Peruvian Amazon

HEATH RIVER WILDLIFE CENTER - Sample 3-night Itinerary:

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• Day 1 Journey deep into the Tambopata-Madidi reserve area and experience two different ecosystems of rainforest and lowland savannah.

  Upon arrival in Puerto Maldonado, one the resident naturalist guides will meet you and escort you to the river port. Together, you will take a motorized canoe, equipped with cushioned seats and protection from the sun and rain, approximately three hours down the Madre de Dios River to the Peru-Bolivia border. After brief frontier-crossing formalities, you will motor about two more hours up the narrower and wilder waters of the Heath River, suddenly enjoying the intimacy of mysterious forest looming close on either side. Occasional views of native homes and children splashing by the banks are interspersed with long quiet stretches where we may spot herons, hawks, cormorants, Orinoco Geese and Capybaras. We reach our simple, charming and comfortable quarters in time for dinner. After check in, orientation and dinner, we can set out for a walking excursion to search for the nocturnal rainforest wildlife. Lunch and dinner included.
  
  About Heath River Wildlife Center: Heath River Wildlife center is constructed almost entirely of ecologically-harvested "driftwood" mahogany trees collected from the floods that naturally carry logs downriver out of Manu National Park. The Lodge consists of one large screened main dining room/lounge, 10 bungalows and a hammock room. The bungalows have private bathrooms complete with hot shower. The main dining room/lounge has electricity and the rest of the buildings are supplemented by candles.

• Day 2 Witness an amazing gathering of brightly-colored macaws and parrots at a clay lick today.

  We rise early in the morning to board a motorized canoe for the 10-minute journey up the Heath River to the macaw and parrot clay lick. Brightly-colored parrots and macaws fly in by the hundreds to feed on the clay that detoxifies certain seeds and nuts they eat. Marvel at the cacophony of sound and color as Red-and-green macaws vie for the best clay-eating position. A specially-designed floating blind allows for proximity and complete concealment -- so you can even have breakfast and coffee while the birds are performing their morning ritual.
  
  When we return to the lodge, the guide leads us on an ethno-botanical walk through the forest, pointing out flora used in the daily lives of rainforest people. The guide explains how certain plants are used for medicinal or healing purposes, which ones can be made into the best bows and arrows, and how to select trees and leaves for home construction.
  
  After lunch and a short rest, we take a 6-mile hike through the rainforest to the Pampas del Heath, the largest remaining undisturbed savanna in the Amazon. The contrast is striking as we emerge from the mature rainforest onto the grassland plain of the Pampas. We stay out until dusk to watch the macaws fly home to their breeding sites and return to the lodge after dark.
  
  After dinner we may choose to go to one of the mammal clay lick hides in hope of seeing a Lowland Tapir—the rainforests largest mammal. All meals included.

• Day 3 Take an excursion to the savannah and spot a nesting site frequented by Red-bellied and Blue and yellow macaws.

  Our second full day at the lodge allows us to choose from a wide range of activities available in this exceptionally diverse tropical environment. We may choose to return to the macaw clay lick in the morning, and then return to the lodge to explore some nature trails. In the afternoon we might try our hand at climbing the 10 story vertical steel and cable ladder located in a giant kapok tree. At the top we are standing within the treetops and are eyelevel with tanagers and toucans. After dinner we can board the canoes in search of black caiman. All meals included.

• Day 4 Return to Puerto Maldonado via the Heath River.

  We leave at dawn for the return trip downstream. This is peak hour for wildlife so we keep a sharp eye on the riverbank for Capybara, Tapirs and perhaps even the elusive jaguar. Upon arrival at the port, we'll transfer to the airport for the flight back to Cusco or Lima. Breakfast included.
  
  Note: Longer itineraries include additional days of wildlife viewing and jungle hiking and increase the chance to view more species of the flora and fauna found in this area. A five-night option is also available to combine a stay at Heath River Lodge with Sandoval Lake Lodge.

• 2013/2014 Prices $930 - $1,109

  2013/2014
  4 days / 3 nights*
  Double: $930
  Single: $1,080
  

  5 days / 4 nights+
  Double: $1,109
  Single: $1,309
  

  Fixed departures:
  * discounted price of $664 double/$814 single available for Monday departures.
  + discounted price of $835 double/$1,035 available for Thursday departures

  Departures for any day other than fixed departure dates must have a minimum of 2 passengers.

