Service : 10 - best
Value : 10 - best
Attractiveness : 10 - best
Overall Rating : 10 - best
Edna Boroski Charleston (area), SC
Why this Lodge? I'd always wanted to visit Machu Picchu since I was a child. My husband had, since he was a child, wanted to see the Amazon. Our two oldest grandchildren had interests that meshed with ours: one had a keen interest in rainforest preservation and the other had an equally keen interest in primates. We decided a Peru road trip was "just the ticket" for all of us. I searched on the web for lodges in the rainforest. The other lodges I queried did not give me clear, direct answers to questions I did not consider "tough" such as "How much will this cost?" etc. I had about given up on Lodges when, during a search, I discovered Loving Light Lodge. Hallelujah! I got straight answers on each of my questions. By this time, the rainforest granddaughter had "bailed out" on us due to school commitments, but the primate student still wanted to go, so we made arrangements for all three of us to go to the Lodge. We were met at the airport by our Guide, Ricardo, and a guide very graciously provided for our granddaughter, Elena, as well. Evelyn, age 16 and extremely articulate in English, took off with Elena in search of adventures that might particularly appeal to her. We took a boat trip up (? toward the source, not the mouth?) the Amazon approx. 3 hours to the Lodge. As soon as we settled in, our guide offered to take all of us to see an anaconda that had been caught in a nearby village. We were off and running. Adventures abounded for the next several days as we traveled deep into "the heart of darkness" in a dugout canoe, saw giant lily pads, pink dolphins, fished for piranha, and sat in the Lodge getting to know delightful guests, as we chatted after delicious meals, prior to the time the candles burned down and we headed back to our bungalows. I took part in the shaman ceremony along with Ricardo. I cannot adequately describe it, but recommend it for those so inclined. With or without the shaman, it is a gentle, peaceful place that provides much time to explore new things and reflect and rest, if that is one's inclination. I fantasize about going back with a laptop (battery-powered...no electricity) and writing for several days. Don't know if I'll get the chance, but I'd enjoy it. Each one of us found exactly what we wanted at the Lodge: for Bill, adventure; for me, rest, time to reflect, time for good conversation; for Elena, fun and an opportunity to get to know some fascinating jungle creatures (her "new" best friend at the Lodge, other than Evelyn, was Ky, the Lodge's resident ocelot) including the anaconda, the ocelot, a sloth (now named "Slowpoke") and other critters. The staff was unobtrusive but anticipated each of our needs. The bungalows were basic, but clean and functional. This is not the perfect spot for those who rely on room service and "upscale" amenities. It is, on the other hand, a place for those who want to learn about the rainforest, enjoy being with people who teach not only information about the jungle and the river, but also teach respect for this most valuable part of our world, people who don't mind pulling away from the busy world and just spending time learning something totally new. We recommend the Loving Light Lodge and all those who on staff. They truly, lovingly work to make the Lodge a unique get-away, without reservation. It is the trip of a lifetime.

Service : 10 - best
Value : 10 - best
Attractiveness : 10 - best
Overall Rating : 10 - best
John Rehling Mountain View, CA
Travel entails a series of decisions -- some that you come to regret and some that you know were correct. Visiting Loving Light was unquestionably the right decision. From the time we were picked up at the Iquitos airport to the time that we were taken back to the airport, we felt a total commitment on the part of Loving Light for our stay to be excellent. The ride down the Amazon to get to Loving Light was itself exhilarating. From that point on, the stay was informative, relaxing, fun, friendly, and -- to the extent that we wanted it to be -- challenging. Thanks to Ricardo's excellent explanations, I left with a smattering of knowledge about the diverse flora and fauna of the jungle, and a desire to learn more. By morning, afternoon, and night, we had adventure after adventure, as powerful as the ceremony with the shaman and as subtle as the way that the jungle din quiets as you head away from land riverwards in the golden light of dawn. I remember spiders in the night (not in the cabins!), the sloth, the marmoset, busy highway columns of ants (not in the cabins!), the pink dolphins, the mud we could almost walk on, the housecat-sized "tiger", napping an afternoon away to a jungle thunderstorm, cheering at the soccer game in a nearby village, lazing and chatting in the hammocks, and many wonderful meals, none better than the piranha I myself caught. It was a wonderful collection of dreams that happened for real in a short time. My friends trusted me to pick a jungle expedition for the three of us, and I got a lot of points for picking Loving Light. We were also lucky to have been there right when Dan, Ky, et al, were also there, and it was nice meeting them and letting them know personally how good a job they did of creating a place where people can live out vacation dreams.

