Claire Dean
Claire Dean

Claire Dean

Travel in South America is a joy to behold. The rich variety of destinations, experiences, landscapes and geography fascinated me so much, that I chose to relocate here, over 20 years ago! The best thing I ever did! Allow me to share my knowledge and passion for Central and South America with you and help you plan your holiday of a lifetime!

The Maniti Eco-Lodge 5-Day Program

The Maniti Eco-Lodge 5-Day Program

3MINREAD

Written by:Claire Dean

Last Update: 2025-01-31

Iquitos is a fantastic jungle city in northern Peru. This is Peru’s gateway to the Amazon Rainforest near the famous Amazon River. As this is the entry point to the Peruvian Amazon, the abundant nature is the biggest draw for many people to Iquitos. There are incredible wildlife sightings, tall emergent trees, and delicate flowers to see as you’re guided around the Iquitos Amazon Rainforest. One of the excellent Amazon options for a 5-night stay in The Amazon is the Maniti Eco Lodge.

 

The Amazon Rainforest covers 9 countries! It is a similar size to The USA! The largest sections of the Amazon are shared between 2 countries. Most of it is in Brazil and the 2nd largest section of the Amazon can be found in Peru. It covers nearly 60% of Peru and is home to 12,810 species. Visit the remarkable Amazon in Peru on your Peru vacation packages for more insight into the "lungs of the world".

Aerial View of Maniti Eco Lodge next to The Amazon River

Discover Iquitos:

The first thing to note is that Iquitos is the largest city in the world, unconnected to any other by road. Iquitos is an island in the middle of the Amazon Rainforest accessible by either plane or boat. This matters, of course, as this will be how you will arrive in this tropical jungle city. Just 45 minutes downriver in a protected reserve, See pink river dolphins, black caiman, turtles, and different fish in the waters and a variety of wildlife in the forest. One of the most loved animal groups is the other species of monkeys. In the Iquitos Amazon,  you can spot howler monkeys, tamarins, pygmy marmosets, titi monkeys, sakis, squirrel monkeys, and capuchins. You will then spot caiman lizards hanging from the branches over wet areas, tamandua tree-living anteaters, two sloths sitting in the trees, and many different plants. Many other birds in the Iquitos rainforest include cotingas, paradise tanagers, oropendolas, hawks, cranes, cormorants, hoatzins, macaw parrots, and toucans. The reserves contain over 600 different species and make an excellent place for birdwatching.
The Maniti lodge was carefully designed to offer travelers comfort while preserving the environment and surrounding rainforest ambiance. The cozy private bungalows are constructed entirely of secondary-growth rainforest materials and nestle well concealed into the lush surroundings.

 

Maniti Expeditions Eco-Lodge is based out of Iquitos, Peru. The lodge is locally owned and locally operated. The eco-lodge specializes in Iquitos tours & Pacaya Samiria visits. They work with the local community by engaging in eco-friendly tours that help stimulate the local economy. This allows them to responsibly offerIquitos jungle tours in nature, to travelers from around the world.

Twin Room at The Lodge

Comfort in the Wild:

Each bungalow is well-ventilated and comfortable with amenities including a high thatched roof, a shaded terrace, a private bathroom with a flushing toilet, and a cold shower- who needs a hot shower in the Amazon? Locking doors & mosquito netting for each bed (although you will be surprised at what little need you will have for this item due to the lack of insects). The Maniti jungle lodge in Iquitos, Peru is safe and very relaxing, it is just not a luxury retreat, and you must be ready for a place that does not have the modern amenities (electricity available from 6 pm to 9 pm only, for night reading & recharge your camera batteries, no internet, no a/c).

 

Each spring in The Amazon Rainforest, the jungle floods making an ocean-like body of water in the base of the jungle. Pink river dolphins swim into this region and live in the rivers of the Amazon for half of the year. Locally known as "botos" they have the characteristic dolphin smile and bulbous foreheads, with long, skinny beaks. Most strikingly, males can be pink. Search for Pink river dolphins on your Iquitos tours.

Pink Dolphin

Embrace Nature at Maniti Lodge:

There are several public areas, including the spacious dining room with a bar and a large hammock room. In the evening, the property is lit up with multiple kerosene lamps. There is limited electricity in the evening, allowing travelers to charge their items. Maniti lodge offers the right amount of comfort you need, a clean, comfortable bed, and a good shower without spoiling the natural feel that such an experience should have. I loved that the winets only covered the windowsnight sounds were magical, and the air inside was always fresh so that you could safely connect with nature.
 
Of course, the Amazon is teeming with wildlife, especially monkeys.The monkey types you can spot on Iquitos Peru Amazon tours are Howler Monkeys, Spider Monkeys, Squirrel Monkeys, and Tamarin Monkeys. Keep an eye on your cameras though….. some monkeys have been known to steal people’s glasses, hats, and even cameras!

Monkey in The Amazon

Activities

You will visit Monkey Island, located about 15 minutes from the Lodge, where we can interact and observe a variety of monkeys, such as; Wooly monkey, squirrel monkey, and masked monkey, amongst others. Also, we will observe giant anacondas, boas, and other animals that can only be seen in the Amazon.

Dolphin watching session at the camp where we will have the unique opportunity to see the pink freshwater dolphin. If we are lucky, we could have the chance to swim with them in the Amazon River. 

You can head out on a night hike to see particular species that only come out at night, such as lizards, snakes, spiders, frogs, caiman, and monkeys.

You can venture out to go anaconda spotting and enjoy rainforest hiking. 

You can also interact with a native Amazonian tribe and learn about their jungle way of life.

 

The Amazon rainforest is home to hundreds of Indigenous communities, that rely solely on the land to survive. The local benefits are obvious, but the Peruvian Amazon is also vital in the worldwide fight against climate change. Visit the Bora communities of the Amazon when you travel to Iquitos Peru for more insight into how the lodge assists local Amazontribes and contributes to global sustainability.

Amazon Tribe

 

Find out more about the Maniti Lodge here and speak with one of our Travel Advisors!

 

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