PERUVIAN JUNGLE: LOCATION, FLORA, FAUNA, CLIMATE, TOURIST PLACES - ENVIRONMENT - 2025

The Peruvian jungle ranges from the low and warm Amazon jungle to the Andean mountain jungle or yunga. The former is a lowland tropical rain forest, while the latter is a moderately temperate high mountain cloud forest.

These forests extend over 77 million hectares on the eastern slopes of the Andes mountain range, which is the most humid. The western Andean slope of Peru is very dry and there are particularly seasonal dry forests and remnants of peaceful forest.

Satellite view of the Peruvian jungles. Source:

The Peruvian jungle has a high biological diversity, with abundant species of plants and animals. It has a complex structure of several layers with abundant epiphytism and climbing, and the upper layer reaches up to 50-60 m. The jaguar, tapir, numerous species of primates, various species of birds and reptiles inhabit these jungles.

In the low Amazon rainforest, the climate is warm tropical with abundant rainfall and relative humidity. In the Andean mountain forests the rainfall is also high, however the temperatures are lower due to the altitude.

Within the Peruvian jungles there are various tourist destinations where you can appreciate natural beauties, as well as archaeological remains. In the same way, enjoy the Peruvian culture of the jungle, with its gastronomy and typical dances.

The gastronomy offers typical dishes such as roasted guinea pig, tacacho with jerky and chorizo ​​or yuca juane. While the dance goes from the Andean ones like the huayno and the tondero to the different ethnic dances of the Amazon jungle.

Location

The Peruvian jungle is predominantly located on the eastern slope of the Andes mountain range. They make up part of the Andean region (the yunga) and the Amazon region, located from the north in the middle of the equator to 14º south latitude.

Yunga

Starting from the tree line on the eastern Andean slope at 3,600 meters above sea level, the Andean high-altitude jungle or pluvial yunga is located. Then, following the slope towards the Amazonian hilly plain in a northeast and east direction, is the yunga montana.

Finally, the jungle of the Basimontana yunga develops at the foot of the Andean mountain, an Andean jungle that ranges from 500-600 meters above sea level to 3,600 meters above sea level.

The Amazon jungle

The Peruvian Amazon rainforest region occupies the upper Amazon basin and is an extensive hilly plain at the foot of the Andean mountain range. It consists of an alluvial plain at an altitude between 100 meters above sea level and 300 meters above sea level. In the limits of the Amazonian forests of high hills and the forests of non-floodable terraces is the yunga basimontana.

Subsequently, the Amazon rainforest of low hills extends, with areas of flooded forests and swamps of palm trees. The low-lying jungle is the most extensive ecosystem in Peru, occupying about a quarter of the territory.

These jungles extend beyond the borders of Peru to the territories of Bolivia, Brazil and Colombia as part of the Amazon.

Flora

Peruvian jungles. Source: Sascha Grabow www.saschagrabow.com

The rainforests of the Andes and the Amazon are highly diverse biomes in plant formations and flora. They are of complex structure with various strata, an undergrowth of herbs and shrubs, abundant epiphytism and climbing, and the upper profile reaching up to 50-60 m in height.

- Flora of the oriental yunga

These mountain rainforests have an upper canopy that decreases with altitude and a low forest (8-15 m) develops in its highest part. It is called the mountain eyebrow or the eyebrow jungle because of the shape assumed by the narrow strip of upper low jungle.

In the eastern yunga there are more than 3,000 species of plants and only of orchids there are about 200, with genera such as Epidendrum and Maxilaria. Arborescent ferns of the genus Cyathea and bamboos of the genus Chusquea abound in the cloud forest, as well as conifers of the genus Podocarpus.

Food

There are species for food use such as papaya (Carica papaya) and related wild species of the genus Vasconcellea.

- Amazon flora

In the northern white sands region there are many endemic plant species such as the legume Jacqueshuberia loretensis. Also rutáceas like Spathelia terminalioides, a tree of about 30 m in height.

Food

The Peruvian Amazon has a rich diversity of food plants, indicating at least 45 fruit species. Among these are the camu camu (Myrciaria dubia) from which soft drinks are prepared from the pulp of the fruit.

Similarly, the copoazú, (Theobroma grandiflorum), related to cocoa, with which ice cream and beverages are made.

Medicinal

There are many species of use in traditional Peruvian medicine, for example the palo huasca or clavo huasca (Tynanthus panurensis). This species is a climbing woody bignonia that reaches up to 80 m in height and is used as an aphrodisiac, restorative and against colds, among others.

