Minga Lodge and Sanctuary — Hotel in Chonta Punta

We had the good fortune to travel to Minga Lodge in October 2023. While we had been to Ecuador once before, it was our first time into the Amazon basin. So many things made the trip an unforgettable experience. First and foremost the staff and Ecuadorian people we encountered were simply outstanding. We forged a bond with so many, and could not have been more impressed by their attentive hospitality and deep insights about the region. Whether it was a day hiking the nearby rainforest, travelling to a local farm or interacting with the nearby communities, we were always struck by the authenticity of the experience and the kindness of the people. We were provided with rich insights about the region - its challenges and its opportunities. The experience at Minga Lodge itself was memorable in every way. We were spoiled daily with meals that never disappointed and delighted our palette. Sebastian, the head chef, and his team were second to none. The morning coffees and evening cocktails prepared with care by Peter, were the perfect way to start and end the day. Our rooms were exceedingly comfortable and well maintained throughout the stay. The day hikes and night walks afforded us the opportunity to see all manner of wildlife - both plant and animal. The surrounding forest itself was breathtaking and afforded us a myriad of photo opportunities. We felt our trip provided us a little bit of everything - certainly the opportunity to discover a rare and beautiful part of the world, but also a chance to expand our horizons, to meet some warm and amazing people, and finally, to be truly spoiled. In short - we were so grateful for our experience and would recommend it highly. They are memories we will carry with us for a lifetime. Loretta (and...

We just had the most amazing time and experience at Minga Lodge. The rooms were beautiful, very well air conditioned and definitely a luxury stay. The food was fantastic with a chef who personalized menus for all guests but exposed us to new and different local delicacies. Much of the food was locally sourced from neighboring farmers. We learned so much about the culture and the people in the Ecuadorian rain forest. Robert was a host beyond any we have ever had. He was our personal naturalist and tailored our activities perfectly. We learned about making chocolate from cocoa to end product and even created our own chocolate bars. We tried so many new fruits and learned how to cook off the land. But of course the animals were the interest for my son. We saw monkeys, poison dart frogs and caimans right on the property. If you are bird watcher this was definitely the place for you. More species and numbers of birds than anywhere else. There were also many small bugs and creatures including a few tarantulas. The highlight was fishing and catching a piranha! My 12 year old will never forget that. On top of having a genuinely rich experience, it was lovely to know that a portion of what we paid to be there was going back to the local communities. To help them continue to build better lives for themselves and create new enterprises. What Robert and the Minga Lodge group are doing down there is truly amazing. We will never forget and hope to see them all...

I went there with WE for a voluntourism trip and it was awesome. The food and facilities are excellent. Chef and his crew cooked up great meals w fresh ingredients. The days were planned for us and the guides were spectacular. Learned a whole lot about indigenous culture and cuisine and local wildlife. There was even a resident Amazon Green Parrot that hung around to entertain us....