Picture yourself drifting off into a sleep with the gentle rustle of the jungle and tree frogs singing you to sleep and remote howls of monkeys in the distance. This is not a dream, it just happens to be real life in the Amazon Rainforest where eco-lodges and tree house retreats await you to provide you a magical and immersive and sustainable experience.
The environmentally friendliest jungle stays, where traveling can be rather adventurous, yet highly comfortable and with nature as your immediate neighbor is what we will be discussing in this article.
The Rise of Eco-Tourism in the Amazon
The Amazon Rainforest is the largest tropical forest on earth and one of the most vulnerable climatic conditions. In a bid to conserve it, eco-tourism has been on the increase. Contrary to mass tourism, eco-tourism involves emphasis on:
• Small footprint on the environment
Preservation of biodiversity
• Education regarding the forest and people
Through the selection of eco-lodges, tourists will enhance the preservation of such an important region and, at the same time, will be able to see them with their own eyes.
Why Stay in an Eco-Lodge or Treehouse?
An eco-lodge or raised treehouse will get you even further into the depths of the jungle which provides:
• Close wildlife experiences
• Distinctive building architectural designs that were made using local and natural materials
• Removal of garbage and electricity by solar power and eco-sustainable system
Local food Farmer-market produce
Expert indigenous-guided jungle-hikes and river-tours
Rather than cause havoc to nature, the accommodations are modelled to harmonise with the forest hence giving the customers a chance to enjoy Amazon in a responsible manner.
Top Amazon Eco-Lodges & Treehouses
1. the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica in Peruvia
The pioneer in sustainable jungle lodging is Inkaterra in the vicinity of Puerto Maldonado. Features of the lodge include:
35 cabanas made of wood on Madre de Dios River
Bird/ monkey viewing canopies
• Local meals that are organic
It works well with people seeking a pampering low impact experience in the Amazon of Peru.
2. Cristalino Lodge- Brazil
Cristalino Lodge is a well-kept secret deep within the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso. This lodge is situated in a forest reserve that is exclusive and it is renowned as:
• Exceptional birdwatching (more than 600 species)
Panorama viewing towers at the top of the trees
Unguided natural water treatments and renewable Energy usage
It is ideal to dazzle photographers, birdwatchers and conservationists.
3. Napo Wildlife Center Ecuador
Napo Wildlife Center is owned and run by Kichwa Añangu community which is located in one of the most biodiverse places in Earth, the Yasun national park.
Highlights include:
Ownership cabins by the lake
100 per cent solar energy
Canoe-only access to curb pollution
• Good conservation effort by the communities
The accommodation will help them and local inhabitants exercise their livelihoods and conserving forests directly.
4. Chalaln Ecolodge Bolivia
Chalalam is one of the oldest and most authentic in South America eco-lodges in the Bolivian Madidi national park. San Jos de Uchupiamonas community has built and managed it and provides:
Conventional-type cabins
Jungle walks in education
It is an isolated but enriching adventure to nature and culture tourists.
5. Treehouse Lodge in Peru
This lodge is close to Iquitos and will give you the childhood dream of spending a night in the tree tops but with the added luxury!
Treehouse lodges have:
12 treehouse units with mosquito netting and en suite bathrooms
High raised ways between rooms
Amazing 30+ feet elevated top down views
• Complete environmentally friendly co-operation with solar lighting and no-waste products
It is one of the most exotic jungle lodgings in the whole Amazon.
6. Juma Amazon Lodge-Brazil
Juma Lodge is a lodge that is constructed on stilts located in a remote area of the rainforest and is only 3 hours of Manaus. It offers:
Cottage setting with solar powered services
Expertly supervised fishing with piranha and observing the pink dolphin
Reclaimed wood construction that is sustainable
It is an eco-luxury mid-range retreat that is terrific with families and couples.
7. Sacha Lodge ( Ecuador )
Sacha Lodge is another jewel in the Amazon of Ecuador, and combines ecotourism with first-rate scientific study. Visitors have:
5-star-comfort in wooden cabins
275-meter canopy walkway
Anaconda spotting and night safaris
On site ecological research station
It is a dream to those eco-travelers that desire a combination of science and comfort.
What to Expect During Your Stay
Although there seems to be two types of eco-lodges, there is something common that you can expect:
Electricity: Solar energy at specific times of the day
• Internet: Only Wi-Fi: Non/Very weak signal, this is an opportunity to unplug
Meals: Locally prepared fresh organic food
Wildlife: Wildlife: Monkeys, macaws, frogs, caimans up close and so on
Activities jungle hikes, boat rides, cultural exchanges, canopy walks
Luxurious in character, some are eco-lodges that provide plain accommodations, although they are comfortable, rather than being branded a luxury property.
Tips for Choosing a Sustainable Jungle Lodge
The following are tips to make your trip as Earth friendly as possible before you book:
• Certification check: Find out the certification of a lodge such as Rainforest Alliance or EarthCheck
• Buy local: patronize lodge owners or operated by local or indigenous communities
• Enquire about policies: Just enquire about the form of energy, usage of water and other methods of conservation
• Avoid greenwashing: the location may be in the jungle but does not mean it is sustainable so research with companies.
• Pack light, green: Use biodegradable soap, reusable water bottles, and do not use single use plastics
Conclusion
Spending a night in an eco-lodge or treehouse in Amazonian Rainforest isn not a place where you go to sleep it happens once in a lifetime. It is an opportunity to spend some time alone with nature, help the people and contribute to the preservation of the most important ecosystems on the planet.
From a treehouse high up in the canopy or deep in the jungle at a lodge run by the community- regardless of where you stay, you will obtain memories and insight that cannot be forgotten- and all the time you will be having minimal impact on one of the most cherished places on our planet.
