alocas Jungle Lodge, a lost paradise
Unlike the majority of the lodges of the area, Malocas Jungle Lodge is located far enough away from Manaus (88 miles), truly away from the “civilized” world.
3 hours are necessary to reach it from town – by road and then by motor pirogue. This journey guarantees a total change of scenery and a real immersion in the Amazonian milieu.
The establishment is constituted of an assembly of “malocas”, traditional circular huts, usually home to one or more families. From the white sand beach where we disembark, we immediately see the central hut, used as dinning area.
There we will savor elaborate menus made from natural regional ingredients and a different variety of fish everyday.
The central hut is the heart of the lodge, and we can take pleasure in spending time there in discussion with our French-speaking hosts, Marinilda and Bruno.
We may well be initiated, during the slow times, to the technique of blowpipe or dominos (Amazonian version) by one of the local guides who will be more than happy to oblige.
Another maloca, further away, is our night shelter. The accommodations are simple and rustic. If the rooms have a private bath, they don’t have hot water (but it is not a problem considering the tropical heat and humidity).
A few daily hours of electricity (for meal preparation and around bed-time) are supplied by solar panels, to avoid the sound pollution of a generator.
The concept of everything here has the aim of offering the visitor harmony and a special connection with nature.
The excursions in the forest are organized for small groups, and guided by Macuchis Indians (English-speaking) who have always lived in the forest and understand it intimately.
Malocas Jungle Lodge wishes to preserve a moderate size (maximum capacity of 25 persons) to protect the familial atmosphere that has developed there over the years.
Amazon Eco-Park, comfort in the jungle
The Amazon Eco-park is located about an hour away from the Manaus airport, on the shores of the Taruma River, a tributary of Rio Negro.
It represents an ideal compromise for travelers wishing to live a first “light” Amazonian experience, allowing more comfort (particularly well suited for families traveling with small children).
In the 3500-acre park, the visitor can see various type of different vegetation: virgin forest, savannah, “igapos” (areas flooded during the rainy season)…
The Eco-park is criss-crossed by 6 miles of hiking trails, which will unable you to appreciate the clear water brooks crossing it, as well as the hundreds of vegetable species that can be found here. From ferns to giant trees, many endowed with very complete identification signs.
A bilingual guide accompany us in this discovery, and if we are motivated, we can go on a more in depth incursion in the forest, more off-the-beaten-path.
There, with luck, few mammals or wild geese.
The Lodge has 20 very pleasant and very well equipped bungalows. Electricity, air-conditioning, private bathroom with hot water, balconies and windows with mosquito netting.
The complex offers a large variety of amenities. In addition to a restaurant and to a bar in the local style (bamboo and thatched roof), there are also 4 natural pools, a private beach, a playroom, an orchid and medicinal plants farm, and you can also enjoy a peaceful rest in the “maloca of laziness” (hut equipped with hammocks).
A “Must” for sensation lovers, a hydroplane berth at the end of the beach. A flight over the area can be arranged upon request.
We then will be able to appreciate from an aerial perspective the tentacular city of Manaus. And then realize that, regardless of its size, it resemble a lost island in an ocean of vegetation…
But more than anything we can now see the colossal size of those two rivers and their union that forms the Amazon. It is from the sky that we can observe best the magnificence of this perfect encounter.
Finally, lets mention that the Eco-park works and advocates for the reinsertion of the monkeys.
This work is realized in collaboration with IBAMA (national organism of preservation of the environment) intercepting the primates on the commerce or illegal exportation road and entrust them to the parks’ veterinarians. After an adaptation period they are released in the forest. Some stay with the humans, and these we can approach and play with. After an adaptation period they are released in the forest, but some stay with the humans, and we can approach them and play with them.
Uacari lodge, in the heart of the Amazon
The Uacari lodge (owing its name to the Uacari monkey, recognizable to its red head) is located in the heart of the ecological reserve of Mamiraua, located at 320 miles to the West of Manaus, at the confluence of Rios Japurá and Solimões.
Its floating structure counts 10 spacious and comfortable suites (25 m2 / mosquito net, hot water and private veranda), a natural swimming pool, and comfortable common areas.
To limit the environmental impact, the lodge only welcomes 20 people at a time. It praise itself on using only solar energy, and a system to collect rain water as well as a filtration system for organic waste.
From Manaus, reach Tefé (the town closest to the lodge): by regular boat, speed boat or plane. Warning, depending on the transportation mean chosen, the stay at Uacari lodge will only start on specific days of the week.