The Amazon is the largest rainforest on earth. It is the protector of our world, covering vast swathes in South America. It’s also a bucket-list destination! Spend a few days in the rainforest and river, taking in the atmosphere of the jungle.
The jungle is full of wildlife. The animals are not always easy-to-spot, but it is well worth it to see the sights of birds and monkeys as well as sloths. Many lodges will take you to the Meeting of the Waters, near Manaus. Here, the waters from the Rio Solimoes, and Rio Negro, run side by side, their colours not mixing until several miles.
Cristalino Jungle Lodge
Cristalino Lodge is a family-owned retreat that offers a unique experience for nature lovers. The lodge is a perfect destination, nestled in a sustainable private reserve, bordering the expansive Cristalino State Park – a vital conservation area of the southern Amazon. This biodiversity hotspot, which covers 11,399 hectares and is classified as an Ecotone, hosts a wide variety of wildlife. Cristalino in the Brazilian Amazon is a birding heaven. With 600 bird species such as the harpy bird and black-girdled Barbet, over 2,000 butterfly species and more than forty mammal species such as tapirs and monkeys and a family of giant river Otters (featured on the BBC documentary Earth’s Great Rivers The Amazon), Cristalino has a wealth of wildlife. The rich biodiversity of the area is also influenced both by its altitude (up to 450 meters) and six distinct rainforest types. These are: evergreens, deciduous trees, semi-deciduous trees, riparians, campinaranas, and floodplains.
Cristalino is one of Brazil’s pioneering eco lodges, and it remains one of Latin America’s top lodges, with architecture that seamlessly blends into the surrounding primary rain forest. The stylish and luxurious bungalows and rooms are equipped with photovoltaic and solar panels to keep them cool and warm. Guests will be able to enjoy Brazilian cuisine by candlelight, which is inspired by regional recipes using organic ingredients. The floating bar-deck is located beside the pristine River Cristalino. It’s the perfect place to relax in the morning while listening to birdsong and gather around the firepit at night as the rainforest comes to life under the starry skies.
Guests can enjoy a variety adventures, such as rainforest hikes led by passionate nature guides. They will expertly point out the diverse vegetation and well-camouflaged animals, including many tree species and wild orchis. Observation towers offer panoramic views of the lush canopy and are a great place to spot macaws. parrots, cotingas. white-nosed spider monkeys. There are also many other activities, including year-round access and kayak and boat excursions.
The founders are deeply committed to protecting this fragile eco-system. Through the Cristalino Foundation the founders promote the protection and conservation of the natural resources in the region and support important research and educational projects. A portion of lodge rates go towards funding the foundation.
Anavilhanas Lodge
Anavilhanas Lodge is located in the Brazilian Amazon on the Anavilhanas island, about three hours upriver. This is one the first luxury eco-lodges in the Brazilian Amazon. It offers a wonderful experience to guests who want to experience the jungle and river.
Accommodation here is certainly luxurious. The lodge’s design was inspired by the local caboclo traditional architecture, which ensures that it blends in harmoniously with its surroundings. The rooms are scattered amongst the lush greenery. Guests can choose from bungalows, cottages or panoramic room and even a luxury villa for large groups. The main lodge has an open-air lounge, with a thatched ceiling, rattan shades, and polished local wood.
Anavilhanas is a jungle hotel immersed in the forest. Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. This includes tangible initiatives like the efficient use energy and places the local community front and center. They are certified B Corp, and they work hard to maintain that status. They invest in forest preservation, research, working with the local community and farm to table food.
Anavilhanas guests can embrace their sense of adventure and enjoy the best of the jungle, the river and the life in the Amazon while remaining safe and comfortable. You can enjoy the forest at sunrise and at night. Guides will accompany you as you walk through the Amazon forest, introducing you to the plants and animals that live there and giving you a glimpse into the inner workings. Visit a local village and learn about the daily life of Amazonians. You can explore the forest by canoe or in the lodge boat. You can even get in the water to encourage these curious creatures closer.
The waterside bar welcomes guests back to the lodge with a selection of drinks and snacks. The lodge offers plenty of time for relaxation, whether you want to take a dip in its pool, paddleboard or kayak across the river, or relax in your hammock while listening to the sounds in the jungle.
The food is excellent at Anavilhanas. Each meal is prepared with the freshest ingredients and served à la carte. Fish caught from the river, vegetables fresh and tropical fruits. Soon, the lodge’s organic farm will be completed, continuing to promote organic agriculture and regenerative farming.
