Yarapa River Lodge
The Amazon Yarapa River Lodge is a certified and award winning eco-lodge located on the Yarapa River, a tributary of the Amazon River in Peru. Overwhelm your senses in this incredible adventure. We invite you to join us in an amazing voyage into the Amazon rainforest.
Among all the lodges that claim to be true eco-lodges, there are those few lodges that make a Herculean effort to be adhere to the true definition of an environmentally responsible lodge. Yarapa River Lodge is such a place. Built with local materials and local design ideas, the lodge is the perfect balance of rustic adventure and comfort. Roofs and walkways are thatched to provide nature cooling and the furniture is hand-carved by local artisans. The lodge uses solar power, and practice environmentally friendly recycling and composting. Student lodging includes private rooms (double occupancy) with a shared bath (adults on the trip will stay in private bungalows with private bath). The lodge features a relaxing hammock house, dining room, lounge area, all connected via elevated covered walkways. Cornell University operates a field station at the lodge. June through November is the best time to experience the lodge and the area’s natural wonders.
The lodge uses earth-friendly solar power, composting, and flush toilets with waste management. Thatch-covered roofs and walkways provide a natural cooling system, while all furniture is hand-carved by local artisans. Private rooms with shared bath are available, or private bungalows with bath. Other amenities include hammock house, dining room, lounge area, and modern bathrooms, all connected via elevated covered walkways.
AMAZON YARAPA RIVER LODGE
3 nights / 4 Day Tour Example
DAY 1 - River Cruise and Amazon Yarapa River Lodge
Enjoy a hearty breakfast, ground transportation to Nauta, and then board our main transport boat that will take you far up the Amazon river and eventually to the Yarapa river, a remote tributary of the Amazon. Once at the Amazon Yarapa River Lodge, enjoy a lunch and orientation. An afternoon excursion into the rainforest is planned. After dinner, enjoy the sounds of the jungle safely from the relaxing lodge.
DAY 2 - Remote lakes of the jungle and Pink Dolphins
Awake to the sounds of birds. After breakfast enjoy a trip exploring three remote and pristine lakes to view birds, primates, and pink dolphins. In the afternoon, we will embark on an afternoon hike emphasizing the medicinal plants found in the area. Come evening we will take the boat for an after dinner cruise and explore the Amazon night!
DAY 3 - Giant water lilies, village, and canoeing
Off to explore the famous giant water lilies of the Amazon. So large, they can support a small child! There is also a good chance to see the pre-historic Hoatzin birds. In the afternoon, we will visit an authentic Indian village. Once there, you will have the opportunity to trade for many hand-made crafts if you wish. In the evening, we can take some canoe lessons in authentic dug-out canoes. After sunset, we can take a night-time boat ride in search of caimans!
DAY 4 - Macaws and trip back to Iquitos
After breakfast, we will embark on a jungle walk to see some beautiful macaws and other birds. We will then have a delicious lunch at the lodge. The afternoon will be consist of the boat ride back to Nauta and then ground transportation to Iquitos. In Iquitos, you will be transferred either to your hotel or to the airport.
6 Night / 7 Day Jungle Adventure - Sample Itinerary
DAY 1 - Arrival in Iquitos and Travel to Amazon Yarapa River Lodge
Welcome to the jungle city of Iquitos. This small city was once a booming town in the days before rubber was made synthetically. Now it is enjoying a resurgence primarily from tourism in the area. A tour of the city will be followed by lunch and then departure to the lodge. A jungle drive to the outpost of Nauta followed by a boat ride up the Amazon River to the Yarapa River. Once at the Amazon Yarapa River Lodge, you will receive an orientation and meet your guide to discuss the itinerary and plan. After dinner, a night excursion will be planned.
DAY 2 - Birds and Primates
Enjoy a hearty breakfast and enjoy the sights and sounds of the rainforest. Several excursions throughout the day looking for birds and primates will be planned. Depending on the water level of the rainforest, these excursions will be boat dependent or walking. Relax in the hammock house overlooking the river at the end of the day and congratulate yourself on your first full day in the Amazon Rainforest!
DAY 3 - Remote Lakes of the jungle and Pink Dolphins
Awake to the sounds of birds. After breakfast enjoy a trip exploring three remote and pristine lakes to view birds, primates, and pink dolphins. In the afternoon, we will embark on an afternoon hike. Come evening we will take the boat for an after dinner cruise and explore the Amazon night!
DAY 4 - Giant water lilies, village, and canoeing
Off to explore the famous giant water lilies of the Amazon. So large, they can support a small child! There is also a good chance to see the pre-historic Hoatzin birds. In the afternoon, we will visit an authentic Indian village. Once there, you will have the opportunity to trade for many hand-made crafts if you wish. In the evening, we can take some canoe lessons in authentic dug-out canoes.
DAY 5 - Macaws and Caimans
A lengthy jungle cruise to see some beautiful macaws and other birds. The afternoon may consist of a spear-fishing demostration by local hunters. Once dark, we will take the boat out to look for caimans hiding along the river banks.
DAY 6 - Medicinal plant hike & Fishing
A morning rainforest hike that will feature some medicinal plants found in the area. In the afternoon, you have the chance to fish for piranha and other amazon river fish!
DAY 7 - Return to Iquitos
After breakfast, we enjoy a guided jungle hike. Then we embark on a scenic journey back to the city of Iquitos.
Amazon goodbye - Although you trip in the Amazon has ended, the country of Peru has many other treasures to explore. We recommend a one week visit to the high Andes to visit such sites as Macchu Picchu, The Inca Trail, Lima, Nazca, and Lake Titicacca.
Amazon Yarapa River Lodge joined The Long Run in 2012 and committed to a holistic balance of the 4Cs – Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce – as a means to contribute meaningfully to the biodiversity and the people of their local region.
Since the success of this cooperative approach to conservation, the Peruvian government has handed over a portion of the Pacaya-Samiria National Park for Yarapa to co-manage. The reserve has also partnered with ACOBIA, a grassroots organisation that rescues and rehabilitates aquatic mammals — and has been selected as a manatee release site. Thanks to conservation efforts, this slice of rainforest is filled with wildlife — dolphins forage for Amazonian catfish and piranha, parrots fly overhead and coral snakes slither across trails. Besides from preserving nature, the lodge has provided the local villages with legal and medical support. By helping tribe elders to establish formal land titles, Yarapa has protected their own rights and their attitude towards the land.
The Amazon Yarapa River Lodge has been built to local spec with naturally available materials; visitors stay in Peruvian-styled village houses along the riverbank. Earth-friendly products are used throughout the lodge, energy is solar powered and waste is responsibly managed. Paddling along the river in canoes, stargazing and visiting local tribal villages offer guests a Peruvian experience with nature and community at its core.
