From: £518
From: $690
Fly from Cusco or Lima to Puerto Maldonado airport where you will be met and accompanied to Wasai Maldonado Lodge. Here you can leave any luggage you don’t need.
We start our adventure with a two-hour trip to Wasaí Tambopata Lodge. First, we drive about 47 km on a paved road, then switch to an off-road track for another 17 km, passing farms and forest. The road leads us to a small port on the Tambopata River, where our motorboat will be waiting. From there, it’s a 20-minute ride downstream to the lodge. (We’ll have a box lunch along the way.) Keep your eyes peeled during the journey—you might spot colorful birds, capybaras (the world’s largest rodents), and other amazing wildlife on the river banks.
Once we have reached the lodge, there is time to rest a little before you’re off on a brief introductory walk in the forest nearby to learn basic principles of ecology and hear some wildlife natural history.
After dinner we make our first visit to the forest to observe the nocturnal life of insects, frogs of various colors and an occasional encounter with nocturnal mammals and to enjoy the diverse sounds of the jungle which accompany our first night in Amazonia.
Today we wake early (04.30am) and travel up the Tambopata River for an hour or so to the Macaw Clay Lick ‘El Chuncho’ in the Tambopata National Reserve
You see a magical sunrise and it is a great opportunity to see animals such as capybaras, tapir, jaguar, and deer in the surrounding virgin forest. We can observe (from a safe distance) one of the greatest spectacles of the rainforest: Hundreds of parrots, parakeets and macaws of various species, enjoying their diet of mineral salts on a river bank. We have breakfast here before heading back to the lodge.
Back at the lodge, you can relax in the hammocks or take a refreshing swim in the hotel pool or in the Tambopata River. Lunch will be served between 1:00 and 1:30 p.m.
After lunch, we’ll go on a short 1 km ethno-botanical walk to explore the fascinating world of jungle plants and their uses in local culture. You’ll learn about medicinal plants, sacred lupuna trees, walking palms, and even hollow trees that ants call home.
Those that feel adventurous can join another trip through the jungle in search of caimans. Or of course you can simply relax in the lodge surrounded by exotic nocturnal sounds.
After breakfast we travel by boat to Wasai Maldonado Lodge, in Puerto Maldonado, where we relax in our bungalows and enjoy a tasty lunch.
After lunch we leave and travel for around thirty minutes on the Madre de Dios River until we reach the access trail to Lake Sandoval, a beautiful typical rainforest lake. It’s about a 3km hike to the banks of the lake.
Once we have reached the lake we board a canoe explore it further, enjoying its beauty and observing the wildlife, such as kingfishers, herons, the unique pre-historic looking hoatzins, monkeys, etc.
If we are lucky we could see the family of giant otters which live at the lake. We can fish for piranhas and swim in the lake.
In the late afternoon we begin our hike back to the Madre de Dios River to return to Puerto Maldonado and the comfortable bungalows of WASAI Maldonado Lodge.
After dinner you have the option to relax in the hotel and enjoy the pool or have a wander in town on foot.
After breakfast it is time to say farewell and return to the airport for flight out.
Wasai Lodge: Occupancy: up to 50 passengers in 21 lovely cabins made in regional typical style (wood with palm rooves, terraces), most of them with river view.
All rooms with private bathrooms, mosquito nets, terraces with hammocks.
9 double occupancy bungalows and 4 large bungalows with two and three person rooms
Central Lodge building with dining area, bar, common areas to relax, hammocks, library. kitchen, and WI FI zone
Maldonaldo lodge: Each bungalow is 35m2 with frigo bar, hot water, air conditioner (optional), fans, cable tv, river views, room service
Restaurant: The Hotel’s restaurant sits 25m above the river bank, offering wonderful views of the river and surrounding vegetation.
These trips are designed to be open to people of all ages and abilities.
You need to be able to step into and out of a boat and the fitter you are the more you will enjoy the trip.
Walks are short in length but you may be on your feet for 2-3 hours as you stop to look at wildlife. There are shorter walks for those who don’t want to walk so far – your guide will talk to you about preferred activity levels.
There are also rides in boats/canoes that can last up to 1.5 hours, depending on the tour.
The lodge’s dedicated kitchen staff serve up a mix of local dishes and international plates using food from the rainforest wherever possible.
This means a delight for the tastebuds as there are so many tasty treats growing around the lodge.
Breakfasts are usually early and there are fruit juices made from local plants – some of which you may have never heard of – along with teas and locally-grown coffee. There are usually cakes, jams and a choice of eggs, toasts and cereals.
Lunch and dinner are usually three courses – a soup to start followed by a hearty main and then pudding.
Fish, chicken and beef all feature, and there is always a vegetarian option, too (almost all dietary requirements can be catered for). Side dishes include yams and potatoes and rice, plus more rainforest delicacies.
Pudding is often fruit or a cake made in the local style
Local native guides come from the community and/or the area surrounding the lodge. Some specialist guides do come from other parts of Peru.
They speak English and will bring the rainforest alive for you. Each has a speciality/interest as well as a broad overview of the forest.
The lodges are by community members, so you visit really means giving back to the locals.
An inspiring Peruvian adventure on the Lares Trek, filled with breathtaking scenery, cultural warmth, and unforgettable achievement.
