Peruvian Amazon

DAY 01 ARRIVE IQUITOS - AMAZON RAIN FOREST
Reception at the airport, brief city orientation and transfer to the Explorama dock. Fifty mile journey down the Amazon River to Yanamono Stream where Explorama Lodge is located. Afternoon hike along the "Lake Trail" through lowland rainforest which is seasonally flooded. During the high water season, this excursion is done by open boat! After dinner, there is a chance to visit the Lodge's "Bar Tahuampa" where local musicians often play guitar and flute music or the guides will also be pleased to have you invite them to relate some of the many legends of the Amazon forest.
Lunch, Dinner Overnight. Explorama Lodge

DAY 02 AMAZON
After breakfast, a boat ride down the Amazon and up the Napo River to the ExplorNapo Reserve and ExplorNapo Lodge. Afternoon visit to the ReNuPeRu Ethnobotanical Garden located next to ExplorNapo and tended by a local shaman. This garden is used to show visitors rainforest plants used in modern medicine as well as examples of native plant remedies which science may utilize in the future. Evening excursion by open boat along the Sucusari Stream in search of caiman and to enjoy the night sounds and stars of the Southern sky.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Overnight ExplorNapo Lodge

DAY 03 AMAZON
Morning hike to the Canopy Walkway, a suspended bridge spanning 500 meters (one-third of a mile) connected by tree platforms and reaching a height of over 35 meters (115 feet) above the ground. Here you encounter a "bird's eye view" of part of the rainforest rarely seen by man but accessible without any type of climbing skill or equipment. Afternoon boating excursion along one of the many Napo tributaries spotting along the way for birds and sloth. A stop is included for a try at river fishing with cane poles or a chance to swim.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Overnight ExplorNapo Lodge

DAY 04 AMAZON
Morning excursion to a black water oxbow lake formed when water from the Napo River became separated from the main flow of the river. These lakes are often covered with giant Victoria Regia water lilies and sometimes offer a glimpse of the elusive Hoatzin bird. Afternoon boat trip back to Explorama Lodge passing the town of Francisco de Orellana, where a statue is erected to the intrepid explorer who became the first European to see the Amazon River in 1542.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Overnight Explorama Lodge

DAY 05 AMAZON-IQUITOS
Morning walk along a local river trail with stops along the way to visit the "ribereños" or river people, visit a river school, see the local sugar cane rum "factory" or visit our resident American medical doctor in her clinic sponsored by the Rotary Club. Transfer back to Iquitos for your departure flight to Lima.
Breakfast, Lunch (if departure flight permits)

*Due to the everchanging nature of the rainforest, day-by-day activities may vary due to local conditions.*

LAND TOUR COST PER PERSON:

DBL US$1060

TRP US$1024

SGL US$ 151

Special rates for groups available upon request.

Deposit: US$200 per person at the time of booking.

Final Payment: 45 days before departure.

Cancellations: Please see Terms and Conditions

IMPORTANT: We recommend a Yellow fever vaccination and Malaria Pills for this trip.

OPTIONAL TOUR TO CUZCO AND MACHU PICCHU: Please call us 1-800-327-0080 or email us at tara@taratours.com

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SANDOVAL LAKE LODGE

Located a 25 minute motor canoe ride down the River Madre de Dios from Puerto Maldonado, Sandoval Lake Lodge is perched above what many rainforest specialists feel is the most attractive lake in Southern Peru, if not in the entire Peruvian Amazon.

The whole complex is housed in one structure and includes 25 double occupancy rooms (16 with private baths and 9 with sharing facilities), hot showers, and a spacious dining room overlooking the lake.

For a more relaxed, complete introduction to the rainforest, we recommend a two nights stay. However, with the easy access from Puerto Maldonado, for the first time it is possible to spend only one night in the rainforest and still get a good preliminary idea of the splendor of the Peruvian Amazon.

4 Days / 3 Nights Program

Day one

Transfer from Puerto Maldonado airport to the river port on the Madre de Dios River. A 25 minutes journey down the Madre de Dios River by motor canoe brings you to the end of the trail in to Sandoval Lake Lodge. From here the trail takes you on a 2-mile walk/or rickshaw ride through secondary forest, until we reach a small canal where we board canoes and are paddled 220 yards through a flooded forest of 100-foot tall Mauritia palms. As the canal opens onto the shimmering surface of the lake, we transfer to a catamaran and are leisurely paddled across half the lake to the lodge.

