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Blog - Jim's Thoughts

Peru Tours and Travel

Suggested Packages / Amazon / Cusco / Lima / Lake Titicaca / Arequipa / Nazca
Trujillo & Chiclayo / Chachapoyas / Trekking / Multisport / Rafting / Biking

Heath River Amazon Wildlife Center Tours

Only 4 hours by river from P. Maldonado, the Center is the best-located lodge in the world's largest pristine rainforest. Within easy reach are an excellent macaw clay lick, Capybaras (120-pound Guinea Pigs), oxbow lakes with Giant Otters, 480 bird species, and 6 monkey species. Furthermore, we feature healthy populations of Tapirs and Jaguars.

Heath offers the world's only large macaw clay lick reachable in less than a half a day from a jetport. Visitors have seen up to 260 macaws there at one time, making it one of the top 5 of the world's 100 known licks. Travelers view this spectacle from a roomy blind floating only 100 ft (30 m) away. A trail grid with mapped fruiting trees allow our guides to take you straight to the wildlife. At the end of one trail, the rainforest suddenly melts away, offering a startling, open vista reminiscent of East Africa
--the only lowland pampas accessible from Peru. Downriver is the Ese'Eja Indian village of Sonene, where you can learn about tribal traditions and life in the rainforest. Everyone in Sonene speaks
their native language, with Spanish reserved for school and for trading handicrafts with outsiders, including you. The Heath's unique combination of comfort, macaw lick, pristine forest, unique pampas, and traditional culture offers what we believe is the Amazon's finest all-around value for money.

The lodge offers comfortable double bungalows with ensuite bathrooms with hot showers.

Now you can choose from two programs :

Two Ecosystems * Rainforest & Savannah

Includes Visits the Puerto Maldonados’ closest large macaw clay lick (from a comfortable floating blind) at the Heath River Wildlife center (HRWC) – visit the extraordinary biodivese Pampas del Heath (Savannah). Accommodations, full board, excursions and visit to an Indian community.

4 days/3 nights

Day 1 - Puerto Maldonado to Heath River Wildlife Center
We meet at the Puerto Maldonado airport and drive through town to the Tambopata River port. After boarding motorized canoes, we travel downriver to the mighty Madre de Dios, which we follow for approximately four hours to the Heath River. We then travel up this wild and intimate river, which forms the wilderness border between Peru and Bolivia, and arrive at the Heath River Wildlife Center. Note that the Lodge is located on the Bolivian side of the Heath River so passports are required to clear Bolivian passport control. (L, D).

Day 2 - Heath River Wildlife Center
We rise early in the morning to board a motorized canoe for the 10-minute journey up the Heath River to the macaw and parrot clay lick. Brightly-colored parrots and macaws fly in by the hundreds to feed on the clay that detoxifies certain seeds and nuts they eat. Marvel at the cacophony of sound and color as Red-and-green macaws vie for the best clay-eating position. A specially-designed floating blind allows for proximity and complete concealment -- so you can even have breakfast and coffee while the birds are performing their morning ritual.

When we return to the lodge, the guide leads us on an ethno-botanical walk through the forest, pointing out flora used in the daily lives of rainforest people. The guide explains how certain plants are used for medicinal or healing purposes, which ones can be made into the best bows and arrows, and how to select trees and leaves for home construction.

After lunch and a short rest, we hike through the rainforest to the Pampas del Heath, the largest remaining undisturbed savanna in the Amazon. The contrast is striking as we emerge from the mature rainforest onto the grassland plain of the Pampas. (B, L, D)

Day 3 - Heath River Wildlife Center
We breakfast in the floating blind at the macaw and parrot clay lick for a last round of looks and photos. Then we return to the lodge to explore some trails.
After lunch we could visit the Ese'Eja native community of Sonene, where there will be an opportunity to interact with the community and purchase local handicrafts or explore the trails.
After dinner we'll explore the forest by flashlight, including a visit to a small mammal clay lick if it is active. (B,L,D)

Day 4- Heath River To Cusco or Lima
Early morning departure to Puerto Maldonado. During the river trip back downstream, families of Capybaras are often spotted on the banks of the river. Weighing up to 120 pounds (55 kilograms), this giant, three-toed relative of the guinea pig is the largest rodent in the world. If time permits we will also Upon arrival, reception and transfer to the airport for the flight back to Cusco or Lima. (B)

