Peru - Amazon Jungle Lodges in Peru - Iquitos based vs Puerto Maldonado based

I have been reseraching Amazon jungle lodges in Peru, specifically in the Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado areas.

Anyone have any experiences that they could share with me?

I'm trying to figure out which area is better and what lodge to go to. I currently have 3 days and 2 nights scheduled for a lodge, but I do have some flexibility. I have read some reviews, but it's mostly descriptive information. I need some opinions.

Thanks.

I stayed at two of the Explorama lodges last June. The main one was quite nice, had electricity, pool, great food, nice setting and it was excellent. The second one was more remote, no electricty, but it was quite a nice time and great adventure (this was the one close to the tree top walkway, Ceiba tops I think). I would recommend Explorama.

However, Iquitos airport is quite a trip and is only open early morning and evening because of the buzzards. I had quite a hassle getting in there due to weather and bird problems, had to return to Lima, spend the day, and return later, cruising down the Amazon in the dark.

Still, it was a wonderful adventure.

I have been reseraching Amazon jungle lodges in Peru, specifically in the Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado areas.

Anyone have any experiences that they could share with me?

I'm trying to figure out which area is better and what lodge to go to. I currently have 3 days and 2 nights scheduled for a lodge, but I do have some flexibility. I have read some reviews, but it's mostly descriptive information. I need some opinions.

Thanks.

However, Iquitos airport is quite a trip and is only open early morning and evening because of the buzzards. I had quite a hassle getting in there due to weather and bird problems, had to return to Lima, spend the day, and return later, cruising down the Amazon in the dark.

What time of year did you travel? Is this a problem all the time or only during certain seasons?

Thanks for the info.

It was late May when I was there. Had a very early (5:00 AM?) LanPeru flight from Lima to Iquitos. Got to Iquitos, it was raining, were put in holding pattern, and by time the weather cleared, they closed the airport and we had to return to Lima (landing at a military base to refuel enroute). Then managed to get an early evening flight back to Iqitos same day, and landed without incident. At that time of year, they close the airport during the day due to a problem with buzzards circling over the airport and creating a hazzard. Then the airport reopens in the evening. Don't know if this is a year round problem or not, but learned from locals that it is common for flights to have problems. I wouldn't let this deter you from going to Iquitos however. It is a very interesting place, like an old frontier town.


What time of year did you travel? Is this a problem all the time or only during certain seasons?

Thanks for the info.