SANDOVAL LAKE LODGE - Sample 2-night Itinerary:

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• Day 1 Travel to the Tambopata National Reserve and check into the lodge overlooking Sandoval Lake.

  Depart from Lima or Cusco, Peru this morning and fly to Puerto Maldonado, a bustling frontier town and the gateway to the Tambopata National Reserve. We have a 10-minute bus transfer from the airport to the office of Inkanatura at Puerto Maldonado. Here you will be allowed to repack for your river journey. Then it will be another 10 minute transfer to the Tambopata River port. From here we will take a motorized canoe for 30 minutes down the Madre de Dios River to the trail access to Sandoval Lake Lodge. Our boats are equipped with a roof to protect from the sun and the rain, and cushioned seats. From the Madre de Dios River we walk for 45 to 50 minutes along two miles of flat, rain forest trail. Once we reach a channel, we board canoes and are paddled 220 yards through a flooded forest of 100-foot tall Mauritia palms. As the canal opens onto the shimmering surface of the lake, our guides will take their time at a leisurely paddle, looking for wildlife on our way to the lodge. This boat ride will take about 60 minutes. Upon arrival at the lodge a brief orientation will be given to you by the lodge manager.
  
  About Sandoval Lake Lodge: Sandoval Lake Lodge is constructed almost entirely of ecologically-harvested "driftwood" mahogany trees collected from the floods that naturally carry logs downriver out of Manu National Park. The Lodge is one extended structure consisting of a large screened main dining room/lounge with 25 fully-screened double-occupancy rooms with private bathrooms with hot shower and toilet, arranged in two wings. All rooms and communal areas have electricity*, supplemented by kerosene lamps and candles. Each room contains a safe, power outlet and a fan. All beds are provided with netting.
  *Power is only turned on three times a day: from 5:00 to 6:00 am, from noon to 4:00 pm and from 5:30 to 10:30 pm. During this time camera batteries may be recharged in your room.
  
  After lunch and a brief rest to avoid the early afternoon heat, we board the catamaran and set off to explore the entire west end of the lake. Here, in the flooded palm forest we drift to the sounds of hundreds of Red-Bellied Macaws as they return to the palm forest for the night. We return to the lodge around nightfall for dinner.
  
  After dinner we will return to the lake to look for the large and extremely rare Black Caimans. If it is a clear starlit night, we will also be able to float in the middle of the lake and marvel at the brilliance of the sky. Lunch and dinner included.

• Day 2 The beautiful and wildlife-rich Sandoval Lake provides ample opportunities for viewing giant otters, monkeys and macaws.

  A pre-dawn wake-up call will enable us to be on the lake for sunrise and a hopeful encounter with the family of Giant Otters which frequent the lake and are most active at this time of day. Most of the fish-eating water birds around the lake actively fish in the early morning as well, and this outing should provide excellent views, and photographs, of the prehistoric- looking Hoatzins.
  
  After returning for a late breakfast we set off into the cool under story of the tall virgin forest near the lake to see some towering wild Brazil Nut trees and a demonstration of how our hosts collect, open and commercialize this important natural product.
  
  After lunch and an hour or so to relax we once again board the catamaran to explore the eastern part of the lake, where we might see one or more of the five species of monkeys which live in the forest near the lake, such as the Brown Capuchin Monkey.
  
  There are opportunities after dinner to try and spot some Black Caimans on the lake, or to go on a short night walk through the primary forest. All meals included.

• Day 3 Return to Puerto Maldonado by river boat.

  After a dawn breakfast, we paddle across the lake, perhaps encountering a family of macaws leaving their roost to forage or a troupe of monkeys greeting the day. We hike back out to the river and return to Puerto Maldonado for the flight back to Cusco or Lima.
  
  Note: Longer itineraries have more days of wildlife viewing and jungle hiking.

• 2013/2014 Prices $275 - $532

  2013/2014
  2 days / 1 night
  Double: $275
  Single: $325
  

  3 days / 2 nights
  Double: $364
  Single: $464
  

  4 days / 3 nights
  Double: $532
  Single: $682
  

TAHUAYO LODGE - Sample 4-night Itinerary:

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• Day 1 Arrive in Iquitos and travel up the mighty Amazon River.

  Our trip today begins very early this morning in Iquitos, Peru where guests will rendezvous with our local transfer staff who will facilitate the transfer to the port and your waiting boat to begin the four-hour trip to the Tahuayo Lodge. We travel along the mighty Amazon River for 50 miles before turning up the Tahuayo tributary for another 40 miles and reaching the lodge by mid-afternoon.
  
