Refugio & Tambopata Lodges

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Refugio & Tambopata Lodges

Peru Tour package to Puerto Maldonado in the Amazon
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The main gateway to the exotic Peruvian Amazon, Puerto Maldonado is located deep in the heart of the lush Madre de Dios region. Full of wild forests, sinuous rivers, and oxbow lakes Puerto Maldonado holds world records in biodiversity for its hundreds of species of ants, butterflies, birds, and other animals. Formerly a center for rubber, wood, gold, and petroleum trade, Puerto Maldonado now thrives on eco-tourism.

During this Amazon tour package, you’ll get to stay at two different Amazon jungle lodges: Refugio Amazonas and the Tambopata Research Center.

Refugio Amazonas is a modern lodge with a natural feel. It sits on 400 acres of private reserve next to the Tambopata National Reserve, about 3 hours away from Puerto Maldonado. Further down river is the Tambopata Research Center. Because of its remote location in uninhabited wilderness, the Tambopata Research Center is an excellent base for in-depth explorations of Amazonian nature and wildlife.

Day 1 : Arrival to Puerto Maldonado & Transfer to Refugio Amazonas
Day 2 : Jungle Activities & Arrival to Tambopata Research Center
Day 3 : Select Jungle Activities
Day 4 : Select Jungle Activities
Day 5 : Return to Refugio Amazonas or Departure from Puerto Maldonado
Day 6 : Departure from Puerto Maldonado

Day 1 : Arrival to Puerto Maldonado & Transfer to Refugio Amazonas

Upon arrival to Puerto Maldonado, you will be met at the airport by a representative who will take you to the Rainforest Expeditions headquarters. There, you will have the chance to pack your bags for your Amazon tour. Luggage weight on boats is limited so only take necessary items for the length of your stay. The rest of your belongings will be kept safe at the Puerto Maldonado headquarters.
From here you will begin a 2.5-hour boat ride to Refugio Amazonas. Along the way you’ll pass the native jungle community of Infierno and go through the checkpoint to enter the Tambopata National Reserve.
Upon arrival to the lodge, you’ll receive a welcome and safety briefing then have time to settle into your room and rest before dinner.
After dinner at the lodge, you will go down to the river’s edge for a nighttime caiman search. The caiman is a crocodile-like reptile. You find them at night by shining powerful flashlights along riverbanks, looking for the reflection of the caimans’ eyes.

Day 2 : Jungle Activities & Arrival to Tambopata Research Center

Days start early in the jungle. Your morning will start with a short walk to a canopy tower that is over 80 feet (25 meters) high. This height gives you a great look at the jungle canopy, full of birds, monkeys, and other wildlife.
On your way back to the lodge, you will visit an old-growth Brazil nut forest that is still harvested by local communities. You will see a demonstration of the whole harvesting process, including collection, transportation, and drying.
Enjoy lunch at the lodge before you journey deeper into the Amazon toward the Tambopata Research Center. To get there, you’ll take a 4-hour boat ride, leaving all traces of human habitation behind.
Depending on arrival time, you may enjoy a short hike to a lookout point over the Tambopata River from where you might spot howler monkeys and dusky titi monkeys.
You will have dinner at the lodge and then have the opportunity to listen to a scientific lecture about macaws. The discussion will cover their biology, feeding habits, why they use the clay lick, breeding, and conservation.

Day 3 : Select Jungle Activities

The Tambopata Research Center offers a variety of exciting jungle activities for your pleasure. A sample day itinerary is described here.
If desired, you can start the morning early with a trip to a nearby clay lick. This is the best place to see colorful macaws and on some mornings, hundreds of birds congregate on this large river bank.
Another activity option is a visit to the pond platform, located 10 minutes from the lodge. It is a great place to spot waterfowl such as Muscovy duck, hoatzins, woodpeckers, oropendolas, flycatchers, and parakeets.
A favorite afternoon activity is the floodplain trail, a 3-mile (5-km) hike through the jungle. An expert guide will point out interesting plants and animals along the way.
If you still have energy after dinner, you might enjoy going on a night hike. Nighttime is when many jungle animals are the most active.