Anakonda Cruises
Ecuador, though small in size, holds 2% of the entire Amazon and is home to some of the world’s most diverse and untouched ecosystems, including Yasuní National Park, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Yasuní alone is a treasure trove of biodiversity, with over 200 species of butterflies, 596 bird species, 150 amphibians, 121 reptiles, and 200 mammals, alongside indigenous ethnic groups like the Secoya and Cofan, who maintain unique ways of life.
Anakonda & Manatee, sister ships designed with a one-meter draft, navigate these remote areas and take guests to places that few others can get to. On an 8-day journey, visitors can explore four protected areas—Yasuní, Cuyabeno Reserve, Limoncocha, and the Pañacocha Biological Corridor. The trip connects guests to the local communities in Napo, allowing them the opportunity to engage with Kichwa Secoya Cofan cultures and wildlife habitats. Throughout the adventure guests will enjoy comfort and style. Small groups, expert guides and gourmet meals ensure a memorable experience.
Delfin Cruises
The first cruise company to become part of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux group, Delfin cruises operates luxury cruises in the Peruvian Amazon. Delfin cruises sails along the river from Iquitos to give guests a complete immersion in river life.
Delfin has three vessels that can accommodate 8 to 44 passengers, depending on which boat you choose. Delfin I – the smallest of the three boats – is the most exclusive luxury vessel in the Peruvian Amazon. Suites come with private panoramic terraces. These are ideal for those who seek privacy and luxury. Some suites feature private Jacuzzis. The suites have floor-to-ceiling windows, which allow you to see the natural surroundings up close.
The lounge, observation deck, bar and lecture room all provide the perfect balance between comfort, casual elegance and world-class amenities. These are the perfect spaces to relax and reflect after a long day of jungle exploration. Days aboard the Delfin boats are spent exploring the Amazon in skiffs, travelling through the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve (the size of New Jersey) enjoying a range of activities from bird-watching to piranha fishing, jungle walks, visiting local communities, and searching for the the iconic Amazonian pink dolphins.
Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica
Inkaterra Reserva amazonica, once selected by National Geographic Traveler to be one of the 25 best eco-lodges in the world, remains one of Peru’s best luxury jungle lodges. The Inkaterra group brings its signature service and style to the Madre de Dios. The lodge is situated adjacent to Tambopata National Reserve, in the middle of a 17,000 hectare (42,000-acre) private ecological preserve.
The accommodation comprises high thatched roof wooden cabañas in the style of the local Ese’Eja community. The décor echoes the simple style of Amazonian houses but with luxurious touches such as 100% cotton sheets and Amazon rubber slippers. Each room includes a hammock in a screened-in siesta.
The lodges provide a full range of excursions to showcase all that the Amazon has to show. There are so many options to choose from, including exploring the lodge’s rainforest garden or going on a trek. You can also explore by boat or canoe. Observe the transition from a dry forest to a marshy one, and the different species of birds, reptiles and snakes that live there. Discover the benefits and uses of the trees and flora that thrive in the wetland environment.
The ENA Spa is located along the Madre de Dios River on Rolin Island. It’s a great place to watch the sunsets in the Amazon. Enjoy the signature scent of Amazonia, which is a representation of the wellbeing of a pristine rainforest. The fragrance is a combination of local essences which represent the rainforest: Sangapia palm trees, ferns, ficus and ferns.
Aqua Expeditions
Aqua Expeditions offers luxury cruises to several destinations, including the Mekong and Galapagos Islands. Aqua Expeditions also operates two vessels in Peruvian Amazon. The 20-suite Aqua Nera is a state-of the-art river vessel that draws inspiration from the black water lagoons of the region, and the 16 suite Aria Amazon is a classic explorer built for comfort and luxury.
Guests can enjoy twice-daily excursions with expert guides to spot rare endemic wildlife, including pink dolphins. spider monkeys. caimans. sloths. and anacondas. You can go on guided walks in the forest, bike through charming riverside villages, take skiff rides or kayaks along the river.
Relax in a luxurious suite, or enjoy the social spaces on board such as a spa, jacuzzi or gym, or luxuriate in a luxurious room. The vessels will take guests along the river with the culinary genius of Pedro Miguel Schiaffino. The suites have premium fittings and bedding as well as central heating and air conditioning. They also feature floor-to-ceiling windows that let you admire the endless beauty and wonder of the Amazon river.
