RAINFORESTS IN PERU

RAINFOREST IN IQUITOS, PERU

Iquitos: Capital of the Department of Loreto. Located on the West Bank of the mighty Amazon River, considered to be the longest in the world and with the greatest volume of water. Iquitos is an isolated city by road. It can be reached only by air or river.

Founded in 1757 as San Pablo de los Napeanos by the Jesuits. However, Iquitos did not grow until the rubber boom in the late 19th century and early 20th century. A great wealth came from the extraction of latex. Today, Iquitos is the center for exploration of oil in the Peruvian Amazon. Also its of big importance the lumber industry, ecotourism and commerce.

Warm, humid and with a heavy rainy season, Iquitos has a typical tropical climate. The best time for visiting is from May through October, when the rains diminish due to the dry season.

Puerto Maldonado: Capital of the Department of Madre de Dios, located at the confluence of the rivers Tambopata and Madre de Dios. Puerto Maldonado is considered as the biological capital of the world due to the amount of plant and animal species found in this area. The climate is tropical, very humid and warm, with the rainy season from December through April. That is why, it is better to visit from May through November.

Puerto Maldonado is the starting point for visiting the rainforests, some of the most beautiful protected areas in the country, including Manu National Park, Tambopata Candamo etc.

Vegans and Vegetarians who travel to Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador have great alternatives of vegetarian meals with high nutritional value, including fantastic fruit, nuts many varieties of potatoes, and wonderful cereals. Among the Andean cereals we find kiwicha (amaranth), kañiwa and quinoa which was the staple food of the Inca, (the king of the Inca culture) and considered a sacred and principal crop in the Andes

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PEOPLE IN PERU

Andean Boy

Peru has approximately 29 million inhabitants.The Peruvian Society is an authentic melting pot made of native Andean, Spanish (Criollos and Mestizos), immigrant Chinese, Italians, Japanese, Afro  Peruvians and Indigenous Amazon tribes.

During the colony, the Criollos were the Peruvian born of Spanish parents and the Mestizos were children of intermarried parents (Spanish and local).

The Peruvian black community is mainly based on the coast, south of Lima. The original immigration from Africa was back in the 16th century, when they came as slaves to work on the sugar and cotton plantations.

The Chinese first arrived in Peru during the mid 19th century to work in the guano islands and the railroads of the Andes. The Japanese community, one of the largest in Latin America (more than 100,000 people), established in Peru during the first half of the 20th century. 

Many immigrants from Europe arrived in Peru in the late 19th century and they now constitute the most important economical and political power in the country, keeping a clear distance from the Native Andean and Indigenous population. 

There is a large percentage of Indigenous population in Peru. The main groups are Quechua (two million people who speak little or no Spanish, their main tongue being Quechua). They are descendants of the Inca Empire, predominantly an agricultural society of the highlands in the Andes, growing potatoes and corn as their basic diet. On the shores of lake Titicaca, the southern area of Peru border with Bolivia, is the homeland of the Aymara people. Most of today´s Aymaras live in Bolivia and the south western of Peru. The Aymaras are a religious community and also give big importance to the family.

VEGGIE TOURS organizes vegetarian and vegan tours and vacations where you will be able to mingle with local communities and participate with their culture.

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Miraflores, a Modern District in Lima, Peru

Miraflores Park, 5 star hotel in Miraflores

It is considered as one of the modern districts of Lima, colorful, with very nice green areas, shopping, entertainment centers, fine restaurants and five star hotels. The beautiful Parque Central or Parque Kennedy of Miraflores is colorful and well kept with a lot of activity and a crafts market in the evenings. Across from the park, the Pizza street, a pedestrian walkway full of outdoor restaurants, bars and discotheques.

Larco Mar  constitutes one of the most modern and impressive Commercial Centers of Lima, with fancy shops, restaurants, movies and entertainment centers and a fantastic view of the Lima Bay. Facing Larco Mar is the Lima Marriott, a five star hotel with more than 300 rooms facing the Pacific Ocean, a beautiful view of the entire Lima coast line.

In Miraflores you can find excellent options for vegetarian cuisine, like the Bircher Benner, located in Larco 413, just facing City Hall and the new Almazen, with delicious organic vegetarian plates located in Recavarren 298 ( at Berlin).