After lunch and a brief rest to avoid the early afternoon heat, we once again board the catamaran and set off to explore the entire west end of the lake. Here, in the flooded palm forest we drift to the sounds of hundreds of Red-Bellied Macaws as they return to the palm forest for the night. We return to the lodge around nightfall for dinner.

After dinner we will return to the canoes to look for the large and extremely rare Black Caimans. If it is a clear starlit night, we will also be able to float in the middle of the lake and marvel at the brillance of the sky.

Day two

A pre-dawn wake-up call will enable us to be on the lake for sunrise and a hopeful encounter with the family of Giant Otters which frequent the lake and are most active at this time of day. Most of the fish-eating water birds around the lake actively fish in the early morning as well, and this outing should provide excellent views, and photographs, of the prehistoric- looking Hoatzins.

After returning for a late breakfast we set off into the cool understory of the tall virgin forest near the lake to see some towering wild Brazil Nut trees and a demonstration of how our hosts collect, open and commercialize this important natural product.

After lunch and an hour or so to relax we once again board the catamaran to explore the eastern part of the lake, where we might see one or more of the five species of monkeys which live in the forest near the lake, such as the Brown Capuchin Monkey.

There is a final chance after dinner to try and spot some Black Caimans on the lake, or to go on a short night walk through the primary forest.

Day three

Rising once again at dawn, we have a quick snack before boarding the catamarans to explore the western end of the lake in the hope of an Ecounter with Giant Otters.

After a late breakfast we explore some of the rain forest trails with our knowledgeable resident naturalist guide. As we walk the forest will be brought to life as your guide explains the ecology of the rain forest and its diverse flora and fauna.

We return for lunch, and then there is an optional rest for those who would like to escape the early afternoon heat. For those still full of energy, there is an option to independently explore some of the forest trails.

In the cooler late afternoon we will once again board the catamaran to explore the eastern end of the lake, and hopefully experience a spectacular sunset over the lake before returning to the lodge for dinner.

After dinner, there is a final chance to look for Black Caiman on the lake, or to go on a short night hike through the forest.

Day four

After a dawn breakfast we take a final, shorter paddle around the west end of the lake to try and glimpse the Giant Otters before returning to Puerto Maldonado to catch the flight to Lima.

2011 COST PER PERSON: Includes all meals

4 days/3nights: DBL US$ 585 Call 1-800-327-0080 or e-mails at tara@taratours.com

3 days/2nights: DBL US$ 400 Call Call 1-800-327-0080 or e-mails at tara@taratours.com

HEATH RIVER WILDLIFE CENTER

4 DAY/3 NIGHT ITINERARY (Macaw clay lick)

Day 1 - Puerto Maldonado to Heath River Wildlife Center
We meet at the Puerto Maldonado airport and drive through town to the Tambopata River port. After boarding motorized canoes, we travel downriver to the mighty Madre de Dios, which we follow for approximately four hours to the Heath River. We then travel up this wild and intimate river, which forms the wilderness border between Peru and Bolivia, and arrive at the Heath River Wildlife Center. Note that the Lodge is located on the Bolivian side of the Heath River so passports are required to clear Bolivian passport control. (L, D).

Day 2 - Heath River Wildlife Center
We rise early in the morning to board a motorized canoe for the 10-minute journey up the Heath River to the macaw and parrot clay lick. Brightly-colored parrots and macaws fly in by the hundreds to feed on the clay that detoxifies certain seeds and nuts they eat. Marvel at the cacophony of sound and color as Red-and-green macaws vie for the best clay-eating position. A specially-designed floating blind allows for proximity and complete concealment -- so you can even have breakfast and coffee while the birds are performing their morning ritual.

When we return to the lodge, the guide leads us on an ethno-botanical walk through the forest, pointing out flora used in the daily lives of rainforest people. The guide explains how certain plants are used for medicinal or healing purposes, which ones can be made into the best bows and arrows, and how to select trees and leaves for home construction.