Day 4 : Select Jungle Activities

Today you’ll spend your time enjoying more activities and excursions offered by the lodge. Alternatively, you can choose to return to Refugio Amazonas and spend the day there.
If you stay at the Tambopata Research Center, one option is to hike the 3-mile (5 km) Terra Firme Trail, which will take you to a different type of jungle habitat than what you have previously experienced. Here the trees are small and thinner. You’ll walk by swamp land, keeping an eye out for animal tracks.
Additionally or alternatively, you can take a 30 minute walk to the Palm Swamp. Here, dead aguaje palms serve as nests to red-bellied and blue-and-gold macaws. An elevated boardwalk and scaffolding tower allow for eye level observation of the macaws as they fly in and out of their nests.

Day 5 : Return to Refugio Amazonas or Departure from Puerto Maldonado

Today your itinerary will vary based on if you’ve selected a 5-day or 6-day Amazon adventure.

5-day Itinerary

For travelers on a 5-day itinerary, you’ll return by boat to Puerto Maldonado and be taken to the airport for your flight home or on to your next destination.

6-day Itinerary

For travelers on a 6-day itinerary, you’ll have breakfast and then take the 3.5 hour boat ride back to Refugio Amazonas.
Enjoy a hearty lunch and then choose from several jungle activities. One option is to hike 40 minutes to Condenado Oxbow Lake. Here you’ll paddle canoes around the lake to see wildlife such as hoatzin and caiman.
After dinner at the lodge, you can attend a lecture on local conservation and wildlife projects before spending your last night in the jungle.

Day 6 : Departure from Puerto Maldonado

After breakfast, depart on the boat ride to Puerto Maldonado, where you will be able to pick up your belongings at the lodge’s headquarters before meeting your transfer to the airport for you journey home or on to your next destination.
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Included

4 or 5 nights at Amazon jungle lodges (2 nights at Refugio Amazonas, 2 or 3 nights at Tambopata Research Center)
All tours stated in the itinerary
All meals at the lodge
All transfers and entrance fees
Expert English-speaking guides

What to Bring
Tips
Asked questions
Terms and Conditions
Reservations

What to Bring

Personal documents (passport).
Walking stick.
Walking shoes.
Sleeping bag.
Flashlight.
Insect repellent.
Sunscreen.
Toilet paper.
Bottle and tablets to purify water.
Waterproof clothing.
long pants.
Short pants.
Rain clothing.
Slippers or sandals to relax the feet in the camp.
A cap or hat.
Personal medications

Tips

The most probable thing is that you suffer the altitude sickness when you arrive to the city of the Cusco, we suggest to be in the city of the Cusco at least two days before the tour, not to drink alcohol, to smoke nor to take sedatives.
Drink a lot of water and coca tea before and during the tour, drink at least two liters of water a day.
In the height it is breathed rapidly and slightly deeply.
If you have some medical condition as allergies or special needs for food, please describe it clearly in advance before starting the tour.