Along with the chacruna (Psychotria viridis), it forms part of ayahuasca, a psychotropic drink that shamans prepare to communicate with spirits. The use of ayahuasca by shamans is reflected in the traditional dance of the same name.

Fauna

The Peruvian jungles, both in the Andean region and in the Amazon plain, are highly diverse in fauna.

- Fauna of the eastern yunga

Here are more than 200 species of vertebrates, such as the yellow-tailed woolly monkey (Lagothrix flavicauda) and the St. Martin's stump monkey (Callicebus oenanthe). The spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus) and the hairy armadillo (Dasypus pilosus) also inhabit these forests.

Among the felines are the jaguar (Panthera onca) and the tigrillo (Leopardus pardalis). Among the birds are the cock of the rocks (Rupicola peruviana) and the horned paujil (Pauxi unicornis koepckeae).

- Amazon fauna

The upper Amazon basin is one of the most biodiverse regions that exists, with about 257 species of mammals. Among these are the tapir (Tapirus terrestris), the jaguar or American tiger (Panthera onca) and the collared peccary (Tayassu pecari).

Tapir (Tapirus terrestris). Source: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE

There are also 47 species of primates, including the spider monkey (Ateles belzebuth) and the gray woolly monkey (Lagothrix cana). In addition, around 782 species of birds live here.

Among the reptiles are the black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) and the spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus crocodilus). As well as the poisonous arboreal snake called machaco parrot or orito machacuy (Bothriopsis bilineata), of emerald green color.

In the white sands region alone there are more than 1,700 animal species, including a possible new species of monkey of the genus Callicebus.

Weather

The eastern Peruvian jungle area has a humid tropical climate, with temperatures conditioned by the altitude.

Eastern Yunga

In the humid yunga forests, the climate ranges from moderately temperate to tropical humid, with high rainfall, which can reach 6,000 mm per year. Temperatures range from an average 12ºC in the lower parts to 6ºC in the higher parts.

Amazon

The Peruvian Amazon rainforest is a relatively flat region with average temperatures of 22 to 27 ºC. Rainfall is abundant, exceeding 3,000 mm in the north of Peru, while in the south it reaches 1,500 to 2,100 mm.

It has a high relative humidity given the high evapotranspiration both by the plant mass and by the profuse hydrographic network.

Tourist places

The Peruvian jungle has numerous areas of great tourist value, especially for the beauty of its landscapes. On the other hand, in many cases the attraction of natural landscapes is combined with the possibility of visiting archaeological sites.

In many areas of the jungle there are remains of ancient Inca cities and other pre-Columbian cultures. However, the main limitation in most cases are the communication channels to access them.

Tarapoto

This city is located in the province of San Martín and has numerous tourist attractions, with magnificent landscapes of the Amazon rainforest. This is one of the most important tourist centers in the Peruvian Amazon region.

In its surroundings there are numerous waterfalls, such as the Ahuashiyacu waterfalls, and lagoons such as the Sauce or Azul lagoon and the Lindo lake.

The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve

This reserve is located in the Amazon region in the department of Loreto with an area of ​​2,080,000 hectares. It is particularly important for the preservation of the flooded tropical forest or varzea.

Within the reserve there are several tourist areas, the most accessible being those near the city of Iquitos. In addition, this city is itself a tourist attraction that is highly appreciated by visitors.

The Island of the Monkeys in Iquitos

It is a rescue center for Amazonian primates subjected to illegal trade that was founded by private initiative. It was founded in 1997 and occupies 450 hectares where 7 species of monkeys can be observed in full freedom in their natural environment.

Manu national park

Manu National Park (Peru). Source: As578

This national park located in the southeast of Peru, constitutes a Biosphere Reserve with 1,909,800 hectares. Territorially, it covers part of the department of Cuzco and part of the department of Madre de Dios, with a maximum altitude of 3,800 meters above sea level in the Apu Kañajhuay mountain.

In this park the tourist has the opportunity to know the tropical forest in the Amazon-Andean transition zone. However, tourist access is only allowed to part of the park, the Manu reserved area, in the lower basin of the river.

Typical dishes

In general terms, Peruvian cuisine is the product of the combination of indigenous, African and European ingredients and culinary procedures, with more than 50 regional dishes in Peru.

