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10 Great Reasons to Visit the Rainforest

Owl Monkeys (or Night Monkeys) in the Amazon in Peru

From Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley to colonial cities such as Cusco and Lima, Peru has no shortage of ecotourism attractions.

But the Amazon in Peru is easily the biggest of them all, encompassing approximately 60% of the country. 

The fourth largest rainforest in the world, the Peruvian Amazon boasts remarkable biodiversity.

In terms of flora, the area has 700 types of ferns and more than 7,300 different species of flowering plants.

The rainforest is also home to some 180 reptiles, 262 amphibians, 293 mammals, 697 fish, 806 birds, and 2,500 butterflies. 

In short, the area is an increasingly popular hotspot for nature/wildlife lovers for a very good reason.

But it also offers rich indigenous cultures, excellent food, and numerous other pleasures for adventurous travelers to discover.

Here are some great reasons why we think everyone should consider taking a Peruvian Amazon river cruise… 

READ MORE: 70 Cool & Weird Animals Around the World

A Trio of Owl Monkeys (aka Night Monkeys) in the Amazon in Peru by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

1. Amazing Amazon Rainforest Animals

Taking a cruise down the mighty Amazon River (and its many tributaries) is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for many Amazon wildlife lovers.

Whether on land or in water, the rainforest that surrounds you is positively teeming with life. 

Eagle-eyed naturalist guides watch with binoculars for any sign of motion in the forest.

They can help you spot wildlife in the trees that you’d never see on your own, and will gladly angle the boat to help the wildlife photographers on board get the perfect shot. 

The Amazon Basin is one of the largest and most biodiverse places on the planet.

The Peruvian portion of the rainforest is second only to Brazil’s in terms of size, covering approximately 60% of the country’s total territory.

So perhaps it’s no surprise to realize that Peru has the largest number of birds and the third largest number of mammals in the world. 

From tiny Poison Dart Frogs and Pink-Toed Tarantulas to Giant Armadillos and Giant Otters, the Amazon Rainforest Animals you’re likely to see during a luxury river cruise are both diverse and plentiful.

We saw hundreds during our week-long trip to the region, including Amazon River Dolphins, Caiman Lizards, Iguanas, an Ocelot, and so many different kinds of monkeys (Red and Black Howlers, Saki Monkeys, Night Monkeys, and more) that we ultimately lost count.

READ MORE: 21 Incredible Animals that Live in the Amazon…

Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Green Global Travel…