October 06 - Lima
Upon arrival, clear immigration and customs and meet your guide. Transfer to the hotel. No meals included today. Overnight Ramada Airport Hotel
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October 07 - Tambopata
Return to the airport this morning for the flight to Puerto Maldonado. Upon arrival from Lima, you have an opportunity to store excess luggage if necessary. Packing lightly is essential for small-boat travel. Skirting Puerto Maldonado, we will drive to the Tampobata river port and enter the native community, Infierno. Along the way pass through the community’s primary forest private reserve. Enjoy orientation at Posada Amazonas followed by a walk to the 30-meter-high scaffolding canopy tower. A banistered staircase provides safe access to the higher platforms. The tower offers spectacular views of the standing forest through which the Tambopata River winds. Overnight Posada Amazonas (BLD)
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October 08 - Tambopata
Rise early this morning for a brief walk to the parrot clay lick. From a blind located about twenty meters away, photograph dozens of parrots and parakeets as they descend to ingest the clay of a river bank. Species such as Mealy and Yellow-headed Amazon, Blue-headed Parrot and Dusk-headed Parakeet are most active at dawn, late morning and late afternoon. Later you will visit a local farm. This open area is great for photographing birds as well as colorful fruits and plants. Overnight Posada Amazonas (BLD)
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October 09 - Tambopata
After an early breakfast we depart by boat for Tres Chimbadas Oxbow Lake, where we will search for the resident family of nine giant river otters among other wildlife, such as caiman, Hoatzin, and Horned Screamer. Here you will have opportunities to photograph majestic trees, water reflections and animal life. Next, head out for a boat journey to the Tambopata Research Center. Within the uninhabited nucleus of the reserve, sightings of capybara, caiman, geese, macaws, and other large species are frequent. Later this afternoon, hike to an overlook that offers panoramic views of the Tambopata River. Overnight Tambopata Research Center (BLD)
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October 10 - Tambopata
This morning wake up early and head to the clay lick to capture the macaws while they are most active. On most clear mornings, dozens of large macaws and hundreds of parrots congregate on this large river bank in a raucous and colorful spectacle that inspired a National Geographic cover story. Stationed 50 yards from the cliff, you will photograph Greenwinged, Scarlet and Blue-and-gold Macaws as they ingest clay. After breakfast, hike through the floodplain forest on a trail with immense trees that are woven together by creeks and ponds. Among the figs, ceibas, and shihuahuacos we will look for Squirrel, Brown Capuchin, and Spider Monkeys. This afternoon we will visit the palm swamp tower, followed
by dinner and a night walk for macro-photography of insects and frogs. Overnight Tambopata Research Center (BLD)
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October 11 - Tambopata
Today you will enjoy a 3.5-hour boat ride to Refugio Amazonas. A short hike from the lodge lies a beautiful Brazil Nut forest that has been harvested for many decades. Here you can view the precarious remains of a camp used two months a year by Brazil Nut gatherers. We will learn about the
process of the rainforest’s sustainably harvested product, from collection, through transportation, to drying. Enjoy your final night in the rainforest this evening. Overnight Refugio Amazonas (BLD)
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October 12 - Lima
After an early breakfast, return to Puerto Maldonado for the flight back to Lima. Upon arrival, meet with your guide and take a city tour of colonial and modern Lima. Next you will visit the modern district of San Isidro, and walk to the pre-Inca pyramid, Huaca Huallamarca. Farewell dinner at the hotel tonight. Overnight Casa Andina or similar (BLD)
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October 13 - Lima
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or begin the Machu Picchu extension. (B)
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