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Willie · Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 1

Hey there - I've been searching all over the internet for people experiences and reviews about the various Jungle Lodges available for tours. While the itineraries stay very similiar the accomodations vary drastically and website info and photos can't always be trusted. Below is a list of lodges and some of info I've found online -I'd love to get some feedback about peoples first hand experience at the following lodges - PLEASE SHARE:

Sacha Lodge: supposedly the Disney Land of jungle lodges; luxury accomodations; cool bridge and bird tower; private bath, shower, and hot water - 4 days= $645

Tapir Lodge: looks good on paper; private bath, shower, hot water - 5 days=$500; 4 days= $400

Samona: budget friendly at 5 days for $200; shared cabins; shared toilet; not sure about showers; no hot water, no electricity

Yachana: supposedly spend less time trekking thru jungle and more time seeing the charity work they are doing; 5 days=$460

Yuturi: this looked great on paper - clean, nice bathroom, shower, not sure about hot water - BUT got horrible reviews saying all info and photos were lies! 5 days=$345

Yarina: looks good on paper, private bath, shower, not sure about hot water - 5 days=$325; but I believe this place is run by the same company that handles Yuturi Lodge which got a horrible review.

Cuyabeno: has the Lonely Planet seal of approval; nice looking rooms, clean bath rooms, showers, hot water; solar electricity - 4 days=$295; 5 days=$355; plus fee if solo

La Selva: private bath, hammock, hot water, even does laundry - 4 days=$634?

These others I haven't found too much info on:

Cotococha Lodge
Shiripuno
Bataburo
Kapawi
Dracaena
Jamu

Thanks

Katja · Joined: 06 Jul 2006 Posts: 5

I went with Tapir Lodge for the 5 day trip (I wouldn't do 4 days). It was a great experience and is in a good area of the reserve. We saw a lot of monkeys and various rainforest birds, and did various rainforest activities like hiking, canoeing, visit to a local village and pirahna fishing.

Tapir Lodge itself is really very nice. The lodge is on stilts overlooking the river. The dining area has hammocks, a bar and places to hang out. It is really nice.

I am sure many of the lodges offer similar programs.

I think you are possibly focusing a bit too much on the amenities of the lodges. The focus should be on the location (make sure it is actually in Cuyabeno, not on the edge of it), quality of guides and quality of rainforest.

Believe me, the memories of your trip should not be of the lodge. The Cuyabeno experience is sitting on an oxbow lake as the sun sets, seeing monkeys dash through the trees, marveling at the most bizarre insects you will ever see, walking through the amazing "jungle" atmosphere of the rainforest, being awakened by the eerie call of the howler monkey.

I can vouch for Tapir Lodge as a nice place to stay, and they offer a good trip.

Ask the lodge where it is located, check reference and then go for it. It is a great trip.

Nef · Joined: 07 Sep 2006 Posts: 2

We spent 4 days at the Sani Lodge (Napo River). We loved the place. Great people, walks and paddles. Not a place to necessarily experience indigenous culture (like at Kapawi) but excellent for the nature aspects. We were assigned two guides, a gringo naturalist and a local grandpa. The combination was great. I'd go back in a heartbeat.