Tambopata Adventure – 4D / 3N

Day 1

Upon your arrival in Puerto Maldonado—Peru’s “Capital of Biodiversity”—we will meet you at the airport. Our program begins with a bus tour of the city, followed by a transfer to the Puerto Capitanía dock. There, our boat will be waiting to take you along the Lower Madre de Dios River (the “winding river”) to our lodge, located thirty kilometers from Puerto Maldonado. Along the way, you will see rural properties dedicated to agriculture and livestock farming near the city. If conditions are right, you may spot vibrant plants, such as giant-flowered heliconias, as well as various animals—including capybaras, caimans, aquatic turtles, herons, cormorants, scavengers, and birds of prey. Upon arrival at the lodge, you will be welcomed with a delicious tropical Amazonian fruit nectar and shown to your comfortable private bungalow. Once you have settled in, a hearty lunch will be waiting for you in our cozy, rustic-style dining room.

Caiman Lagoon (Cocha Caimán)

In the afternoon, your specialized guide will lead you along a well-marked interpretive trail to “Cocha Caimán”—a small lagoon where you may spot black and white caimans. These highly efficient predators sit at the top of the food chain, feeding on the lagoon’s abundant aquatic life, including various species of fish. Back at the lodge, a delicious dinner awaits, followed by free time to enjoy unforgettable moments in our bar, which features a selection of board games and a wide array of drinks. As night falls, the local wildlife will lull you to sleep with a symphony of calls and songs from a multitude of birds.

Day 2

The “birds of paradise” will sing to wake you, leaving you feeling refreshed. A hearty breakfast will provide you with the energy needed for a morning full of new experiences.

Apu Victor Lake

After breakfast, we will begin a hike into the deep forest, following well-maintained and clearly marked trails. Along the way, we will pass through riparian forest, transition into higher-elevation woodlands, descend into seasonally flooded forests, and then ascend once more into the hillside forests. Throughout the journey, we will encounter a diverse array of wild flora and fauna.

Along the way, you will identify various fruit, timber, and medicinal tree species that sustain both animal and human populations in the Amazon rainforest. Notable examples include the *aguaje*, mahogany, Brazil nut, *catahua*, cedar, *cético*, *copaiba*, and *shihuahuaco*.

If you are quiet and fortunate, you may spot large mammals such as the South American tapir (*sachavaca*) and the white-lipped peccary (*huangana*); rodents like the giant otter, capybara (*ronsoco*), paca (*majaz*), and armadillo; primates such as the howler monkey (*coto*) and various capuchin or squirrel monkeys; reptiles like the iguana and the *jergón* (a type of pit viper); amphibians such as toads; and birds including the piping-guan (*pava de monte*), tinamou (*perdiz*), golden-winged parakeet, and the blue-and-yellow or scarlet macaw. In the rainforest, you will also encounter a variety of insects, including butterflies (Lepidoptera), beetles (Coleoptera), crickets, cicadas, ants, centipedes, and millipedes.

You will arrive at the majestic Lake Apu Víctor, surrounded by vast wetlands and towering, giant trees. From the Amazonian lookout—a large observation platform—you can enjoy a panoramic view of the lake, where you may spot parrots, macaws, toucans, horned screamers (*camungos*), hoatzins (*shanshos*), herons, and other animals such as caimans and turtles. During the rainy season, rising water levels allow various species of fish to enter Lake Apu Víctor. The lake is also home to other wildlife, including the *motelo* (yellow-footed tortoise), *matamata* turtle, *charapita* (Amazon river turtle), various primates, the tayra (*chozna*), red brocket deer, agouti (*añuje*), and the giant otters of the Amazon rainforest. Upon your return to the lodge, a restorative lunch will be waiting for you. Monkey Island

In the afternoon, accompanied by our specialized guide, we will visit Monkey Island, located just minutes from the lodge in the heart of the Madre de Dios River. This island features a vast array of lush flora and is home to numerous primate species, including spider monkeys, capuchins, squirrel monkeys, and pygmy marmosets. You may also encounter other small mammals, such as coatis (*Nasua*) and squirrels, along with a wide variety of colorful birds. We will conclude our visit to the island by taking in a breathtaking sunset—one of the most spectacular sights in the jungle. Back at the lodge, you will enjoy an exquisite dinner.

Day 3

The magic begins with the songs of Amazonian birds, as you wake to the call of the howler monkey. A hearty breakfast will provide the energy you need for a morning full of new experiences.

Cocha Perdida (Lost Lagoon)

After breakfast, we will embark on an adventure through the pristine jungle, accompanied by our local guide. We will trek deep into the forest, following well-maintained trails that form part of our interpretive circuit. Along the way, we will cross seasonal watercourses—known locally as *caños*—via sturdy bridges, all while encountering a vast array of wild flora and fauna.

We will discover a wide variety of ornamental plants of incomparable beauty. On the path toward *Cocha Perdida* (Lost Lake), we will identify various fruit-bearing, timber, and medicinal trees that sustain the animal populations of the Amazon rainforest. With a bit of luck, we may spot large mammals such as the jaguar, the South American tapir (*sachavaca*), and the white-lipped peccary (*huangana*); rodents like the giant otter, the capybara (*ronsoco*), the paca (*majaz*), and the armadillo; primates such as the howler monkey and the squirrel monkey; reptiles like the iguana and the *jergón* (a type of pit viper); amphibians; and birds, including the piping-guan, the tinamou, the golden-winged parakeet, and the scarlet macaw. As rivers flow, they create wetland systems—lakes, oxbow lakes (*cochas*), and meanders—such as the spectacular *Cocha Perdida*. These wetlands play a vital ecological role, serving as significant biological hubs that harbor endemic species and provide refuge for mammals. These *aguajales* (swamp forests dominated by *aguaje* palms) make up seventy percent of the area that Eco Amazonía Lodge protects and restores.

The *aguaje* palm holds great significance for Amazonian ethnic groups; it is a plant shrouded in mystery, often regarded as the “mother of the forest” or the “tree of life.” The *aguajal* (swamp forest dominated by *aguaje* palms) is home to vigilant guardians: the jaguar—a feline considered the “son” of the *aguajal*; the anaconda, the world’s largest snake; the owl, which watches all from its high perch and is said to offer relief from all manner of ailments; and the black caiman, a guardian that punishes anyone who dares to cut down the female *aguaje* palms.

Upon reaching Cocha Perdida, we will ascend to a large observation platform. From this vantage point, you can take in the vast expanse of this magical landscape, where you will be able to observe two types of *aguajal*—dense stands and mixed-species forests. Afterward, we will take a pleasant stroll around Cocha Perdida; if luck is on your side, you might 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 will enjoy an exquisite lunch.

The afternoon is yours to spend as you wish—perhaps taking photographs around the lodge or visiting the botanical garden to see our collection of medicinal and fruit-bearing plants. In the evening, you will enjoy a delicious dinner. If you still have the energy, you are welcome to spend a fun-filled night in our bar and game room.

Day 4

After a restful night’s sleep, the powerful calls of howler monkeys will remind you that you are still within their domain—and that it is time to depart. Breakfast awaits you in our dining room before we begin the journey back to Puerto Maldonado.