Service : 10 - best
Value : 10 - best
Attractiveness : 10 - best
Overall Rating : 10 - best
Kimily Clark AUSTRALIA
WOW! WHAT AN EXPERIENCE .WE SAN SO MUCH WILDLIFE AND MANY PLANTS. OUR GUIDE RONALDO WAS GREAT. PARTICULARLY ENJOYED SWIMMING IN THE AMAZON, THE PINK DOLPHINS , VISITING THE VILLAGE USING JUNGLE HIPSTICK. OH EVERYTHING !! WOULD LIKE TO COME BACK BEFORE WE LEAVE PERU. WE WILL CERTAINLY RECOMMEND IT TO ALL OUR FRIENDS. MUCHO GRACIAS KIMILY CLARK

Service : 10 - best
Value : 10 - best
Attractiveness : 9 - outstanding
Overall Rating : 10 - best
Victoria San Jose, California
Ky, I just wanted to Thank the staff at Loving Light again for setting us up for our Peruvian jungle adventure. Out of all the places we visited in Peru, the jungle was by far the most exciting and beautiful in my eyes. Ricardo and Cleaver were awesome guides with the most extensive knowledge of the jungle. I felt as if I were filming a documentary or part of a National Geographic film on the discovery channel. Marcos and Rosa were so nice and available to talk to and ask questions. From piranha fishing to bird watching to the jungle hikes, the memories will forever be some of my travel highlights!!! I recently watched a special documentary on the Discovery Channel about Amazonian Anacondas. I couldn't take my eyes off the TV for one second. I really felt that I had been a part of what I was seeing on to some respect. I highly recommend Loving Light as your stop in the Amazon. You will never forget this experience.

Service : 10 - best
Value : 8 - great
Attractiveness : 10 - best
Overall Rating : 10 - best
Candy Beckman Indianapolis
This past summer I stayed at Loving Light Amazon Lodge for four days. A friend of mine had made all of the travel arrangements, so I was not sure what to expect. The staff, the atmosphere, and the food were all superb! I particularly enjoyed the jungle hikes, the pink dolphins, and the piranha fishing. I was also fortunate enough to spend my birthday at the lodge. To my surprise, the staff had prepared a birthday cake and sang to me. The trip was fun, relaxing, and educational all at the same time. I highly recommend it.

Service : 9 - outstanding
Value : 8 - great
Attractiveness : 10 - best
Overall Rating : 9 - outstanding
Jennifer Braswell Atlanta, Ga
My husband and I were looking for an exotic, exciting, adventure to start of the millennium and I'd say we found it. Loving Light is and incredible place in the middle of the Amazon (just what you'd expect from a National Geographic show) waiting to be explored. We went for New Year's 1999 and the high water season was just starting. It was amazing to see all the animals in the rainforest, not to mention, catching Caiman alligators at night, fishing for Pihranas at dawn, holding an Anaconda and swimming with pink dolphins! We can't say enough good things about the staff and villagers. We were treated like royalty with all the wonderful food and guided trips, local legends and just being a part of the culture for a week. We took part in the shaman's ceremony and felt very rewarded with our visions. It's definitely not for everyone but we were happy we took part. We've been to many places in Latin America and Europe but this was an unforgettable trip of a lifetime!

