“The Amazon rain forests and rivers are the richest of all environments - full of amazing plants, animals and insects, and also very beautiful. But someone entering a tropical forest for the first time is amazed by how quiet and lifeless it seems. This is because most of the action is far above our heads in the canopy, or it is nocturnal, or animals move very fast through the dense vegetation, or they are hidden by brilliant camouflage. This is why the right guide is essential. A good guide knows something about botany, zoology, entomology, hydrology, anthropology, history and many other disciplines. That expert can reveal the secrets, find the wildlife, and tell innumerable stories about the most fascinating (and important) ecosystem on earth.” John Hemming, London, client and author of Amazon Frontier: The Conquest of the Brazilian Indians, Red Gold: The Defeat of the Brazilian Indians and Die if you must: The Brazilian Indians in the 20th Century, and the Best Seller, “Tree of Rivers” the Story of the Amazon. The above really says it all. At Aracari when we recommend rainforest options we focus on the following three items in order of importance: - Guiding
- Location and connection to the local communities
- Infrastructure or comfort.
These three factors must come together in harmony. Hence, a wonderful lodge in an inferior location with superficial guiding does not make the Aracari cut. Too often do we see lodges that simply offer “a hotel in the jungle” experience, and that is not what we consider a fulfilling rainforest experience. Tropical forests are fragile, complex and wonderfully diverse ecosystems and they deserve time and focus in order to be valued for what they are: the richest of all environments. Wildlife will be elusive and you will be lucky if you spot even a mammal. Birds of course abound, but big animals are rare and even more difficult to see. An excellent guide, in a comfortable enough lodge (hot water, screened rooms with fans, restricted electricity and healthy food) co-owned with the local communities or at least incorporating them into the tourist experience is what we would prefer. And good connection with the native population will ensure good wildlife viewings, as it is them who know where the most abundant wildlife lives.
We of course will also showcase lodgings that give precedence to infrastructure above all, and which provide an excellent hotel in the jungle experience, with gourmet food, excellent décor and delicate amenities, and we have several in our portfolio of properties.
The rainforest is an ideal place to travel as a family and some of the lodges we promote have wonderful family programmes. With or without a family programme, we would recommend the rainforest as one of the top destinations to visit during a family trip to Peru. | |
