Peru tours

Small group tours

Wilderness, Wildlife And Wildwater

Lima - Lake Titicaca - Alpacas - Andes - Rafting - Amazon Rainforest - Macaw Lick - Puerto Maldonado - Cusco - Machu Picchu - Lima
(16 days of adventure)

This exceptional expedition takes you into a rarely visited part of Peru, from the shores of Lake Titicaca to the very heart of the Amazon jungle. We spend time exploring the floating islands of the Uros and visiting the Pre-Inca ruins of Silustani, whilst acclimatising to the high Altiplano. Our journey to the river takes us high into the Andes with breathtaking views of the Apolobamba and Carabaya mountain ranges, before dropping down into the Amazon rainforest. From our put in on the banks of the Rio Tambopata, we soon bid farewell to all traces of civilisation as we head into pristine jungle in search of wilderness, wildlife and wildwater. The last few days are spent drifting silently, spotting rare wildlife and exploring tributaries. A night in a comfortable jungle lodge beside the spectacular Macaw lick gives us time to explore jungle trails, before heading downriver past gold miners and so to Puerto Maldonado and a short flight to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas. From here we can either return home or visit the amazing "Lost City of the Incas" - Machu Picchu.

The Bahuaja / Sonene national reserve is considered to be the “world's best-preserved tropical rainforest reserve” and the “last human-free jungle on the planet”. It is home to jaguars, tapirs, giant otters and capybaras as well as over 800 species of birds and 1200 different species of butterflies. Rafting the Rio Tambopata, through the very heart of this National Park has recently been described by the scientific world as “the ultimate jungle experience”.

Itinerary

Day 1
On arrival at Lima Airport you will transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, the remainder of the day may be spent exploring central Lima and its fascinating museums.

Day 2
An early morning transfer back to the airport to board the first flight along the Andes to Juliaca where you will be met by your guide and transferred to our hotel in Puno near the shores of Lake Titicaca. Today is for acclimatisation to the rarefied air of the Andean Altiplano (3800m). Drink plenty of liquids and take it easy. In the afternoon we can explore Puno and its environs. (B)

Day 3
Today we board a motor launch on Lake Titicaca for a fascinating visit to the floating islands of the Uros Indians. We then say farewell to Puno and begin our journey to the river. En route we explore the pre-Inca circular burial chambers of Silustani and stop at Juliaca for lunch where we catch up with the remaining team and equipment. We then continue on to Malkini Alpaca ranch for the evening. (B/D)

Day 4
The adventure continues overland, high into the Andes, passing llama herds, glaciers and spectacular mountain ranges. As we cut through the Andes, we begin to descend through Inca terraces and so to the cloud forest. From here to our launching site on the banks of the Rio Tambopata the road can be a real challenge. We drop deeper into the jungle and finally to Putina Punku where we will camp overnight. (B/L/D)

Day 5
The morning is spent inflating the rafts and securely packing all our gear and supplies. Following a full safety briefing and instruction in the art of white water rafting, we don our life jackets and helmets and head into the Amazon rainforest. Any excess gear can be sent back with our vehicle to await our arrival in Cusco. (B/L/D)

Days 6-10
Leaving all traces of civilisation behind, we raft exciting rapids by day and at night camp on pristine sandy beaches. The first days are full of class 2-3 rapids, starting small and technical, giving us plenty of time to practise the necessary skills required to negotiate the harder rapids to come. As tributary after tributary join the Tambopata the river increases in volume creating exciting and challenging class 4 rapids. Plenty of time is allowed for scouting and photographing the harder rapids. Eventually the river relaxes and for the last few days, our rafts float silently through the calmer stretches, giving us unequalled opportunities to observe and photograph wildlife. Here we hope to see families of capybaras - the world's largest rodent, herds of peccaries. Lone tapirs have also been known to walk through the campsite at night and monkeys watch us pass from their tree top hideaways. Jaguars, jaguarundis, caiman, ant-eaters and giant river otters have also been spotted as well as countless species of rare birds and butterflies. Time is spent exploring beautiful side creeks and, if you wish, fishing for the delicious but elusive Paiche. (B/L/D)

Day 11
Where the Tambopata meets the Rio Tavara, the river becomes flat and thus hard work. This is our last night's camp and where we meet our re-supply boat. (B/L/D)

Day 12
Today the motor boat transfers us a few hours down river to a comfortable jungle lodge situated beside the famous Macaw lick. Here we can enjoy the luxuries of a refreshing shower, a comfortable bed, fresh food and a cold beer. Resident expert guides are available for further jungle walks if desired. (B/L/D)

Day 13
Perhaps the wildlife highlight of the trip still awaits us as we rise just before dawn to see the truly extraordinary spectacle of hundreds of macaws, parrots, and parakeets feasting on the minerals contained in the cliff wall. After breakfast, the motor boat transfers us further downstream, passing groups of gold miners and finally to the frontier town of Puerto Maldonado and a well earned night in a hotel. (B/L)

Day 14
From Puerto Maldonado we take a short flight to the colonial city and ancient Inca capital of Cusco (3300m) and a luxury hotel awaits us. Once again we must acclimatise to the altitude. Today is a chance to relax, clean up, reminisce on our jungle adventure and start to explore the fascinating city of Cusco. (B)

Day 15
There is so much to see and do in Cusco that we dedicate the whole day to doing just that. We can visit Inca ruins, explore interesting museums, shop for a wide range of unique and interesting souvenirs or simply relax and lap up the atmosphere in one of the many excellent cafes that surround the Plaza de Armas.(B)

Day 16
Either fly back to Lima early morning to catch your international flight or join one of our one or two day journeys to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the majestic Lost City of the Incas- Machu Picchu. (B)

Prices and departures

Please enquire for prices and departures.

Notes

We provide:
All airport transfers; transport to and from the river in private vehicle, Three internal flights. State of the art rafting equipment including self-bailing rafts, Hi-flotation life-jackets, helmets, spray jackets, dry bags for personal gear, special containers for cameras. All camping and cooking equipment including Thermarests, spacious two person tents, mosquito-netting dining tent, tables and stools. An Extensive First-aid kit; professional English and Spanish speaking river guides, trained in first-aid, swift-water rescue and CPR. Quality hotel in Lima, Juliaca, Puerto Maldonado and Cusco; comfortable Jungle lodge on the banks of the Rio Tambopata. an expert naturalist guide at jungle lodge. All meals as indicated in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).

Not included:
International flights, personal belongings, sleeping bag (available for rent at $10 a night), Tambopata National park fees $50, airport taxes ($6 local, $32 international), personal expenses and tips. Optional trip to Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley of the Incas. Day rooms in Lima on final day are not included but can be organised if required.