  About the Tahuayo Lodge: The entire 16-cabin lodge is screened and features a dining hall, conservation education library and areas to socialize and relax. There are showers and flush toilets that use a sanitary septic system. There is some electricity provided by solar panels and batteries; however a small generator is available for re-charging camera batteries. Delicious food is prepared by the staff and special diets can be accommodated with prior notice. A great variety of activities such as a canopy zip line, cultural interaction, canoeing and hiking are available from the lodge.
  
  After receiving your cabin assignment and a general lodge orientation including staff introductions, you can begin your exploration of the surrounding trail network and begin adjusting to your tropical surroundings. This evening, participate in a boat excursion to a nearby lake to search for nocturnal wildlife and view the southern constellations or just relax in your cabin to the night music of the jungle. Lunch and dinner included.

• Day 2 Customize your own itinerary with several guided options like birding or visiting a native community.

  Today we will have guided excursions in and around the Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve. Every day your guide will discuss a selection of activities that you can sign up for. Among activities that you can select are: canoeing in rivers, lakes and flood forest, hiking in a variety of different ecosystems, boating, wildlife viewing and photography, visit native villages, have a session with a native shaman, learn about native culture, canopy exploration on zip lines (longest canopy zip line in the Amazon), swimming in a black water lake, fishing for piranha, etc. All meals included.

• Day 3 From the lodge, explore a great variety of ecosystems downriver.

  If your program is longer than four days, on the third day guests will travel 10 miles down the river to the Research Center Lodge. It will take about three hours for the journey as this section of the river has lots of wildlife to view such as dolphins, sloth, toucans, monkeys, bats, raptors etc. Once settled at the lodge, you can hike the trails looking for some of the 40 troops of primates representing 12 different species in the area or you may also choose to canoe or swim in Dolphin Lake. This isolated area has been shown to have the greatest mammal and tree diversity of any site studied in the Amazon. It also boasts almost 600 different species of birds. All meals included.

  About the Research Center Lodge: The lodge has 12 cabins which have modern shared bathrooms. This lodge also has solar powered electricity and satellite phone and internet. The Research Center Lodge has more hiking and wildlife then Tahuayo Lodge with the highlight being the 50 mile trail grid.

• Day 4 Spend another day exploring by land or canoe.

  Today we'll make the most of the 50 miles of trails around the lodge. We'll explore several different ecosystems where, depending on the season, 12 -14 different species of monkeys and much other wildlife can be seen. We can also explore by canoe around rivers and lakes near the Research Center Lodge. All meals included.

• Day 5 Travel by river back to Iquitos today.

  We spend another morning exploring the incredible rainforest before boarding the lodge boats for the trip back to Iquitos. A late afternoon arrival is scheduled allowing participants to catch flights departing after 5:00p.m. from Iquitos (IQT) to Lima. Breakfast and lunch included.

  If your program is for 4 days/3 nights, Day 3 will include all activities originating from the Main Lodge. All nights will be spent at the Tahuayo Lodge and departure day will be Day 4.

  This 5 day/ 4 night program is only a sample itinerary. You may want to plan extra days at Tahuayo to personalize your itinerary with activities such as jungle survival training, fishing, camping, canoeing, a village stay, or volunteerism in community service or conservation service. Please let us know your preferences at time of booking so personal itineraries can be arranged.

• 2013/2014 Prices $995 - $1,295

  2013/2014
  4 days / 3 nights
  Double or Single: $995
  

  5 days / 4 nights
  Double or Single: $1,095
  

  6 days / 5 nights
  Double or Single: $1,195
  

  7 days / 6 nights
  Double or Single: $1,295
  

TAMBOPATA RESEARCH CENTER - Sample 4-night Itinerary:

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• Day 1 Arrive in Puerto Maldonado and travel by river to our first night's lodging.

