Tambopata national reserve offers a rare opportunity to discover a rich biodiversity of colorful birds, elusive mammals, reptiles, exotic insects and twisting trees. A hub for birding and jungle exploration, concentrated in this tract of rainforest are interesting numbers of animal species and a great variety of plant life. This carefully curated four-day low-impact journey reveals the best of Peru’s south-east amazon basin, staying at jungle lodge Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica.
Itinerary Overview
DAY 1 – Arrive into Puerto Maldonado Airport (domestic flight booked on your own). Enjoy a -45minute boat ride to Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica jungle lodge. Delve into the depths of the rainforest with a Trail System walk and take a gentle Twilight River cruise as nocturnal creatures begin to stir.
DAY 2 – Glide in a wooden canoe across glassy Lake Sandoval. Appreciate the vastness of the Amazon by scaling the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway and follow the Anaconda Walk over mysterious wetlands.
DAY 3 – Discover exotic fruits on Gamitana Farm and paddle along Gamitana Creek. Learn about the myriad of uses for the Amazon’s flora at Hacienda Concepcion. Observe secret jungle activity following the Rainforest by Night trail under the cover of darkness.
DAY 4 – Set off by boat from your riverside lodge, visiting a Butterfly House before your departure flight to Lima or Cusco (domestic flight booked on your own).
Itinerary Day By Day
DAY 1: Arrive into Puerto Maldonado, coined the Capital of Biodiversity. Transfer by road to our pier and begin your Amazon adventure with a 45-minute boat ride along the serpentine Madre de Dios River. The motorized wooden boat hugs the meandering river banks to reach your eco-lodge, Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica, ensconced in the heart of the rainforest. After a short briefing, settle into your palm-thatched cabaña set within Peru’s first ever private ecological reserve, established by Inkaterra in 1975 to protect this sensitive environment. After lunch, retreat to your rustic-luxury cabin for a nap or a swing in your hammock before choosing from the wide range of à la carte guided excursions with your expert Inkaterra explorer guide. We recommend walking along the Trail system for an immersive introduction into the intricate biodiversity of the Amazon basin and the layers of the rainforest. Wind your way through towering trees, like the Shihuahuaco, as your ears tune in to the croaks, rustles and calls of the exotic wildlife inhabiting this rich ecosystem. There are excellent opportunities for birding and observing a cornucopia of flora. Keep your camera at the ready just in case sloths or monkeys appear dangling from the treetops.
In the late afternoon, we highly recommend taking our gentle Twilight River excursion to witness the jungle transform from a diurnal to a nocturnal world: animals and birds of the daytime give way to species specially adapted to the shadows of the night. You may be able to spot the likes of nightjars, owls, capybaras and big caiman lurking on the riverbanks.
Amazonian-inspired dinner is served in the main dining room from 19:00-22:00 where we invite you to enjoy a complimentary Pisco Sour cocktail. Back in your comfy cabaña, listen to the intriguing cacophony of critters that inhabit the rainforest surrounding the lodge.
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica Lodge
DAY 2: The sunlight squeezes through the dense trees as jungle inhabitants awake from their slumber. Optionally join them in the early hours, with buffet breakfast served from 05:00. Visit Lake Sandoval this morning, a glassy, ox-bow lake located inside the protected Tambopata National Reserve. Reached via a sun-dappled jungle trail, Inkaterra explorer guides enjoy regaling visitors with their tales of unexpected encounters with poison frogs and camouflaged creatures. Board a dug-out wooden canoe to quietly paddle through mangroves and glide onto Lake Sandoval, flanked by picture-perfect palms. This serene lake is home to thousands of species of birds, the endangered giant river otter, red howler monkeys, red-bellied macaws, anacondas, side-neck turtles and black caimans. Return to Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica in time for lunch.
In the afternoon, we recommend climbing the exhilarating Inkaterra Canopy Walkway and navigating the Anaconda Walk. The Inkaterra Canopy Walkway is a sophisticated and safe 344 metre (1,135 feet) network of seven ecologically constructed hanging suspension bridges, strung between eight treetop observation platforms above the forest floor. This is an unforgettable opportunity to observe the rainforest from the rooftop and gain a sense of its colossal size. Ascend the first vertiginous tower 38 metres (124 feet) above ground, keeping an eye out for bright toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, monkeys and the three-toed sloth. It’s possible to extend your elevated amble with sunset drinks from atop a tower – or spend a once-in-a-lifetime night in a specially-designed treehouse cabin with surprising creature comforts (additional cost applies).
