No need to panic, all Amazon lodges that we book will have an office at the airport so your guide will take you there to drop off any excess luggage – obviously it's a good idea to take another bag so you can separate the luggage you need to take with you from the items you want to leave behind. If for any reason the lodge does not have a luggage hold at the airport or an office nearby, you should be able to leave your belongings in a locker at your arrival hotel in Lima.
I’ve stayed in most Amazon lodges in Peru and Ecuador, so I'd be more than happy to share my packing tips with you. For an Amazon stay you will find the following items invaluable:
Light, quick drying trousers
Light, long-sleeved tops
Insect repellent
A head torch (for night walks and lodges without electricity) is much better than a standard torch as it leaves both your hands free
Zip lock bags for equipment such as cameras should you be caught in a downpour
Sandals or flip flops to wear around the lodge. The lodge should provide wellington boots for muddy walks.
Light fleece, surprisingly – at certain times of the year the jungle can experience colder fronts that last a couple of days, so it’s not always hot and humid
Spare battery for cameras (although some lodges provide electricity, only a few points will be available and you will be using valuable power from the solar panels or generators)
Cash for bar drinks and tips for staff & guides
Binoculars (although many lodges may have one pair to loan per group, it's always good to have your own so you don’t miss out on any wildlife spotting)
Antibacterial hand wash
In many cases the lodges provide environmentally friendly toiletries so you don’t even need to bring those
And finally an adventurous appetite so you can try some local delicacies!
Tailor-made holidays
Flexible, custom-made holidays to Latin America created to match your exact requirements: our tailor-made itineraries are as unique as the clients for whom they are designed.
Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.
Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.
Sophie Barber
- Travel Expert
Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.
Maggie Wilson
- Travel Expert
Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.
Charlotte Daubeney
- Travel Expert
Charlotte's fascination with Latin America began with a family holiday to Belize. She went on to study Spanish in school and at university before spending a year living in Santiago, Chile.
Paul Winrow-Giffin
- Travel Expert
After graduating in Computer Science, Paul spent seven months travelling from Colombia to Argentina and came home hooked on Latin America.
Heloise Buxton
- Travel Expert
Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.