OVERVIEW
AMAZON + TURTLES
DAY 01: CUSCO – PUERTO MALDONADO – MADRE DE DIOS RIVER – MONKEY ISLAND – ECO-LODGE
The 4 day Amazon + Turtles tour begins in Cusco! We pick you up from your hotel early in the morning to head for Cusco´s airport as you take a flight to Puerto Maldonado. Upon the arrival to the so-called “Peruvian Capital of the Biodiversity”, our Driver expects you at the airport to take you to our office. Therefore, you can store your unnecessary baggage there. Afterward, we take you to the city´s wharf where you embark on a motorboat. Further, you experience a ride (about 1 hour) on the Madre de Dios River observing the Amazonian beauty. At the end of the ride, your Tour Guide welcomes you to our eco-lodge, and you are provided a welcome cocktail made of fruits typical for this region. Then, you can settle in your private cabin and after that, go for a delicious lunch.
Before going for your first excursion, you take a nap in the cabin or take a shower. Subsequently, you are ready to go to Isla de Monos (Monkey Island) located in the middle of the Madre de Dios river. The island is home to various monkeys (nowadays, capuchin monkeys) while it serves as a preservation monkey center. Our guide brings usually some fruits from them and we can observe them while we feed them. Later on, we return to the lodge.
In the evening, we have a boat ride along the river to discover the local nocturnal fauna. For example, you can see some arrau turtles (Podocnemis expansa), capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) owls, caymans, and other nocturnal species. Upon this exciting activity, we return to the eco-lodge because an excellent dinner awaits there. Afterward, you are given an option of staying with other guests and your Guide or go to rest in your cabin.
DAY 02 AMAZON + TURTLES: ECO-LODGE – SANDOVAL LAKE
We get up very early because we need to take an advantage of the morning fresh weather for our today´s tour. After a good breakfast, we head to Sandoval Lake located in the Tambopata National Reserve. This ecosystem is home to many species, some of which are endangered such as red-howler monkeys, giant otters, red-bellied macaws, anacondas, and turtles.
After a motorboat ride and a 3-kilometer hike, we have a unique opportunity to observe many more species while cruising the lake. For instance, fishes, birds, insects, and rodents. For that reason, do not forget your camera to not miss any view!
After that, we return in the same way as for the arrival. Back to our eco-lodge, we enjoy a delicious lunch in an Amazon jungle style. We need a rest before we start the next activity. So, we begin a canopy walk later in the afternoon. The canopy is built near the lodge between treetops having over 30 meters of height. This spot provides us a perfect opportunity to watch varieties of colorful birds, sloths, and monkeys. You can stay longer if you like to watch the sunset above the Amazon Rainforest which is an overwhelming experience!
Then, you go back to the lodge to either have a rest or participate in different games with other guests. Before you go to sleep, you have a tropical dinner.
DAY 03: ECO-LODGE – TARICAYA ECO-RESERVE
After a typical Amazonian breakfast, we head down the river for an hour till we reach the Taricaya Eco-Reserve. This is a place dedicated to the research and conservation of turtles. Excepting turtles, it also takes care of peccaries, ocelots, macaws, tapirs, and other species. We can learn more here about feeding the Taricaya turtle (Podocnemis unifilis). Also, we collect eggs and take part in their protection. If we are lucky, we might witness the birth of some so we might become godparents of one of them. Then, we have lunch there while being surrounded by many animals. Afterward, we can go to the river bank to release some turtles and witness the development of those which were released previously.
In the afternoon, you may choose between going fishing piranhas and learning more about medicinal plants. Finally, we ride back to our lodge to enjoy dinner. Then, we experience a ceremony of the last night before we go to sleep.
DAY 04: ECO-LODGE – PARROT CLAY-LICK – MADRE DE DIOS RIVER – PUERTO MALDONADO – CUSCO/LIMA
Another 4 am wake-up expects us today as this day activity requires an adaptation to the biorhythm of our object of interest: parrots. So, we start a boat ride after a very early breakfast until we get close to a clay lick. This place is very important for parrots (and not only for them) as clay helps them to get rid of toxins which they always gain by eating Amazon fruits. Parrots fly in here every morning, forming a colorful spectacle with melodic sounds. That is why we have a perfect chance not only to appreciate them but take amazing pictures as well. This all accompanied by an explanation of our specialized Tour Guide.
Further, we return on a motorboat to the city of Puerto Maldonado. If we have enough time, we visit a traditional Amazon market. Therefore, we have the last chance to buy some local souvenirs. In the end, we are transported back to the city´s airport to take a flight to Cusco (alternatively, to Lima).
The end of service of the Amazon + Turtles tour.
