Peru

***Amazonia Rainforest Lodge has added a second lodge with access to a more remote region of Peru's famed Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve. Known for having the greatest primate diversity in the world, the region also boasts 533 species of birds. Guests spending a minimum of one week will be able to enjoy both lodges and see a greater diversity of wildlife. During the latter part of this year the new lodge will add laboratories for the study of aquatic life, insects and plants as well as start a primate habituation study site managed by primatologist Dr. Michael Pereira. Yale University, The Field Museum of Chicago, the Chicago Botanical Society and the Missouri Botanical Society will be collaborators in sending scientific teams to do conservation oriented research. Tourist and student guests will be able to observe active research programs starting in July 2007.

In operation since 1981, but now featuring a new lodge , this trip offers you the opportunity to custom design your own itinerary (sample things to do). Our lodge on the Tahuayo River has access to a great variety of ecosystems that we can explore as well as many native communities downriver. There are sufficient English speaking native men and women guides so that each person can go at their own pace and according to their interests. This is ideal for people who do not want to be stuck with a large group on a pre-set itinerary.You can choose a photographer's pace, a soft pace or a ruggedly adventurous pace. You can concentrate more on birdwatching, canoeing, canopy exploration, fishing or native culture. You can be active before breakfast or well into the evening. Families can have a private guide who specializes in working with pre-teens or young teens. Special itineraries are available for marriages, honeymoons, anniversaries, and other special occasions. Travelers thirsting for the ultimate in adventure can leave the lodge with their guide and camp in the old growth terra firme forest in the interior of the reserve.

There are many facilities, offered by no other tour operators, to give you unique experiences in exploring the rainforest. One example is the canopy zipline system. Many companies have canopy walkways or towers, but only with Amazonia can you actually fly from tree to tree, with nothing underfoot except a hundred feet of rainforest. Another example is the newest in underwater hydrophonic technology, to allow guests to actually listen to the communication of pink dolphins and other aquatic animals.

The new lodge is located in virgin territory near the ecologically important and abundant Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve close to Iquitos, Peru, but away from any other facility. In July the Peruvian government approved the addition of 2 million acres to the reserve. It now stretches all the way to the Brazilian border - across from the Vale do Javari Indigenous Reserve (the largest reserve for indigenous people in South America) and together these 2 reserves form the largest contiguously protected land mass in all of the Amazon. This is the only tour operation licensed to operate in this area.

Scientists such as Richard Bodmer (Tropical Research Program, University of Florida) have found that the Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo contains the greatest diversity of mammals of any region so studied in all of the Amazon (research of Michael Vallqui: 93 mammal species vs. the second place high of 79 species recorded at Cocha Cashu biological station in Manu Reserve). . The Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo has the highest number of primate species of any protected park or reserve in the world (Suzi Leonard, 14 species - now thought to be 16 with new data on owl monkeys). Other aspects of the biology of this reserve have received less attention to date. Noted authority Ted Parker made two trips here before his untimely death and was able to add many species to his Peru bird list - birds which were previously only known to exist in Brazil (the eastern boundary of the reserve is close to the border with Brazil). Three bird studies have combined to list over 700 species here. Notable wildlife within easy distance of the lodge include: pygmy marmosets, squirrel monkeys, titi monkeys, saddle-backed tamarins, pink dolphins, giant river otters, sloths, macaws, parrots, hoatzins, caimans and much more. The reserve is managed with one of the most innovative conservation programs in the Amazon. It is the only program that enlists the collaboration of natives living downriver to subscribe to game management goals set by conservation managers. Fund raising for the conservation program is operated by the Rainforest Conservation Fund.

For more information about the diversity of the reserve and some great photos of animals that you can see here, go to the Rainforest Conservation website.

Travel to the lodge requires that you fly into Iquitos, Peru. From Iquitos we take you by boat up the mighty Amazon River, for a distance of about 50 miles, then up the Tahuayo tributary, another 40 miles.The trip takes 4 hours by our speedboat. The lodge on the Tahuayo River is rustic, yet comfortable. There are fifteen cabins; some are honeymoon cabins, with a single large bed, others are cabins with two beds and a few are family style cabins with one large bed and several single beds. Half of the cabins now have new private bathrooms. The other half of our cabins have shared bathrooms. Cabins with private bathrooms are assigned on the basis of earliest reservation.

The entire lodge is screened and features a dining hall, areas to socialize and relax and a conservation education laboratory with library. There are flush toilets that use a sanitary septic system and showers. There is no electricity except a small generator for re-charging camera batteries. The food is prepared by a culinary staff and is considered by our guests as delicious. Special diets can be entertained with prior notice. We have much experience in sanitary food and water handling and preparation and thus you can eat anything served at the lodge, even salads and unpeeled fruit, items that are not generally recommended for consumption by tourists in South America.

There is a laundry staff and daily laundry service is provided without charge. We believe that this service is unique among jungle lodges

Outstanding Facilities For Research and Education

Tahuayo River Amazon Research Center
Poison Dart Frog Management Conservation Program
Zip Way Canopy Access System
Conservation Education Laboratory
Jungle Survival Program

Dates : Departures will be available every day. One week trip is 8days, 7 nights, including hotel nights in Iquitos, if needed due to flight schedule. Can start on any day for 2 or more people. For single passengers, we will try to match you with others who are going out.

Cost: In 2008, the prices will be $1295 for 8 days and $100 per extra night (you can do 5 days for $995 with $100 per extra night). There is no single supplement. Children under 16, traveling with their parents can go for $675 per week and $50 per extra night (or $525 for 5 days with $50 extra per night).

Price includes all lodging, transfers, food, tips, tour and guide services.
Does not include International airfare or departure taxes. Reservations are made with a deposit of $250.

Special Honeymoon Trips

All of the Rainforest Lodge trips are customized to our traveler's interests and needs. You would have a private guide to design your itinerary in the fashion of most interest to you. You can begin and end your trip on any dates. Our Amazon jungle lodge has a very romantic setting. Of our 17 bungalows, three are designated "honeymoon suites." These contain a single, extra-large sized bed, something not found in other jungle lodges. A private guide would be at your service, for no extra charge, so that you can go at your desired pace, swim with pink dolphins, bathe under a waterfall in a secluded glen filled with orchids, have a native shaman bless your union, fly through the treetops on the Amazon's longest canopy zipline, and enjoy our native honeymoon "humisha" fiesta, complete with palm tree woven with gifts, music, dancing, cake, etc. There is no extra charge for such services.