After lunch and a short rest, we hike through the rainforest to the Pampas del Heath, the largest remaining undisturbed savanna in the Amazon. The contrast is striking as we emerge from the mature rainforest onto the grassland plain of the Pampas. (B, L, D)

Day 3 - Heath River Wildlife Center
We breakfast in the floating blind at the macaw and parrot clay lick for a last round of looks and photos. Then we return to the lodge to explore some trails.
After lunch we could visit the Ese'Eja native community of Sonene, where there will be an opportunity to interact with the community and purchase local handicrafts or explore the trails.
After dinner we'll explore the forest by flashlight, including a visit to a small mammal clay lick if it is active. (B,L,D)

Day 4- Heath River To Cusco or Lima
Early morning departure to Puerto Maldonado. During the river trip back downstream, families of Capybaras are often spotted on the banks of the river. Weighing up to 120 pounds (55 kilograms), this giant, three-toed relative of the guinea pig is the largest rodent in the world. If time permits If time permits we will also Upon arrival, reception and transfer to the airport for the flight back to Cusco or Lima. (B)

LAND TOUR RATES PER PERSON 2011

All meals Twin Triple Single

4 days/3 nights (Departs Mon,Tue,Thu, Fri) US$690 655 840

5 days/4 nights (Departs Mon & Thu) 817 790 917

Other departure days available...add US$200 per person.
Airfare not included (approximated cost from Lima US$350-400 and from Cuzco $250). Have your Travel Agent call Tara Tours for further information.

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MANU NATIONAL PARK

Manu-the very word has become synonymous with the best rain forest in the world. The protected areas of the great Manu wilderness have become world famous because of their unspoiled rain forest and amazing wildlife. Manu protects more species of animals and plants than any other park on Earth.

The Manu National Park contains 1,000 species of birds, or one out of every nine on Earth, and 200 more than the U.S. and Canada combined. Approximately 550 bird species occur within a few square miles of lowland forest. Try a short visit to the spectacular lowland forest of Manu to see the world's best rain forest wildlife, including the world's most approachable, photographable macaw clay lick.

Also featured are the biggest clay lick of South America's largest land animal--the 600-pound (250 kilos) Lowland Tapir, playful Giant Otters, Jaguars, and ten species of monkeys, including the amazing mustachioed Emperor Tamarin. Or lengthen your stay to include the incomparable two-day road entry from Cusco to Manu through the world's most intact and accessible tropical cloud forest, which features exotic tree ferns, orchids, and the world's largest known display ground of the blazing red Andean Cock-of-the-Rock.

ABOUT MANU WILD LIFE CENTER

"...Manu Wildlife Center offered, hands down the most intense wildlife experience I've had in the Amazon....."
Conde Nast Traveler - December 2002

From Cusco this lodge is only 35 minutes by air and 90 minutes by river. No other lodge in Manu offers all the major wildlife attractions in one spot:

The world's largest tapir lick.
The most photogenic large macaw lick.
Miles of monkey-rich trails through mature rain forest.
Two 120-foot-tall (35-m) canopy platforms.
Two mature lakes complete with Hoatzins and Giant Otters.

Manu Wildlife Center is located in a private, 40,000-acre rain forest reserve adjacent to the 1 million acre protected area named the “Amarakaeri Reserved Zone”. The Center is the only lodge in the Manu lowlands with roomy, private bungalows, each of which has en suite private bathrooms complete with tiled, hot water showers.

Manu Wildlife Center Tours - Prices 2011
Fixed departures from Cusco with a minimum of two people

Program	Double	Single Supplement
5 days/4 nights (Departs Thu & Sat)	1582	358

Including:

Round trip transfers to and from the Cusco Airport
Round trip airfare from Cusco to Boca Manu
Round trip canoe transportation to the lodge
Private bungalows with private bathrooms
All meals and snacks
Purified drinking water and juices
Bilingual naturalist guide
Visits to macaw and tapir clay licks, oxbow lake, canopy platforms and trail hikes

Sample 5 day/ 4nights itinerary:

Day 1
Early morning our representative will pick you up from your hotel to transfer to Cusco airport.

A thirty-five minute flight in a radar-equipped twin engine plane takes you to Boca Manu. Here you take a motorized canoe for the 90 minutes journey down the Madre de Dios River to Manu Wildlife Center to arrive for lunch. The afternoon will be spent exploring some of the 30 miles of clean forest trails that surround the lodge. On these trails you have an excellent chance to encounter some of the 12 species of monkeys, which include the Monk Saki and Emperor Tamarin, which inhabit the surrounding forest.

After dinner you will have a short night excursion to explore nocturnal life in the rainforest.

