Puerto Maldonado is the capital of Madre de Dios department and the starting point for all trips along the river Tambopata, Las Piedras and Madre de Dios. From Lima and Cusco, there are daily direct flights. Puerto Maldonado was founded in 1912 and is an important settlement of the southern jungle. It is at an altitude of 210 meters above the junction of Madre de Dios and Tambopata rivers. The high season is in the months of May - November.

 

Reserva Nacional de Tambopata (Tambopata National Reserve) is located south of the Madre de Dios River in the Tambopata and Inambari districts and covers 278284 hectares. To the north it is bordered by the Tambopata province, to the east by the border with Bolivia, to the south by the Bahuaja Sonene National Park and by the Kotsimba community to the east.

 

 

DAY 1: PUERTO MALDONADO - MONKEY ISLAND - AMAZON LODGE

 

Upon arrival at Puerto Maldonado, we will take you to the harbor where we board our boat and head for a memorable trip along the Madre de Dios River. We can observe alligators, turtles, herons and other animals inhabiting the local ecosystem. At the end of our trip, in the Amazon Lodge, we will be welcomed by a local refreshing drink. We stay in comfortable bungalows. After the lunch we will visit the Monkey Island, which is in the middle of the river about 5 minutes by boat. Several primate species, like  Maquisapas, Frailes and Leoncitos, live on the island. In addition to fauna, we will also see the local rich flora and witness the Amazon sunset.

 

 

DAY 2: AMAZON LODGE - SANDOVAL LAKE - AMAZON LODGE

 

Our next day will start very soon. After the breakfast we take off to Lake Sandoval. We will be able to observe the caimans in the adjoining canals of the lake before arriving at the lake with its crystal water. The cruise on the lake lasts about 3 hours and we will see a lot of representatives of the local flora and fauna (various kinds of parrots and monkeys, tukans, coypus, water birds). For lunch, we will go back to the Amazon Lodge and after dark we'll take the boat to observe the nightlife such as caymans and tapirs, snakes, and so on. When we return to the camp, we dine and set off for an hour guided tour in the night jungle to see other nocturnal animals such as tarantulas and other interesting insect species.

 

 

DAY 3: AMAZON LODGE - PUERTO MALDONADO - CUSCO

 

Again, we will get up early and take the boat to a place where various parrots fly to the banks of the Madre de Dios every day in the morning and feed on clay as part of the mineral intake. Waiting for parrots will be shortened by the breakfast on board. Upon return, we will be taken to Puerto Maldonado Airport for our return flight to Cusco.