WILD-WATER & WILDLIFE (WW)
Rafting the Upper and Lower Tambopata

This exciting adventure, featuring an eight-day river expedition through a magical and remote corner of Peru, takes you from the shores of Lake Titicaca to the heart of the Amazon jungle.

From Lake Tititcaca, we drive across high Andean passes, with breathtaking views of the little-known Apolobamba and Carabaya mountains.

We then begin our rafting adventure on the white water of the remote upper Amazon jungle, before drifting sedately through dense lowland rainforest on the wildlife-rich lower Tambopata river.

A night in a comfortable jungle lodge beside a spectacular macaw lick gives us time to explore jungle trails, before heading downriver to Puerto Maldonado and taking a short flight to Cusco, ancient capital of the Incas.

The trip culminates with a memorable train journey to Machu Picchu, Lost City of the Incas.

Joining the tour

On booking you will be sent the following information: name and address of Lima hotel, advice on how to get there and time of rendezvous with guides.

Itinerary details

Note: Should circumstances dictate, certain details, such as overnight stops, may vary from those shown in the day-by-day itinerary below.

Day 1

Join the tour in Lima. You will be met at Lima airport and transferred to the hotel. (1 night hotel)

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 guide and transferred to your 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. (B)

Day 3

Today we board a motor launch on Lake Titicaca for a fascinating visit to the floating islands of the Uros Indians. In the afternoon we say farewell to Puno and begin our journey to the river. En route we explore the pre-Inca ruins of Silustani then continue on to Malkini Alpaca ranch for the evening. (B, L)

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 where we will camp overnight. (B/L/D)

Day 5

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 inflate the rafts and securely pack all our gear and supplies. Any excess gear can be sent back with our vehicle to await our arrival in Cusco. 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. (B/L/D)

Day 6-11

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 practise 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 12

Where the Tambopata meets the Rio Tavara the river becomes flat and thus hard work. Here we are met by a motor boat and transferred a few hours down river to a comfortable jungle lodge situated beside the famous Macaw lick. There 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 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. (B)

Day 15

Free day in Cusco. You 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

End tour by flying to Lima or OPTIONAL EXTENSION (£150). Take an early morning train to the majestic Lost City of the Incas - Machu Picchu. Overnight in the nearby railtrack town of Aguas Calientes. (B)

Day 17

Morning free to return to the site (optional), or enjoy a steep scramble up Putucusi mountain or relaxing in the hot springs of the eponymous Aguas Calientes. Afternoon train back to Cusco. (B)

Day 18

Fly back to Lima early morning to catch your international flight. End of services. (B)

Practical information

We provide

All land transfers while in Peru. Domestic flights. Transport to and from the river in private vehicles. State of the art self bailing rafts, Hi-flotation life-jackets, helmets, spray jackets, dry bags for personal gear, wetsuits and special containers for cameras. Camping and cooking equipment including spacious camping mats and large two person tents, mosquito netted dining tent, tables and stools. Extensive First-aid kit; professional English, German and Spanish speaking river guides, trained in first-aid and CPR. Safety cover at all times.Three star hotels in cities, jungle lodge on the River Tambopata and all meals as indicated in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).

Not included

Personal belongings, sleeping bag, aiport taxes, personal expenses, tips.

WHAT TO BRING

On the Tambopata river expedition we will be experiencing all extremes of Peruvian climate, from freezing Altiplano to steamy rainforest. Not all equipment you bring with you will be needed on the rafting portions and any excess gear can be sent on to Cusco. Bring an extra bag or daypack to store this gear in. In the jungle, both on and off the river, we recommend you wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers to avoid the strong tropical sun and persistent sandflies.

SUGGESTED Equipment List

RECOMMENDED READING

Neotropical companion by John C Kricher
Exploring Cusco by Peter Frost

AND LASTLY PLEASE NOTE

The Tambopata river expedition travels through a remote and rarely visited part of Peru and we you should be aware that the remoteness that makes the Tambopata so very special could also cause certain problems. Thus, whilst we endeavour to minimise the chances of anything unexpected happening, it has to be noted that no itinerary can or should be rigidly adhered to. This is the very nature of adventure travel and we expect you to be prepared for delays and slight alterations in programmed events.

Specific to the Rio Tambopata is the possibility of delays due to the difficulty in reaching the river. Whilst on the river, we may experience heavy rainfall which leads to a significant rise in water levels, thus forcing us to camp and wait for more favourable conditions. We have taken all these possibilities into account when planning this expedition and have allowed sufficient leeway to enable us to successfully run this exceptional trip.

You should also be aware that adventure travel, in particular trekking, white-water rafting, inflatable canoeing, mountain biking and travelling in remote areas such as Southern Peru, does carry with it certain inherent risks that you, the client, will have to assume. You must take out an adequate travel insurance to cover these risks.
A meeting will be held on arrival in Juliaca. You will be asked to sign a release and waiver form (a copy of which is available from our office) and must provide a photocopy of your passport, Peru entry stamp and details of your travel insurance.

We look forward to seeing you on the river.