Adventure in the Amazonian Paradise – Tambopata, Madre de Dios, Peru

Day 1

Upon arrival in Puerto Maldonado, the Biodiversity Capital of Peru, you will be met at the airport. Our program begins with a bus tour of the city. Afterward, we will head to the Capitanía Port, where our boat will be waiting to take you along the Lower Madre de Dios River (the Winding River) to our lodge, located 30 kilometers from Puerto Maldonado. Along the way, you will see rural properties used for agriculture and livestock farming near the city. Weather permitting, you may spot colorful plants such as giant heliconias and have the opportunity to observe animals like capybaras, caimans, aquatic turtles, herons, cormorants, and birds of prey. Upon arrival at our lodge, you will be welcomed with a delicious nectar of Amazonian tropical fruits and shown to your comfortable bungalow, reserved for you. Once settled in, a delicious lunch will await you in our cozy, rustic-style dining room.

Cocha Caimán

In the afternoon, our expert guide will lead you along a well-marked interpretive trail to Cocha Caimán, a small lagoon where you’ll have the opportunity to observe the black caiman and white caiman, efficient predators at the top of the food chain, feeding on the abundant aquatic life of the lagoon, including various fish species. Upon returning to the lodge, a delicious dinner will be waiting for you, followed by free time to enjoy unforgettable moments in our bar, equipped with an excellent board game room and stocked with every beverage you can imagine. The nocturnal wildlife will lull you to sleep with the melody of countless songs and calls from diverse birds.

Day 2

The birds of paradise will sing to awaken you refreshed. A hearty breakfast will provide you with the energy needed for a morning full of new experiences.

Lost Lake

After breakfast, we will begin an adventure through the virgin rainforest. Accompanied by our local guide, we will hike deep into the forest, following well-maintained trails along our interpretive circuit. Along the way, we will cross seasonal streams called caños via bridges in excellent condition and witness a wide array of flora and fauna in their natural habitat. We will discover a great variety of ornamental plants of incomparable beauty.

On the way to Lost Lake, we will identify species of fruit, forest, and medicinal trees that sustain the animal populations of the Amazon rainforest.

With luck, we may spot large mammals such as the jaguar, the tapir, and the white-lipped peccary; rodents such as the giant otter, the capybara, the paca, and the armadillo; primates such as the howler monkey and the capuchin monkey; and reptiles such as the iguana and the fer-de-lance. Amphibians such as toads and birds such as the guan, the partridge, the golden parakeet, and the red, blue, and yellow macaw inhabit the area.
The rivers create wetland systems, lakes, oxbow lakes, and meanders, such as the spectacular Cocha Perdida (Lost Lake). These wetlands play a vital ecological role, representing a substantial biological hotspot with endemic species. They are also a refuge for mammals. These palm swamps make up seventy percent of the area that Eco Amazonía Lodge protects and restores. The presence of the aguaje palm is very important to the Amazonian ethnic groups. It is a plant of mystery. The aguaje palm is the mother of the forest, or the tree of life. The aguajal (swamp forest) is home to vigilant guardians such as the jaguar, considered a child of the aguajal; the anaconda, the world’s largest snake; the all-seeing owl from its perch high in the treetops, offering relief from all ills; and the black caiman, a guardian that punishes anyone who dares to cut down the female aguaje palms. Once at Cocha Perdida (Lost Lake), we will ascend to a huge observation platform. From this vantage point, you will appreciate the vast area covered by this magical place, where you can observe two types of aguajales: dense and mixed. Afterward, we will take a pleasant walk around Cocha Perdida, and if you are lucky, you may spot the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), the largest of its kind and one of the most impressive animals in the Amazon. Back at the lodge, you can enjoy a delicious lunch.

Day 3

After a restful night’s sleep, the powerful calls of the howler monkey will remind you that you are still in its territory and that it’s time to leave. Breakfast awaits you in our dining room before we begin our return to Puerto Maldonado.