Heath River Wildlife Centre (HRWC)

5 days/4 nights
Start or end in Lima or Cusco

Heath River Wildlife Centre

The community owned eco-lodge: Heath River Wildlife Centre (HRWC) is set in the heart of Peru’s pristine Amazon rainforest. It offers unique opportunities for exciting wildlife encounters.

The lodge lies at the hub of one of the largest multi-national tropical reserve areas in the world. Peru's Bahuaja-Sonene National Park and the Tambopata National Reserve occupy the lands west of the Heath River Wildlife Centre. To the south lies the Madidi National Park of Bolivia.

Miles of well-defined forest trails provide exciting viewing of a variety of animals, birds, and flora. The elusive Jaguar roams the forest while Red Howler Monkeys chase through the trees.

The Heath River Macaw clay lick is nearby. A strategically placed floating blind allows us a safe and comfortable view of the early morning gathering of parrots and macaws. They gather at the lick to eat mineral-rich clay from an exposed area of the riverbank.

Eco lodge

The Ese Eja Sonene Indian Community runs and owns 100 % of the Heath River Wildlife Centre – the only one of its kind. It is an eco-conservation lodge that is used as a scientific research station as well as a tourist facility.

The lodge benefits the whole community. It has created a sustainable and viable alternative economic activity while preserving the resources of the area. This prevents destructive logging and hunting.

The lodge is built with almost exclusive use of materials that could be sustainably harvested in the surrounding forest. All profits go straight back into the community.

Sandoval Lake Lodge

This itinerary combines a 3 night stay at the Heath River Wildlife Centre and its Macaw Lick with a 1 night stay at the Sandoval Lake Lodge, situated on what is by many praised to be the most beautiful lake in the Peruvian amazon, palm-fringed and home to a huge flock of Red-Bellied Macaws and a family of Giant Otters.

Explore the lake in search of Black Caimans and the Giant Otters, go for a guided walk through the forrest, relax in one of the hammocks, admire the sun set over the lake and if you have the energy after dinner, go on a night walk or enjoy a nightly canoe journey under starry skies.

You could extend your trip by trekking the Inca Trail. Check out our Peru group trips, or our many tailor made Peru options. You can always contact the office for more information on tailor made and group options.