Peru Amazon Adventure

Wake up late or rise early—the choice is yours. Breakfast begins at 5:30am for those who want to avoid the heat and enjoy nature at its fullest. A full buffet breakfast is served from 5:30am to 9:30am. This morning, perhaps take the Lake Sandoval excursion into the Tambopata National Reserve. Glide in a wooden canoe across a beautiful, mirror-like oxbow lake that is home to the endangered giant river otter, as well as red howler monkeys, red-bellied macaws, anacondas, side-neck turtles and black caimans. Return to the Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica for lunch.

After lunch, consider the remarkable Inkaterra canopy walkway. Ascending the first tower, 95 feet above the forest ground, begin your encounter with the treetop realm. For more than a quarter of a mile, walk literally through the rainforest canopy on a suspension bridge network linking eight observation platforms. During this hour-and-a-half expedition, be on the lookout for colorful toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, monkeys and sloths. Perhaps extend your excursion and appreciate the sunset from one of the towers. The excursion finishes by returning to the lodge for the daily nature presentation in the Eco Center. Dinner begins at 7:30pm.

Enjoy a trip to Gamitana Creek, located 25 minutes by boat from the Inkaterra lodge. For one and a half hours, explore the rainforest along the banks of a winding, dark-water creek that is home to many piranha, caiman, turtles and birds. At the Sanipanga landing point, navigate back downstream, observing the abundant flora and fauna along the way. Return to Gamitana Farm to do a short, guided tour to see how local farmers grow fruits and vegetables. Return to the lodge for lunch.

After lunch, walk along the lodge trails to the Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica Rainforest Garden around the cabañas. This interesting native garden was started by the locals more than 10 years ago to showcase native plants, trees and orchids. An in-depth explanation tells of the traditional use and highly interesting benefits of the plants and trees used for construction, including those that were used for building the lodge, as well as native clothing accessories. Then consider the Rainforest by Night excursion through the Inkaterra Ecological Reserve for an approximately two-hour night excursion. Biological activity differs greatly between night and day in the Amazonian ecosystem. Venture into the forest and experience the mystery of the animal activity that awakens in the rainforest after dark, witnessing different species’ adaptations that enhance their access to resources. Listen to nocturnal forest sounds and spot species that only emerge at night. Return to the lodge.

Enjoy the trip to Hacienda Concepción, built in an old cocoa and rubber plantation on the grounds of a place once known as “Fundo Concepción,” a medical center of the Catholic mission in the 1950s. Until 1976, this property also served as a center of ecological research and training for the local community within 2,024 acres of natural forest naturally nestled in an oxbow lake. Hacienda Concepción features diverse ecosystems, tropical plants and wild animals. During this excursion, learn about the history and visit the remains of a ship called Fitzcarrald. Return to Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica for lunch. After lunch, perhaps enjoy a visit to the wetlands for the opportunity to visit an interesting ecosystem in the 656-foot boardwalk over the Aguajales rainforest swamps. See the transition of the forest ecosystem from dry to marshlands and observe the various species of amphibians, reptiles, snakes, birds and mammals. Get to know the lush flora and trees, how they adapt to the wetland ecosystem, and their benefits and uses. Return to the lodge.

Enjoy a full breakfast before departure. A 45-minute return trip by boat on the Madre de Dios River takes you to Puerto Maldonado, for a visit to the Butterfly House. Peru boasts the greatest variety of butterflies in the world, with 3,700 known species. Many of these can be seen at the Butterfly House, a showcase for the variety, beauty and adaptability of these fascinating insects. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco or Lima.