The Amazon Basin

If there's an off-the-beaten track to be found, it's here, in the heart of South America's steamy rainforests. The Amazon is home to 23% of the world's freshwater supply, 800 species of mammals, 2500 species of fish (more than the entire Atlantic Ocean) and 25,000 species of plants (more than 50% of those identified). It is, without a doubt, the most biodiverse ecosystem in the world and many of its secrets remain unrevealed.

Tourists are not the first to enjoy the natural beauty of the jungle. Dispersed throughout this hot, sticky paradise, dozens of native tribes remain unaffected by outsiders, retaining ancient customs and languages. Many visitors have exotic misperceptions of what a jungle experience has to offer. The fact is, this is not the local zoo - you're not going to encounter certain elusive animals no matter how or with whom you see the rainforest; there's simply too much vegetation for them to hide behind. Countless insects, yes. Incredible vegetation, yes. Many large mammals, no.

Despite the millions of tourist dollars circulating, the forest will not cater to the whims of passing visitors. The most popular way to visit the Amazon is through a tour. Unfortunately, while jungle tours cater to a variety of tastes and levels of adventure, few fall within the realm of budget travel. Cheaper options, oolmften with freelance guides, do exist, but it's nearly impossible to tell the gems from the con men, and thus signing up - not to mention handing over any money - can involve substantial risk. Yet for those willing to follow the road less traveled, other possibilities exist.

Hopping aboard a cargo boat, stringing up your hammock, and disembarking at one of the myriad small villages along the riverfront is one of the most authentic and cheapest ways to explore the region. And some contend that there is no better escape than the wilds of an area that has rarely been touched by humans, even if you're only sitting on a jungle lodge's porch.

Those seeking wildlife of a different variety will be pleased to discover that jungle cities are the party capitals of Peru, with fancy discos raging until the sun comes up. From the unique urban centers to the unexplored vegetation to the busy waterways, a tour of Peru is incomplete without a stop in the jungle.