Plan Your Trip
Believe it or not, Amazon lodges can provide some of the highest quality accommodations during your South American vacation. After a full day of exploring the steamy primeval rainforest, you’ll return to your lodge for what we can only call “tropical elegance.” Entering your refreshingly cooled cabin, you’ll find a sparkling shower, high-quality Peruvian linens, and all of the usual big-city comforts – including gourmet-class meals. Complementing this, the best Amazonian lodges provide higher quality programs and the most expert guides.
Surtrek has been covering the Ecuadorian, Peruvian, Bolivian, Brazilian, Colombian Amazon for years, and we’re more than happy to share what we’ve learned. To begin planning your stay in the Amazonian rainforest, contact us today!
Lodges in the Amazonian rainforest can offer you all the comforts of a modern hotel while providing closeness to nature and an introduction to life in the jungle.
Staying at an Amazonian lodge, each day you will be led by one of our experienced naturalist guides on daily excursions into the rainforest, returning to comfort-filled accommodations. Features at these lodges typically include panoramic windows and balconies for amazing views of the rainforest environment, as well as private bathrooms, king-sized beds, and screened windows – plus ceiling fans and mosquito to add to the drama. You’ll also find the lodge restaurants to be large and airy fine dining spaces, complemented by complete bars and other social areas.
In addition to complying with Surtrek’s Green Philosophy, most of these lodges are supported and managed by local indigenous communities, which means that not only do you get a chance to observe the rainforest, but you’re also given a chance to understand of what life here is really like there.
Contact a Surtrek travel specialist for help in planning your once-in-a-lifetime trip into the Amazonian rainforest.
While typically safe and problem-free, visits to the rainforest pose some risks to be aware of – some with a different twist when journeying deep in the Amazon. These include including malaria and yellow fever carrying mosquitoes, a lack of medical facilities, potentially threatening wildlife, etc.
To ensure your safety on your lodge-based Amazonian tour, Surtrek has selected highly rated accommodations based in part on them having CPR-trained staff, first-aid supplies, and being in close radio contact with local health and security professionals. In addition, the fresh food at these highly rated accommodations is always properly prepared, purified bottled water is served, and experienced local guides accompany travelers throughout their entire Amazonian experience.
However, there are several “common sense” steps that travelers themselves can take to help guarantee a safe adventure:
These include:
Since rainfall is so common in the Amazon, it might be best to describe its seasons as the “low water” and “high water” seasons.
It’s generally considered that the best time of the year to visit the Amazon basin is during the low-water season (extending roughly June to November) – especially for rainforest hiking. During this period, there are fewer daily showers, though the rivers are lower and some are unnavigable; however, hiking trails allow explorers to gain access to deeper parts of the jungle on foot. There are also fewer mosquitoes during this low-water period, and wildlife can be more easily spotted congregated around the remaining watering holes.
During the high-water season (December to May), the opposite conditions are true: Rivers can rise to 23 feet (7m), which makes more waterways accessible and navigable, though some of the jungle trails are flooded.
Packing is always tricky, but it’s even more so when preparing for a unique, nature-based adventure in the Amazonian rainforest. Most travelers expect the jungle heat, and therefore think that a few token shorts, t-shirts, and a pair of flip flops are enough. But what some don’t consider are the frequent and heavy rains, the creepy-crawly jungle critters, the strict weight limits on small charter flights, and the high humidity that makes it hard for some types of clothes to ever dry.
But more than these conditions, you’ll need to be prepared to dress for all kinds of unusual adventure activities – everything from piranha fishing and nocturnal river safaris to rainforest wildlife treks and kayaking on the Amazon River.
Given the wide range of conditions and activities in the Amazon, you’ll receive a detailed packing list after you book your once-in-a-lifetime rainforest adventure tour with Surtrek. In general, though, the types of clothing and gear we recommend include the following:
AMAZON PACKING ESSENTIALS:
Documents & money
Travel Luggage and Packing
Toiletries & glasses
Clothes
Gear and gadgets
The Amazon region is vast, covering around 40% of all South America and spans into nine countries. Below, Surtrek has selected three of the most popular countries for accessing and experiencing the mysteries of the Amazonian rainforest:
Since 1993, Surtrek has introduced adventurous travelers to authentic, tailor-made luxury travel experiences across South America, offering some of the best and most complete tour services in the Amazonian rainforest.
With our experienced travel team of 25 members strong — including native speakers of five different languages — we will work one-on-one with you to custom-design a tour of the Amazon that perfectly suits your particular interests and needs.
Contact a Surtrek travel specialist for help in planning your once-in-a-lifetime trip into the Amazonian rainforest.
Interested in more information about any particular South American destination or trip?
Simply let us know your interests or question, and one of our travel experts will be more than happy to assist you -- at no charge, of course!
“We loved the Galapagos Islands. Both of our hotels on Santa Cruz and Isabella islands were excellent. Our tour guides were knowledgeable and directed us to the most interesting sights and wildlife. Thanks Surtrek for organizing an excellent trip.”
