Your Travel Experience with Peru Pro
Day 1
Transfer from Puerto Maldonado to Explorers Inn Lodge
You will arrive at the Puerto Maldonado airport and be greeted by the Explorers Inn team. From there, we’ll head to the city office, where you can repack your luggage (smaller numbered bags will be provided) and store your main luggage until your return.
We’ll then drive to the Puerto Tambopata pier, from where we’ll take a boat along the Madre de Dios River to the lodge (approx. 3 hours).
During the trip, we’ll be served a packed lunch. During a brief stop at the control tower, we’ll be registered for the Amazon region. If you’d like, you can have a genuine Tambopata stamp placed in your passport as a souvenir.
Upon arrival at the lodge, the adventurers are warmly welcomed by the staff and provided with plenty of great recommendations and information to help them fully enjoy their stay.
A short break gives us some fresh energy, which we’ll need for the presentation on the different types of caimans.
Refreshed after a hearty dinner, we head back to the boat to lie in wait for the caimans at night and watch them hunting or resting on the sandbars.
Day 2
Observation tower in the Amazon region
To give ourselves the best chance of spotting the giant otters and catching a glimpse of these adorable expert swimmers, we’re getting up very early today. After breakfast, today’s hike takes us about 5.5 km through the Amazon at a brisk pace. An extraordinary soundscape accompanies us along the way, and we might even spot a special bird or frog or two. But there isn’t much time, because the giant otters have their set routines, so as soon as we arrive at Lake Cocococha, we board the rowboat and paddle across the lake. Of course, the local tour guide takes over the paddling so we can focus on the scenery and keep an eye out not only for the otters but also for anacondas during the trip.
Filled with many new impressions, we first take a snack break with a view of the lake. The return trip is a bit more relaxed, with several stops and explanations about the flora and fauna—and perhaps the occasional little monkey hanging in the treetops above the hikers’ heads, looking down just as curiously. Upon returning to the lodge, lunch is served after a short break and the opportunity for a refreshing shower.
In the afternoon, we’ll take a more relaxed visit to a local fruit farm near the lodge, where we’ll enjoy fresh fruit and learn about the cultivation and characteristics of everything from avocados to pineapples. This “Chakra” is part of the economic development association “La Torre” and offers us a glimpse into the Peruvian world of the region’s natural products.
Tonight, we’ll once again be treated to a 3-course meal featuring traditional local dishes.
Day 3
Visiting the salt lick
The last day also starts early—today we take a 10-minute boat ride and then walk another 5 minutes or so through the Amazon to the salt lick, where you can watch the lively activity of many different species of parrots as they have breakfast in the early morning. We lie quietly in wait in a camouflaged observation post. There is a salt lick both to our right and left, and it’s always exciting to see which side the birds choose. In fact, they all use the same side, giving us a great view up close.
After this activity, we walk back to the lodge along one of the private jungle trails, and along the way we might spot a few more animals or plants. We enjoy a leisurely lunch and can relax in the afternoon, whether in our own hammock on the veranda of our bungalow or with a view of the Madre de Dios River. One thing is certain: we have plenty of time to reflect on our new experiences.
Those who still have energy can join the group on a visit to the 42-meter-high observation tower and enjoy a unique view of the Amazon and a breathtaking sunset from there. From this vantage point, the flora and fauna take on a whole new perspective, and you can also observe macaws, parrots, toucans, and monkeys from a bird’s-eye view.
After dinner, the adventure continues. Together with our tour guide, we’ll take a night walk through the jungle and lie in wait to observe various unique insects, amphibians, owls, and perhaps other species as well.
Day 4
Transfer to Puerto Maldonado
At the crack of dawn, we enjoy breakfast at the beautiful lodge before setting off on our journey home and heading back to Lima/Cusco.