[:en]Tucked into the Tambopata National Reserve in the Peruvian Amazon near Puerto Maldonado, Refugio Amazonas is quite truly what its name reveals. After several hours of tramping through the dense jungle and muddy trails on a guided jungle walk, the warm and welcoming wooden pillars and arches of Refugio Amazonas beckon through the tree cover signaling warm food, cozy comforts, and a chance to get out of your rain- and sweat-soaked clothes.
Refugio Amazonas is one of several Amazon jungle lodges by the eco-friendly company Rainforest Expeditions. The rustic lodge is located a 3-hour canoe ride upriver from the dock in the native community of Infierno.
Getting There
The journey by canoe thrusts you right into the adventure. It’s your first contact with the milky brown waters of the Tambopata River and where you’re likely to catch your first glimpse of the Amazonian wildlife like capybara, caiman, macaws and, although few and far between, jaguar.
The Arrival
Upon arriving at the point of debarkation, it’s still a short hike through a well-marked jungle path to the lodge. When the wooden structure does appear through the trees, it’s as inviting as it is stunning. Almost as tall as the soaring tree canopy that surrounds, Refugio Amazonas is an impressive feat of jungle construction that blends seamlessly into the natural environment. Instead of carving out its spot at the expense of the forest, it’s as if it has become a part of it.
The Lodge
This 32-bedroom lodge is located in a road-less 200-hectare (500-acre) private reserve within the buffer zone of the Tambopata National Reserve. This location and its protected nature mean chances are good for spotting wildlife both on your jungle walks and right from the comfortable hammock in your bedroom.
The rooms are tastefully decorated in an authentic Ese-Eja décor, the accessories and furniture crafted by artisans from the local community of Infierno. Each room opens to the forest (yes, no fourth wall!), allowing for a personal and private experience with the tropical rainforest that surrounds. The beds are equipped with mosquito nets and kerosene lanterns serve as your light source until about 10pm when electricity cuts off.
The main lodge is where buffet-style meals are served, the bar and spa are located, and where you can connect to wifi and relax on the comfortable chairs and couches that fill the open and airy space.
The Tours
Included in your stay at Refugio Amazonas are a variety of activities and tours, from jungle farm visits to night walks, canopy tower tours, and trips to the mammal and parrot clay licks. The best part? Your personal guide sticks with you for all of them from the moment you board the canoe in Infierno. For a full list of the activities available at Refugio Amazonas, click here.
The Food
Throughout your stay, you’ll enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the main lodge with your guide. Find your group’s assigned seat and dig into local delicacies like arroz con pollo, causa limena, and pork chops in cocona sauce. The meals are self-serve style and consist of three courses including an appetizer, main course, and tasty dessert. Fresh fruit juices are also served with every meal. For a peek at what’s on the menu by day, download their free Peruvian recipe book here.
The Subtle Eco-Friendly Touches
Rainforest Expeditions is a brand committed to sustainability and it shows when you stay at one of their three jungle lodges. From the biodegradable soaps they leave in your bathroom to daily electricity cuts at non-peak hours and their easy to find recycling bins throughout the lodge; Not to mention, their behind-the-scenes efforts to source all of their fruits and vegetables from local communities and farms and their conscious use of energy efficient lighting, some of which is produced via solar. They’ve thought of everything when it comes to operating sustainably, right down to the local materials they used to construct their lodges, and are moving towards a carbon neutral future.
For information about Rainforest Expeditions and their eco-friendly and luxurious jungle lodges, get in touch with one of our Travel Specialists.
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