The Rainforests of Peru - Rainforest Expeditions
Puerto Maldonado, Peru
Reserva Amazonica Tambopata
Posada Amazonas / Refugio Amazonas
Tambopata Research Center (TRC)

This is the upper Amazon basin of Peru and accessible by air from Lima or Cuzco through Puerto Maldonado, east of Cuzco and the Andes. Three lodges facilitate deep penetration of the rainforest, allowing the visitor to experience the pristine wilderness in this unique biological zone.

The Amazon Pavilion is the main lodge and an example of daring architecture. The central palm-thatch circular roof stands with no central column over a single, tree trunk axle with wood spikes 39 feet long radiating from it like a huge umbrella.

Reserva Amazonica Tambopata,
Puerto Maldonado, Peru

Reserva Amazonica is a privately-owned ecological reserve and research center on 10,000 hectares (24,710 acres), practicing innovative, sustainable use of the Amazon Rainforest since 1975. Scientific-based tourism started in 1978. Its spacious facilities and well-equipped private cabins assure guests an authentic, safe, and comfortable stay.

Getting There:

Fly east from Lima or Cuzco to Puerto Maldonado, situated at the confluence of the mighty Madre de Dios and Tambopata Rivers. It is a bustling, tropical frontier town, and its principal activities are gold mining, Brazil nut collecting, timber extraction, agriculture, and ecotourism. The lodge is five kilometers (one hour) downriver by boat from the city.

Climate:
The average temperature is between 84° F and 100° F. December to March is usually hotter, with an occasional refreshing afternoon rainfall. The rest of the year, with less rain and more sun, is another good time to see the jungle. Occassionally, there is a sudden drop in temperature known as a friaje, which can dip to 50° F.

Accommodations:
The lodge has 41 large, comfortable, private bungalows (left), with grand views of the Madre de Dios River and the surrounding, noisy rainforest. Local materials were used to build them in the architectural style of the native Machiguenga and Ese'eja people. The cabins sit on raised platforms and have pitched palm-thatch roofs and large screened windows for optimal ventilation. All cabañas feature three areas: a private terrace with woven hammocks, a bedroom (with beds surrounded by mosquito netting), and a private bathroom with filtered water. They are attractively furnished with log chairs, a writing table, umbrellas, lanterns, kerosene lamps, and a full set of amenities, including natural shampoo in blown-glass bottles, clay exfoliator, hand-made soap, and over-sized towels.

There are Three Categories of Bungalows:

Superior Bungalows (above, right - rollover for floor plan) provide comfortable, basic accommodation with two twin beds or one double bed, a writing table, a private porch with two hammocks and a private bathroom and clear running water. Room size is approximately 29 sq. meters (313 sq. feet).

Riverview Cabins (below - rollover for floor plan), are approximately 41 sq. meters (434 sq. feet), with larger porches facing the river, two double beds, solar-heated hot water, electricity and fans. The room has separate shower and toilet. House amenities also include citronella repellents, terry cloth bathrobes, and typical Andean sandals.

Amazonian Suites (right - rollover for floor plan), are extra-large (approximately 60 sq. meters - 646 sq. feet), more comfortable cabañas with either one king-sized bed or two double beds. The room has separate shower and toilet with double washbasins, walk-in closet, solar-heated hot water, electricity and fans. House amenities also include citronella repellents, terry cloth bathrobes, and typical Andean sandals and two hammocks.

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Activities & Excursions:

Trails System
The Reserva Amazonica Trails System includes four clearly-cut trails and extends across roughly 8 kilometers (5 miles) of the lodge's surrounding rainforest, providing access to the various Amazon habitats: seasonably flooded forests and groves, Amazon palms, and primary and secondary forests, among others. The trails vary in length and level of difficulty. A walk could last one or two hours, depending on the tour selected. In order to make the least possible impact on the environment, availability of the trails can change depending on the frequency of use. It is recommended that you walk slowly and carefully, listen, smell the air, talk softly, stop often and look up, thereby magnifying your senses in order to take in the surrounding views and sounds. Small groups are always better than large ones. A selection from the following excursions is also included: The Rainforest by Night (1.5 hours), Rolin (Monkey) Island (2 hours), the Butterfly Farm (1 hour), Madre de Dios River by Night (2 hours), Lake Sandoval (half day), Native Amazonian Farm (3.5 hours), Gamitana Creek (half day), Ese'eja Native Community (2 hours), and Inkaterra Canopy and Wetlands (3 hours).

