AMAZON
Rainforest Lodges Tours & Travel

Lodges in primary rainforest will inherently carry a higher percentage of wildlife & fauna, an in-depth amazon expedition hosted in rustic lodges that requires in most cases 4 days minimum & are usually higher priced given the distance & complexity of programs. It is important to remember animals are living in the wild so spotting them is a hit or miss. Secondary rainforest lodges are more time & budget friendly in well developed retreats, they can be as short as 3 days, & can be easily combined with add on activities like horse back riding & white water rafting,

Tour lengths start at a minimum of 3 days, and can be as long as 8 days+, it is important to be aware that the day you enter and exit the lodge are included in the tour packages, therefore a 3 day tour would actually turn out to be 1 full day, with short to no activities the first and last day. Lodges that are located in deep regions of the amazon require a minimum of 4 days, and given its remote location a canoe ride through the amazon river in some cases is required to enter and exit the lodge, offering you a pleasant ride that could be considered part of your activities.

A certain level of fitness is required in order to fully enjoy your tour. Activities vary from lodge to lodge, and some might be more demanding than others. As a general guideline walks can take from 2 to 3 hours in uneven terrains, kayaking and/or swimming in Jungle Rivers or lakes are available activities in some lodges, and getting on and off canoes is done regularly as some lodges are located in the side of a river or lake. Some lodges arrange activities and groups based on the age and fitness of participating clients.

Indigenous communities can be found in different parts of the Ecuadorian amazon, and lodges that have access to their villages will include a visit as part of your scheduled activities. Customs, traditions and culture will vary from one community to the other, some have retained most of their heritage to this day, and have little to no resemblance of modern culture, while others have altered their way of living and clothing to a more Western lifestyle yet still live in the amazon and have great knowledge of natural medicine and edible herbs. Many lodges work alongside with local communities that support their way of living.

Both the Cuyabeno & the Yasuni National Park reserves are well known for the many distinctive features each one has, the Cuyabeno been a network of lakes creating inundated forests and creeks where the famous pink dolphins can be found. The Yasuni national park arguably known as the most biologically diverse park in the world, among other world records makes this reserve a coveted location. Depending on the lodge of your choice you might be able to visit one reserve or the other, both are considered deep primary jungle, where animal life is abundant, the Yasuni has the upper hand slightly when it comes to the amount of wildlife found, yet lodges in the Cuyabeno reserve are more affordable.

Availability in amazon lodges is seasonal, some popular peak dates such as summer, easter, christmas & new years can be quite busy and lodges can be fully booked, so if you are planning to travel on a popular date, booking well in advanced is advised. Most if not all lodges have their regular operation in week days, (Monday to Friday), Saturday in some cases is allowed. Some lodges have fixed operational dates that can be altered with a minimum amount of clients or a surcharge to cover the the operational transport costs.