Pacaya Samiria Amazon Lodge

The Pacaya Samiria Amazon Lodge (Raimondi 378, tel. 065/23-4128, www.pacayasamiria.com.pe [1], three days/two nights US$765 pp) is 190 kilometers southwest of Iquitos [2]—one hour upriver from Nauta on the banks of the Río Marañón—just past the village of San Isidro, on the outskirts of the Reserva Nacional Pacaya Samiria [3].

The lodge is surrounded by high-ground secondary forest, but a good hour-long walk will lead you into primary forest. Bungalows have a porch, private bathroom, shower, and hammocks, and there is electricity in the evenings. There is a small library with interesting books about birds, plants, and mammals of the rainforest. The lodge is clean and well run and offers recommended camping trips into the reserve.

The lodge offers Jungle Programs, such as a six-day/five-night visit into the Pacaya Samiria Reserve (US$980 pp, minimum two), which features exploring along the Río Yanayacu and camping for three days in tents along the river beaches. Other activities include trekking primary forest, bird-watching, swimming, piraña fishing, canoe rides, and nocturnal excursions.

Bird-watching Programs are also available, starting at three days/two nights (US$765 pp), all the way to nine days/eight nights (US$2,770 pp), this last one combining a three-day visit to Pacaya Samiria [3] and a two-day visit to Allpahuayo Mishana [4].