To splash out on an Amazon Jungle tour or go for the reasonable option?

[brentlondon]

DD is on her gap year and is going to South America travelling, she has a week where she'd love to go to the amazon jungle.

She's found two lodges.

One is £700 for 4 days and 3 nights and is run by researchers and is in a very remote part of the jungle.

The other more sensible option is £380 for 4 days and 3 nights but is a more casual venture and is located just outside of the actual Reserve Jungle and is much more basic. This one has one day where they actually venture into the same area as where the more expensive lodge is located, but otherwise stays around a lake and not the "actual" rainforest.

She can afford the more expensive option at a push but would then be able to save less money for university as it's over half her monthly salary. Both have excellent reviews but the more expensive has about 20 x the amount of them.

I don't know what to advise. Push the boat out and go for the more expensive option as this is her gap year and when next will she find herself able to go into the amazon, or be sensible and save.

What would you do?

If she's going to get a better, more authentic or whatever experience, I'd say go for the more expensive one. She may never go back!

But if the rainforest is the rainforest regardless, I would say go cheap.

You only go there once (usually), so make it count. Plus 'basic' in Brazil can be very iffy.

Although you may not see anything major in the jungle because the animals are pretty good at hiding! I assume she will see the mixing of the water, Victoria lake and the white dolphins (all very touristy!).

In our nice jungle lodge we saw large insects and spiders, on local walks. A guide that knows the wildlife (and how they hide) is key. I liked the aircon and netted insect free room for some escape from the humidity and being breakfast lunch and dinner...

The highlights were the Canoe and boat trips. Dawn and dusk / nighttime were best for wildlife. Seeing all the eyes reflecting at night is creepy - the snakes!

I think I;m saying the excursions will make the better trip - so look at the options at both lodges.

I also have a 20 year old regret about not doing something on my travels (because I didn't think I could afford it) which I think I might finally get the chance to put right in January next year. I could have afforded it. I'm still annoyed I didn't go back then!

I saw the thread title and wondered what this latest gizmo from everyone's favourite tax dodgers could be about. The internet has a lot to answer for. .

(Sorry, no help, I know.)

I would always say, if you can afford it, go for the better experience when you're travelling (not that that means always paying more of course).

The one run by researchers sounds like it would be possibly more ethical too?

I’ve always been pretty mean with money; £5 on a sandwich? I’ll go hungry until dinner thanks.

You know she’s spending so much £ as it is, is more even a problem.

It is also much more ethical, with profits going into conservation and research.

I don’t think she’ll be going to see the white river dolphins as this bit of the amazon is actually a tributary.

I would do the expensive one. It is likely to be a one off and she may regret it in the future if she doesn’t she he opporunity to do it ‘properly’.

liz70, I wondered exactly the same thing!

OP, I would go for the more expensive option as long as she isn't going to put herself in debt by doing so. I am guessing that if she is having a gap year travelling, much of it will be in cheap and cheerful accommodation so nice to have a treat to look forward to.

I’ll pass the advice on :P

Where in South America? When we went to Peru we used a company called Explorama for a trip into the amazon jungle. It was spectacular. Fairly basic lodges but guides were really knowledgeable researchers and mostly did trips for scientists and / or groups of tourists.

I’d definitely splash out for the more expensive one - it will be worth it by the sounds of things.

I’ll tell her to google that suggestion.

It’ll be in Peru, either Iquitos or preferably in Puerto Maldonado due to ease of flights.

It's a once in a lifetime thing. Push the boat out!

Is she going to Ecuador?
If so, this hostel is 100% worth a visit. I travelled south America for 6 months and it was hands down one of the best places we stayed. The setting is beautiful.
www.izhcayluma.com/en/

Also if she's in Peru and is going to this area, this museum is brilliant. The artefacts in it are amazing, and the displays are excellent.
www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g1926372-d1951110-Reviews-Museo_Tumbas_Reales_del_Senor_de_Sipan-Lambayeque_Lambayeque_Region.html

Feel free to send me a message if you'd like any more tips for places to go.

I know everyones said this already but I'll go for the expensive one too.

@2kidsnopets are you me? I spent weeks in izhcayluma recovering from a fractured spine after falling from a horse. That pool was my physio 😊. (I was very lucky and didn't even know it was fracture until I came home a year later. Then Lambayeque and that museum were amongst my favourites experiences. Northern coastal Peru was amazing - Trujillio!

Yes, Trujillo is beautiful. We did ride in vilcabamba but no falling off!
I remember Izcayluma breakfasts, proper granola and pancakes were such a nice change after the dry bread rolls in most hostels.

Sounds a brilliant place to visit!