Amazon Yanayacu Lodge

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General Info
Iquitos City
Amazon River
Human Inhabitants
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General Info

Located 45 miles down the Amazon river from Iquitos, the " Amazon Yanayacu Lodge" (Yanayacu; quechua word, which means black water) provides excellent service and quality programs in the Amazon basin. It has around 400 hectares of primary low-land rainforest and is reached in one hour by speedboat, is built entirely of local materials, bungalows with private bathroom and comfortable beds. Each bungalow is screened in, water is pumped from the river just to take a shower and wash hands. There is a big round house locally known as "maloka" where we have the reception, the bar with cold drinks, bottles of treated drinking water brought from Iquitos, hammocks around the maloka overlooking the jungle. No electricity which could scare off local wildlife and birds nesting close to the lodge, but plenty of kerosene lamps for lighting at night.
A great place for scientists and students of all fields!!

FLORA
Tropical low-land rainforest all have a very similar physiognomy. The trees are tall and straight, with smooth , light colored bark. The tallest tree reaches 180-250 feet. Making rainforests taller than temperate zone forests.
The bases of most rainforest trees like the "LUPUNA" are flared into supportive structures called buttresses, which are to compensate for the lack of a deep, anchoring tap root (the only place you can see these are in our private reserve nowhere else because many of this species were already lumbered for plywood for export). And as you walk along the trails discover the immense variety of herbs, plants and epiphytes or air plants growing on the limbs and sides of trees, common epiphytes include orchids, ferns and bromeliads.

FAUNA
As you explore the rainforest, either on foot or by canoe, observe many species of arboreal animals (monkeys of different kinds), birds, reptiles, insects, etc. Deeper in the jungle there are many lagoons with an incredible wildlife population in permanent interaction and seldom disturbed by local people because our major concern is to preserve species that gradually may vanish.

TRANSPORT
Travel 45 miles on the most complete fleet of speedboats admiring the wonderful landscape while cruising in the mightiest river of the world "The Amazon"

BIRD WATCHING
Early morning or late afternoon outings on foot or by boat will give you the chance to see an incredible number of species of birds, around 4,000 species of birds, some residents like the "HOATZINS" or many other migrants according the season in Amazonia (low/high water level). Come prepared!!

FISHING
The Amazon river basin have more kinds of fish than any other river basin in the world, more than 2,000 different kinds of fish swim in the Amazon including many kinds of cat fish, though Amazon fish habitats change during the rainy and dry seasons!!! Fish in the Amazon is an important food source, native often catch fish daily for their families by spearing, but fishing near the lodge is year round specially the infamous "piranhas" and many other different kinds, other interesting creatures could be pink or grey dolphins, anacondas, caimans, turtles, etc.

FOOD AND DRINKS
All meals are included while at the lodge, self-service buffet, chance to taste a great variety of dishes based on local river fish, chicken, beef, vegetables including Heart of Palms, beans, rice, fried manioc roots, bananas, plenty of tropical fruits, cocona sauce. Tea and coffee at all times.
A well stocked bar service available with cold drinks (soda pops, beer, wines and others) at a moderate surcharge in tradition and exotic local mixtures.

INDIAN LORE
The rainforest without the Amazonian men would not be complete, a highlight of your journey is to visit the friendly YAGUA, BORA and JIBARO Indians located in different areas where you will observe their techniques of living (social organization, architecture, instruments for fishing and hunting, etc). Participate in a demonstration of how to use the blowgun or "PUCUNA" by shooting its darts covered with the lethal curare. Recall the roots of these cultures, traditions, esoteric sessions using Ayahuasca and tales of meaningful concepts about the presence of man on earth and the Amazon!!