Peru - Lonely Planet Publications [431]
A typical two-day trip involves a river journey of two or three hours to a jungle lodge with reasonable comforts and meals, a jungle lunch, a guided visit to an indigenous village to buy crafts and to see dances (where tourists often outnumber tribespeople), an evening meal at the lodge, maybe an after-dark canoe trip to look for caiman by searchlight, and jungle walks to search for other wildlife. A trip like this will set you back about US$300, depending on the operator, the distance traveled and the comfort of the lodge. On longer trips you’ll get further away from Iquitos and see more of the jungle, and the cost per night drops.
There are many good lodges in the Iquitos area that will give you a rewarding rainforest experience. All prices quoted here are approximate; bargaining is often acceptable, and meals, tours and transportation from Iquitos should be included. Lodges will provide containers of purified water for you to fill your own bottle, as well as 24-hour hot water with instant coffee and tea bags, but bring extra water for the journey. Meals normally include juice. Also Click here for advice on items to bring with you. The following lodges are listed in order of distance from Iquitos.
Paseos Amazonicos (www.paseosamazonicos.com; 3 days & 2 nights per person US$130-180); Iquitos (065-23-1618; Pevas 246) Lima (01-241-7576; Office 4, Bajada Balta 131, Miraflores) This company runs three lodges. One of the oldest and best established is Amazonas Sinchicuy Lodge, on a small tributary of the Amazon 30km northeast of Iquitos. The 32 rooms, which can sleep up to four, have private cold showers and are lantern-lit. Some rooms are wheelchair accessible. This lodge can be visited on a day trip from Iquitos. The palm-thatched Tambo Yanayacu Lodge, 60km northeast of Iquitos, has 10 rustic rooms with private bathrooms. The staff here can supply tents for jungle expeditions. Stays at these two lodges can be combined into one trip, including visits to local Yagua communities. Finally, the Tambo Amazonico Lodge is about 160km upriver on the Río Yarapa. It is less a lodge and more of a camping place, with two open-air dormitories sleeping up to 20 people, with beds and mosquito nets. Camping trips can be arranged, including into the Pacaya-Samiria reserve.
Cumaceba Lodges (065-22-1456; www.cumaceba.com; Putumayo 184, Iquitos; 3 days & 2 nights US$180-222) This company has been in business since 1995 and operates three lower-end lodges. Guides speak English, French and even Japanese. The lodges are all aimed at providing budget travelers with an Amazon experience, and also operate day-trips within the Iquitos area for US$65.
First up, Cumaceba Lodge is about 35km downriver from Iquitos. This popular budget option has 15 screened rooms with private showers, and can arrange more adventurous trips where accommodations are in simple, open-sided shelters. At 90km downstream from Iquitos, Amazonas Botanical Lodge places an emphasis on studying rainforest plants, in addition to wildlife-watching. Rustic en suite bungalows are right near primary jungle and there’s a botanical garden. Ayahuasca ceremonies and a trip to a paiche farm are also offered. Finally, about 180km upstream past Nauta is Piranha Ecoexplorer Lodge (www.peruamazon.com), offering a variety of adventurous activities. The five-day program includes fishing with spears, camping and a trip to see stupendously sized Victoria regia lilies. Accommodation is rustic, much like other Cumaceba lodges.
Otorongo Lodge (065-22-4192, 965-75-6131; www.otorongoexpeditions.com; Departamento 203, Putumayo 163, Iquitos; 5 day & 4 nights US$590) Travelers have been giving great feedback about this relatively new, rustic-style lodge, 100km from Iquitos. It’s a down-to-earth place, with 12 rooms with private bathrooms