Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1: On arrival at Lima Airport you will
transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, the remainder of the
day may be spent exploring central Lima and its fascinating museums.
DAY 2: An early morning transfer back to the airport
to board the first flight along the Andes to Juliaca where you will be met by
your Amazonas Explorer guide and transferred to our hotel in Puno near the
shores of Lake Titicaca. Today is for acclimatization to the rarefied air of the
Andean Altiplano (3800m). Drink plenty of liquids and take it easy. In the
afternoon we can explore Puno and its environs. (B)
DAY 3: Today we board a motor launch on Lake
Titicaca for a fascinating visit to the floating islands of the Uros Indians. We
then say farewell to Puno and begin our journey to the river. En route we
explore the pre-Inca circular burial chambers of Silustani and stop at Juliaca
for lunch where we catch up with the remaining Amazonas Explorer team and
equipment. We then continue on to Malkini Alpaca ranch for the evening. (B/D)
DAY 4: The adventure continues overland, high into
the Andes, passing llama herds, glaciers and spectacular mountain ranges. As we
cut through the Andes, we begin to descend through Inca terraces and so to the
cloud forest. From here to our launching site on the banks of the Rio Tambopata
the road can be a real challenge. We drop deeper into the jungle and finally to
Putina Punku where we will camp overnight. (B/L/D)
DAY 5: The morning is spent inflating the rafts and
securely packing all our gear and supplies. Following a full safety briefing and
instruction in the art of white water rafting, we don our life jackets and
helmets and head into the Amazon rainforest. Any excess gear can be sent back
with our vehicle to await our arrival in Cusco. (B/L/D)
DAY 6-10: Leaving all traces of civilization behind,
we raft exciting rapids by day and at night camp on pristine sandy beaches. The
first days are full of class 2-3 rapids, starting small and technical, giving us
plenty of time to practice the necessary skills required to negotiate the harder
rapids to come. As tributary after tributary join the Tambopata the river
increases in volume creating exciting and challenging class 4 rapids.
Plenty of time is allowed for scouting and photographing
the harder rapids. Eventually the river relaxes and for the last few days, our
rafts float silently through the calmer stretches, giving us unequalled
opportunities to observe and photograph wildlife. Here we hope to see families
of capybaras - the world's largest rodent, herds of peccaries. Lone tapirs have
also been known to walk through the campsite at night and monkeys watch us pass
from their tree top hideaways. Jaguars, jaguarundis, caiman, ant-eaters and
giant river otters have also been spotted as well as countless species of rare
birds and butterflies. Time is spent exploring beautiful side creeks and, if you
wish, fishing for the delicious but elusive Paiche. (B/L/D)
DAY 11: Where the Tambopata meets the Rio Tavara,
the river becomes flat and thus hard work. This is our last night’s camp and
where we meet our re-supply boat. (B/L/D)
DAY 12: Today the motor boat transfers us a few
hours down river to a comfortable jungle lodge situated beside the famous Macaw
lick. Here we can enjoy the luxuries of a refreshing shower, a comfortable bed,
fresh food and a cold beer. Resident expert guides are available for further
jungle walks if desired. (B/L/D)
DAY 13: Perhaps the wildlife highlight of the trip
still awaits us as we rise just before dawn to see the truly extraordinary
spectacle of hundreds of macaws, parrots, and parakeets feasting on the minerals
contained in the cliff wall. After breakfast, the motor boat transfers us
further downstream, passing groups of gold miners and finally to the frontier
town of Puerto Maldonado and a well earned night in a hotel. (B/L)
DAY 14: From Puerto Maldonado we take a short flight
to the colonial city and ancient Inca capital of Cusco (3300m) and a luxury
hotel awaits us. Once again we must acclimatize to the altitude. Today is a
chance to relax, clean up, reminisce on our jungle adventure and start to
explore the fascinating city of Cusco. (B)
DAY 15: There is so much to see and do in Cusco that
we dedicate the whole day to doing just that. We can visit Inca ruins, explore
interesting museums, shop for a wide range of unique and interesting souvenirs
or simply relax and lap up the atmosphere in one of the many excellent cafes
that surround the Plaza de Armas.(B)
DAY 16: Either fly back to Lima early morning to
catch your international flight or join one of our one or two day journeys to
the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the majestic Lost City of the Incas- Machu
Picchu. (B)
OUR SERVICES INCLUDE
·
Professional English and Spanish speaking river guides trained in
first aid, CPR and swift water rescue
·
State of the art rafting equipment including self-bailing rafts,
Hi-flotation life-jackets, helmets, spray jackets, dry bags for personal gear,
special containers for cameras.
·
All airport transfers and transport to and from the river in
private vehicle
·
All camping and cooking equipment, including Therm-a-rests,
spacious two-person tents, dining tent. An extensive first-aid kit..
·
Accommodations based upon double occupancy, in quality hotels in
Lima, Cusco, Juliaca, Puerto Maldonado and jungle lodge on the Rio Tambopata.
·
All meals as indicated in itinerary ( B – breakfast, L – Lunch, D
– dinner )
SERVICES & PRICES QUOTED DO NOT INCLUDE
·
All costs associated with international flights
·
International Airport Departure Taxes from Lima US$31.,
Domestic departure taxes $6.
·
Tips and gratuities
·
Personal insurance, medical & vaccination, passport
·
Personal expenses
·
Alcoholic beverages
·
Sleeping bag (available to rent $10./ night)
·
Tambopata National Park Fee of $50.
·
Day room in Lima on last day of tour. (Can be arranged)
