Peru Amazon Adventure

Transfer to the airport in the morning for your flight to Puerto Maldonado, a bustling tropical frontier town situated at the confluence of the mighty Madre de Dios and Tambopata Rivers. You will be met at the airport, and after a brief stop at our local offices (you may leave extra luggage here), depart on a 45-minute drive to the river port. This is followed by a 2 1/2- to 3-hour boat journey by motorized dugout canoe to Refugio Amazonas Lodge (Posada Amazonas Lodge program varies slightly). You may see bird species typical of the river or forest edge, such as the black skimmer, pied lapwing, capped heron, jabiru stork, roadside hawk, as well as several species of kingfishers, swallows, and flycatchers. When you arrive at the lodge, you can unpack and unwind before you receive an orientation and a briefing. This afternoon head to the canopy tower, where you will visit a 35 m/115 ft scaffolding tower built so that you safely climb using the internal staircase. There are verandas on each side and rest-in platforms present every 6 feet. From the top you not only have spectacular views of the river and forest, but you also have opportunities to observe birds, including parrots, toucans, and macaws, from the canopy. A presentation on the Ecotourism Project will be given after dinner this evening.

ACCOMMODATIONS AT POSADA & REFUGIO AMAZONAS LODGE
The Posada & Refugio Amazonas Lodges are located on the banks of the Tambopata River, adjacent to the Tambopata National Reserve. Posada Amazonas is located approximately 1 1/2 hours by boat from the nearest town, Puerto Maldonado. Refugio Amazonas is located about 3 hours from Puerto Maldonado. The lodges are built using a combination of traditional native materials (wood, palm fronds, wild cane, and clay) and modern day eco-lodge technology and architecture. The lodge itself consists of guest rooms, a spacious dining area and kitchen, a relaxation area, and internal support facilities. The 24 double bedrooms are 13 x 23 feet and can be set up with a third bed. The walls dividing each room are built using cane and clay and extend from the floor to about 8 feet high, making each room private although sounds can be heard from room to room. The side that looks out to the forest does not have a wall or screening of any kind and therefore acts as a large window to the forest. Mosquitoes are not really a problem around the lodge, and the open section allows for intimate contact with the rainforest. A second small window on the opposite side of the room is set up very high and keeps the rooms well-ventilated. Twin beds are sized for Americans or Europeans (3 1/2 ft wide x 6 1/2 ft long) and have mosquito nets. Each room has a private bathroom (with cold water only). Rooms and bathrooms are separated by drapes.

You will be up at dawn for a visit to the Sachavacayoc Oxbow Lake. After an early breakfast, depart on a 1 1/2-hour walk that will take you to the shores of the lake. From here you will take a long, easy canoe ride around the lake to look for giant river otters, turtles, hoatzin, and wading birds. Then, return to the lodge for lunch before embarking on your afternoon outing to visit the ethno-botanical trail. Hike the trails and learn the everyday uses of forest resources in the areas of medicine, construction, food, and fiber. Return to the lodge for dinner and your overnight stay. After enjoying the popular happy hour and lifting your spirits, you may be interested in taking an optional night walk to look for amphibians and insects.

Wake up early this morning to walk the lodge’s trails in time for a visit to a small parakeet clay lick. Dozens of parrots and parakeets congregate here on clear days to ingest clay, creating a riotous and colorful wildlife spectacle as each individual parrot competes for their choice beakful of clay. After the clay lick, visit the Brazil Nut Trail, which covers the brazil nut forest that lies within part of the Refugio Amazonas property. Learn how brazil nuts are harvested, transported, and dried with some hands-on experience. Return to the lodge for lunch before embarking on an afternoon outing to visit a local slash-and-burn farm. Slash-and-burn agriculture systems are often thought of as wasteful, but many resident studies have shown that the secret of their success is mixed planting in small patches, the use of a mixture of herbaceous and woody crops, and genetic diversity. Return to Refugio Amazonas and reminisce on your rainforest experience while enjoying happy hour.

This morning, return by motorized dugout canoe to Puerto Maldonado and transfer to the airport for your flight.