These Luxury Eco-Lodges Are Making A Positive Impact In The Peruvian Amazon Rainforest
Make your stay in the Peruvian Amazon as sustainable as possible. Spend a night at one of these superb eco-lodges.
The Peruvian Amazon is overwhelming, in the best sense of the word. Help preserve this important ecological region of the world by enjoying your next vacation here.
The Peruvian Amazon covers an incredible 60% of the country and reaches from the edge of the Andes towards the country’s borders with Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil and Bolivia. Here, you’ll find some of the most biodiverse sections of rainforest in the world, species found nowhere else on the planet, and people who have created a life for themselves in remote corners of the jungle.
It is one of the most rewarding places to visit in Peru, but its very existence has been under threat for centuries, and continues to be exploited today. Uncontrolled deforestation for logging, gold mining and oil extraction is causing irreversible damage and the loss of entire species.
The tourism industry—which, by its very nature, faces issues of sustainability and positive impact—is helping to protect the Peruvian Amazon and bring much-needed income to the area.
This map depicts the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest. Image courtesy of "The Women's Eye."
Visitors travelling to both the northern and southern Peruvian Amazon are able to explore areas protected by the lodges and local governments in which they are staying. They can observe and understand the beauty, the diversity and the story of the rainforests, and their tourist dollars help expand conservation efforts even further.
The following Peru eco-lodges, in particular, are taking giant steps to ensure that these rainforests exist for the flora, fauna, locals, and visitors alike for a long time to come.
Peru has a very high altitude; make sure you take these basic precautions so that you can enjoy your trip.
Inkaterra Lodges, Puerto Maldonado
Inkattera Hacienda Concepcion lets you enjoy amazing views—this is not your average sunroom.
There are now seven iterations of the incredible Inkaterra hotel franchise, and it all started deep in the Peruvian Amazon. Inkaterra has been leading the way for ecotourism in Peru since the 70s, achieving carbon neutrality before it even became a buzzword—way back in 1989. Just one hectare of land around the three rainforest properties on the banks of the Madre de Dios River captures an incredible 200 tonnes of carbon.
Who says an adventure in the Amazon Rainforest can't be romantic? Certainly not Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica!
For guests, Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion and Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica offer a place of comfort in this foreign landscape, at the same time as extending a deep connection to the nature that surrounds them. Inkaterra has trained an incredible 4,000 locals over the years and the staff on hand at any given time are passionate about sharing their knowledge and love for the land with you.
Refugio Amazonas, Puerto Maldonado
Refugio Amazonas offers incredibly unique and beautiful accommodations—this is not your average luxury suite.
Located on 200 hectares of protected land at the edge of the Tambopata National Reserve, the Refugio Amazonas lodge is reached by a 3-hour long river journey straight through the heart of the jungle. On the boat, you’ll instantly put on your discoverer’s hat as your guide points out macaws and caiman on the banks of the river. Then, when you get to the lodge itself, you’ll be promoted to a part-time natural scientist!
Many creatures call the Peruvian Amazon home, like our friend here at the Tambopata National Reserve.
Refugio Amazonas is the headquarters of the Rainforest Expeditions’ Wired Amazon citizen science program. This incredible team of researchers work tirelessly to document all sightings and species encountered in this part of the rainforest. Guests have the chance to work alongside them during their stay at the lodge and may even be lucky enough to discover a totally new species. Recognition is the first step to preservation; it doesn’t get more hands on than that.
From Refugio Amazonas you also have the chance to head even deeper into the Amazon to visit the Tambopata Research Centre. Here, with no human settlements around, you are much more likely to spot the elusive Amazonian jaguar!
Pacaya Samiria Amazon Lodge, Iquitos
That's quite a view to see first thing in the morning.
At the other end of the country in the Northern Peruvian Amazon near Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, Pacaya Samiria Lodge has dedicated their sustainability efforts to a select few endangered species. For the taricaya turtle, this has culminated in the creation of an artificial lake that mimics the exact habitat necessary for the hatching of their eggs. Saved from predators in this protected area, the turtle hatchlings have a much better chance of survival, helping to continue the lifecycle of their species.
Guests visiting Pacaya Samiria during October and November may have the chance to watch these brave little beings finding their way into the world. There is nothing quite like watching a miniature army of tiny turtles take their first steps.
Browse more hotels near Puerto Maldonado and Iquitos.
Bring back amazing memories from your time in Peru—and a few trinkets.
The beauty of Pacaya Samiria is indeed worth protecting.
It’s the work of these outstanding eco-lodges; the passionate local people they employ; and the organisations that support them that help to protect and conserve the Peruvian Amazon rainforests, and the creatures who call them home. Booking a Peruvian Amazon tour with any one of them will mean that you too will be contributing to a positive impact on this magnificent area of the world.
Jade House, Anywhere Contributor