  Your trip begins today in Puerto Maldonado. Upon arrival from Lima or Cusco, you’ll be welcomed at the airport and transported to the Puerto Maldonado headquarters. While enjoying your first taste of the forest in their gardens, you’ll be asked to pack only the necessary gear for your next few days, and leave the rest at the office in a secured area. By doing so, this will help keep the boats and cargo light.  The two and a half hour boat ride from the Tambopata Port to Refugio Amazonas will take you past the Community of Infierno and the Tambopata National Reserve’s checkpoint and into the buffer zone of this conservation unit that is over 3 million acres. During the voyage, you may see bird species typical of the river or forest edge such as: Black Skimmer, Pied Lapwing, Capped Heron, Jabiru Stork, Roadside Hawk and several species of kingfishers, swallows and fly-catchers. Upon arrival at the lodge, you’ll receive a short orientation and a complete briefing on the lodge. After dinner, there will be an opportunity to be out at the river's edge, scanning the shores with headlamps and flashlights to catch the red gleams of reflection from caiman eyes. Overnight in Refugio Amazonas. Boat transfer: 2 ½ hours. Boxed lunch and dinner included.

• Day 2 Continue your journey to the Tambopata Research Center where wildlife is plenty.

  A thirty minute walk from Refugio Amazonas leads you to the 25 meter scaffolding canopy tower. A staircase running through the middle provides safe access to the platforms above. The tower has been built upon high ground, therefore increasing your horizon of the continuous primary forest extending out towards the Tambopata National Reserve. From here views of mixed species canopy flocks as well as toucans, macaws and raptors are likely.  After breakfast, a few minutes hike from the lodge is a beautiful old growth patch of Brazil Nut forest that has been harvested for decades (if not centuries) where the precarious remains of a camp used two months a year by Brazil Nut gatherers can still be experienced. There will be a demonstration of the whole process of the rain forest's only sustainable harvested product from collection, through transportation to drying.
  
  Four and half hours by boat from Refugio Amazonas, in the pristine heart of the reserve, lies the Tambopata Research Center. One and half hours into your boat journey, as you cross the confluence with the Malinowski River, you will leave the final traces of human habitation behind. Within the 1.7 million acres uninhabited nucleus of the reserve, sightings of capybara, caiman, geese, macaws and other large species will become more frequent. A boxed lunch will be served during your journey.
  
  Upon arrival at the Tambopata Research Center, the lodge manager will welcome you and brief you with important navigation and security tips. A possible activity today will be the Overlook Trail. The trail is a three to five kilometer hike that will lead you to overlooks commanding magnificent views of the Tambopata winding its way into the lowlands. The forest on this trail, regenerating on old bamboo forest, is good for Howler Monkey and Dusky Titi Monkey.
  
  Macaw Project Lectures: After dinner scientists will provide an in depth look at the biology of macaws, their feeding habits, the theories for clay lick use, their breeding and feeding ecology, population fluctuations and the threats to their conservation. Overnight in Tambopata Research Center. Hiking: Up to 3 miles; Boat transfer: 4 ½ hours. All meals included.

• Day 3 Observe several species of Macaws, monkeys and birds during your daily outings.

  Macaw Clay Lick: On most clear mornings of the year, dozens of large macaws and hundreds of parrots congregate on this large river bank in a raucous and colorful spectacle which inspired a National Geographic cover story. Discretely located fifty meters from the cliff, you will observe Green-winged, Scarlet and Blue-and-gold Macaws and several species of smaller parrots descend to ingest clay. Outings are at dawn when the lick is most active. Other activities today may include:
  
  Floodplain Trail: This five kilometer trail covers the prototypical rain forest with immense trees crisscrossed by creeks and ponds. Amongst the figs, ceibas and shihuahuacos we will look for Squirrel, Brown Capuchin, and Spider Monkeys as well as peccaries. TRC is located within this habitat.
  
  Pond Platform: Ten minutes upriver from the lodge is a tiny pond with a platform in the middle. It is a great place to spot waterfowl such as Muscovy duck, sunbittern and hoatzin along with the woodpeckers, oropendolas, flycatchers and parakeets that call this pond their home.
  
  Night walk. You will have the option of hiking out at night, when most of the mammals are active but rarely seen. Much easier to find are frogs with shapes and sounds as bizarre as their natural histories.
  
  Overnight in Tambopata Research Center. Hiking: Up to 3 miles. All meals included. 

• Day 4 Check off your birding list with more opportunities to view amazing Amazon wildlife.

  Today allows another opportunity to revisit the Macaw clay lick or try a new trail.Overnight in Tambopata Research Center. All meals included.

  Hiking: Up to 4 miles.

• Day 5 Return, by boat, to Puerto Maldonado today.

