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Day 1 Puerto Maldonado / G Lodge Amazon (L,D)
Following your early morning arrival to Puerto Maldonado from Lima or Cuzco, you will be met at the airport by your naturalist guide and transferred to a dugout canoe for the trip up the Tambopata River to the lodge. On the journey the vegetation changes from colonized deforested areas to virgin rain forest. A box-lunch is provided on board. On arrival you’ll have a welcome drink and meet the rest of the staff. In the late afternoon you set off for an introductory walk into the “terra firme” forest behind the lodge, dominated by giant Brazil-nut and dipteryx trees. Frequently seen mammals on this trail are saddle-back tamarinds, brown capuchins, agoutis, pacas, blue-morpho butterflies, trogons, toucans and many other species of birds. After dinner enjoy a night walk to find nocturnal animals or insects – about 50% of the animals are nocturnal in the rainforest. G Lodge Amazon is situated within the Tambopata National Reserve (TNR) and is on the edge of the Bahuaja Sonene National Park, creating an immense area totaling more than 3,000,000 acres of sub-tropical moist rainforest. The area has became part of a cross border park system, joining with the Madidi National Park in Bolivia, together they constitute the largest protected zone of tropical forest on the continent of South America. The buildings or cabins of the lodge have been designed to exist in complete harmony with this exotic environment. They are made from wood and thatched with woven leaves and screened to protect their occupants from insects. Each bed is protected by a mosquito net and the cabins all have a private bathroom with running water. The dining room serves food, as well as drinks and snacks all day. All meals are prepared by the lodge’s own specialized professional staff using a blend of forest products and more traditional recipes. Some of the dishes are typically Peruvian and international food is also served. The lodge compound and buildings are lit at night with flame lanterns and candles but it is recommended that you keep your own flashlight handy. Tap water in the rooms comes from the clear Gallocunca stream found towards the rear of the lodge. The water is chlorinated and fit for showers and swimming though it is recommend you use the purified water supplied as drinking water. The lakes are also good places to swim, so remember to take your bathing suit with you on morning walks to the lakes. The lodge maintains several trails on both sides of the river totaling approximately 25km. Most are circular trails beginning and ending at the lodge which are well marked. Guests are welcome to explore them during their leisure time. The trails on the other side of the Tambopata River can only be reached by boat. Transport to and from the lodge is by boat. All boats are protected from both sun and rain by a roof and side closures. Boat seats have back rests and seat cushions for greater comfort. All passengers will be provided with a life jacket, and all the drivers we use are qualified, experienced and possess a great knowledge of the river and its fauna. For walks in the forest it is recommend that you bring light clothing, long loose-fitting trousers, long-sleeved shirts, a wide-brimmed hat and walking boots or tennis shoes. The early mornings can be cold, especially when on the river so you should bring along a windbreaker or a sweater. Come prepared with a rain jacket or poncho, as heavy rain may fall at any moment. *Please note that you need to arrive into Puerto Maldonado by 2pm at the latest
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Day 2 Collpa – Macaw Clay Lick / Camping (B,L,D)
After breakfast you return to the canoe to continue the journey upstream, a further 4 hrs, to an area deep within the Reserve National where the isolated Collpa is situated. The Collpa is actually one of the large clay cliffs lining the Tambopata River in this area. After lunch you and your guide have the afternoon to explore the trail system in the area before sleeping under the forest canopy.
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Day 3 Collpa – Macaw Clay Lick / G Lodge Amazon (B,L,D)
A pre-dawn start is needed to get to the clay-lick before the birds. They arrive in search of minerals and salts and the digestive properties of the clay particles themselves. On average several hundred Macaws and smaller parrots visit the clay-lick daily, including Scarlet, Blue and Yellow, Red and Green, and Chestnut-fronted and Blue-headed parrots, among others. This clay-lick is considered one of the largest in the world. Following a late morning hike and lunch we return down river to the lodge. At night you will go searching for Caiman (alligators) and other nocturnal animals by canoe along the Tambopata River.
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Day 4 Puerto Maldonado (B)
A dawn start is required for the canoe trip back to Puerto Maldonado, you are rewarded with memorable views of the sun rise over the river. Lookout for the early morning wildlife which is particularly active at this time. Howler monkeys are frequently heard, as they stakeout their territories. Your guide will take care of you on arrival in Puerto Maldonado and will deal with all the necessities at the airport prior to you departure. *Please do not book any flights out of Puerto Maldonado until 11am or later
from $749.00