A wonderfully organized Peruvian adventure combining hiking, culture, wildlife, and the unforgettable magic of Machu Picchu.
Stay at our comfortable eco-lodge in Tambopata.
Among the many highlights of Tambopata is the early morning visit to the Chuncho macaw lick, where flocks of macaws and parrots gather to eat the mineral-rich clay.
You can take a fascinating forest walk, swim in the river and take a night hike with your guide.
We also visit beautiful Sandoval Oxbow Lake as part of this tour into the heart of Peru’s Amazon.
Peru is made up of 3 distinct geographical areas: the coast, the mountains and the jungle.
The costa or coastal region is a narrow ribbon of desert 2,250 km long, crossed by fertile river valleys flowing from the Andes. It takes up 11% of the country and holds more than 40% of the population.
The cold Humboldt current gives rise to a blanket of mist – the garua – which hangs above coastal cities like the capital Lima from May to November.
Heading east, you’re soon climbing above the garua and into the Andes. The sierra, or mountainous region, covers some 25% of Peru’s territory and contains 50% of the population. The sierra inhabitants are mainly Indigenous or Mestizo, and many still speak Quechua or Aymara.
The sierra contains dozens of 6,000-metre snow peaks and volcanoes, including Huascaran (6,768m) the highest mountain in the tropics. The deep valley basins contain most of the towns and arable land; the terracing and canal systems of the Incas and pre-Incas are often still used today.
The eastern Andes are heavily forested up to 3,350m and sweep down into the Amazon Basin.
Peru’s selva or jungle makes up almost two thirds of the country’s area, but holds only about 6% of the population: the only towns with significant populations are Iquitos and Pucallpa.
Peru is the perfect holiday destination for adventure travellers that want an amazing variety of activity, geography and cultural travel experiences.
The breadth of travel experiences in Peru is breathtaking – from trekking in the Andes to Machu Picchu to the tropical jungle of the Amazon, and plenty in between.
The people of Peru make it a special destination too, with its colourful and traditional street life and friendly locals.
Good kit is vital for every trip.
Book with Andean Trails and get 15% off Páramo’s fantastic ethical and high-performance outdoor gear.
You can also read our blog about a day in the Amazon rainforest of Peru.
Please note: Guests should arrive in clothes which they do not mind getting slightly dirty or wet, and should wear footwear that is suitable to walk on a rainforest trail. Sun cream, insect repellent, hat and waterproof clothing should be carried in hand luggage and kept accessible for the journey to the lodge.
You may want to keep your binoculars and camera handy, too.
All bedding, toilet paper etc. is provided at the lodge (or camp, if camping).
You can also read about the weather of Peru in our blog.
You can also read about the weather of Peru in our blog.
Peru is located in the southern tropics (latitudes 0º to 18º), but climate varies significantly according to season, altitude and region.
From May to October, Lima is often overcast, but with minimal precipitation. There are sunny spells, and it’s a fresh to pleasant 13-20ºC.
At the same time, inland areas and the north coast mid to high 20’s ºC.
November to April is generally warm and sunny and Lima enjoys warm temperature of 19-25ºC, with the coast averaging 22-30ºC.
Climate depends largely on altitude. As a rule of thumb, below 2,000m climate is mild and above 2,000m warm clothing is required for evenings, nights and early mornings.
The Andean sun is very strong.
Cusco (3,300m): Average max/min temps: 22ºC /2ºC. Average 3 or 4 wet days per month.
Arequipa (2,380m): Average max/min temps: 26ºC /9ºC. Sunny more than 340 days/year with minimal precipitation.
On highland treks: Conditions are generally dry. However, at this time of year, expect a range of conditions within a single day: cold/freezing nights at camps above 4,000m, where pre-dawn temperatures can be -5ºC; warm, spring-like mornings and afternoons; and cold evenings.
Note that mountain weather can be fickle and localised, and that precipitation is not unknown in the dry season. Expect temperatures to swing between sun and shade, sheltered and exposed ground and with altitude gain and loss. A quick-setting sun means temperatures drop fast.
In the cloud forest, e.g. around Machu Picchu, daytime conditions are generally warm or hot, and evenings cool.
Cusco: Average max/min temps: 23ºC /6ºC. Average 13 wet days per month.
Arequipa: Average max/min temps: 25ºC /14ºC.
On highland treks: Wetter conditions, with cooler days and milder nights than dry season. Jan-Mar usually the wettest months.
Year-round, weather conditions are hot and humid and there is always the risk of rain.
There is a ‘dry season’ in Tambopata and Manu between May and October. The average daytime high temperature is between 25°C and 34°C and the average nighttime low is between 16°C and 22°C. Heavy downpours typically occur every few days.
Around 80% of annual average rainfall – approx 2,000 mm in Manu and Tambopata and 1,400 mm in Iquitos – occurs in the wet season Nov-April.
On rare occasions, between May and September, cold fronts from Argentina – ‘friajes’ – can sweep into southwest Amazonia and push temperatures down to 9°C. (Friajes usually last between 1 and 3 days).
An inspiring Peruvian adventure on the Lares Trek, filled with breathtaking scenery, cultural warmth, and unforgettable achievement.
A wonderfully organized Peruvian adventure combining hiking, culture, wildlife, and the unforgettable magic of Machu Picchu.