Lupuna Trail - Duration: 3 hours: Lupuna Trail covers a greater variety of ecosystems, from seasonably flooded groves and virgin forests to stream banks. The habitat of the stream area is particularly propitious for bird and butterfly viewing. The highlight of this trail, which is 2.1 km (1.3 miles) long, is the roughly 200-year old Lupuna Tree (Ceiba pentandra). There are some permanently muddy areas along the trail, ideal for sighting footprints of the most elusive wildlife, such as the Red Brocket Deer (Mazama Americana) and the Collared Peccary (Tayassu tajacu). Visitors may also spot other species such as the Sachavaca (a large tapir) and trees such as the Capirona (Calycophy spruceanum), Ceiba (Ceiba pentandra) or Kapok Tree and Shihuahuaco (Dipteryx micrantha) or "Iron tree." A guide is recommended although the path is marked every 50 meters.
(Both Oje and Lupuna Trails are loop-trails retracing steps.)

Swamp Trail - Duration: 3 hours: This worthwhile non-loop trail is an extension of Lupuna Trail and also features various habitats. Visitors who wish to get more involved with the Amazon's floodable ecosystem and biodiversity should not miss this trail. This trail is not included in the Discovering Tambopata excursion.

Aguaje Palm Trail - Duration: 4 hours: Aguaje Palm Trail (1.5 km or 0.9 mille) leads to sunken palm groves known as aguajales of Aguaje palms (Maurita flexuosa). Exotic fruit juices and savory palmettos are obtained from these majestic palms. In November these palms are laden with fruit, which in turn attract many birds and curious mammals such as deer, peccaries, monkeys and tapirs (Tapirus terrestris). This trail is not included in the Discovering Tambopata excursion.

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Rainforest by Night
Venturing into the rainforest after dark enables visitors to listen to nocturnal forest sounds and spot Amazon species that only emerge at night, such as tarantulas, armadillos and even ocelots. A guide and a powerful flashlight are required.

Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes.

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Rolin Island
Rolin Island (also known as Monkey Island), located in the Madre de Dios River, is a large property in front of RESERVA AMAZÓNICA. In association with INRENA PERU (National Institute of Natural Resources), INKATERRA runs a conservation project to protect endangered primates and reintroduce them to their natural environment. This lush island is unique to the area and a favorite excursion destination for RESERVA AMAZÓNICA guests. Hiking trails, huge trees, and beautiful beaches in summer that embellish the isle scenery. Rolin is a special location to watch particular monkey species such as the white fronted capuchin, the brown capuchin, the saddle backed tamarin and the squirrel monkey.

Duration: 2 hours
Access: Motorized boat and by foot

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Butterfly Farm
Guests can visit the butterfly farm at Puerto Maldonado and observe the captivating beauty and vast diversity of native butterfly. Peru boasts the greatest number of observable butterfly species in the world.

Duration: 1 hour
Access: By car (next to the airport)

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Madre de Dios River by Night
This expedition gives visitors the opportunity to spot eye-catching caimans at the river beaches hunting for their prey. Madre de Dios River is home to three species of alligators: black caiman, white caiman and the dwarf caiman (right). Capibaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaesis), the biggest rodent on earth, can also be spotted during this expedition.

Duration: 2 hours
Access: Motorized boat

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Lake Sandoval
Visiting the isolated Lake Sandoval, the most beautiful at the Tambopata Reserve, is a unique excursion not to be missed. It gives the traveler the chance to get close to various animal species such as the "Shansho" (or Opisthocomus Hoatzin bird), parrots and other birds, turtles, piranhas, and maybe even the giant otter of the Amazon. Lake Sandoval is an extraordinary waterbody, rich in icthiological species, surrounded by Moriche palm trees (Mauritia flexuosa). A paddle boat ride around the lake exposes its rich fauna and flora.

Duration: Half day
Access: Motorized boat, by foot and paddle boat.
Note: Full-Day journeys to the lake are available at an additional cost.

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Native Amazonian Farm
Visitors explore typical local farms (or chacras) where locals show them a wide variety of Amazon crops and their lifestyles. They are able to sample regional fruits (such as papaya, cocona, chirimoya and several varieties of bananas) and appreciate other local species (such as hierba luisa, sugar cane, cassava and cocoa).

Duration: 3 hours and 30 minutes
Access: Motorized boat and by foot

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Gamitana Creek
Visitors board a motorboat and travel upstream to the marvelous and calmed Gamitana Creek. In this exploration the travelers are able to sight birds, monkeys, caimans and turtles, and enjoy a day of fishing. Lunch includes tasty Amazon fish served in one of the creek's beaches. Also, visitors may have the option of paddling in local canoes.

Duration: Half day
Access: Motorized boat, canoe and by foot

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Canopy Walkway
This spectacular activity, unique to RESERVA AMAZÓNICA in the Madre de Dios region, allows visitors to appreciate the Amazon from a unique perspective and to observe the flora and fauna of the treetops. At 40 meters (130 feet) above the ground, guests can walk and explore more than 320 meters (1050 feet) of treetops, observing orchids, diverse fruits, insects and a large variety of tree-dwelling animals. The Canopy Walk features two observation towers and several circular observation platforms.

