Tambopata 9 Days
DAY 1: CUZCO – JULIACA
Early departure on board of our specially conditioned vehicle, to travel along Andean valleys and through picturesque native communities, as we ascend to the La Raya Mountain Pass (14,200 feet above sea level), and continue our journey across the highlands, surrounded by soaring snow-capped peaks, to reach the town of Juliaca, in the afternoon. Overnight stay at a hotel (Breakfast, lunch and dinner).
DAY 2: JULIACA – PUTINA PUNKU
We´ll leave early in the morning, to drive across the extensive high plateau dotted with herds of lamas and alpacas. Then, we´ll start descending towards the Amazon Basin, and will pass through the old town of Cuyo-Cuyo, with its intricate pre-Incan farming terraces.
Further along, we´ll be rapidly descending into the green and lush cloud forest with plenty of exotic vegetation and plantations of tropical fruit and produce, such as coffee, bananas, papayas, citric fruit, etc. Then, we´ll reach Putina Punku which marks the end of the road, and is the last human settlement in the area. There, we´ll get all the gear ready to start our adventure and run a few hours down the river to our campsite. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner).
DAY 3 AND 4: TAMBOPATA RIVER
First, our guides will give us an orientation briefing before we get on with these two days of rafting, during which we´ll enjoy class 2 and 3 rapids. As we leave behind any contact with civilization, we may see the last fruit plantations or gold mining activities disappearing upstream. In this section, the river marks the border between Peru and Bolivia, and we´ll camp on a solitary and remote beach (Breakfast, lunch and dinner).
DAY 5 AND 6: TAMBOPATA RIVER
In the course of these two days, we´ll challenge exiting class 3 and 4 rapids, amidst exuberant jungle vegetation, hiking to explore the wonders of the Amazon Rainforest, and swimming under pristine waterfalls, as we´ll feel delight at their sight. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner).
DAY 7: TAMBOPATA RIVER
Today, we´ll leave behind the company of colorful birds and butterflies, as well as that of gracious monkeys and powerful rapids, to paddle on silent and quiet waters, as we´ll reach the low jungle´s flat lands. There, we´ll enter a magical world of wonders; home of wild animals, such as tapirs, capibaras and giant otters, and habitat of different species of birds, monkeys and even jaguars that can be seen. At night, we´ll camp on a a relaxing beach, from where we´ll be able to hike on trails, to explore more of the jungle (Breakfast, lunch and dinner).
DAY 8: TAMBOPATA RIVER – MACAW LICK
After another few hours of quiet paddling, we´ll reach the Tabara River, an affluent of the Tambopata River, where a motorized canoe will be waiting to take us to a rustic lodge, close to the "Colpa", where we´ll have a chance to hike on trails, to explore more of that area of the jungle. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner).
DAY 9: MACAW LICK – PUERTO MALDONADO
Before breakfast, at dawn, we´ll go on a short walk to the "Guacamayos´ Colpa" (Macaw Lick) which is the largest known Macaw Lick, where, on a normal day, hundreds of macaws and other parrots come in the morning, to lick the rich salty clay, on a great vertical wall. This is one of the greatest birdwatch spectacles in the world, and a unique experience for photographers.
After lunch, we´ll continue downstream, on a motorized canoe. On our way, we may visit some typical settlers´ huts and gold panning operations. Then, we´ll get to the city of Puerto Maldonado which was founded by rubber collectors and goldminers, as well as by timber and oil explorers. Overnight stay at a hotel (Breakfast, lunch and dinner).
Flight back to Cuzco.
INCLUDES
- Professional guides.
- Safety kayak.
- All transfers.
- All meals as indicated.
- Camping and rafting equipment.
- Flight ticket (Puerto Maldonado - Cuzco).
- Hotel in Juliaca and Puerto Maldonado.
- Motorized canoe.
- And much more.
DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- International airfares
- Airport taxes.
- Sleeping bag and pad.
- Personal gear.
- Personal expenses (Laundry, phone calls, etc.).
- Gratuities for the guides.
