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Blog - Jim's Thoughts

Peru

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

Reserva Amazonica Lodge

On the banks of Peru’s Madre de Dios River . . . in the heart of a 40-square-mile private ecological reserve deep in the Amazon rainforest . . . stands the rustically elegant Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica. All 34 of the jungle camp’s thatched cabañas are illuminated by lantern light . . . the beds shrouded in clouds of muslin. Cozy hammocks swing on porches. The sounds of the jungle act as an evening lullaby.

A web of tree-trunk sidewalks join the Reserva Amazonica’s buildings and eight kilometers (six miles) of trails wind through the jungle that surrounds the lodge. The dramatic Canopy Walk takes visitors on a thrilling journey high above the rainforest. Seven hanging bridges, six treetop observation platforms, and two tall towers offers visitors glimpses of rare and unusual flora and fauna, impossible to see from the ground. It is considered one of the safest canopy walkways in the world. The ground-level Interpretation Center is packed with information about the rainforest and its ecology.

The two-story Amazon Pavilion is the heart of the property. It's oversized windows frame vistas of green. Here, the spacious dining room serves breakfast and dinner, it's menus designed around inventive use of local, fresh ingredients. Guests gather for cocktails at the first floor bar or relax on the comfortable sofas in the upstairs lounge.

Suggested Itineraries for 3-5 days

First day:
You will be greeted at the Puerto Maldonado Airport by lodge staff members, who will assist you with your luggage. Next, you will be driven to the river port, while hearing an introductory talk about the city and surrounding areas, as well as about the characteristics of the Amazon region. Your 45-minute boat ride on the Madre de Dios River will end upon arrival at the fascinating world of Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica. If you have luggage in excess of what you will need while at Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica, you may leave it at the Inkaterra offices in Puerto Maldonado. The Reserva Amazonica staff will greet you and will provide information about the lodge's safety rules and the schedule of excursions during your stay. They will also assign you to your cabaña. Buffet lunch in the dining room.
Departure for afternoon excursions:

Trail. A guided walk along one of the trails is a wonderful introduction to the incredible world of the Amazon rainforest. The trails wind past such important giant trees of the forest as the kapok and the strangler fig, and you may see superb examples of bird and insect life. An excursion to a Native Farm is also an option.

Twilight River. Take a boat ride along the Madre de Dios River to see the change in the environment as twilight gives way to darkness. Animals and birds are replaced by special species adapted to darkness, such as nightjars, owls, capybaras, and caimans. You may choose to take the Twilight Rainforest excursion as an alternative.

6:30 p.m.- Nature presentation by interpreter-guides at the lodge.
7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. - Cocktails and buffet dinner in the dining room of the lodge's main pavilion.
Relax on the porch of your cabaña before retiring for the night.

Second day:
Wake up early to observe the sun rise over the Madre de Dios River. Buffet breakfast with eggs, cereals, local fruits, and fresh bread.
8 a.m. Gather in the Eco-Center for your morning excursion. Canopy and Aguajales. A five-minute boat ride takes you to the Canopy Inkaterra Interpretation Center. Ascend the first tower, 29 mt. (95 ft.) above the forest floor. Spend an hour and a half walking on the bridges that stretch between seven platforms, as you see giant strangler fig trees, orchids, toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, and with luck, monkeys or a three-toed sloth. Descent by the second tower and then, a 30-minute walk takes you to a nearby wetland area, an important rainforest ecosystem that is host to many exotic plants and birds. Alternatives are Lake Sandoval, Concepción, or Rolin Island.

12 - 3 p.m. - Buffet lunch and siesta
3:30 p.m. - Tea time and departure for afternoon excursion.
Lake Sandoval. A 40-minute boat ride takes you to the Tambopata National Reserve. Spend an hour-and-a-half walking the 3 km. (1.8 mile) trail through the wildlife-rich reserve, and you will arrive at the breathtaking oxbow lake called Lake Sandoval. Here you will have an excellent opportunity to see the endangered giant river otter. Also residing in and around the lake are the rare red howler monkeys, red-bellied macaws, anacondas, point-tailed palm creepers, and side-neck turtles. Alternatives are the Canopy and Aguajales excursion; Concepción, or Rolin Island.

6:30 p.m.- Nature presentation in the Eco - Center.
7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.- Cocktails and buffet dinner.
Spend the night in your cabaña.

Extra full day:
If you like, wake up early to observe the sun rise over the Madre de Dios River.
5 - 8 a.m. Buffet breakfast.
8 a.m. - Meet in the Eco-Center to receive instruction and supplies for the full-day Gamitana excursion. You may also choose other excursions, such as to Tambopata, Briolo, or a visit to the indigenous Ese´Eja community.

Gamitana. Your journey begins with a 45-minute boat ride to Gamitana farm. Next, you will take a three-hour walk through the rainforest and along the bank of a winding dark water creek, home to piranhas, caimans, turtles, and many different species of birds. You will return by canoe. On your return to the lodge, take time to rest and enjoy the lodge facilities, such as the Massage Room.

6:30 p.m. - Nature presentation in the Eco - Center.
7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. - Cocktails and buffet dinner.
Spend the night in your cabaña.

Extra full day:
5 - 8 a.m. - Enjoy a buffet breakfast.
8 a.m. - Meet in the Eco-Center for an introduction to this morning's excursion to Concepción. You may also choose other half-day excursions, such as the Canopy and Aguajales, Rolin Island, or Lake Sandoval.

Concepción: Take a 10-minute boat ride upriver to Concepción, home to a Botanical
Garden with more than 200 different species of plants. Spend one hour learning about the processes used and benefits gained by the traditional uses of flora. Walk for an hour to reach the natural collpas (clay licks), and learn about the many rainforest mammals and birds that consume this clay.

12 - 3 p.m. - Buffet lunch and siesta.
3:30 p.m. - Tea time and departure for afternoon excursions. Enjoy your excursion to Rolin Island. Alternatives are the Canopy and Aguajales excursion, Concepción, or Lake Sandoval.

Rolin Island and Community. Transfer by boat to Rolin Island, where you will stroll for an hour, while learning about island ecosystems and seeing the presentation at the Primate Rescue Center, home to three species of primates-the brown capuchin, white capuchin, and squirrel monkeys. With luck, you may see some of these endangered animals while enjoying a talk about the measures being taken to protect them.

6:30 p.m. Nature presentation.
7:30 - 9 p.m. Cocktails and buffet dinner.
Spend the night in your cabaña.

Final Day:
5 - 8 a.m. Buffet breakfast.

8 a.m. - Check out of the lodge. Assistance with your luggage. Return by boat to Puerto Maldonado, an hour and a half upriver.

9 a.m. - Visit the city's Butterfly Farm, unique in Peru, where you can experience several dozen of the more than 3,800 varieties of butterflies and moths found in Peru. Assistance with your luggage, prior to boarding your flight to Cusco or Lima.

2010 Rates per person in US$

Children under 12 get 50% discount