Location
The lodge is situated on the banks of the tambopata river in the heart of the tambopata national reserve (tnr). The remoteness and tranquility of our lodge makes for a richly rewarding visit to the rain forest. With only a half hour commercial flight, transfer to the port, and a three hour boat ride to the lodge, it is one of the most accessible rain forest destination in peru. There is also daily commercial flights to/from lima (2 hrs). This combination of national reserve and proximity to cusco, machupicchu, and lima assure a convenient rewarding visit to the excellent rain forest habitat without having to lose holiday time traveling.
Tambopata national reserve:
The tambopata national reserve (tnr) has 678,800 acres and is on the edge of the baguaja sonene national park (bsnp) which has 2,696,919 acres. These combined create an immense area totaling more than 3,000,000 acres of sub-tropical rain forest which is protected by the peruvian government. Not only that, the area also became part of a cross border park system, joining it to the madidi national park in bolivia, becoming the largest protected zone of tropical forest on the continent of south america.
Includes:
All programs include services from arrival to and until departure from puerto maldonado. This includes airport reception, transfer to the port, river transport, all meals including 24 hrs availability of tea, and coffee (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), guided walks as per itinerary, tranfers to airport, and departure assitance.
Excludes:
Flights.
Jungle program 3 days!
Day 1:
You will meet your guide at the airport in puerto maldonado. Into town on the eco bus for a short ride to the offices for a briefing. Back onto the bus for the drive to the port where the group boards the motorised canoe (life jackets provided) and head to the eco lodge. The trip down the madre de dios river is about 35km or one and a half hours. On arrival at the lodge we are greeted with an alcoholic cocktail, which is made of a local fruit juice mixed with pisco. After being allocated a bungalow the group will be able to rest or explore the lodge before lunch is served. The bungalows are for 2 persons made from local timber with thatched roofs and there are about 45 bungalows in total meaning there will be other clients in the lodge at the same time. Apart from the bungalows there is the large dining hall which also comprises a comfortable separate bar and kitchen. Connecting the bungalows to the dining room and bar are several covered walkways.
All the meals are included in the tour price one of the lunches is called ‘juanitos’, a dish served with rice, meat and vegetables cooked in a banana leaf. The following day is a buffet lunch. Soups and deserts are served with all meals and tea or coffee is included. Beers and soft drinks are also available for a small fee. There is no electricity! (only a small generator providing light for the kitchen). At night the lodge is lit up by small oil lamps and kerosene lamps is supplied in each bungalow. So remember to charge their video & digital camera batteries before arriving at the lodge. The bungalows themselves are very basic but clean. Each bungalow bed is enclosed in mosquito netting. The rooms mainly have 2 single beds. Each bungalow has a private bathroom with flush toilets and shower. There is no hot water only naturally tepid. Apparently the water is pumped directly from the river and then filtered and treated before entering the bungalow so i wouldn’t recommend drinking it. In the afternoon on the first day and after lunch the group take a short boat trip across the madre de dios river to a natural island. On the way over you may spot caiman from the boat. In one location on the island there is a feeding spot where the guides put out food to attract the monkeys to come down and eat. At close range you will be able to see the various types of monkeys such as the black spider monkey, capuchin monkey, tamarins, squirrel monkeys and the south american coati. Apart from monkeys the guide will also show and tell the group about different type of trees and medicinal plants that can be found in the area.
Day 2:
The second day begins with a very early breakfast, after breakfast you will begin your hike into the depths of the amazon rainforest via specially prepared trails and bridges. Along the trail the guide will stop to point out the different types of birds, as well as the huge variety of plants and trees. The scenery during the trek is extremely varied. During the walk you will see the cave of the caimans. Continuing on, you will arrive at the majestic lake – a lake of crystalline waters surrounded by immense swamps and gigantic trees. Later on; you have the opportunity to climb to the top of the watchtower, this is definitely not for those who are afraid of heights! Where you can enjoy the panorama of the lake and the multitude of birds and animals – parrots, macaws, toucans, horned screamers, hoatzins and herons, as well as other animals such as caimans and turtles. If you’re lucky the giant otter will make a rare appearance. In the afternoon, you will return to the lodge for lunch, and then take a canoe trip down the river to visit to a local family living in the rainforest and their plantation where they grow fruits such as bananas, pineapples, cocoa (used for chocolate), chirimoya (or custard fruit) and lemons. Finally you will return to the lodge for dinner.
