Amazon or Titicaca-Colca

I'm travelling to Peru with 2 friends for 2 weeks in July. In this ridiculously short amount of vacation time, we are going to trek to Machu Picchu, and then have the dilemma of deciding whether to 1) go off to the jungle from Puerto Maldonado (staying at an eco-lodge), or 2) going to Puno and then overnighting on Amantani or Taquile Island, and then going to Colca Canyon via Arequipa. What do you recommend? Thanks.

Hey jeniko,

that would depend on what you like of course. Do you want to see the rainforest and the relevant flora and fauna? Are you the nature type? Or do you prefer the more rugged regions? It is a matter of personal preference and of course all three of you would have to agree on a destination. I would suggest to search this forum and also the andean travel website, an NGO with invaluable information.

i agree - both good options - depends on what you like. Personally I would go for the jungle option as it will give a whole different experience. going to puno and colca will be similar in culture and landscape (not exactly the smae but similar) than visiting the jungle.

my trip in Peru lasted for a month, only 4 days of which I spent in Puerto Maldonado and the jungle. And I would definately say that the jungle experience was the best part of it all - its a whole another world. So my suggestion would be definately to go for the jungle. And Puerto Maldonado itself, while not so culturally recommended, is a very nice, safe and layd-back town which also left me a lot nicer memories than Puno and Titicaca. <BR>A thing I would also recommend while in Puerto - we rented mopeds there for 4 sols an hour including petrol and just strolled it through and through back and forth, a nice way to see all the city edges and meet the people there.
enjoy.

I just came back from a trip around Peru. I was really disappointed by Titicaca and the Disneyland-like overnight on Amantani and Taquile. Scenery is just OK (IMO) and both islands are not really interesting. People are nice but blatantly wait for dollarbulging tourists (even if most of them are young backpackers). Worst of all, Uros islands...oh my...

Anyway, I would rather have gone to the jungle (since it was rainy season, it was impossible to go into the forest). I regret it so much...

Once again, it's just my opinion and I met many people who just enjoyed their stay on Amantani.