Remote Amazon

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Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Puerto Maldonado to Heath River Lodge

Meals included: 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Arriving into Puerto Maldonado airport we are met by our transfer driver and taken to our local office. Here we receive our duffle bags into which we transfer our belongings for the next few days. From the Tambopata river port we transfer by boat down the mighty Madre de Dios River for around 4 hours and through Bolivian passport control to Heath River which forms the remote border between Peru and Bolivia. We arrive at our remote lodge late afternoon located deep in the world’s largest pristine rainforest.

Note: Please ensure you are booked on the first flight of the day from Lima or Cusco into Puerto Maldonado.

Day 2-3: Heath River Lodge

Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Over the next two days we enjoy a host of jungle activities and have enough time to optimize our chances of seeing plenty of wildlife whilst also having time to relax and soak up the jungle atmosphere. We take the short boat ride up the Heath River to the Macaw clay lick, one of the 5 largest in the world. From our floating blind we enjoy breakfast whilst we wait for the colourful macaws and parrots to arrive. These magnificent birds come down in the morning to feed on the clay which helps them detoxify some of the fruits and nuts that they eat. The blind provides a fantastic shelter to observe the macaws in their natural habitat, the photography opportunities are fantastic! We also have the opportunity to visit the mammal clay lick where we have excellent chances of seeing tapir.

In the afternoons we take walks through the jungle with our guide looking for tapir, capybara, frogs and jaguar which are hiding in the undergrowth and all manner of monkeys including howler and squirrel monkeys which are chanting as they leap from tree to tree above us. There are also plenty of medicinal plants to discover and our guide also takes us through the plants and trees used by the local Indians to build their homes, canoes and bow and arrows.

From the lodge we hike through the rainforest to the Pampas del heath the largest remaining undisturbed savannah in the Amazon. As we emerge from the dense jungle the wide sweeping plains open up before us – what a contrast, this really is a unique experience. Walking across the plains we arrive at dusk to watch the beautiful blue and yellow or sometimes red and green macaws taking their nightly flight back from the jungle to their nesting trees in the savannah before returning to the lodge.

Day 4: Heath River Lodge to Sandoval Lake

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

In the morning we have another opportunity to spend time at the Macaw clay lick before we visit Ese'Eja native community of Sonene. This is a great opportunity to interact with the local indigenous people who, living in such a remote location, still have the same lifestyle and practice the same traditions and they have for hundreds of years. There is also an opportunity to purchase their local handicrafts.

Returning to the lodge to collect our things we then depart by boat leaving the Heath River behind us and once again cross the Bolivian border navigating back towards Puerto Maldonado.

The walk from the river into Sandoval Lake is half the adventure! The three kilometre walk takes us through the forest until we reach a small canal where we board canoes. From the forest floor rise 100 foot Mauritia palms, aboard our canoe we paddle through the flooded forest which opens up on to stunning palm fringed Sandoval Lake. Arriving at the lake late afternoon is the perfect time for wildlife viewing; we take a leisurely paddle around the lake looking for spider monkeys, colourful bird life and the giant otters to which the oxbow lake is home. We remain on the lake and watch the changing colours of the sun setting over the beautiful surrounds before enjoying dinner at Sandoval Lake lodge. This evening we have time to relax in the lodge or there is an opportunity to go on a night walk through the grounds looking for tarantulas and other creatures.

Day 5: Sandoval Lake Lodge to Puerto Maldonado

Meals included: 1 breakfast

After breakfast on our final day in the jungle we have another opportunity to spend time on the lake with the playful giant otters and the wildlife before returning to Puerto Maldonado where our jungle adventure comes to an end.

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Your Trip

What's Included

Experienced English-speaking guides, transfers inside tour program, transport, jungle activities.

Summary of accommodation, transport & meals

Transport

• Minibus
• On foot
• Riverboat

Accommodation

• 4 nights Amazon jungle lodge

Meals

• 4 breakfasts
• 4 lunches
• 4 dinners

Not Included

Airport departure tax, visas where required, meals not included in the itinerary, insurance, laundry, any optional tours or activities during free time, tips and items of a personal nature.

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Important Information

This is not our group tour and there is not our Tour Leader. It is sold to independent travellers and the lodge provides all guides.

 

Heath River and Sandoval lake Lodges
These Jungle lodges have been designed to offer comfort to the traveller yet preserve the environment and rainforest ambience. Each of the ten double cabins, with high thatched roofs are constructed with traditional materials and nestles well concealed in the lush surroundings. All cabins have mosquito nets and are are screened against insects and contain comfortable double or single beds with private, modern bathrooms and hot showers. Heath River Lodge and Sandoval lake Lodge both have an excellent bar and restaurant, providing international quality meals.

 

Electricity - Heath River Lodge: There is no electricity in the rooms, candles are provided. The main dining and lounge area of the lodge has electricity between 12-3pm and 5-10pm and there are outlets available to charge your camers batteries etc.

 

Electricity - Sandoval Lake Lodge: Electicity is available in the rooms between the hours of 5-6am, 12-4pm an 5:30-10pm and is available 24 hours a day in the main bar and dining area

 

Laundry: Both lodges provides a laundry service (washing and drying), at an additional cost. Please note that it is very difficult to do any handwashing because the clothes do not dry in humidity.

 

Bar: Drinks are not included in your package, and may be paid on the last night of your stay in cash (U.S. dollars) or credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express). The minimum charge for credit cards is $US20.

 

Drinking Water: All the drinking water provided at both Heath river and Sandoval lake lodges (including ice) has been filtered. This water is tested regularly and has proven perfectly safe for human consumption. If you prefer, however, you may purchase bottled water from the bar.

 

Meal Requirements: The chef will be more than happy to prepare vegetarian meals for you upon request. On booking, please make sure to advise us or your travel agent of any dietary restrictions or allergies you may have, and also let the staff at the lodge know as soon as you arrive.

 

Photography: High-speed film (if you are still using a film camera) and a flash for cameras are recommended for shady walks under the forest canopy. However, slower film is fine for photos on rivers, lakes, and the tower and around the lodge.

About this Information

The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind when you read it and check with us if you want to be sure about something. The document was correct at time of printing, but you can check online for the most up to date version.  If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!

Last Updated

26 April 2012

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