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Planning your Veggie Tour to Peru

While planning your Veggie Tour to Peru, keep in mind that Peru's three geographical regions - coast, highlands, and jungle - each has distinct attractions and climate. Also remember that most visitors will arrive to the capital city of Lima, located in the center of Peru's long, narrow Pacific coastal region. From there, travel itineraries are generally directed to the south, the north, or the eastern jungle region. Here are some useful tips --

Llama grassing in Machu Picchu, Cusco-Peru.

Climate The ideal time of year to visit the coast is from December through April, when there is plenty of sunshine and the ocean warms up for bathing. The highlands and the jungle are best visited during the dry season from April through October. While temperatures remain warm at night in the jungle, they drop sharply late in the afternoon in the highlands, and may go below freezing. Be sure to bring a good sun block, mosquito repellent and warm clothes for the highlands.

Popular Itineraries: 

The Southern Circuit When time is short, one week is enough to see the highlights of Peru's attractions: Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. With another week, you can add Arequipa, the Colca Canyon, Puno and the magnificent Lake Titicaca and also spend a couple of days to see the Nazca Lines and the Paracas Peninsula with its magnificent marine bird life. Adding a few extra days allows you to see more in the Cusco area or visiting some fascinating museums in Lima.


Northern Peru Destinations Interested in archaeology? A Veggie Tour to the northern cities of Chiclayo and Trujillo is a must. The Moche mausoleum of Lord of Sipan in the Tumbas Reales museum, along with many other archaeological treasures of the area, like Chan Chan and El Brujo are a marvel to behold. The Chachapoyas area with its impressive fortress of Kuelap has also become a new destination of interest in the north. The Huascaran National Park and the beautiful Callejon de Huaylas, known as the "Switzerland of South America," also attract many visitors every year in search of adventure and the height of Andean natural beauty.

The Peruvian Jungle Some of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world are found in the Manu National Park, the Tambopata Candamo Nature Reserve, Pacaya Samiria and the numerous other protected areas of the Peruvian jungle. The Amazon jungle near Puerto Maldonado and Iquitos offers a great variety of programs with experienced guides and comfortable lodges. In order to get the most of your tour to the Peruvian Jungle and its amazing biodiversity, you should plan properly and allow enough time. So whether your interest is adventure or ecotourism, archaeology, history, culture, mysticism, or experiential tourism, and of course you wish to travel with vegan or vegetarian meals, your beat alternative is to choose one of our Veggie Tours.

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Veggie Tours to the Surprising Peruvian Amazon Rain Forest

The Amazon Basin

Iquitos: Capital of the Department of Loreto. Located on the West Bank of the mighty Amazon River, considered to be the longest in the world and with the greatest volume of water. Iquitos is an isolated city by road. It can be reached only by air or river.

Founded in 1757 as San Pablo de los Napeanos by the Jesuits. However, Iquitos did not grow until the rubber boom in the late 19th century and early 20th century. A great wealth came from the extraction of latex. Today, Iquitos is the center for exploration of oil in the Peruvian Amazon. Also its of big importance the lumber industry, ecotourism and commerce.

Warm, humid and with a heavy rainy season, Iquitos has a typical tropical climate. The best time for visiting is from April through October, when the rains diminish due to the dry season.

Puerto Maldonado: Capital of the Department of Madre de Dios, located at the confluence of the rivers Tambopata and Madre de Dios. Puerto Maldonado is considered as the biological capital of the world due to the amount of plant and animal species found in this area. The climate is tropical, very humid and warm, with the rainy season from December through April. That is why, it is better to visit from May through November.

Puerto Maldonado is the starting point for visiting the rainforests, some of the most beautiful protected areas in the country, including Manu National Park, Tambopata Candamo etc.
The most wonderful vegan and vegetarian tours are organized to visit these protected areas of the Peruvian Amazon, a world natural wonder. We also include tours to other regions of Peru including the legendary Machu Picchu, Cusco, Nazca Lines and Lima, the beautiful capital city of Peru.

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Spectacular Colca Canyon

The spectacular Colca Canyon is at least twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. About 150 Km NW of Arequipa (4 hours), crossing the Salinas and Aguada Blanca reserve is the town of Chivay, starting point to explore the canyon.

The climate is dry in the valley, with sunny days and cold nights. The rainy season is from November to April.

