Know Before You Go: Amazon Tours

The Amazon River basin spans nine countries, but Peru offers one of the best and most accessible ways to experience it. The Peruvian Amazon combines exceptional biodiversity with well-developed conservation areas and responsible travel options. Regions like Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado give travelers access to wildlife-rich reserves such as Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve and Tambopata National Reserve, where scientists have recorded hundreds of bird, mammal and plant species. Visitors can explore by riverboat or stay in research-based lodges that directly support conservation. Peru's diversity of ecosystems, wildlife-viewing opportunities and commitment to sustainable tourism make it an excellent Amazon destination.

Where is the Best Wildlife Viewing in the Amazon? 

For the best wildlife experiences in the Amazon, head to Peru’s Upper Amazon, where the river’s headwaters flow through one of the most biologically rich regions on Earth—Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. 

Spanning more than 5 million acres of flooded forest, blackwater rivers, lagoons and upland jungle, Pacaya Samiria is the largest protected area in Peru’s Amazon. Known as the “Forest of Mirrors” for its reflective waterways, it boasts exceptional biodiversity, providing habitat for pink river dolphins, squirrel monkeys, three-toed sloths, hoatzins, macaws, caiman, frogs and countless other species. 

Pacaya Samiria’s blend of remoteness, accessibility and conservation value makes it especially appealing for nature travelers.  While it’s an intact slice of the Amazon, it’s reachable via a flight to Iquitos and a 2-hour drive to Nauta, where Nat Hab’s riverboat expeditions begin. Small-group travel by riverboat, skiff or kayak allows for quiet, low-impact wildlife observation, often in areas inaccessible to larger ships or road-based tours. 

WWF supports Pacaya Samiria due to its ecological significance, and Indigenous communities in the region continue to practice traditional ways of life, offering cultural insight alongside unparalleled biodiversity. 

For travelers searching for the best wildlife-focused Amazon tours, Peru’s Upper Amazon delivers the rare mix of wildlife density, tranquil remoteness and sustainable access—all in support of protecting this vital rainforest ecosystem. 

Why Should I Explore the Peruvian Amazon on a River Cruise with Nat Hab? 

For many travelers, the best way to experience the Amazon Rainforest is by water. A river cruise through the Peruvian Amazon allows you to reach deep into the jungle—into places that are nearly inaccessible by land—while traveling in comfort aboard a luxury, small-group vessel. The Amazon’s vast network of waterways forms the lifeblood of the rainforest, and exploring by boat gives you an ever-changing window into this dynamic ecosystem. 

Aboard Nat Hab’s exclusive Amazon River cruise, you’ll navigate the tranquil channels and flooded forests of the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, a 5-million-acre wilderness at the headwaters of the Amazon Basin. From skiff excursions at dawn to sunset wildlife viewing, each day offers close-up encounters with pink river dolphins, macaws, sloths, monkeys, and countless bird species. 

Nat Hab’s private luxury riverboats combine comfort and sustainability—air-conditioned suites with panoramic windows, elegant dining featuring local cuisine and expert naturalist guides who interpret the region’s incredible biodiversity. With just 28 guests, enjoy an intimate atmosphere and the flexibility to explore hidden lagoons and tributaries that larger ships can’t reach. 

As the official travel partner of World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Natural Habitat Adventures ensures that every journey supports conservation and local communities. When you cruise the Amazon with Nat Hab, you’re not just traveling—you’re helping protect one of the planet’s most vital ecosystems. 

In short, a river cruise in the Peruvian Amazon is the most immersive, comfortable, and conservation-minded way to experience the rainforest—and Nat Hab offers the most authentic, responsible way to do it.