Duration: 3 hours
Access: Foot

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EcoActivities

The following Activities are part of our explorations:

	Footprints Identify animal prints and learn to interpret them during your excursions.
	Birdwatching Spot and identify some of the 550 different species of birds that reside in the Madre de Dios region. 355 types have been spotted in Inkaterra´s Ecological Reserve.
	Survival Skills Experiment some of the most useful survival skills used among natives. Learn to use the longbow and the blowgun, to recognize which animals and plants are edible and to identify local sounds, among other techniques.
	Fishing Use local fishing techniques, identify the most popular fishes in the Madre de Dios region, and if you wish, try their flavors.
	Photography Find picture opportunities in this photographic paradise.
	Medicinal Plants Scout the world of medicine from a native´s perspective. It has been calculated that natives use more than 4000 dferent types of plants for medical purposes, from which only 40% have been scientificaly investigated.
	Astronomy Discover the astounding southern hemisphere, using special equipment.
	Tracking Ants Identify different Amazon ant species and learning about their team-based working system, as well as understanding the importance of ants in the Amazon ecosystem. During his work at RESERVA AMAZÓNICA, Harvard Professor Edward O. Wilson registered the world record of ant species in a single location (362 species).

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Reserva Amazonica Itinerary

Day 1 - Fly Cuzco to Puerto Maldonado
Meeting service upon arrival at the airport in Puerto Maldonado. Survey this bustling, jungle frontier town on the confluence of the Madre de Dios and Tambopata Rivers. Then, commence a one-hour journey by motorized dugout canoe on the Madre de Dios River. During the trip, you may see bird species typical of the river's edge, such as: Black Skimmer, Pied Lapwing, Capped Heron, Horned Screamer, Bat Falcon, and several species of kingfishers, swallows, and flycatchers. Arrive at the lodge in time to unpack, unwind, and enjoy lunch. You will receive a short orientation and a complete briefing of the lodge and the Ese'eja Ecotourism Project over dinner. (L, D)

Days 2, 3 & 4 (depending upon safari length): At Reserva Amazonica
Have a buffet breakfast(s) at the lodge before starting out on your daily excursion. Ride twenty minutes by motorboat to the right bank of the Madre de Dios River, and then walk for about an hour through the tropical rainforest. During the three-kilometer stretch, see plants, trees, some Batrachia (toads and frogs) and reptiles, a variety of birds and, throughout the whole walk, dancing multicolored butterflies. At the end of the path, glide through the marsh in a rowboat to solitary, magnificent Lake Sandoval. Here, take in the extraordinary sight of placid waters surrounded by palm, aguaje and other primary forest trees. During the journey, observe also rich flora and fauna including river otters, caimans (alligators), turtles, Amazonian birds including the hoatzin or shansho (a prehistoric-looking bird, Opithocamus hoazin or stinkbird), parrots, Black Skimmers, and herons.

Return to Madre de Dios to board the motor boat for a brief ride followed by a five-minute walk through the wet forest among plantings of cacao trees, coffee bushes, and other plants.

At the end of the trail, discover the famous paddle-wheel boat, Fitzcarraldo, run aground many years ago and covered with vegetation. This boat was used in the past as an itinerate hospital to serve indigenous communities. Return to the lodge by boat for another delicious lunch in the panoramic dining room, then time out for a nap.

River Otter on Lake Sandoval

In the afternoon, visit an indigenous cultivation plot to view various Amazonian crops and observe the local community's lifestyle. Enjoy the opportunity to taste some tropical fruits and edible plants such as sugar cane, yucca (cassava), bananas, and cacao (coco). Return to the lodge at sunset, the ideal time to photograph the fusion of river and sky in soothing colors. A typical dinner will be served tonight, PACA (fish, chicken, or meat prepared on a bamboo skewer and cooked over the coals, rice with cooked tomatoes and onions, and a variety of exotic herbs and sauces). The PACA is prepared outside the main dining room and according to local practice. (B, L, D)

Days 3, 4 or 5 (depending upon safari length): Fly Puerto Maldonado to Lima
Rise and breakfast early this morning before your transfer to Puerto Maldonado airport, where you will be assisted with check-in for your flight to Lima. (B)

Package Rates Per Person	Superior Bungalow			Riverview Bungalow			Amazonian Suite
Reserva Amazonica	Dbl	Sgl	Tpl	Dbl	Sgl	Tpl	Dbl	Sgl	Tpl
3-Day Safari	$760	895	755	$799	960	799	$895	1078	895
4-Day Safari	$900	1115	900	$965	1195	965	$1095	1368	1095
5-Day Safari	$1059	1335	1059	$1085	1439	1085	$1420	1839	1420
Safaris include: Round-trip airfare Cuzco to Puerto Maldonado, round-trip airport transfers in Puerto Maldonado, all meals, bottled water and non-alcoholic juice, nature trails, and your choice of excursions as listed above. Not included: Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, gratuities and airport tax. Note: These packages are priced as extensions to one of the Peru programs from Cuzco. If originating in Lima, additional charges will apply.

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Harpey Eagle	Scarlet Macaws	River Otter