Peru
Experience another side of Peru on this exploration of the lush forests of the Amazon River Basin. Thatched-roof bungalow accommodations and unusual wildlife – think toucans, tapirs, giant otters, monkeys, and more – complete the jungle experience.
Peru Trip Overview
Your private journey to Tambopata National Reserve in Peru's Amazon River Basin offers a range of land and river excursions that introduce you to the magic of the Southern Amazon rainforest. Create your own style of trip from different excursions in a range of three intensity levels, some ideal for children, while others are for the more intrepid. Upon arrival, schedule your guided excursions (subject to weather, depending on your desired activity) with the lodge staff.
Itinerary at a Glance
DAYS 1-3: Fly to Puerto Maldonado, a jungle outpost in the Amazon Rainforest. Travel downriver by boat to our lodge in a private rainforest reserve bordering Tambopata National Reserve. Enjoy varied excursions to suit your level of adventure, discovering the wonders of the Amazon River Basin.
DAY 4: Depart from Puerto Maldonado.
Group Size
Trip Rating (1 Easiest - 5 Most Strenuous)
Adventure travel may involve exotic destinations, unusual levels of physical exertion, and activities that may be new to you. We want to make sure that you choose the adventure that's right for you from our many one-of-a-kind trips. Each trip is rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the easiest, and 5 being the most strenuous. A few of our trips have had a “+” added to the number, indicating something that falls in between. Our Trip Ratings may be found on the trip schedule and on our website. Our detailed itineraries provide additional information on what to expect on the trip you are considering (detailed itineraries are available by mail, fax, or e-mail; or you can find them on our website, www.boundlessjourneys.com).We encourage you to call one of our travel experts with any questions or concerns that you may have. We are always happy to assist you in any way that we can.
EASIEST 1
Our easiest trips are generally hotel-based cultural and nature journeys that typically offer light activity. Optional walks and hikes (approximately 2 to 4 hours) through gentle terrain with little elevation gain or loss. Altitude is typically not a factor on these tours. Other activities, such as snorkeling or sea kayaking, are optional. Examples: Indochina, Galapagos Islands Cruise, Tanzania.
EASY TO MODERATE 2
Hotel nights and/or deluxe, safari-style camping. Walking, hiking (approximately 3 to 5 hours), kayaking, or other activities on most days. Trails and paths are through rolling countryside, with occasional steep trails with up to 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Many of our hotel-based walking trips are in this category. Examples: Tuscany & Umbria, Morocco, Costa Rica.
MODERATE 3
Full day hikes (approximately 4 to 6 hours) most days on unpaved trails and paths through hilly terrain with typical elevation gains and losses of 1,000 to 2,000 feet. There may be occasional short steep sections of trail. Examples: Canadian Rockies, Scotland, Spain.
MODERATE TO STRENUOUS 4
Full day hikes (approximately 5 to 7 hours) through mountainous terrain with significant elevation gains and losses (2,000 to 3,000 feet). Terrain may be rugged with uneven footpaths. The average altitude is generally no more than 12,000 feet. Options are limited. These trips typically involve some camping or simple accommodations.Examples: Tour du Mont Blanc, Peru Trek.
MOST STRENUOUS 5
Full-day trekking (approximately 6 to 8 hours) through rugged mountainous terrain with steep climbs and descents and one or more of the following present: elevation gains and losses of as much as 4,000 feet, altitude that exceeds 12,000 feet, and rugged uneven footpaths. These trips typically offer few options and include camping.
Activity Details
Meeting Point
Departure Point
Traveling to and From
Most Convenient Airport: Padre Aldamiz International Airport, Puerto Maldonado (also referred to as "Puerto Maldonado International Airport"; Airport code: PEM). Requires connection through Lima and/or Cusco, Peru.
Meeting Place and Time: Day 1 at Padre Aldamiz International Airport, upon arrival of your flight.
Departure Place and Time: Day 4 at Padre Aldamiz International Airport, in time for your departing flight.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Physical Activity
Boundless Journeys’ trips are designed for energetic and flexible individuals who like to be active and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. Typically, Into the Amazon is rated 1, easy, on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being the most strenuous). The activities on this trip are easy. This Private Collection trip offers a certain degree of flexibility to make the trip more challenging or leisurely to suit you and your companions, and specific activities can be arranged upon arrival at the lodge (subject to weather conditions).
Preparing for this Trip
It is very important that you realistically assess your physical condition with regard to the demands of this trip. While the trip is not strenuous, a certain degree of agility is required for boarding and disembarking from the riverboats, as well as walking on uneven rainforest paths. The more well prepared you are for the activities on this trip, the more you will enjoy yourself! Please engage in basic aerobic activities (walking, jogging, or cycling) for at least 30 minutes a few times a week for several weeks before the trip. Consult your doctor before undertaking any new fitness program.
The Wildlife
The vast, 2.5 million acre Tambopata National Reserve protects the five top predators of the Amazon – Jaguar, Giant Otter, Black Caiman, Harpy Eagle, and Anaconda.
Aside from the predators, which are a rarity to see, the Tambopata shelters a fabulous array of wildlife, including many bird species, among them four species of macaw, Cobalt-winged Parakeet, Mealy Parrot, Blue-headed Parrot, Spix’s Guan, Jabiru, Cuvier’s Toucan, and the Snowy Egret. It is also home to numerous amphibians and reptiles such as the Black Caiman and Spectacled Caiman. Mammal species include tapirs, sloths, tamarin, capybara, peccary and five species of monkey.
