The Amazon spans a reach of high and low, hot and cold and a range of altitudes that are a challenge to most people, even those that live there. On the other hand, however inclement the environment may be, it is home to a wealth of fauna and flora and this makes it a wonder to behold, whether you are up in the cold highlands or down in the warm lowland wetlands.
Flora and Fauna of the Peru's Amazon Rainforest
In the lowland of the Peru Amazon Rainforest, the earth is made of many different alluvia derived mainly from material in the river beds of fifteen rivers, the main one being the Apurimac River which is a powerful meandering waterway. The other rivers all have romantic Spanish names like Mother of God, Cashew and Tiger.
The name Peru Amazon Rainforest is romantic in itself. It is a known fact that a quarter of all known land species make their home there. The wetlands are home to white caiman crocodiles and some colorful monkeys. Many traditional farmers grow bananas and there is a thriving boat trade on the Madre de Dios River.
Some of the fauna resident in the Peru Amazon Rainforest have some remarkable habitats. Take the hanging oropendola birds for example. Their elegant and ornate hanging nests decorate the trees looking very much like enlarged catkins hanging down from bare wispy tree branches over the forest. Jungle canopy bridges span the high points of the jungle and form a convenient method of traveling from one area to another. Also, at that height, much can be seen of the wildlife.
Outdoor Activities in the Rupa-Rupa region
Teetering on the foothills of the eastern Andes, the Selva Alta (highland jungle) is known to the locals as the Rupa-Rupa region. This area is between 1000 to 3800 meters above sea level and therefore quite cold by comparison to the warm wet lowlands. On the eastern slopes of the Andes live a huge number and variety of animals and flowers, all having arrived there because of the diversified climate. It is very isolated and an austere but very beautiful landscape.
On the expanse that is dubbed Rupa-Rupa, scramble up a path carved out of rocks, unfazed by the ravage of time, and look down from the heights. The reward is a breathtaking view. You can walk, ride horseback, climb a snow-capped mountain or face the torrents of a rushing river, scrambling along between steep and vertical walls-even paraglide between peaks! Incas built structures out of these rocks, creating them without mortar and using irregularly-shaped rocks capable of withstanding a strong earthquake. This is an adrenaline stimulating adventure area that will be a perfect vacation for anyone who wants natural challenges, far from the frustration of cities. It is indeed the home for the brave and the frontier of the risk-taker who likes to challenge the limits of possibility.
The Amazon Rainforest in Peru and Tourism Opportunities
Ecologically, the Peru Amazon Rainforest is one of the last outposts of nature that has not been plundered by mankind yet. It is not only for the rugged pioneer. Also, it offers many experiences of extreme beauty for the nature lover, not found anywhere else.
Global Warming is responsible for some of the losses in lowland jungle. However, the incomparable beauty of the picturesque landscapes of Peru's Amazon, along with its chains of mountains that always dare mountaineers team up with cascading torrents of water that lure the adventurous canoist and kayak adventurer. Peru's Amazon is the least spoiled of all the region of the Amazon. It is particularly bio diverse because it contains over seventy percent of species that live on this planet, some of which are not found in any other territory. So this makes it a treat for someone who wants a vacation mix of adventure and discovery of the natural world.
In terms of tourism, Peru shares its fame equally between archaeological treasures from Inca times, and the phenomenal Amazon River basin with all of its natural beauty.
As a footnote, Google StreetView has started to map the Amazon. They have partnered with Sustainable Amazon Foundation (FAS) to capture video of the entire Rainforest area. They aim to undertake this on pedal tricycles, guided by local people, who will showcase their cultures.
Steve Tuffill - Steve Tuffill has been writing since 1998. A creative and technical writer he is a world traveler, and also boasts 4 European languages.
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