ITINERARY
AMAZON + TURTLES
DAY 01: CUSCO – PUERTO MALDONADO – MADRE DE DIOS RIVER – MONKEY ISLAND – ECO-LODGE
- Pick up from your hotel in Cusco and transfer to the Cusco´s airport.
- Flight to the Puerto Maldonado City.
- Welcome to the airport of Puerto Maldonado and transfer to our office.
- Transport from the office to the city´s boarding wharf.
- Motorboat ride on the Madre de Dios River to our eco-lodge (approx. an hour).
- Welcome by the lodge staff.
- Accommodation in small private cabins with private bathrooms and verandas/porches.
- Lunch à la carte made of ingredients typical for Amazonia.
- Trip to Monkey Island (Isla de los Monos).
- Return to the lodge and rest.
- Nigh-life observation.
- Dinner and overnight.
DAY 02 AMAZON + TURTLES: ECO-LODGE – SANDOVAL LAKE
- 4:30 am – early breakfast.
- Transfer by motorboat to the checking point.
- 3 km hike through the Tambopata National Reserve (around 1 hour).
- Arrive at Sandoval Lake and board a small boat.
- Sandoval Lake Trip (2 hours approx.).
- Return to the checking point.
- Motorboat transport back to our eco-lodge.
- Rest in our cabins.
- Tropical lunch.
- Canopy walk in the heights of the Amazon-aged trees.
- Relax in the cabins or participating in games with other guests.
- Dinner and overnight.
DAY 03: ECO-LODGE – TARICAYA ECO-RESERVE
- Tropical breakfast.
- Boat ride towards the Taricaya Eco-Reserve.
- Participation in the Taricaya Turtle Repopulation Project activities.
- Lunch in the place.
- Piranha fishing/learning about medicinal plants.
- Return to the lodge.
- Ceremony of the last night.
- Dinner and overnight.
DAY 04: ECO-LODGE – PARROT CLAY-LICK – MADRE DE DIOS RIVER – PUERTO MALDONADO – CUSCO/LIMA
- Breakfast at the lodge and farewell to the local staff.
- A visit of a parrot clay lick.
- Return on motorboat to Puerto Maldonado.
- Transfer from the wharf to the city´s traditional market.
- Transport to the airport/bus terminal at Puerto Maldonado.
- Flight back to Cusco or to Lima.
- The end of the Amazon + Turtles tour.
INCLUDED
THE AMAZON + TURTLES TOUR INCLUDES:
- Flight ticket Cusco-Puerto Maldonado-Cusco (or Lima).
- Transfer to the Cusco´s airport.
- Pick-up and transfer from/to the airport at Puerto Maldonado.
- Transfer to/from the Puerto Maldonado´s wharf.
- Motorboat transport to/from the eco-lodge.
- 3 nights in the eco-lodge in the Amazon Rainforest.
- Spa massage session.
- A professional bilingual Tour Guide during all the tours.
- Monkey Island Tour.
- Cayman nocturnal observation.
- Sandoval Lake Tour.
- Admission fee to Sandoval Lake.
- Canopy walk in the height of over 30 meters.
- Taricaya Turtle Repopulation Project Tour.
- Piranha fishing/Medicinal plants learning.
- Parrot Clay Lick Tour.
- All meals included: ie. 1x welcome soft drink, 3x breakfast, 3x lunch à la carte and 3x dinner à la carte).
- Drinking water to fill your bottles all day long.
- Gumboots and machetes are necessary for the jungle.
- Personalized assistance during all the Amazon + Turtles tours.
NOT INCLUDED
THE AMAZON + TURTLES TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Meals not mentioned.
- Drinks.
- Tips to local staff.
- Any accommodation in Puerto Maldonado or Cusco.
WHAT TO BRING
WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU TO THE AMAZON + TURTLES TOUR?
- Please note! It is absolutely necessary to get vaccinated against Yellow Fever at least 2 weeks prior to your arrival!
- Use anti-malaria tablets prior to the Amazon + Turtles tour.
- Original passport,
- Insect repellent (DEET 40 or higher!),
- Sun cream,
- Sunglasses,
- Backpack,
- Light and comfortable clothes for 4 days (preferably light colors, at least one long pair of trousers, and a long-sleeved T-shirt, shorts, several sets of socks).
- Raincoat/poncho,
- A cap/hat,
- Walking shoes,
- Sandals,
- Swimsuit (in case you like to use the local swimming pool).
- Camera,
- Toiletries,
- Small towel,
- Paper towels,
- Flashlight,
- Bottled water,
- Pocket money (to buy souvenirs or refreshments).
- Personal medication (if applicable).
PRICE
AMAZON + TURTLES
The price depends on the number of participants and other preferences. Please inquire about a personalized price.