Rates per person double:

2009 - for departures on Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri.- US$575 , SINGLE SUPP. - $150.
For departures on other days - $755 per person for 2, $650 per person for 3-4, $560 for 5-9

5 days/4 nights

Day 1 - Puerto Maldonado to Heath River Wildlife Center
We meet at the Puerto Maldonado airport and drive through town to the Tambopata River port. After boarding motorized canoes, we travel downriver to the mighty Madre de Dios, which we follow for approximately four hours to the Heath River. We then travel up this wild and intimate river, which forms the wilderness border between Peru and Bolivia, and arrive at the Heath River Wildlife Center. Note that the Lodge is located on the Bolivian side of the Heath River so passports are required to clear Bolivian passport control. (L, D).

Day 2 - Heath River Wildlife Center
We rise early in the morning to board a motorized canoe for the 10-minute journey up the Heath River to the macaw and parrot clay lick. Brightly-colored parrots and macaws fly in by the hundreds to feed on the clay that detoxifies certain seeds and nuts they eat. Marvel at the cacophony of sound and color as Red-and-green macaws vie for the best clay-eating position. A specially-designed floating blind allows for proximity and complete concealment -- so you can even have breakfast and coffee while the birds are performing their morning ritual.

When we return to the lodge, the guide leads us on an ethno-botanical walk through the forest, pointing out flora used in the daily lives of rainforest people. The guide explains how certain plants are used for medicinal or healing purposes, which ones can be made into the best bows and arrows, and how to select trees and leaves for home construction.

After lunch and a short rest, we hike through the rainforest to the Pampas del Heath, the largest remaining undisturbed savanna in the Amazon. The contrast is striking as we emerge from the mature rainforest onto the grassland plain of the Pampas. (B, L, D)

Day 3 - Heath River Wildlife Center
We breakfast in the floating blind at the macaw and parrot clay lick for a last round of looks and photos. Then we return to the lodge to explore some trails.
After lunch we could visit the Ese'Eja native community of Sonene, where there will be an opportunity to interact with the community and purchase local handicrafts or explore the trails.
After dinner we'll explore the forest by flashlight, including a visit to a small mammal clay lick if it is active. (B,L,D)

Day 4- Heath River Wildlife Center
During the morning We explore different trails searching birds and monkeys. At the end we will visit a mammal lick. After lunch we travel upriver to explore different areas close the Madidi National park. Optional night walk through the forest. (B/L/D).

Day 5- Heath River Wildlife Center
Early morning departure to Puerto Maldonado. During the river trip back downstream, families of Capybaras are often spotted on the banks of the river. Weighing up to 120 pounds (55 kilograms), this giant, three-toed relative of the guinea pig is the largest rodent in the world. If time permits we will also Upon arrival, reception and transfer to the airport for the flight back to Cusco or Lima. (B).

Rates per person double:
2009 - for departures on Mon., Thurs. - US$715 , SINGLE SUPP. - $200.
For departures on other days - $895 per person for 2, $790 per person for 3-4, $700 for 5-9

Sandoval Lake Lodge and Macaw Clay lick

Combines a pleasant trip to Sandoval lake Lode (SLL) plus a visit to Puerto Maldonados’ closest large macaw clay lick (from a comfortable floating blind) at the Heath River Wildlife center (HRWC) – visit the extraordinary biodivese Pampas del Heath (Savannah). Accommodations, full board, excursions and visit to an Indian community and Tambopata National Reserve entrance fee

Day 1 - Puerto Maldonado to Heath River Wildlife Center
We meet at the Puerto Maldonado airport and drive through town to the Tambopata River port. After boarding motorized canoes, we travel downriver to the mighty Madre de Dios, which we follow for approximately five hours to the Heath River. We then travel up this wild and intimate river, which forms the wilderness border between Peru and Bolivia, and arrive at the Heath River Wildlife Center. Note that the Lodge is located on the Bolivian side of the Heath River so passports are required to clear Bolivian passport control.. After dinner we'll explore the forest by flashlight, including a visit to a small mammal clay lick if it is active. L, D

Day 2 - Heath River Wildlife Center
We rise early in the morning to board a motorized canoe for the 10-minute journey up the Heath River to the macaw and parrot clay lick. Brightly-colored parrots and macaws fly in by the hundreds to feed on the clay that detoxifies certain seeds and nuts they eat. Marvel at the cacophony of sound and color as Red-and-green macaws vie for the best clay-eating position. A specially-designed floating blind allows for proximity and complete concealment -- so you can even have breakfast and coffee while the birds are performing their morning ritual.

