About
Loreto is the largest region of Peru, lying in the Amazon rainforest in the northeast of the country. Its scale alone shapes any visit: much of the land is river, forest and wetland, and travel here tends to happen by boat or small aircraft rather than by road.
What the region offers
Loreto is known for its vast biodiversity, one of the reasons travellers come to the Peruvian Amazon. Its forests and rivers support a wide range of plant and animal life, and time spent on the water or under the canopy is the heart of most trips here. The region is also home to indigenous communities, and visitors who approach them with care and respect will gain a sense of how people have lived alongside the rainforest.
Iquitos and the wider area
The city of Iquitos is the main gateway to Loreto and the most practical base for a first visit. From it, travellers can arrange river trips and excursions into the surrounding forest. Because the region is so large and so wild, it suits visitors who are happy to plan around boats, guides and weather rather than fixed schedules.
- Who it suits: travellers interested in rainforest, rivers and wildlife, and in the cultures of the Amazon.
- How to get around: largely by river and air, with Iquitos as the usual starting point.
- What to bring to the visit: an open mind about pace, and an interest in learning from local guides and communities.
