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Bella Vista community playing football

Learn about life in the Amazon with 'Me to We'

A stay at the Minga Lodge offers a unique opportunity to get to grips with what life is really like in the Amazon. Culturally, this is far more in-depth, interactive and rewarding than a regular Amazon visit and allows you to spend time with the local community during your stay.

Every day is different at Minga Lodge and your precise activities will depend on local events. Typical daily activities include spending time with the Mondana and Bella Vista communities. There will also be the opportunity to learn how they cultivate cacao and have a go at making chocolate. All will offer a unique opportunity to interact, learn, share your experiences with theirs and truly understand what life in rural Amazon is like. In the evenings, there are stories told by your guide or village elders, or sometimes local choirs come to perform before dinner.

The lodge works with a sustainable development charity which helps these villages to improve their health, sanitation, education, agricultural education and clean water, but the village elders are the ones who lead the charge in changing their future.

This is a truly educational and social experience rather than getting your hands dirty building schools, etc. So whilst you can take part in various activities, much of the time is spent talking with the women, men and children in the community and learning more about their lives, their challenges and discovering their needs. Lodging is simple but comfortable and the cost of your stay here also includes a significant contribution to the local projects.

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Holly, an Audley Travel specialist

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Experience it for yourself

You can enjoy this activity as part of the suggested tour below, or we can weave it into a trip shaped entirely around you.