Getting to Reserva Amazonica is an adventure in itself; after flying into Puerto Maldonado and transferring to the river, access is only by river boat. The roughly one-hour boat ride to our nature lodge is a wonderful introduction to the vast wilderness of the Amazon River Basin.
Weather
The weather in the Amazon River Basin is predominantly warm and humid. The driest season lasts only from May through September, although the most significant rains fall from December through March, and rain can occur at any time of year. Temperatures do not fluctuate much, although nights do tend to be cooler from May through September.
The following are average temperatures and rainfall amounts in Puerto Maldonado throughout the year:
high low precip.
February: 87°F 69°F 6.3”
April: 87°F 69°F 3.2”
June: 86°F 63°F 3.1”
August: 92°F 62°F .3”
October: 90°F 67°F 5.4”
December: 87°F 71°F 9.8”
You may obtain more detailed weather information at www.weatherbase.com.
When to Go
While daytime temperatures are fairly consistent year-round, nighttime temperatures are a bit cooler from May to September. During those same months, the weather is driest, although this is a typical rainforest climate and it is not unusual for it to rain for a part of each day. It is fine to plan a trip at any time of year, although we do suggest avoiding the rainiest months of December through March.
Peru Accommodations
Overview: Upscale yet authentic rainforest lodge, all private baths.
Nights 1-3: Reserva Amazonica Lodge
Private re
serve bordering Tambopata National Reserve
A member of the acclaimed Inkaterra hotel group, perched on the banks of the mighty Madre de Dios River in Peru’s Amazon River Basin, Reserva Amazonica Lodge offers individual cabaña style accommodations scattered along forest paths. Superior river view cabañas offer comfortable twin beds with mosquito nets, lantern lighting, and screened siesta porch. Amazonica Suites offer a choice of one larger bed or two separate beds, and a larger room size.
Spa treatments are available at additional cost, and a large, screened central lodge provides a comfortable gathering place with a bar and restaurant.
Peru Detailed Itinerary
Please note the following is a sample of typical activities during your trip. All activities are optional, and may happen in a different order to best accommodate the weather and behavior of the wildlife. Accommodations are as outlined in the itinerary, although we reserve the right to change these should the need arise.
DAY 1
Into the Amazon River Basin
Your rainforest experience begins in Puerto Maldonado, where, after being picked up at the airport by lodge staff, you embark on a 45-minute boat ride along the wide Madre de Dios River. Upon arrival at Reserva Amazonica Lodge, bordering the Tambopata National Reserve, a guided walk along the lodge's trail system will introduce you to the many species of flora and fauna found in the forest. As evening falls, there is time for a twilight river excursion, followed by cocktails and dinner.
Reserva Amazonica Lodge, private reserve bordering Tambopata National Reserve
DAY 2
Lake Sandoval and Canopy Walk
Walking - easy, about 3 hours total.
Early risers will have the best opportunity for enjoying the variety of birdlife in the area, and breakfast begins early, to avoid the heat of the day and enjoy nature at its fullest. This morning perhaps you'll choose to join an excursion to Sandoval Lake. After a short boat ride downriver, we disembark and walk 1-2 miles over flat forest trail to Sandoval Lake. We board a platform-style boat here, and ply oxbow lake's peaceful waters on the lookout for the rare giant otters, caimens, and other resident wildlife. After lunch and an afternoon siesta, join other guests for a canopy walk across towers and suspension bridges, allowing you to discover the rich forest from another angle. If you like, linger to appreciate sunset from one of the towers. This evening, after cocktails and dinner, the naturalist guides present a slide show to further enhance your understanding of this important ecosystem and its treasures.
Reserva Amazonica Lodge, private reserve bordering Tambopata National Reserve
DAY 3
Gamitana Creek
Walking - easy, about 1 hour.
Today you can board the river boat once again for a trip to Gamitana Creek, 45 minutes from the lodge. Here, we have the opportunity to visit a small farm carved into the rainforest, where much of the produce for our lodge is grown. We enjoy a picnic lunch on the trail, and our guide introduces us to how the local farmers cultivate their fruits and vegetables. This afternoon, take some leisure time to just relax and enjoy your surroundings. If you like, you can indulge yourself with a spa service (at additional expense).
Reserva Amazonica Lodge, private reserve bordering Tambopata National Reserve
DAY 4
Butterfly farm and departure
After breakfast, we return by boat to Puerto Maldonado. Upon arrival, there is time to visit a local butterfly farm before proceeding to the airport.
Trip Length
When to Go
Upcoming Trips:
Land Cost
Single Supplement
Single Supplements:
Accommodations (hotels, tents, cruise cabins) are based on double occupancy. A single supplement is paid by participants who specifically request single accommodations, subject to availability. If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, we will try to match you with a roommate of the same gender. If you reserve at least 90 days ahead and a roommate is not available, you will only be charged a “forced” single supplement in the amount of 50% of the standard single supplement (unless otherwise noted in the detailed itinerary). Single accommodations are limited so you are encouraged to reserve early!
Additional Fees
What's Included
- Expert lodge guides
- All accommodations
- All meals
- All park fees
- All ground transportation
Please complete the following information to request a reservation. A trip deposit of $500 per person is required to confirm your reservation (payable by check or major credit card). Once we receive your request we will contact you within one business day to confirm availability and answer any questions you may have.
Picture Yourself Here:
- Exploring enchanting and accessible rainforest trails
- Crossing thrilling treetop canopy bridges
- Enjoying bird watching, plant study, native communities and more
- Discovering fascinating wildlife, including several species of monkey
Upcoming Trips:
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