Dishes from the yunga

Guinea pig dish (Cavia porcellus). John PC

A typical dish of the Andean region that has become widespread throughout Peru is the different preparations of the domestic guinea pig (Cavia porcellus). This is a rodent with an average weight of one kilo and a high protein content, which is usually prepared roasted or stewed.

- Dishes from the Amazon rainforest

Tacacho with jerky and chorizo

It is a dish based on pork jerky and chicharrón mixed with green banana puree.

Yucca Juane

Cassava or manioc (Manihot esculenta) is a typical product of the Amazon, accompanying many dishes.

These are river fish, the paiche or arapaima (Arapaima gigas), golden in butter on yucca dough, with various dressings. All this wrapped in roasted bijao (Heliconia spp.) Leaves.

Chicken inchicapi

It consists of a chicken soup with peanuts or peanuts, corn flour, garlic, onion, coriander, and pieces of yucca or manioc.

Chonta or palm heart salad

Heart of palm is the apex or tender heart of the stem of palm species, which is used to prepare various types of salads. Palms with multiple stems are used to obtain the palm heart, because when the apex is cut, the stem dies.

Dances

Peru has a diversity of traditional dances product of the confluence between the different cultures that make it up. This includes different indigenous ethnic groups, along with the African and European in the Creole culture from the colonization.

These artistic expressions vary from region to region, and in the Peruvian jungle there are typical Andean and other Amazonian dances. The largest population in Peru since colonial times corresponds to the Andean and coastal region, being much less in the Amazon.

In this sense, the indigenous communities of the Amazon rainforest have suffered less cultural influence from the Creole. For this reason, in the Peruvian Amazon there is a great diversity of typical cultural expressions such as dances.

- Andean dances

Huayno

The Andean dance par excellence is the huayno of Inca origin, which is danced in pairs but with almost no physical contact.

Tondero

Dance of the Tondero. Source: User: Mariaachumbes

Another characteristic expression of the Yungas region is the tondero; in this case it is a dance with strong Andalusian influence. It includes a tragic song and accompaniment of guitar and chorus, the latter element influenced by African dances.

- Amazonian dances

There are many indigenous dances in the Peruvian Amazon, with different reasons: ceremonial, war, welcoming and praising nature.

Ayahuasca

It is a dance where the work of shamans and healers is represented preparing ayahuasca. The dance reflects the relationship with the jungle animals, good spirits, evil spirits and is entrusted to Mother Earth and Father Rio.

Jungle dance

This is a warrior dance and preparation for fishing and hunting performed by the Amuesha or Yanesha people. This ethnic group also performs traditional dances to celebrate the harvest.

Jungle dance

The ani sheati dance performed by the Shipibo-Conibos people is a dance to welcome a visiting community. In it, men demonstrate their physical abilities with various jumps and movements.

For their part, the women supply masato (a fermented cassava-based drink) and demonstrate their resistance.

Jungle dance carapachos

It is a dance in homage to hunting skills and in it the men display their weapons, bows, arrows and spears.

Dance of the boa

It is a ritual dance to worship the gods in the form of the serpent in order to avoid personal or tribal misfortunes. In this dance live boas are used that are carried by the dancers.

References

1. González-Herrera, M. (2008). Enhancement of sustainable tourism in the Peruvian Amazon. Theory and Praxis.
2. INEI. Typical regional dishes. Taken from: inei.gob.pe
3. Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (2016). Descriptive memory of the ecozone map. National Forest and Wildlife Inventory (INFFS) -Peru.
4. Ministry of the Environment (2016). National map of ecosystems of Peru. Descriptive memory.
5. Murrieta-Morey, M. (2008). Strengthening of Amazonian music and dance for the promotion of cultural tourism in the Loreto region. National University of the Peruvian Amazon, Faculty of Economic and Business Sciences, Professional School of International Business and Tourism.
6. UCV-CIS. Typical dance. (seen on January 10, 2020). docentesinnovadores.perueduca.pe
7. Peruvian University Cayetano Heredia. Center for Pre-University Studies. The 11 Ecoregions of Peru. (Posted on August 13, 2012). upch.edu.pe
8. Vasquez, I. (1995). Peruvian cuisine step by step. Panamericana editorial Ltda. Colombia.
9. World Wild Life (Viewed on January 11, 2020). Eastern South America: Eastern slopes of the central Andes in Peru. Taken from: worldwildlife.org
10. World Wild Life (Viewed on January 11, 2020). Upper Amazon basin of Peru, Brazil and Bolivia. Taken from: worldwildlife.org