Day 1: Flight to Puerto Maldonado, and journey to
the lodge.
Following your early morning flight to Puerto Maldonado from
Lima or Cusco, you will be met at the airport by your naturalist
guide and transferred to a dugout canoe for the trip up the
Tambopata River to the lodge. On the journey the vegetation
changes from colonized deforested areas to virgin rain forest.
A box-lunch is provided on board. On arrival you'll have a
welcome drink and meet the rest of the staff. In the late
afternoon you set off for an introductory walk into the "terra
firme" forest behind the lodge (Trail 2), dominated by
giant Brazil-nut and Dipteryx trees. Frequently seen mammals
on this trail are Saddle-back Tamarins, Brown Capuchins, Agoutis,
Pacas, Blue-Morpho butterflies, Trogons, Toucans and many
other species of birds. After dinner a night walk to find
nocturnal animals or insects by the eye-shine a specialization
for increasing the light and see better, about 50% of the
animals are nocturnal in the rainforest. (L,D)
Day 2: Trip to the Macaw Clay-lick (Collpa).
After breakfast you return to the canoe to continue the
journey upstream, a further 4 hrs, to an area deep within
the National Reserve where the isolated Collpa is situated.
The Collpa is actually one of the large clay cliffs lining
the Tambopata River in this area. After lunch you and your
guide have the afternoon to explore the trail system in
the area. Camping on the beach near the Collpa. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Full day at Collpa and explore the forest
trails.
A pre-dawn start is needed to get to the clay-lick before
the birds. They arrive in search of minerals and salts and
the digestive properties of the clay particles themselves.
On average several hundred Macaws and smaller parrots visit
the clay-lick daily, including Scarlet, Blue and Yellow,
Red and Green, Chestnut-fronted and Blue-headed parrots,
among others. This clay-lick is considered one of the largest
in the world. Following a late morning hike in the trail
system in search of some of the nine species of monkeys
present in the area, including Spider monkeys, Squirrel
monkeys and Dusky titi monkeys as well as the elusive large
mammals like Tapir, White-lipped peccaries and Jaguar. After
lunch a rest time taking a trip up river to explore a clear
forest stream where you can take a bath. Camping on the
beach near the Collpa. (B,L,D).
Day 4: Visit the Collpa, return to Libertador Tambopata
Lodge and hike to a Oxbow - lake.
A second opportunity to witness the wonders at the lick.
You will return to the Libertador Tambopata Lodge in the
early afternoon in time for lunch. After lunch you will
hike to the Condenado Oxbow – Lake, where you will
see a special kind of ecosystem created in hundred of years
for the chance of the river source, rich in bird and aquatic
life. A family of Giant Otters live in the vicinity of the
lake and are often observed. Birds abound especially Rufescent
Tiger-herons, Great Egrets, Wattled Jacanas, Hoatzin, the
noisy Donacobius and many others. Remember to bring your
hat and sun cream for there is no shade out on the water.
You will return to the lodge in time for lunch. At night
you will go searching for Caiman (alligators) and other
nocturnal animals by canoe along the Tambopata River. Night
in Libertador Tambopata Lodge. (B,L,D).
Day 5: Departure.
A dawn start is required for the canoe trip back to Puerto
Maldonado giving memorable views of the sun rise over the
river. Lookout for the early morning wildlife which is particularly
active at this time. Howler monkeys are frequently heard,
as they stakeout their territories. Your guide will take
care of you on arrival in Puerto Maldonado and will deal
with all the necessities at the airport prior to you departure.
(B)
B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner
Additional days at the Macaw Lick or Collpa: Any
number of extra days in the vicinity of the Collpa, over
and above the aforementioned program, are possible. These
can be guided or unguided according to your preference and
interests. During these days you can either; explore the
trail system in more depth, going further a field along
trails not visited before; visit a small lake hidden amongst
the trees with a floating viewing platform situated in it;
take a trip up river to explore a clear forest stream teeming
with fish. Full board is included during each of these days.
Services included in your Macaw lick trip: All
meals and accommodation (camping gear) from lunch on Day
1 to Breakfast on your final day (inclusive). All transport
from your arrival al Puerto Maldonado to your return to
the airport (inclusive). All guided excursions describes
in the itinerary (including on additional days, if you wish).
One night excursion on the river looking for Caiman.
Services Excluded in your Macaw lick trip: Flights
to and from Puerto Maldonado, The entrance Fee to the TNR
(Aprox US$20), airport taxes, Tree climbing (with harnesses
and ropes). Any drinks you may purchase from the bar. Tips.
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