4 days in the Amazon Jungle

One of few easily accessible virgin tropical rainforest in the world, tambopata national reserve is situated in Peru’s south-east amazon basin. harbouring interesting numbers of animal species and a great variety of plant life, the biodiversity of this stretch of rainforest is staggering. this carefully curated four-day amazon adventure offers a unique opportunity to explore this fascinating environment in depth, based at jungle lodge Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica.

DAY 1

Arrive into Puerto Maldonado, coined the Capital of Biodiversity. Transfer by
road to the pier and begin your Amazon adventure with a 45-minute boat ride
along the Madre de Dios river that splices through the rainforest. The
motorized wooden boat hugs the meandering riverbanks to reach your
eco-lodge, Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica, in the middle of the rainforest.
After a short breafing, settle into your palm-thatched cabaña set within Peru’s
first ever private ecological reserve; established by Inkaterra in 1975, to protect
this sensitive environment. After lunch, retreat to your rustic-luxury cabin for a
nap or a swing in your hammock before choosing from the wide range à-la-carte
guided excursions with your expert Inkaterra Explorer Guide. We recommend
walking along the Trail System for an immersive introduction into the intricate
biodiversity of the Amazon basin and the layers of the rainforest. Walk along
towering trees, like the Shihuahuaco, as your ears tune in to the croaks, rustles
and calls of the exotic wildlife inhabiting this rich ecosystem. There are excellent
opportunities for birding and observing an abundance of flora. Keep your camera
ready just in case sloths or monkeys appear on the treetops.
In the late afternoon, we highly recommend taking our gentle Twilight River
excursion to witness the jungle transform from a diurnal to a nocturnal world:
where daytime animals and birds give way to species specially adapted to the
darkness of the night. You may also be able to spot the likes of nightjars, owls,
capybaras and caimans lurking on the riverbanks.
Amazonian-inspired dinner is served in the main dining room from
19:00-22:00 where we invite you to enjoy a complimentary Pisco Cocktail.
Back in your comfy cabaña, listen to the intriguing sounds of critters that
inhabit the rainforest surrounding the lodge.

DAY 2

The sunlight squeezes through the dense trees as jungle inhabitants awake
from their slumber. Optionally join them in the early hours, with buffet
breakfast served from 05:00. Visit Lake Sandoval this morning, a glassy,
ox-bow lake located inside the protected Tambopata National Reserve,
reached via a sun-dappled rainforest trail. Board a dug-out wooden canoe
to quietly paddle through a stream and glide onto Lake Sandoval, flanked
by picture-perfect palms. This serene lake is home to many species of birds,
the endangered giant river otter, red howler monkeys, red-bellied macaws,
anacondas, side-neck turtles, black caimans amongst others. Return to
Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica in time for lunch.
In the afternoon, we recommend climbing the exhilarating Inkaterra
Canopy Walkway. The Canopy Walkway is a sophisticated and safe
network, distributed over ecologically constructed hanging suspension
bridges, strung between eight treetop observation platforms above the
forest floor. This is an unforgettable opportunity to observe the rainforest
from the rooftop and gain a sense of its size. Ascend the first vertiginous
tower 42 meters (138 feet) above ground, keeping an eye out for bright
toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, monkeys and the three-toed sloth. It’s
possible to extend your elevated stay with sunset drinks from atop a tower,
– or spend a once-in-a-lifetime night in a specially designed treehouse
cabin with surprising comforts (additional cost applies)
After descending, enjoy a 30-minute Anaconda Walk that follows a
200-meter (656 feet) raised wooden platform over a flooded aguajales
swamp. In this lush ecosystem you may observe various species of
amphibians, birds, mammals, abundant flora and interesting trees.
Back at the lodge, you can opt to book yourself an indulgent spa treatment
in our refreshing ENA spa. À-la-carte dinner is served from 19:00.

DAY 3

Journey 25-minute by boat to Gamitana Farm and Creek to unearth more
of the wonders of the rainforest. The Amazon is an almost endless source
of exotic fruits and vegetables, many with healing properties that support
local communities living in the remote jungle. At Gamitana model farm,
engulfed by the sounds and scents of the Amazon, you will get to see how
a variety of produce is grown by local farmers and sample some seasonal
forest fruits. Afterwards follow a dense jungle trail under the canopy to
reach Gamitana Creek.
This winding, dark water creek is home to abundant flora and fauna, with
many piranhas, caiman, turtles and birds hiding in its murky waters and
riverbanks. Return to Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica for lunch.

Head 35-minute upriver to Inkaterra’s sister lodge Hacienda Concepcion,
built on an old cocoa and rubber plantation. This site formerly functioned
as a medical centre, set up by Catholic missionaries in the 1950s, as well
as a centre for ecological research. With over 200 different plants species
found here, see why the rainforest is often considered the world’s largest
pharmacy and learn about their uses and benefits up-close. Afterwards,
enjoy a relaxing 30-minute canoe trip to look for turtles, sun grebes,
nightjars and herons before returning to your lodge.
Under the cover of darkness, venture out for the Rainforest by Night
excursion through Inkaterra’s Ecological Reserve. Armed with flashlights,
duck under tree boughs as your senses heighten to the movements in the
undergrowth and nocturnal forest sounds that appear in different
directions around you. With your Inkaterra Explorer Guide, encounter
animal activity and spot species that only emerge with the veil of nightfall.

DAY 4
With a staggering roster of wildlife found in and around Inkaterra
Reserva Amazonica -540 bird species have been inventoried in the
grounds of the lodge- enjoy your last morning in this natural wonderland
as parakeets chatter away in the trees and agouti mammals scurry
between the cabañas.
Check-out is at 10:00; depending on your departure flight time lunch can
also be arranged today (additonal cost applies). Embark your
ready-waiting boat for the 45-minute return trip along the snaking
Madre de Dios River until arriving at the airport.
Please note that this four-day journey is a suggested itinerary. Activities
and excursions can be chosen on an à-la-carte basis on arrival at the
lodge and are subject to change depending on weather conditions at the
time of your visit, until arriving at the airport.

• Assistance at the airport
• Round trip transportation by land and river (Airport / Lodge / Airport)
• Overnights at Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica
• Full board
• Purifed water
• À-la-carte excursions (Spanish and English)
• Inkaterra Canopy Walkway and Anaconda Walk
• Entrance fees to Lake Sandoval (SERNANP), Inkaterra Canopy Walkway
• Basic equipment for each excursion