Multinational couple - Stephen Collins from the UK and Tammy Alvarez from the US, who are now resident in Mexico City - spent a week at Muyuna Amazon Lodge in late February, 2024.
Here are their impressions … with photos:
What was/were your favourite natural destination in the itinerary?
The 24hr camping trip.
The camping hut deep in the Amazon rainforest.
Who was your guide? How did they perform?
Donaldo – excellent in all respects.
Donaldo and guests enjoying the Amazon waterways.
How was the accommodation?
Very good indeed.
A view of a Muyuna bungalow with terrace
Which was your favourite dish / drink?
The two pisco sour variations. Having said that, all the food was very good indeed.
Muyuna’s small bar … serving good cocktails!
What forms of transport did you use? Pros/cons?
Flew from Lima to Iquitos, then bus and boat to Muyuna. All fine.
Array of Muyuna’s motorboats at lodge entrance.
Did your itinerary involve any hiking? How would you rate it in terms of difficulty?
Yes—all very easy, short walks. Would certainly be interested in options with longer, more challenging hikes,
What was the most pointless item in your luggage!?
Hiking boots. We brought ours, not knowing that wellies are a) provided, and given the shortness of the walks, b) entirely adequate.
What were your favourite natural encounters?
Hoatzin, pigmy marmosets, noisy night monkeys, orange tree boa, sloths, seeing Donaldo get electrocuted by an electric eel—very entertaining.
A pair of pre-historic hoatzin near Muyuna Amazon Lodge.
Did you suffer any insect bites?
Oh yeah! I always do, though, so that was expected. Can’t expect not to get bitten in the Amazon!
Did you have much interaction with locals? Where and how did this occur?
Aside from being with the staff working at Muyuna, we visited the nearby local community, where we bought some mementos, but without any meaningful interaction.
A visit to a village on the banks of the Yanayacu River was included in the Muyuna itinerary.
Did you feel your money was going to local businesses and people?
Yes.
Were you given any information regarding sustainability during the course of your trip?
It came up regularly in conversation with Donaldo, at an informal level.
Did you notice any areas where environmental practices could be improved?
No—all seemed very good.
Sunset over the Yanayacu River viewed from an uncovered Muyuna motorboat.