Asked questions

How do i know more details about the tour?
A night before the tour, our guide will go to the hotel to give you all the necessary details of our trek, he will confirm when pick up from hotel and some other recommendations.
Where will I be able to leave my baggage while my walk lasts?
You only must carry what you are going to use during your walk, you can leave the rest of luggage in the warehouse of the hotel where is staying.
Can I rent trek equipment in Cusco?
Of course, you can rent trek the equipment (sleeping bags, sticks of hiking, and other implements) that we have, during your session information.
How many people are going in each group of walk?
For a group of walk aperture, we need at least six people. In our web page we have a table where we have listed the dates of future exits to this walk, there you can register and be part of the any group.
Will I have to share the tent sleeping with someone more in the camps?
If the tents that we carry for the camps are for two people, you will have to share this tent with someone of the same sex. If you prefer you can pay an extra for a single tent just for you.
Is it possible to have an extra (additional) porter for the walk?
If you want to enjoy this trip and does not have a lot of experience, you can pay for one extra(additional) porter, who take your walk equipment and other personal implements.
Is it necessary to bring extra money for the walk?
Yes, if you want to buy more water bottles, buy some souvenirs, or leave tip for porters, cooks, etc.
We recommend to carry an average of 200 soles for any extra expense that may arise.
Are the walking sticks very important?
yes, the sticks are very useful at the time of ascending and down the mountain, walking sticks help, especially passengers who have problems with the knees.
How much water I have to wear during the walk?
We suggest you to bring 2 liters of water during each day of the walk. Every night in every camp we will provide you the amount of water you need to perform the walk the next day. During the journey we will pass through some streams and waterfalls that are descended from the snowy peaks, and you can take water of it but before you have to purify them.
Is it safe to travel in the rainy season?
During the rainy season the path becomes somewhat difficult, requires a good team of rains as boots to test water and others, but no doubt the landscape that shows this route is very colorful. The rainy season is during the months of December and part of April.
Is it possible to change the date of reservation chosen at the beginning?
of course, you can make the change of date on your tour with a minimum time in advance of 30 days.
Can I pay the whole trip in advance?
Usually we receive a deposit of 50% of the tour cost, and the other 50% is performed in the city of Cusco before your departure to the tour, but you can pay the whole trip if you want to.

Terms and Conditions

The trek to Choquequirao for 4 days and 3 nights will be carried out with a minimum of 6 people.
If you suffer any medical problems or allergies you have to communicate to Lonely Travel
You have to be with a good physical condition to perform the walk, and if you have any doubts in this regard will have to consult with a doctor. If you have more than 60 years of age, you will have to submit a medical certificate that guarantees its physical state.
If you want to leave the group, the camp and make tourism on its own account, it is important to report this to the guide. If you have problems please advise the guide to resolve it immediately.
You have to pay the total of the remaining tour two days before it starts.
you are responsible for carry your backpack staff and sleeping bag during the walk, unless you had paid for an extra porters.
The walk to Choquequirao is long, but satisfactory.
If there are not a minimum of 6 people, the tour could be canceled.
About the cancellation of the tour:
- Cancel the tour two months before, lose $100
- Cancel the tour one month before, lose 40% of the total cost of the tour
- Cancel the tour one week before, lose 60% of the total cost of the tour
- Cancel the tour 48 h. before, lose 75% of the total cost of the tour
- Cancel the tour one day before, lose 85% of the total cost of the tour.
Lonely Travel will take all reasonable precautions in the provision of service to our customers to avoid an accident, illness, loss of personal property, etc. We accept responsibility for the actions of our own employees. Lonely Travel, however, is not responsible for the additional costs that may result due to events unexpected and unavoidable as unfavorable weather conditions, natural disasters, strikes, accidents, illness, injury, loss of personal belongings, etc. It is the responsibility of customer to have an insurance to cover such events. We reserve the right to modify or cancel the program due to any of the before mentioned conditions.
In the booking of any of our adventure tours (Camino Inca, Salkantay, Ausangate, Choquequirao, Inca Jungle, Lares, etc.) You know the risks that this implies by which you fully assume the risks that are required to carry out such travel, Lonely Travel does not accept any responsibility with regard to events that can be passed during the journey by the negligence of the tourist or events that are outside our control
I have read and accept the trip conditions.

Reservations

Review and choose one of the confirmed dates of exits on this trek.
(If you do not agree with dates we have, contact us for starting another date for you.)
Make your tour reservation providing asking information.
Fill correctly all the boxes of our pattern of reservations.
Your reservation will be confirmed after you make the deposit of 50% of the total cost of the tour.