Divided by powerful rivers, home to some of the earth's last isolated indigenous tribes, and filled with 10% of the world's species, the awe-inspiring Amazon rainforest is a natural wonder unlike any other. Aracari has personally explored the planet's oldest jungle to handpick the best luxury Amazon lodges Peru, taking into account their guiding expertise, sustainability efforts, comfort and service. Read on for a round-up of our top picks, or contact us to start planning a tailormade trip Peru. The Best Luxury Amazon Lodges Peru BEST FOR WILDLIFE: TAMBOPATA RESEARCH CENTER Tambopata Research Center: Located around eight hours upriver from the city of Puerto Maldonado, Tambopata Research Center (TRC) is the most remote Amazon lodge in Peru and the only lodge within Tambopata National Reserve. Its secluded location deep in the heart of the jungle provides guests unrivaled opportunity for wildlife watching evidenced by the 25% of guests that see jaguars and the colorful spectacle of Macaw clay licks located mere meters from the lodge. Highlights of a trip to Tambopata Research Center also include the chance to participate in authentic wildlife investigations through the citizen's science project Wired Amazon and rooms that offer private decks or outdoor living rooms. Read about Marisol’s (Aracari’s Founder and CEO) experience at Tambopata Research Center. BEST FOR FAMILIES: REFUGIO AMAZONAS Refugio Amazonas: Our top pick for those traveling with children is Refugio Amazonas. Four hours from Puerto Maldonado, this lodge offers the only attraction especially made for kids in the Peruvian Amazon: the Children’s Rainforest Trail. Along with the trail, a special program for teens and a variety of other kid-friendly adventures make Refugio Amazonas one of the best luxury Amazon lodges Peru for families. BEST FOR PRIVACY: AMAZON VILLA Amazon Villa: For the utmost privacy look no further than this cozy Amazon villa located 15 minutes from Refugio Amazonas. With pristine jungle as the backdrop,
Divided by powerful rivers, home to some of the earth’s last isolated indigenous tribes, and filled with 10% of the world’s species, the awe-inspiring Amazon rainforest is a natural wonder unlike any other. Aracari has personally explored the planet’s oldest jungle to handpick the best luxury Amazon lodges Peru, taking into account their guiding…
Luxury between the trees - Mashpi Lodge Ecuador Just three hours northwest of Ecuador’s capital, Quito, lies a luxurious, five-star hideaway, ideal for birding and offering nature trails to hidden waterfalls. Mashpi Lodge Ecuador, set amid a 1,300-hectare private reserve, was built on land that was once part of a logging concession until it was privately purchased in 1997 and converted into the Mashpi Rainforest Biodiversity Reserve. Recognized as one of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World, I had the opportunity to explore this rich ecosystem and the comforts of this high-end hotel that opened in 2012, spending a night at the impressive Lodge. Passing the Equator to Mashpi Lodge I left Quito for Masphi around 8.30am, accompanied by my guide. Located just 110km from the city centre as the crow flies, the journey by road winds its way to the cloudforest and rainforest on a combination of paved and unpaved roads, taking a little over three hours if driven without stops. The rapid change in altitude, from 2,800m to 1,000m sees a quick change in scenery. We first passed the equator monument La Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World). Our guide had an app which showed us each time, as we twisted along the hillside road, we passed the Equator line – from which Ecuador gets its name. Tulipe Archaeological Museum Half way to Mashpi Lodge, we then stopped at the Tuilpe Archaeological Museum. The place was officially closed on a Monday when I visited, but Masphi Lodge’s guests get special access when closed, and I had the entire site to myself! There is a set of ruins belonging to the Yumbo culture, one of the last cultures to settle in Quito before the arrival of the Incas and Spanish. Here we were shown a few aerial images and recreations
Luxury between the trees – Mashpi Lodge Ecuador Just three hours northwest of Ecuador’s capital, Quito, lies a luxurious, five-star hideaway, ideal for birding and offering nature trails to hidden waterfalls. Mashpi Lodge Ecuador, set amid a 1,300-hectare private reserve, was built on land that was once part of a logging concession…
The Amazon Villa, a private bungalow in the Tambopata region of the Amazon, opened in August 2014. This luxury amazon villa, located 15 minutes from the Refugio Amazonas, allows guests to experience the wonders of the rainforest with exclusive services and activities to explore the flora and fauna in privacy. See the rainforest in Style with your private Amazon Villa A stay at the Amazon Villa offers a completely customizable experience based on a choice of fifteen activities and excursions each day and a private dining room, where delicious Peruvian meals are served upon request. From the bungalow, guests can relax in one of the most biodiverse regions on earth, spotting wildlife like monkeys and exotic birds from the surrounding gardens. Creature comforts in the jungle The Amazon Villa blends with its jungle surroundings with a natural design that incorporates elements of local architecture and materials. The bungalow has a king size bed, a small desk work-space for a laptop, satellite Internet connection (no Wi-Fi as it is in the depths of the Amazon), a 40 inch flat screen TV and electricity 24/7. There is a spacious bathroom with hot water and a tub for a refreshing bath after a day exploring in the rainforest in addition to a refrigerator and microwave for guest use. The living room has an open wall with views directly to the rainforest, a dining table with six chairs where meals will be served and a cozy sitting area for relaxing. Adventures with expert Amazon Guiding Guests at the Amazon Villa have complete flexibility during their stay and can choose to have an entirely private experience or may decide to spend some time in the main lodge to meet other travelers, have a drink at the bar or enjoy a meal in the restaurant. It is based
The Amazon Villa, a private bungalow in the Tambopata region of the Amazon, opened in August 2014. This luxury amazon villa, located 15 minutes from the Refugio Amazonas, allows guests to experience the wonders of the rainforest with exclusive services and activities to explore the flora and fauna in privacy. See the…