DAY 1

TAMBOPATA RIVER

Our adventure in the jungle begins by taking the boat heading to Ñape Lodge. We will navigate the Tambopata River for 30 minutes and become familiar with the landscapes that the Amazon rainforest has to show us. Tambopata is the main river in the Madre de Dios region and runs through the Tambopata National Reserve. All along this river is located the native community Ese Eja de Infierno who are the owners of Ñape Lodge. Tambopata is known for its lakes and clay licks, for its biodiversity and for being home to felines such as the jaguar and puma, birds such as parrots and macaws, the rodent capybara, amphibians and a diversity of reptiles. The Tambopata River is a meeting place and a source of life for the species that inhabit this ecosystem.

LUNCH

CANOPY TOWER

We will hike through the rainforest for about 30 minutes among the trails that surround our lodge until we reach the Canopy Tower. This tower has a height of 37m and will lead us to the top of the trees to admire the forest from the perspective of the birds and monkeys that inhabit it. From the top you get spectacular views of the vast extensions of the standing forest, cut by the Tambopata River that serpentines through the middle. With some luck we will see toucans, parrots or macaws flying against the horizon, or flocks of mixed species perching high above.

NIGHT WALK

It is said that in the jungle, night is the end of the day for many species, but it is the beginning of the day for many others. We will have the opportunity to experience an exciting night walk, where we will be able to observe a great diversity of insects, moths, amphibians and reptiles. It is time to turn on our flashlights and pay attention to our senses because in the jungle, everything is alive.

DINNER

DAY 2

BREAKFAST

LAKE TRES CHIMBADAS

Early in the morning, we will board a boat upriver and enjoy the fresh air of the Amazonian dawn, until we get to the starting point of a hike through a secondary forest, which will take us to the serpent-shaped lake, better known as Tres Chimbadas. Here we will board a rowing catamaran and prepare our senses to enjoy what this beautiful place has to offer. We will be able to see monkeys, birds, black caimans, and the famous river otter that dominates this habitat.

PARROT CLAY LICK

The clay licks or Collpas are large walls of clay rich in minerals and especially in sodium. They are found along the rivers. This is the favorite place of many parrots and macaws of Tambopata, who come every morning for their supply of minerals and to socialize. We will navigate by boat to a parrot clay lick, make ourselves comfortable and wait patiently for the show. This is a great opportunity to appreciate these beautiful birds, their variety of color and behavior.

LEARN ABOUT THE TECHNIQUES OF CASERÍA (BOW AND ARROW SHOOTING)

In the afternoon we head to the Hunter’s Hut. Our guide will give us an overview and teach us some of the traditional hunting techniques practiced by the Ese Eja natives. Using the bow and a variety of arrows, each one designed for different purposes (large animals, small animals and fish), we will learn about the importance and accuracy of each detail in the elaboration and use of these tools. At the end, we will make a fun but safe archery practice with bow and arrow towards a bull and we will test our aim.

LUNCH

ETHNOBOTANICAL GARDEN

The Ñape Ethnobotanical Garden is a community organization responsible for keeping alive and disseminating ancestral knowledge about the power of plants and their healing effects. In this place, natural medicines are produced from the plants of the rainforest. We will take a walk along a trail where we can find some of the most important plants such as the chacruna and ayahuasca in their natural habitat and we can taste a natural medicine made from the bark and leaves of the trees macerated in sugar cane alcohol. We will learn about the history of the Ñape Garden and the healers and shamans responsible for its maintenance.

SEARCH FOR CAIMANS

At dusk, we will embark on an adventure, riding the boat and guided by its powerful light, in search of the nocturnal life of the rainforest. Here, the nocturnal creatures adapted to the dark are very active and come out to hunt along the Tambopata River. Caimans wait patiently for their prey along the riverbanks. We may also see capybaras or deer, as they are animals that usually hang around the river, and maybe with a lot of luck, a puma or jaguar.

DINNER

DAY 3

BREAKFAST

MAMMAL CLAY LICK

Here we hike for two hours through forest trails until we reach the mammal clay lick. This place attracts visitors such as birds, deer, monkeys, and other mammals that come to feed and get the minerals they need for their nutritional balance.

VISIT TO LOCAL FARM

We will navigate the Tambopata river for about 15 minutes until we reach a local farm that belongs to one of the families of the Ese Eja de Infierno community. Once there we will learn about the different fruits and vegetables that this diverse garden provides us, we will discover the uses and popular recipes for its consumption and the importance of this great pantry, the main supplier of goods and food for our lodge. We will find varieties of lemon, mango, papaya, tangerine, sugar cane, cassava, banana, cocoa, coconut, arazá, sapote among many others.

DINNER

DAY 4

BREAKFAST

VISIT TO THE NATIVE COMMUNITY OF INFIERNO

This morning we will take a tour around the Ese Eja de Infierno Native Community. We will start by meeting with community leaders to learn about their history, lifestyle, production activities and share knowledge and ideas.

VISIT TO THE HANDICRAFTS HOUSE

Next, we will visit the Artisans’ House, where a variety of handicrafts such as wood carvings, bio-jewelry, basketry, textiles and accessories are exhibited and commercialized. The Ese Eja artisans use natural elements such as seeds, fibers, wood and dye plants such as Sanipanga or Achiote. Here we will participate in a workshop with the native artisans, and accompany them in their creative process, exchange knowledge and be able to learn their weaving and dyeing techniques.

VISIT TO THE HOUSE OF CULTURE

Finally, we will visit the Casa de la Cultura. This is a place for knowledge exchange. Here we meet with the wise men of the community, who will explain to us the cosmovision of the Ese Eja, their beliefs, traditions and their dressing. How they used to live in the past and how things have changed for them in these modern times.

LUNCH

BOAT RIDE AND SUNSET

Sailing the Tambopata River is a great experience in itself, but watching the sunset on the Tambopata River is an unforgettable spectacle. We will embark our boat upriver in search of capybaras, caimans or if we are fortunate, a jaguar on the prowl. One of the best gifts Tambopata can offer us is this beautiful colorful watercolor. Enjoy!

DAY 5

BREAKFAST

RETURN

After breakfast, we will say goodbye to the jungle and head back to the city of Puerto Maldonado. Before heading to the airport, we will stop by our office to pick up our bags or any additional assistance you may need. This day marks the end of your exciting jungle adventure, taking with you unforgettable memories and enriching experiences.

TRAIL MAP