Day 2
Rising before dawn, we take a 25 minute boat journey downstream to the only large parrot and macaw clay lick in the Manu area. From a floating catamaran blind we are afforded excellent views and photo opportunities of hundreds of medium-sized and large parrots arriving first at the lick, followed by the large Red-and-Green Macaws arriving to eat the clay.

Please note that :

-The clay lick activity reaches its best from August to October and decreases during the months of May and June.
-During the dry season (June-September) the water level on the river does not always allow for a floating blind and it will then be sitting on the ground.

After lunch at the Center we continue to explore the forest trails surrounding the lodge, and plan to spend the late afternoon up a 34 meter canopy platform. Here, we watch the last frantic activity in the rainforest canopy, or rush hour, before night settles.

We can return for dinner back at the Center, or pack our meal for the leisurely hike about 60-75 minutes through the night forest to the Amazon’s largest known Tapir clay lick. Here we climb a 17 by 17 foot observation platform perched almost 20 feet above the lick itself where we wait for the lumbering Tapirs to arrive. Then, using powerful flashlights we hope to observe and photograph them in action. Our scientific reports reveal that tapirs usually visit the clay lick between 9:00 pm and midnight; however, their activity continues until dawn. (B/L/D)

Day 3
After another early morning departure by boat and short hike from the river, you have what promises to be an exciting visit to Blanco Oxbow Lake. This lake has populations of a variety of aquatic life and water birds, including the prehistoric-looking hoatzin and the possibility to see the resident family of giant otters.

After returning for lunch at the Center your guide is available to further explore the forest trails for more wildlife encounters. Alternatively, time is available to independently practice your abilities and experience this expanse of rainforest habitats on your own.This evening, from the late afternoon until after Dinner, we offer an opportunity to search for caiman and other nocturnal life along the riverbank by boat. (B/L/D)

Day 4
Rising at dawn you will board the motor-canoe to visit the Camungo Oxbow Lake. In addition to touring the lake by catamaran to look for the resident family of giant otters and other lakeside fauna, we will explore the forest trails and visit the 40 meter or 130 foot high canopy platform. This platform provides a beautiful view of the Camungo Lake as well as the forest canopy, and on very clear days it is possible to look over the rainforest to the Andes.
After lunch at the Center we will explore the forest trails with the emphasis on visiting the fruiting and flowering trees that our experienced naturalist guides have been monitoring. Here we will hope to encounter more monkey species as well as numerous species of birds. Again, before or after supper, those explorers still with enough energy will have another chance for an additional visit to the Tapir clay lick. (B/L/D)

Day 5
After early breakfast, we leave near dawn by motor canoe for the two hour return trip to the Manu landing strip, taking advantage of valuable early morning wildlife activity along the river. From here you fly to Cusco, where your jungle adventure ends. Arrival at Cusco Airport, reception and transfer to your hotel. (B)

Please note that the program may vary slightly so as to maximize your wildlife sightings, depending on the reports of our researchers and experienced naturalist guides based at the lodge.

American Airlines City Zones:

ZONE 1: APF, EYW, FLL, FMY, JAX, PBI, SRQ.

ZONE 2: ABI, ABQ, ACT, AMA, AUS, BPT, BTR, CLL, CRP, ELP, FSM, FYV, GGG, HRL, ILE, JAN, LAW, LBB, LFT, LIT,LRD, MAF, MFE, OKC, SAT,SHV, SJT, SPS, TUL, TXK,TYR.

ZONE 3: ALB, BDL, BGR, BTV,BUF, CLT, GSO, GSP,HAR, HPN, ISP, MHT, ORF, ORH, PIT, PVD, PWM, RIC, ROC, SAV, SWF, SYR

ZONE 4: AZO, BHM, BNA, CID, CMH, CMI, COS, CVG, DAY, DBQ, DLH, DRO, DSM, EGE, EVV, FWA, GRB, GRR, GUC, HDN, HSV, ICT, IND, LSE, MEM, MKC, MKE, MSN, MSP, OMA, PHX, PIA, RST, SDF, SGF, STL, TOL, TUS, TVC, TYS.ALO, BRL, CGI, COU, DEC, FSD, IRK, MKL, JLN, LEX, LNX, MLI, MWA, OWB, PAH, SPI, SUX, SBN, TBN,UIN

ZONE 5: BFL, BUR, FAT,LAS, LGB, MRY, OAK, ONT, PSP, RNO, SAN, SBA, SBP, SJC, SLC, SMF, SNA.

ZONE 6: JAC, PDX, SEA