What are 3 curated travel experiences to kick off 2023? Part 1
Fortunato during a piranha fishing excursion on our immersive travel experience.
As we look ahead to 2023 and reflect on the rebound which global tourism has seen this past year, the number of lessons and takeaways is endless. There is, however, one valuable insight that will mold the future of the industry: the new wave of globetrotters rightfully demands curated travel. Now more than ever, people crave unique travel experiences, ones that are synonymous with authentic and immersive travel. Gone are the days of all-inclusive vacation packages or rushing around Europe for a week at most. In fact, the results of a study commissioned by GetYourGuide were released last month and revealed that 51% of people ‘say experiencing a destination as a local is a high priority, and 45% are also concerned they are not having an authentic experience.’
Our founder has visited over 65 countries and as his travels became more frequent and remote, he identified a pattern. The most memorable trips, the ones that got under his skin, were those that sparked an emotional connection. In these destinations, he was able to uncover a deeper understanding of himself and develop his sense of interconnectedness. That is story behind Routeme’s creation. As a boutique travel agency, we work with clients as their personalized travel advisor to truly understand what type of traveler they are at their core. This is a carefully executed approach that results in successful planning of a fulfilling travel adventure.
Now, let’s get to the fun part. At Routeme, we believe in purposeful exploration and to mark the start of a new year, we want to share 3 curated travel experiences that can transform the start of your 2023. Today we are sharing the first one and it is one of our absolute favorites.
How three nights in the Amazon turned out to be one of the most immersive travel experiences we’ve had.
The Amazon, the world’s biggest tropical rainforest, covers more than two million square miles in South America across eight countries. The biggest chunk of this vast biome lies in Brazilian territory. To access this magical jewel of planet Earth, it is necessary to fly into Manaus, a city of over 2 million people (believe it or not) that was known as the “Paris of the South” during the global rubber boom of the mid-19th century. Today, the elegance and extravagance no longer remains visible throughout the city’s streets, but Manaus plays the important role as serving as the gateway to the Amazon.
The key to a successful trip to the Amazon is finding a lodge that will enable you to reach your goals of going there in the first place. Are you looking to explore the Amazon’s flora and fauna or perhaps completely physical and mentally disconnect from your daily routine? What about channel your inner Indiana Jones and spend a night camping in the middle of the rainforest? All of this is possible, but a trusted personalized travel advisor is vital to identify the best fit for you and where you will would obtain the most rewarding experience.
During a recent visit to the Amazon, we had an extraordinary experience at the Amazon Tarzan Lodge, located in the Juma Reserve three hours south of Manaus. Reaching this piece of paradise involves a 15 minute boat-ride, a 45-minute ride on a 4x4, and a 45 minute speedboat ride. By the end of this journey, you’ve said goodbye to any access to cell service or wi-fi, and are ready for full immersion.
Speedboat approach to the Amazon Tarzan Lodge, one of our recent unique travel experiences
The Amazon Tarzan Lodge is 100% eco-friendly and reflects the traditional house style of the local cultures, being built with local materials sourced from the area without any harm to the environment. The Lodge offers privates cabins with en-suite bathrooms and all meals are included. One thing to note is that between the hours of 12 and 6AM there is no electricity. Guests can choose between 2, 3 or 4-night packages.
On this occasion, we went for the 3-night “Hummingbird Package” and found it to be the perfect amount of time. Over the course of four days, we participated in a range of activities that lived up to the immersive travel experience we were in search of, including piranha fishing, jungle trekking, visiting a local tribe, staying overnight stay in hammocks in the actual rainforest and seeing one of the most spectacular sunrises ever.
Spectacular sunrise on our curated travel experience deep in the Amazon.
One of the elements that made this one of the most unique travel experiences was our guide, Fortunato. Spending time with him and seeing first hand how he and the Amazon are one was enlightening and awing. He can spot a camouflaged bird on the highest treetop just as he can identify any plant with his eyes closed and tell you its list of medicinal or poisonous properties.
Fortunato shared with us that the Amazon houses different spirits, both good and bad, that can provide protection in the most desperate times or condemn those needing to be punished. In fact, he practices ayahuasca several times a year to cleanse his body and also get in touch with his ancestors.
Over the course of the four days, Fortunato opened up more and more. He shared stories from his 8 years in the Brazilian army, remembering crazy survival training routines that entailed spending days at a time in the Amazon with no food or water. Seeing how others in his squad struggled during these moments gave him a renewed respect for his land and the innate training he had been given as a child of the Amazon.
Fortunato’s essence and teachings were indispensable to turning four days in the Amazon into one of the most life-changing and transformative adventures we have been on to date.
Our guide, Fortunado, was essential in having an immersive travel experience.
Our approach at Routeme: Curated travel done right.
Whether you realize it or not, everyone has a Traveler DNA. Similar to the insights we gain from personality types, this unique code reveals why and how you enjoy your travel experiences. By completing our assessment, Routeme identifies your primary and secondary travel motivators. They tell us what you are passionate about and the type of travel experiences that resonate with you most at an emotional level. Once we have cracked your Traveler DNA, we are successfully able to create a curated and immersive travel experience that will live inside of your forever.
The Amazon experience is not for every traveler type. But, who knows! Maybe a year from now, and after having us as your personalized travel advisor, your Traveler DNA analysis will have revealed the Amazon as the perfect fit. If so, we can’t wait to hear everything you will have learned and experienced on this remarkable travel adventure.
Your next trip of a lifetime is just one click away. The first step is to get started here!