peru iquitos

The gateway to the beautiful winding waterways of the Amazon, the port of Iquitos is the largest city in the Peruvian rainforest. Surrounded by jungle and seemingly endless waterways, it is largely isolated and is unreachable by road, being accessed by air or the mighty river.

Founded by colonial missionaries in the 1750s, it features many grand old buildings, including the famous Iron House, designed by Gustave Eiffel. A picturesque city, the port of Iquitos is a convenient starting point for an unforgettable river cruise down the Amazon into its northern section. This part of the rainforest is home to an unbelievably diverse and colourful array of wildlife, including river dolphins, caimans, howler, capuchin and squirrel monkeys and over 200 species of birds, from parrots and orioles to hoatzins. Native Amazonian tribes still live here; passing aircraft recently discovered one settlement completely untouched by the outside world.

The Peruvian entrance to the incredible wilderness and beauty of the most amazing region on Earth, Iquitos provides an ideal beginning to an Amazonian adventure.