The Tambopata Reserved Zone, a bustling, booming tropical frontier town known as the most biologically diverse environment on earth, is situated at the confluence of the mighty Madre de Dios and Tambopata Rivers. Its principal activities are gold mining, Brazil nut collecting, timber extraction, agriculture and ecotourism.
Research over the last two decades has shown that this area has the greatest diversity of wildlife discovered in the world so far. It has more species of birds in the world (595 spp.), birdwatchers have counted up to 100 different species in a day; butterflies (over 1200 spp.) and many other animal groups that any other location of its size on earth. This exceptional diversity is due to its privileged location at the meeting point of lowland Amazon forest with three other ecosystems: Andean foothills, Dry forests and Pampas Savannah. At least seven major forest types can be distinguished at the Tampobata-Candamo Reserved Zone.
Because of its unique features, this area was set aside in 1977 as a Reserved Zone by the Peruvian Government prohibiting any hunting and timber cutting. In 1990 the 1,478,943 hectare Tambopata-Candamo Reserved Zone was created which encompasses the Bahuaja-Sonene National Park created in 1996.
This programme is our recommended introduction to the Rainforest based in Posada Amazonas - but still an introduction. You will have time to visit a canopy tower, a parrot clay lick at prime time, an oxbow lake and an ethno botanical centre; additionally, you will hike a rain forest trail with a member of the Infierno Community. |
All our programmes can be tailor made according to your requirements, whether regarding the length of your tour, any special interests or specific activities, flight reservations, optional destinations or tours.
DAY 01: Arrival in Puerto Maldonado and journey to Amazonas Lodge
Upon arrival from Lima or Cusco, reception and transfer to the Tambopata River port in Puerto Maldonado. Puerto Maldonado is situated at the confluence of the mighty Madre de Dios and Tambopata Rivers and is a bustling, booming tropical frontier town. Its principal activities are gold mining, Brazil nut collecting, timber extraction, agriculture and ecotourism. After a brief survey of the town we will depart on a 1 hour ride via Infierno road, followed by 30 minutes boat journey by motorised canoe to Posada Amazonas Depending on the arrival time of the plane we will have a boxed lunch aboard the boats or have lunch upon arrival at Posada Amazonas.
During our journey we may see bird species typical of the river or forest edge such as: Black Skimmer, Pied Lapwing, Capped Heron, Jabiru Stork, Roadside Hawk, and several species of kingfishers, swallows and flycatchers. When we arrive at Posada Amazonas we will unpack and unwind. Posada Amazonas is a comfortable yet unobtrusive 24 room lodge owned jointly by Rainforest Expeditions and the Local Community of Infierno. We will receive a short orientation and a complete briefing on the lodge and the Ecotourism Project before our afternoon activity: the canopy tower. In this activity, we will visit a 35 meter scaffolding tower that is a 15 minutes walk from the lodge.
The scaffolding tower is built so that you safely climb using the internal staircase with verandas on each side, and rest in platforms present every 2 meters. From the top you not only get spectacular views of the River and the surrounding forest but also excellent opportunities to observe birds from the canopy including Parrots, Toucans and Macaws. A video about the Forest of Tambopata will be displayed after dinner.
Meals Included: Lunch and dinner
DAY 02: Tres Chimbadas Oxbow Lake and Amazonas Lodge
We will be up at dawn for a visit to the Tres Chimbadas oxbow lake. After an early breakfast we depart, fifteen minutes from Posada Amazonas by boat and a 30 minute walk take us to the lake shore. From here we take a long, easy canoe ride around it. We will look for Giant River Otters, Turtles, Hoatzin, and wading birds. The Giant River Otters that are seen in Tres Chimbadas belong to a resident family of nine.
Then we will return to the Lodge for lunch before embarking on our afternoon outing. In the afternoon we will visit the community's ethno-botanical centre. From this little shop, the community has been registering the uses of medicinal plants from elders and planting, producing and distributing them for over ten years. We will hike the trails around the centre with one of the residents who will explain to us the everyday uses of forest resources in medicine, construction, food and fibre. We will return to Posada Amazonas for dinner and overnight. After enjoying our popular happy hour and refurbishing your spirits with ours, you will be up for an optional night walk to look for amphibians and insects.
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
DAY 03: Visit to the Parrots and Macaws Clay-lick (Collpa)
After an early breakfast you will visit a clay lick. This clay lick is also a ten minute walk from the Lodge, but next to the River. Amazingly, the variety of parrots that visit this clay lick is considerably different than the one inside the forest that you will visit later in the day. Some of the large Macaws like the Red and Green macaw; and larger parrots, like Mealy and Yellow Crowned Amazons visit this lick, as well as the smaller parrots and parakeets.From the blind we have constructed next to this lick, even the amateur photographer can take good pictures of these wonderful birds.
You will also have a great opportunity to spot other spectacular wildlife, active at this time of the day, like Scarlet or Blue and Gold Macaws and a great deal of other birds. When the activity dies out you will visit a small parakeet clay lick that is a 45 minute walk away. Dozens and sometimes hundreds of Blue Headed Parrots, Orange-Cheeked Parrots, Cobalt-winged Parakeets, and sometimes even the rare Rock Parakeet congregate here on clear days to ingest clay. This congregation creates a riotous and colourful wildlife spectacle where the greens, oranges, reds and blues of the parrots dance around the bank as each individual parrot competes for their choice beakful of clay. At times, this spectacle lasts for hours.
After lunch, you will have a walk through a trail on primary forest with a community member and our naturalist guide who will explain general aspects of Rainforest ecology and natural history, each with their own contrasting viewpoint. Return to Posada Amazonas Lodge where you will be able to reminisce on the happenings of the past three days enjoying our happy hour's Amazonian concoctions.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
DAY 04: Return to Puerto Maldonado
After an early breakfast, you will depart by boat back to the city of Puerto Maldonado, directly to the airport, in time for your flight back to Lima or Cusco.
Meals Included: Breakfast
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