Although it is still less than ten years old, Tahuayo Lodge (135 km / 90 miles from Iquitos) is one of the region’s most acclaimed sites. It is located in the spectacular Tamshiyaco-Tahuayo Reserve, considered to be home to the greatest mammal diversity in all of South America. The region is believed to be a Pleistocene refuge, which means that during the last Ice Age it remained forested, instead of turning into grassy savannah like much of the rest of South America. It thus became a haven of sorts where wildlife could survive. The Tamshiyaco-Tahuayo Reserve was created in 1991 to protect the habitat of the extremely rare red uakari monkey, although countless other species also make their home there. Tahuayo Lodge’s owner, Amazonia Expeditions, is the only tour operator licensed to take visitors into the reserve.

Tahuayo Lodge is attractive and comfortable, yet rustic. There is no electricity except for a small generator, the primary function of which is to recharge camera batteries. The lodge boasts 15 comfortable cabins, all of which are screened-in to keep unwelcome nocturnal visitors out, and well-maintained communal areas. Kerosene lamps provide light at night. Reviews of Tahuayo Lodge tend to be glowing: Outside Magazine rated it one of its top ten travel finds.

Tahuayo offers the usual range of jungle lodge activities, such as guided walks, swimming, visits to local communities, etc. It also offers specialty trips, such as honeymoon packages, but its best known trip is without doubt the wilderness survival program, in which rain forest novices are taken in to the heart of the jungle with nothing but a machete and are taught to survive: some skills include how to use poison sap to stun fish, identify and prepare edible nuts and roots, and build shelter.

Location:
Iquitos, Peru

All-inclusive Resort Lodge, Hotel

This Hotel is: Budget

Hotel Amenities, Services and Facilities Restaurant, Breakfast Included, Laundry Service, Lounge

Room Prices:
Price Description:Rates vary according to desired itinerary. Check Tahuayo Lodge's website for details.

Contact Information:
Phone: 1-800-262-9669 (US)
Fax: 1-813-907-8475 (US)
E-mail: Amazonia.Expeditions(at)remove-this.verizon.net
URL: www.perujungle.com

By Christopher Minster

I am a writer and editor at V!VA Travel guides here in Quito, where I specialize in adding quality content to the site and also in spooky things like...

Created: 01 Feb 2007

Updated: 17 Jun 2009

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