Peru Tours and Travel

***Amazonia Lodge has added a second lodge with access to a more remote region of Peru's famed Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve. - The Amazon Research Center.

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 for as many days as they want. The guides have extensive camping experience

"It was absolutely brilliant. The perfect way to end my travels. I have been recommending the company to everyone/ anyone who will listen!" Katherine Allan

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 lodge has recently completed construction of the largest trail system in the Amazon. The trail system consists of 52 miles of trails over 1000 acres. Over 40 social groups of monkeys live on the trail system, representing 12 different species.

The 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. The most mega-diverse region in all of the Amazon may be the the Area de Conservacion Regional Comunal de Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo (ACRCTT). These are the only tourist facilities with access to this magnificent reserve. Peru's first state reserve, it covers an expanded area of precious, ecologically diverse western Amazon rainforest. Exceeding 1.1 million acres, its approx. 1,600 square miles covers appreciably more land area than does the state of Rhode Island (1045 sq. mi). The ACRCTT was originally designated a reserve by the Peruvian government in 1991 to protect the range of the rare red uakari monkey, an orangutan-looking monkey with a bright red face. Subsequent scientific research has found one of the world's richest variety of plants, amphibians, reptiles and birds. In 2003, Chicago's Field Museum's Rapid Biology Inventory #11 found more species of mammals and trees in the ACRCTT than any other documented natural area in the entire world. (see http://www.fieldmuseum.org/research_collections/ecp/ecp_sites/rapidinventories/results_peru_dload.html )

See videos of Tahuayo River 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). 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.

See Bird List

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.

"This is a very well run operation. Everyone was friendly and cordial. Christian was a super guide and very knowledgable" Clark L. Ovrebo, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, University of Central Oklahoma ....... More Client Comments

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

BOOKING REQUEST

Dates : Departures will be available every day. One week trip is 8 days, 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 2010-2011, the prices will be $1295 per person for 8 days and $100 per person per extra night (you can do 5 days for $995 per person with $100 per person per extra night). There is no single supplement. Children under 16, traveling with their parents can go for $750 per person per week and $75 per person per extra night. Ask us for group rates.

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.

What is the best time of year to visit? The temperature does not vary much, because we are close to the equator. Rainfall varies a little, from a 50% chance of afternoon showers in April (wettest month) to 30% chance of afternoon showers in September (driest month). Months that the lodges tend to fill up with guests are; March, June-August, December holidays.

See sample general itinerary

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.