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DAY 1: ARRIVE LIMA
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: PUNO
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 acclimatisation 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.
DAY 3: MALIKANI ALPACA
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.
DAY 4: PUTINA PUNKO
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.
DAY 5:AMAZON RAINFOREST
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.
DAY 6-10: TAMBOPATA
Leaving all traces of civilisation 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 IV
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.
DAY 11: TAMBOPATA
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.
DAY 12:MACAW LICK
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.
DAY 13: PUERTO MALDONADO
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.
DAY 14: INCA
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 acclimatise 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
DAY 15: PLAZA DE ARMAS
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.
Or optional Machu Picchu tour.
DAY 16: LIMA
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.
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