After descending, enjoy a 30-minute Anaconda Walk that follows a 200-meter (656 feet) raised wooden platform over the atmospheric flooded aguajales swamp. In this lush ecosystem you may observe various species of amphibians, birds, mammals, abundant flora and interesting trees – there is even a chance you might spot snakes.
Back at the lodge, you can opt to enjoy a daily nature presentation in the Eco Centre or book yourself an indulgent spa treatment. À la carte dinner is served from 19:00.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica Lodge
DAY 3: Journey 25-minutes by boat to Gamitana Farm and Creek to unearth more of the mysteries of the rainforest. The Amazon is an almost endless source of exotic fruits and vegetables, many with healing properties that support local communities living in the remote jungle. At Gamitana model farm, engulfed by the sounds and scents of the Amazon, you will get to see how a variety of produce is grown by local farmers and sample some seasonal forest fruits. Follow a dense jungle trail under the virescent canopy to reach Gamitana Creek.
This winding, dark water creek is home to abundant flora and fauna, with many piranhas, caiman, turtles and birds hiding in its murky waters and riverbanks. Return to Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica for lunch. Head 35-minutes upriver to Inkaterra’s sister lodge Hacienda Concepcion, built on an old cocoa and rubber plantation. This site formerly functioned as a medical Centre, set up by Catholic missionaries in the 1950s, as well as a Centre for ecological research. With over 200 different plant species found here, see why the rainforest is often considered the world’s largest pharmacy and learn about their uses and benefits up-close in this natural classroom. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxing 30-minute canoe trip to look for turtles, sun grebes, nightjars and exotic herons before returning to your lodge. Under the cover of darkness, venture out for two-hours for the Rainforest by Night excursion through Inkaterra’s ecological reserve. Armed with flashlights, duck under tree boughs as your senses heighten to the movements in the undergrowth and nocturnal forest sounds that appear in different directions around you. With your expert Explorer guide, encounter animal activity and spot species that only emerge with the veil of nightfall.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica Lodge
DAY 4: With a staggering roster of wildlife found in and around Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica – 540 bird species have been inventoried in the grounds of the lodge – enjoy your last morning in this unspoilt natural wonderland as parakeets chatter away in the trees and capybara mammals scurry between vibrant orchid-rich gardens. Check-out is at 10:00; depending on your departure flight time lunch can also be arranged today (additional cost applies). Embark your ready-waiting boat for the 45-minute return trip along the snaking Madre de Dios River. You will make a short visit to a Butterfly House before reaching the airport. Peru boasts the greatest variety of butterflies in the world, with 3,700 known species. Many of these can be seen at the Butterfly House, which serves to showcase the variety, beauty and adaptability of these fascinating insects.
Meals included: Breakfast
Please note that this four-day journey is a suggested itinerary. Activities and excursions can be chosen on an à la carte basis on arrival at the lodge and are subject to change depending on weather conditions at the time of your visit.
NOTES
Arrival and Transport: A 20-minute flight from Cusco brings you to Puerto Maldonado Airport, where the Inkaterra staff will greet you. Luggage not needed during your rainforest stay can be stored at the Inkaterra headquarters in Puerto Maldonado, located near the airport. Following a 10-minute bus transfer to the port, you will board a motorized dugout canoe for your trip to your selected property. The journey down Madre de Dios River allows travellers to appreciate the spectacular scenery that will be part of the rainforest experience. Transportation by boat is also provided upon your departure.
Experience Pace: Relaxed, moderately paced, nature & ecological walks within the Nature Reserve with some boat rides along the river. Some activities/excursions may be physically demanding, and require hiking. Agility required for visiting the jungle. Not recommended for wheelchair or other mobility aids.
Health: The US Travel Advisory for Peru usually recommends yellow fever shots and malaria-preventive medication for tourists travelling to rainforest regions. Please consult your doctor at least a month before visiting the Amazon Basin. No cases of yellow fever or malaria have ever been reported on our properties.
Water: Inkaterra uses filtered river water that can be used for showers but is not safe to drink. Bottled drinking water is provided to all guests. For the convenience of our travellers, our properties have water containers.
Weather And What To Wear: 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.
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.