When we return to the lodge, the guide leads us on an ethno-botanical walk through the forest, pointing out flora used in the daily lives of rainforest people. The guide explains how certain plants are used for medicinal or healing purposes, which ones can be made into the best bows and arrows, and how to select trees and leaves for home construction.

After lunch and a short rest, we hike through the rainforest to the Pampas del Heath, the largest remaining undisturbed savanna in the Amazon. The contrast is striking as we emerge from the mature rainforest onto the grassland plain of the Pampas. B, L, D.

Day 3 - Heath River to Sandoval Lake
We breakfast in the floating blind at the macaw and parrot clay lick for a last round of looks and photos. We return to the lodge to pack, and then it's back on the Madre de Dios River, box lunch in hand, for the trip to Sandoval Lake Lodge, located on the banks of one of the most beautiful lakes in Amazonian Peru.

During the river trip back downstream, families of Capybaras are often spotted on the banks of the river. Weighing up to 120 pounds (55 kilograms), this giant, three-toed relative of the guinea pig is the largest rodent in the world.

On the journey to Sandoval Lake Lodge we will also visit the Ese'Eja native community of Sonene, where there will be an opportunity to interact with the community and purchase local handicrafts.

We embark at the trail head to Sandoval Lake Lodge and walk for 45 minutes on a wide, flat trail through the forest, stopping to look at birds, butterflies, and towering trees. At the end of the trail, we board dugout canoes or catamarans, and are paddled across the lake in the golden afternoon light. We drift through flooded palm forest and listen to the babbling of Red-bellied Macaws overhead as they roost in treetops for the night. We arrive at the lodge around nightfall, and walk up the torch-lit path to dinner in the dining hall. B, L, D.

Day 4- Sandoval Lake at Tambopata National Reserve
After an early breakfast, explore the western end of the lake in the catamaran or canoe. We might see Giant Otters that live on the lake, or encounter a Black Caiman lazily crossing the water, or see the huge splash of the Paichi, a 10-foot-long Amazonian fish, as it rises to the surface of the water to gulp down bubbles of air.

Later that morning, your naturalist guide will lead a hike through the forest, pointing out plants with medicinal uses, interesting insects, and colorful birds and butterflies.

Following lunch and a short siesta, in the late afternoon we once again board the catamaran or canoe and set off to explore the eastern end of the lake. Capuchin, Squirrel and Titi monkeys often forage along the lake's edge, and energetic guests can take another hike through forest on the other side of the lake.

After dinner, we go out on the lake to search again for the Black Caiman since they are most abundant on the lake at night as they forage. Floating in the middle of the lake, the brilliant stars light up the sky as the night sounds of the rainforest surround you. B, L, D.

Day 5 - Sandoval Lake to Cusco or Lima
After a dawn breakfast, we paddle across the lake, perhaps encountering a family of macaws leaving their roost to forage or a troupe of monkeys greeting the day. We hike back out to the river and return to Puerto Maldonado for the flight back to Cusco or Lima. B

Rates per person double:

2009 - 5 days - for departures on Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri.- US$715 , SINGLE SUPP. - $200.
For departures on other days - $895 per person for 2, $790 per person for 3-4, $700 for 5-9

2009 - 6 days - for departures on Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri.- US$855 , SINGLE SUPP. - $250.
For departures on other days - $1035 per person for 2, $930 per person for 3-4, $840 for 5-9, single supp. = $250

Prices per person in double accommodation with private bath. Based on a minimun of Two people traveling together.

Rates include:
Roundtrip transportation Puerto Maldonado to Heath River Wildlife Center
Private bungalows with private bathrooms
All meals and snacks
Purified drinking water and juices
Native and bilingual guide services
Visits to macaw clay lick
Lake and rainforest excursions
All park entrance fees

Price does NOT include domestic flights within Peru or international flights.

Important note : please note that all macaw and parrot licks in southern Peru are less active in May, June and early July than in other months.