The Colca Canyon is a massive geological formation made by the Colca River as it finds its way between the mountains made of volcanic material.

The greatest attractions to the tourists are between the town of Chivay and the Cruz del Condor near the town of Cabanaconde, about 60 Km distance.

Chivay is the gateway to the canyon. Most tourists overnight in the accommodations nearby. Then after 8 km, the first town is Yanque with warm thermal swimming pool and nice accommodations at Colca Lodge,

Then comes the town of Achoma, Maca, Pinchollo and finally the Mirador or Cruz del Condor, the deepest point of the canyon, where the majestic Condors can be seen, rising from the mountains. The last town in the Colca Canyon is Cabanaconde, a typical village about 20 minutes from Cruz del Condor.
Wonderful Vegetarian and Vegan Tours can be taken in order to enjoy this awesome destination with 100% Veggie meals.
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The Amazon River, one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature in the World

The Jaguar, Feline of the Peruvian Rain Forest

The Amazon River was named as one of the New Seven World Wonders of Nature list in the forests, national parks and nature reserves category.
The Amazon River is the largest river of the world and its basin is also the largest drainage basin of the planet; since, it covers an area of 6 475 000 square kilometers (2500 000 square miles) in Peru, Brazil, Ecuador Colombia, Venezuela and Bolivia.
The Amazon River releases an impressive quantity of water into the Atlantic Ocean, around 300 000 cubic meters per second. Because of this flood, the Amazon is the source of the 20% of the total volume of fresh water of the planet’s Oceans.
The Amazon River basin supports also the most important biodiversity ecosystem of the world, the Amazonian Rain Forest, which is the home of around 70% of all known plant and animal species of the planet, including 300 species of mammals, 1700 species of birds, 3000 species of freshwater fish and trees as well as millions of insects, including 4000 species of butterflies. It highlights species such as the jaguars, macaws, piranhas, toucans, anacondas, turtles, snakes, alligators and many more.

Pacaya Samiria National Reserve

The Peruvian Government declared the Pacaya and Samiria River Basin as a Reserved zone in 1940 in order to protect the largest fish in the Amazon river system.

In 1982 Pacaya Samiria was declared as National Reserve. It was created to conserve the species of plants and animal wildlife.

Four different types of forests are found here, and a great variety of species of plants, such as Lupuna (Chorisia insignis), renaco (Ficus anthelmintica), caoba or mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla); orchids such as mosses, lichen, Elleamthus aurantiaca; Palm trees, such as Mauritius Palm or Aguaje (Mauritia flexuosa), yarina (Phytelephas yarina).

In Pacaya Samiria there are more than One hundred thirty two species of reptiles, one hundred thirty types of mammals, more than three hundred species of birds, countless numbers of amphibians, and huge variety of fish species that are the main source of protein for the local population.

Many endangered species are found in this National Reserve such as the Black spider monkey (Ateles paniscus), wooly monkey (Lagothrix lagotricha), red howler monkey (Alouata seniculus), the pink river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), the gray estuarine dolphin (Sotalia fluviatilis), two species of turtles: Taricaya (Podocnemis unfillis), giant charapa (Podocnemis expansa), manatees (Trichechus inunguis), giant otters (Pteronura brasiliensis), and the black cayman (Melanosuchus niger).

A large variety of fish species that can be found here, such as: the world's largest fresh - water fish (Paiche arapaima gigas) , weighing four hundred pounds, and about three meters long: Pacu (Myleus setiger) thirty pounds, gamitana (Colossoma bidens) one hundred twelve pounds, tucunare (Cichla Ocellaris) eight to ten pounds, and acarahuasu (Astronotus ocellatus) three to five pounds.

Within the group of mammals, we can find the most common felines , the jaguar (Panthera onca), ocelot (Leopardis pardalis) and margay (Leopardus wiedii). The most abundant type of mammals are the rodents, an example of these are the ronsoco or capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris).

Finally, we find in Pacaya Samiria a great variety of birds species such as: toucan (Ramphastos cuvieri), blue and yellow macaw (Ara ararauna), tabaquero (Pteroglossus castanotis), Scarlet macaw (Ara macao), tuqui-tuqui (Jacana jacana), green hummingbird (Amazilia lactea), among others.

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