Amazon Adventure in Peru

Upon arrival at the airport in the lively river town of Puerto Maldonado, you’ll be met and escorted to the riverbank to embark the 45-minute journey up the gently-flowing Madre de Dios River. Arriving in the heart of a 42,000-acre private ecological reserve situated deep in the Amazon jungle, you’ll check in to our acclaimed eco-lodge, hailed by National Geographic Traveler as one of the best in the world. Settle in to your private accommodations, a spacious wood and thatch cabana inspired by the dwellings of the indigenous Ese’ Eja community.   During your stay here, you’ll enjoy a choice of included excursions and activities – led by expert naturalists and designed to immerse you in the beauty of the Amazon as you learn about its remarkable flora and fauna. For your first afternoon, a guided nature walk would be a terrific introduction to the unique rainforest environment.  Meals L+D

Our lodge offers more than a dozen naturalist-guided excursions designed for different interests and abilities – and you can join the ones that best fit your style. From forest trails to ox-bow lakes, there are many ways to observe and learn about the Amazon’s eco-systems and its colorful birds and wildlife. Your adventures can take you over land and water – or even high into the forest canopy. Twilight tours are an exciting way to encounter nocturnal species.   Here are some of the excursions that are available:   Rainforest Garden: Close to our Lodge is a native garden that was started by local inhabitants more than 10 years ago. Encompassing native plants and trees, this guided discovery walk offers a chance to learn about the indigenous flora – including delicate orchids and medicinal plants that have long been used by indigenous rainforest communities.   Twilight River Expedition: Setting out in the late afternoon with an expert naturalist, this guided boat ride offers a chance to experience the jungle as it transitions from a diurnal to a nocturnal environment. Learn about the habits of these diverse jungle denizens as you search for nightjars, owls, capybaras and caimans. As darkness falls, this excursion also offers a chance to observe the constellations of the Southern Sky.   Amazon Wetlands: This half-day excursion explores the diversity of the Amazon Basin, from drier forests to rainforest swamps. Covering both jungle trails and a well-maintained system of elevated boardwalks, you’ll experience these environmental transitions as you search for and learn about the various species of mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles that inhabit the various eco-zones.   Gamitana Creek + Model Farm: This half-day expedition begins with a 90-minute interpretive walk along a rainforest trail that follows a dark-water creek home to piranha, caimans and turtles. The surrounding forest is home to a rich variety of exotic tropical birds. Then embark on a 1-hour canoe expedition along Gamitana Creek to a pioneering model farm that is bringing sustainable farming techniques to local rainforest communities. Enjoy a guided tour of the farm and try your hand at making the plantain flour used by our Lodge for its delightful, fresh-baked breads.   Canopy + Wetlands: A short ride in our motorized canoe brings you to the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway Interpretation Center. Ascend 95 feet above the shadowy forest floor to navigate with your expert naturalist along a network of suspension bridges that connect 8 observation platforms. Walking through the lush forest canopy offers incredible views and a chance to observe tree-top denizens including toucans, woodpeckers, colorful trogons, sloths and monkeys. Back on the ground, explore a nearby wetland ecosystem along an elevated boardwalk that offers a chance to observe various species of amphibians, birds and mammals.   Lake Sandoval: This half-day excursion begins as a motorized canoe takes you deep into the Tambopata Nature Reserve. From here, a 90-minute interpretive nature walk brings you to the edge of Lake Sandoval. Gliding silently across the still waters of this ox-bow lake offers a chance to observe the endangered giant river otter, red howler monkeys and the prehistoric-looking hoatzin.   Meals B+L+D

After breakfast at the Lodge, we’ll take you back down the river to Puerto Maldonado for your onward flight.  Meals B