Explore the jungle of Puerto Maldonado and encounter its endless wildlife by hiking along its many trails and footpaths or by cruising the Madre de Dios River. Discover the rich biodiversity of the Tambopata National Reserve and observe the Peruvian Amazon from the treetops through an amazing network of suspension bridges.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
Inkaterra Canopy Walkway Interpretation Centre: This 344-metre network of seven suspended bridges, six treetop observation platforms and two 29-metre towers woven through the crowns of the tallest trees offers visitors a unique perspective of the jungle’s rare and unusual flora and fauna.
Tambopata National Reserve: Covering an area of one and a half million hectares, Tambopata National Reserve is one of the true remaining jewels of the Amazon Rainforest. It has been featured in many television documentaries because of its vast areas of biodiverse savannahs and rainforest.
Canoeing: A canoe ride before sunset in search of turtles, nightjars and exotic herons
Day 1: ARRIVAL PUERTO MALDONADO
Upon arrival at the Puerto Maldonado airport, be welcomed by hotel staff and then transferred to the river port to board a boat that takes you on a 45-minute trip along the Madre de Dios River through the mystique of the jungle to arrive to the lodge. Once checked in, have lunch and begin the afternoon excursions, which include a walk through the trail system to explore the varied vegetation, insects and birds surrounding the lodge. After an explanation of the importance of the local ecosystem, take a boat and cruise along the Madre de Dios River to watch the sunset and observe nocturnal species such as alligators, nightjars, capybaras and owls. At night, while sipping a welcoming cocktail over dinner, the lodge guides will make a presentation about the natural surrounds of the area.
Overnight in Reserva Amazónica
Day 2: RESERVA AMAZONICA
Wake up for an early breakfast in order to avoid the midday heat and to take full advantage of your time at the lodge. After breakfast, travel to Lake Sandoval in the Tambopata National Reserve. Glide in a wooden canoe across this oxbow-shaped lake and true wildlife-watching haven. Surrounded by lush vegetation, Lake Sandoval is home to thousands of species of birds, diverse marine life and many endangered species such as the giant river otter, red howler monkeys, red-bellied macaws, anacondas and side-neck turtles. At midday, return to the lodge for lunch. Then, later in the afternoon, visit the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway Interpretation Center, a network of seven 45-metre high suspension bridges through the jungle. Spend an hour and a half literally walking through the treetops looking out for different varieties of trees, orchids, toucans, woodpeckers and, hopefully, birds of prey, sloths and various species of monkeys. In the evening, enjoy dinner at the lodge and a presentation on the Amazon.
Overnight in Reserva Amazónica
Day 3: RESERVA AMAZONICA
After breakfast at the lodge, take a 25-minute boat ride to Quebrada Gamitana where you will embark on an hour-and-a-half walk through the rainforest along the banks of Gamitana creek, a winding, dark-water creek that is home to piranha, caimans, turtles and an abundance of brightly-coloured birds. Board a canoe at Sanigpanga and navigate downstream for an hour, appreciating the rich plant and animal life along the way. Return to the lodge for lunch and then, in the afternoon, enjoy an excursion to Hacienda Concepción, home to a remarkable Botanical Garden with over 200 different species of rainforest plants. Listen to an in-depth explanation about the processing, uses and benefits of these traditional indigenous plants, including fascinating native medicinal uses. Then, take a canoe ride around a small lake and watch for wildlife including turtles, nightjars and exotic herons. Round off the day’s activities with a two-hour, night-time walk along the trails of the Inkaterra Ecological Reserve. At the end of the tour, return to the lodge for dinner.
Overnight in Reserva Amazónica
Day 4: DEPARTURE RESERVA AMAZÓNICA - PUERTO MALDONADO (20 Km - 30 Min)
Enjoy breakfast at the lodge, then take the 45-minute boat ride across the Madre de Dios River back to Puerto Maldonado to catch your flight to your next destination.
The weather is tropical, with an average temperature of 32°C (89° F), ranging from 25°C (77° F) to 42°C (107° F). The hotter season usually ranges from December to March and comes with frequent afternoon rainfall. Between June and September you may need some warmer clothing, since occasional “friajes” or Patagonia Cold Fronts can reduce the temperature to 10°C (50°F). Cool comfortable cotton clothes are required to counter the heat while sweaters and jackets may be handy at night. See Equipment and Luggage. Visitors must anticipate the extreme heat and humidity of the jungle by finding out the exact weather condition at the time of travel in order to be ready with clothing and accessories.
PACKING LIST: - Long pants and long sleeve shirt made from light, breathable, quick-dry material - Good water resistant trekking shoes - Raingear (back-up gear is a good idea) - Binoculars - Canteen - Sun block, sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen - Insect repellent - A converter (voltage is 220). The hotel has a limited number of converters available - Contact lens solution and an extra set of contact lenses or glasses - Don’t forget your camera and/or video camera (we recommend a waterproof case), and, if it is not digital, bring plenty of film! (Activities such as filming, photography and/or sound recordings in Natural Protected Areas for commercial use with professional equipment, is prohibited) - Extra batteries. Thank you for considering that Peru does not have a battery recycling project. Please take your used batteries with you, or leave them at the Ecocenter.
EQUIPMENT AND LUGGAGE: It is important that you bring only necessary clothing and equipment to the lodge in your carry-on luggage. Due to weight and space limitations on the boat, passenger luggage is limited to 10 kg. (22 lbs.) per person. Additional luggage will be kept in our storage at Puerto Maldonado.
COMMUNICATION/TELEPHONE There is limited telephone access and no mobile phone coverage at the lodge. In case of emergency the Guest Service Department can contact the office in town via radio.