Service : 9 - outstanding
Value : 9 - outstanding
Attractiveness : 8 - great
Overall Rating : 9 - outstanding
Skip Kaltenheuser Washington, D.C.
It may not be for everyone, but I found participation in the shaman’s vision quest, held within a timber and thatch dome about 70 feet across and fifty feet high, to be a uniquely rewarding experience. Every spiritual journey differs - I’m glad I undertook mine, which brought a powerful identification with the Amazon’s rainforest. In Peru to do an article on medical volunteers, I found that Loving Light proved a splendid escape, whether or not one elects for a vision quest. It’s extremely remote and rustic, but when you seek to fully experience a rainforest environment, one wants as few layers of insulation as possible, from the bugs and rain at night and the ground if high water, and that’s about it. The lodge gives just the right separation for comfort, including privacy and cold showers in the bungalows on and connected by decks raised well-above ground, but never really takes you away from the sensations of this unique environment. The wildlife and plant world is chaperoned and explained by lodge staff who grew up in the jungle, (don’t get too far out in front of the guide, some of these critters and even some plants demand respect). The appetites one works up on nature hikes or, if overcoming fear of what one can’t see, by a swim, are well attended by the cook’s offerings of some of the best fish I’ve ever eaten, (eat ‘em before they eat you, my motto), and local dishes, spiced as much as one dares with a hot pod called monkey dick. A generator-powered freezer keeps drinks and perishables cold. Otherwise, the place is low-tech and lantern lit. The patrons were diverse in background and nationality but amiable. This is a hidden corner of the world that Joseph Conrad would’ve loved. The embrace of the local scene ranges from visits to mellow villages with delighted children playing soccer or studying in their one-room schoolhouse to tracking the glowing eyes of caimen by boat at night. Fishing for piranha is, of course, a no-brainer, but if you bring the right equipment, you might tackle the famed peacock bass. If you are a medical person, you might cut a deal for accommodations on those days you assist the nearby villages. Iquitos is a usually gentle but intriguing complement, particularly a dugout taxi through the river slums, and the Loving Light staff can recommend other highlights, such as the informal Sunday “grille” celebration when people turn their homes into adhoc pubs and restaurants. My trip was in October. For contrast, I hope to return during the highwater season. - Skip Kaltenheuser ===================

Service : 9 - outstanding
Value : 9 - outstanding
Attractiveness : 9 - outstanding
Overall Rating : 9 - outstanding
neil nyc
If you're looking to "get away from it all" while surrounding yourself with some of the nicest, most interesting people (and that's just the staff!) among pure, untouched wilderness, then Loving Light is where you should go. The vacation I spent there exceeded my expectations - soul cleansing in its purity. I couldn't offer a stronger recommendation.

Service : 9 - outstanding
Value : 9 - outstanding
Attractiveness : 9 - outstanding
Overall Rating : 9 - outstanding
Marcel Mallette Vancouver, BC, Canada
Wow!! What a great experience!!! This was my first time in the Amazon and words are hard to find to describe my experience at the Loving Light Jungle Lodge. We received the Royal treatment throughout my 5 day stay. From being met at the airport to our leaving, the treatment was first class all the way. Our guide Marc was very accommodating, exceptionally knowledgeable of all the animals and fauna of the area and would comply with all our requests. If you're looking to connect with Mother Nature and become one with her, this is the place to be. I participated in the Ayahuasca Ceremony with the Shaman and there are no words to describe it. It is a very personal revealing experience which took me to places I again cannot describe with words. Although if you email me I will describe it to the best of my abilities. The walks in the jungle were spectacular as there was such a variety of trees (some of them are huge), plants and of course animals and birds. What a visual and spiritual treat! One of my highlights was to canoe down the river by myself early in the morning as the mist was rising from the water. This was a dream come true with the most wonderful sense of peace and serenity! I must comment that all the staff was extremely friendly, courteous and wonderful to be around. I also have to add that the food was exceptional. You must try the pirahna that you will catch. It's delicious!!! The accommodations were great. The mosquito netting around the cabin was like sleeping outside with all the jungle sounds surrounding you. Trust me when I say the cold showers were very much appreciated. I was there in early October/99 and the mosquitoes were not that bad. I've experienced worse here in Canada. I highly recommend this place and if you want to contact me please feel free to do so as I will be happy to tell you more about it. I am planning on returning in the future. A great place to release all the built up tension of our modern fast paced society.

Service : Not rated
Value : Not rated
Attractiveness : Not rated
Overall Rating : Not rated
VICTORIA CONNERS AUSTRALIA
We enjoyed the LOVING LIGHT so much we are thinking of coming back. The river is a beautiful place and we saw so much wildlife, tarantulas, caimen, birds, dolphins. Our guide knew so much about the jungle .In fact everyone there was great. Victoria Conners.

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