ITINERARY
Pick up at your accommodation....
8:00pm you will have a transfer to the bus station for your departure bus to Puerto Maldonado.
NOTE: You can also avoid the bus by taking a flight, please let us know if you prefer this option. AIT can arrange this for you.....
Day 1: Puerto Maldonado - Chuncho Lodge:
You will arrive at the bus station in Puerto Maldonado around 7:30am and you will be transferred to our office for the final briefing and explanation of what the next few days will include. *Note: In case you have large luggage, we suggest leaving items in our office and only taking with you what you need for the trip.
You will be picked up from the office to begin the land transfer (4X4) truck to your destination for about 2 hours to reach the banks of the Tambopata River. Once you reach this destination, you will take a boat to the lodge. Once settled in you will have your first lunch depending on the arrival time. In the afternoon you will take an introductory walk into the rainforest where you will have the opportunity to see animals in their natural habitat such as amphibians, mammals, reptiles and wonderful insects.
Day 2: Macaw Clay Licks - Kayak:
You will wake up very early (at approximately 4:30 am) to go on an incredible journey by boat to the world's largest macaw clay lick “ EL CHUNCHO”. This journey of about 1 hour and 30 minutes by boat, will allow you the opportunity to see species such as capybaras (the world's largest rodents), tapirs, and if you are lucky you can even see the most beautiful South American feline, the jaguar.
After arrival to the macaw clay lick you will see hundreds of parrots of different species (approx.11) come to eat clay adjacent to the river. After viewing the parrots, the activity is followed by the viewing of three species of the most colorful macaws of America with colors ranging from reds and greens to blues and yellows. They come to gather and eat clay needed in your daily diet and eliminate toxins. On a good day of activity you will see hundreds of these wonderful animals flying over you… an experience of a lifetime. Next you will return to our lodge for breakfast and rest time. Later this day, you will walk through the botanical garden where you can see fruit, timber and medicinal species in the company of our guide. Upon return, you will enjoy lunch. In the afternoon you will have the opportunity to kayak the Tambopata River. Here you will move silently along the river to have more opportunity to observe the larger animals of the Tambopata Reserve. Your day will end with a filling dinner and plenty of time for a good night sleep.
Day 3: Chuncho Lodge - Monkey Island - Walking tour:
After a hearty breakfast, the boat will transport you back to Puerto Maldonado and transfer to the port of Madre de Dios River where the boat for a 45 minute to one-hour cruise that will lead us to your home-base for the next couple of days (Monte Amazon Lodge). Upon arrival there will be a welcome meeting, and then you will have a chance to settle into your room.
After a rest, you will have an introduction and a walk for approx. 45 min. in the rain forest, guided by skilled and experienced local guide who will take you through our trails. Here you can see some trees that are estimated to be over five hundred years old. It will also be possible to see animals like toucans, orioles, trogons, macaws, monkeys, snakes, butterflies, etc. You will have the opportunity to experience the magic of our forest that is adjacent to the Tambopata National Reserve (278,000 hectares protected). After lunch, you will go to the monkey island, located in front of our lodge across the Madre de Dios River and will look for approx. 20 different monkeys including the family of capuchin monkeys that live on this island. Following this activity, you will return to the lodge to have a short rest before we head off to search for white alligators on the Madre de Dios River. Sometimes with the use of a flashlight on the sandbars, it is possible to see the Capybara, which is the largest rodent in the world weighing up to 60 kilos, then back to the lodge, dinner and rest.
Day 4. Sandoval Lake - Alligator watching:
After breakfast, you will walk 3 km amidst the dense tropical jungle and head towards the Sandoval Lake, which is a habitat of Piranhas (one of the largest in the Tambopata National Reserve). You will sail in a paddle canoe and appreciate many birds and monkeys of different species including (shansho cormorant Jacanas, puma heron, vultures, howler monkey, black capuchin, tamarins and sloths). Here it is also possible to meet with the family of giant otters in which are endangered, as well as some of the largest alligators (over 4 feet long) before returning to the lodge to enjoy a typical lunch and afternoon to relax or explore on your own. Once the sun goes down and dinner is complete, you will be able to go and explore the jungle nightlife including spiders, frogs and many different insects.
Day 5. Canopy walk & Zip Line:
5:30 a.m.- This morning will begin with a short walk through the canopy walk-way (about 40 meters high) allowing us to have a panoramic view of the Madre de Dios River and allow us to observe different species of birds, including toucans, trogons, macaws, tanagers, orioles, etc. If time permits you will also prepare for the zip line activity challenge from tree to tree, over 30 meters high before returning to the lodge for lunch and rest. In the afternoon will be a challenge to cross the Madre de Dios River by kayak. Finally, around 3pm the boat will take you back to Puerto Maldonado where you will have time to grab dinner and walk around before heading to the bus station for your overnight bus at 21:00pm (approx. 11hours).
Arrival To Cusco the next day.........
07:30am (approx.) arrival to Cusco. Here you need to transport yourself back to your accommodation in Cusco.
NOTE: One can also flight there and back to Cusco or lima city. The difference will be that you will miss activities of the last day due that the flight depart Puerto Maldonado early than the buses.
Included:
- Sleeper bus (Cusco – Puerto Maldonado – Cusco).
- Professional naturalist guide.
- Transportation to both lodges (round trip).
- Entrance fees to Tambopata Reserve Zone.
- Meals (vegetarian on request). (First day breakfast and last day dinner not included).
- Rubber boots for walking activities
- Shared accomodation (Lodge).
Not Included:
- Alcoholic drinks etc.
- Private Accomodation (extra cost).
- Snacks.
- Transfer bus station to accomodation in Cusco.
Things you Should Bring:
- Original passport.
- Mosquito repellent.
- Long sleeved shirts (cotton is best).
- Cotton socks.
- Sandals.
- Comfortable walking shoes.
- Rain cover/jacket.
- Long light-weight pants.
- Bathing suit.
- Personal toiletries and medications.
- Sun-screen.
- Hat.
- T-shirts.
- Short pants.
- Flashlight and camera.
- Cash in soles for exra expenses.
- Positive mind!