TAMBOPATA CANDAMO RESERVED AREA

Day 1.-

Pick up at airport and journey to the city Puerto Maldonado from where we embark, traveling along the river Madre de Dios about 4 1/2 hours to the National Reserve of Tambopata. Along the way we will see examples of the jungle wildlife: capybaras, side neck turtles, caimans and many birds who make their home along the river banks. Our first camp, “EL GATO”, is a spot of great natural beauty situated along a stream of the same name and where a waterfall tumbles to the rocks below, forming a natural bathing pool, but it may not be available during the rainy season.After having set up out tents and made ourselves comfortable we will take a nocturnal stroll to observe the wildlife at night and listen to the symphony of the dark jungle before taking supper and retiring to bed.

Day 2.-

We wake very early at 4:00 am and set out on our visit to the Chuncho Salt lick, a journey of about an hour and half from camp. Chuncho salt lick can be described as one of the most interesting places on the planet; every morning, in a spectacular display of colour and sound, hundreds of wild parrots and macaws congregate for their breakfast of mineral rich clay.Esmerald greens, golden yellows, flashing reds and bright blues, colours difficult to imagine without having seen them, melt and reform in kaleidoscopic patterns before our eyes in one of the most beautiful displays in the world. After breakfast we return to the jungle, walking trails close by where the vibrant jungle life can be observed in the form of animals such as monkeys, peccaries, and more wild life.Lunch is followed by another boat trip of about two hours, taking us to our new camp site, this time closer to the mountains, opposite the largest salt lick in the world, subject of many documentaries and scientific interest. We make camp, eat supper and retire early.

Day 3.-

We wake early and cross the river to see one of the most beautiful sights of the natural world, first the parrots, of which nine species can be observed, and then the six species of macaws form a symphony of colour and sound which is difficult to describe. We return to our second campsite where breakfast is served followed by short rest. Our boat then takes us back to the first campsite at “El Gato”.An afternoon walk along jungle trails is followed by a refreshing dip in the “El Gato” waterfall, and after supper we set out for an exciting evening outing in search of caimans. Bed.

Day 4.-

Again we rise early for another glimpse into the magical world of jungle wildlife, taking advantage of the fact that many animals, both mammals and birds, are active either in the early dawn hours or just before sunset. We return to camp for breakfast from where we once again embark on the river for a journey of about 3 hours. After passing Puerto Maldonado we enter the confluence of the rivers Tambopata and Madre de Dios from where we continue down the river Madre de Dios for another 45 minutes.We disembark for a walk of 5km through the jungle towards beautiful Lake Sandoval, an ox bow lake where wildlife is prolific; many species can be seen: hoatzins, cormorants, anhinga, kingfisher and monkeys. This lake is not only very scenic due to the great palm trees that line its shores it is also the home of the giant river otter, an animal that has been rescued from the point of extinction here, in and around the waters of this protected lake.The return upriver to Puerto Maldonado at sundown affords views of an epic equatorial sunset sky reflected in the waters of one of the largest tributaries of the Amazon. Arrival at and transfer to comfortable hotels, previously chosen by the passenger.

Day 5.-

Transfer to airport and farewell, after what we hope was an experience of a lifetime.