  After breakfast, we start our journey back to civilization retracing the river and road transfer back to the Puerto Maldonado office and the airport. Depending on airline schedules, this may require dawn departures. Breakfast Included.

  Boat transfer 5-6 hours; Land transfer 45 minutes.

• 2013/2014 Prices $845 - $1065

  2013/2014
  5 days / 4 nights
  Double: $845
  Single: $1,065
  

  6 days / 5 nights
  Double: $970
  Single: $1,245
  

  Extra nights
  Double: $160
  Single: $215
  

  Mandatory park fee of $60.

Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip has the necessary minimum number of participants required to operate.

Rates for single travelers vary based on lodge.

Bungalow accommodations with private or shared bath; meals as noted in the daily itinerary; motor-canoe transfers to the lodge; local English-speaking naturalist guides; daily excursions.

International airfare to Peru; alcoholic beverages or soft drinks; guide gratuities; excess baggage charges or insurance of any kind.

REI Adventures standard cancellation policy does not apply to the Amazon Lodges. A special cancellation policy applies which is stricter than the REI policy. A deposit of $400 per person is required for confirmation. $200 of the deposit is nonrefundable from confirmation. Within 90 days, REI Adventures' standard policy applies.

This trip is rated Easy Active [2] and contains a variety of activities ranging from easy day walks to moderate hikes in a warm, tropical climate, canoeing (Tahuayo Lodge only) and swimming. Participants should be in good physical condition and consider beginning a regular exercise regimen 1-2 months prior to departure consisting of walking/hiking, running and/or swimming to prepare for this adventure. The better shape you're in, the more you'll be able to take advantage of the lodges' nature trails and optional activities.

The average temperature in the Amazon Basin is 82°F, with daily highs reaching the low 90s and nightly lows in the upper 60s. During the dry season (May-October), cold fronts from the South Atlantic (freajes) occur once every month or so, causing daily temperatures to drop into the mid to high 50s. As we are in the tropics, rainfall in the lowlands can occur during any month of the year, however, most of the prolonged rainy weather patterns arise during the wet season from November-April.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To obtain maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. This gear list has been created to help you choose your clothing and gear for this trip. Try to bring only what is necessary—this will help you and the field staff.

Weather

The average temperature in the Amazon Basin is 82°F, with daily highs reaching the low 90s and nightly lows in the upper 60s. During the dry season (May-October), cold fronts from the South Atlantic (freajes) occur once every month or so, causing daily temperatures to drop into the mid to high 50s. As we are in the tropics, rainfall in the lowlands can occur during any month of the year, however, most of the prolonged rainy weather patterns arise during the wet season from November-April.

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider

• Please remember to always pack essential items such as your passport, money, eyewear, hiking boots, a pair of shorts/shirt/fleece top/sandals and medications in your carry-on baggage, in case your luggage is delayed.
• Luggage weight limits:
  Tambopata Research Center = 32 lbs for boat ride from Puerto Maldonado.
  Tahuayo Lodge = No limit; pack as lightly as possible please.
  Heath River Wildlife Center = 22 lbs for boat ride from Puerto Maldonado.
  Sandoval Lake Lodge = 22 lbs for boat ride from Puerto Maldonado.
• Cotton is wonderful in warm weather. However, once it becomes wet, it will drain your body heat. Bring wool or synthetics such as Capilene®, MTS® and Thermax®.
• Bring clothing that is lightweight and protects you from the sun. Muted earthtone colors are best for wildlife viewing. It is always good to have a lightweight, long-sleeve jacket, especially for the evenings.
• Always test your layers before a trip. Your outer layer should fit easily over the inside ones without binding and bunching up.
• Make sure boots are broken-in. Bring moleskin for foot treatment. Thin liner socks worn under regular hiking socks may minimize the risk of blisters. The liner sock should be synthetic, not cotton. Test your sock combination before you go on the trip.
• Stuff sacks are great for sorting gear. Use different sizes/colors to differentiate contents.
• Plastic bags are great for keeping clothing and gear dry. Use Ziploc bags to keep wet clothes separate from dry clothes.
• If you wear prescription glasses, use a safety cord and bring an extra pair if possible. Contact lens wearers should also bring an extra set, or bring eyeglasses for a backup.
• Space for luggage is limited. Pack lightly, fitting all clothing into one duffel bag. During the day, plan on carrying a small daypack with sunscreen, raingear, water bottle/hydration system and camera.
• Rubber boots are provided on loan at the lodges.