth at the turn of the last century when the rubber and gold of the Amazon began to be seriously exported. For a long time, Iquitos had closer links with Europe than with Lima as communications all the way down the Amazon and across the Atlantic were actually quicker than getting through the jungle and over the Andes to the capital! Today you can see the physical proof of these contacts in sights such as the Casa Fierro, or 'Iron House' of Iquitos: an early 'kit' house made entirely of iron designed by Gustav Eiffel (of Tower fame) and shipped all the way from Paris to Iquitos! This and other houses built by the rubber barons line the sides of the main square of Iquitos to this day.
The life of Iquitos is still inextricably connected to the river Amazon today and the only way to get to and from the city is either by air or by river. While there, you can visit the suburb of Belen - the Venice of Peru - where all the houses are built on stilts out into the river, or enjoy a meal on the Malecon Tarapaca - a pier built right out into the Amazon originally constructed for the rubber ships but now the centre of Iquitos nightlife. People in Iquitos tend to be incredibly friendly and it's a great night out - just make sure you pack your dancing shoes!
Iquitos and Around
There are some superb places to see wildlife and relax right next to some of the jungle lagoons to be found on your Peru holiday. Many of them, such as the Quistococha complex, offer dedicated tourist facilities. The complex has a private beach, a huge aquarium, hiking trails and an on-site museum, all based around the Quistococha lake - it also has a great adventure playground for the kids! Alternatively, if you fancy something a little more active you could head to somewhere like Santo Tomas, a small town on the Nany river, where you can practise your swimming, canoeing, and water-skiing! Those of you who are more interested in the wildlife of the area could visit the Puerto Almendra Research and Forest Teaching Center, which as well as having exhibits about the local flora and fauna, also has some good hiking circuits.
The Amazon Rainforest
Of course, the main reason for visiting Iquitos is to use it as a base for a journey into the jungle! We offer a variety of trips which we hope will meet all your expectations. You will be based in one of our jungle lodges, but you won't be spending much time there! We'll take you to see the pink dolphins and the albino monkeys, of course (and yes, this is before you've had any ayahuasca!), but then are trips to visit local villages and meet members of the tribes, night excursions by canoe out onto the Amazon, guided tours out into the forest... and then there are the piranhas! Now, depending on how you feel about our razor-toothed friends you can either fish for them or... go swimming with them! Forget swimming with sharks - this is the one that will really worry your mum!
Spending quality time in the Amazon is an unbelievable experience - it's really something to know that you are surrounded by an environment which hasn't changed in 10,000 years and it is humbling to know that your time there is just the blink of an eye to this vast rainforest.
From Iquitos and the Amazon to the Coast
Most people will head back to Iquitos after their time in the jungle, either to continue their holidays in Peru or to head back to the UK. Either will be rather different after your time in the jungle, but if you've already covered the south of Peru and don't fancy Lima then you can get a direct flight to Chiclayo where you can visit some of the superb pre-Columbian remains in the area, such as the Lord of Sipan site?
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