Now that you’ve gotten Peruvian culture and city life under your belt, you’ll begin your journey into the jungle. After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport, and take a flight to Puerto Maldonado. The rainforest heat will greet you the moment you step off the plane — a true Amazonian welcome! From here, it’s a mix of road and river, as you’ll head through dusty jungle roads. Then, you’ll embark on a cruise down the Tambopata River, passing local communities, thick greenery, and the occasional heron as you go. You’ll disembark at Refugio Amazonas (or similar), your home deep in the jungle. Here, you’ll enjoy a welcome drink and brief orientation to the lodge’s open-air walkways, hammocks, and Amazonian surroundings. After some time to settle in, you’ll stretch your legs on a short afternoon walk, spearheaded by an expert lodge guide. Your eco-hotel doubles as the headquarters of Wired Amazon: the first citizen science project to turn its guests into citizen scientists. You’ll discover what this means during today’s Amazon tour. After this fun introduction to the Amazon, you’ll tuck in to a hearty dinner and embark on a nighttime exploration. Maybe you’ll take a short boat ride in search of caimans that glow red in the dark, or follow a nature guide on a night hike to discover nocturnal frogs. Tonight will offer your first glimpses of Amazon life after sunset — an experience that’s equal parts eerie, exciting, and totally unforgettable. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Highlights

Scenic Boat Ride on the Madre de Dios River

To get to your hotel, you’ll travel by motor canoe along the Madre de Dios River in a ride that doubles as a thrilling immersion into the Amazon rainforest. Surrounded by dense jungle terrain on either side, your boat will glide through the water, its gentle hum blending with the sounds of wildlife. All along the banks, colorful birds, playful monkeys, and sunbathing caimans call the shots, so keep your eyes peeled for your first glimpses of the Amazon’s signature inhabitants. Each bend in the river may reveal a new wonder, rendering every moment a captivating adventure.

Amazon Rainforest Biodiversity

As you’ll find out firsthand today, Puerto Maldonado's rainforest offers an unparalleled biodiversity with a unique ecosystem. It's just one part of the larger Amazon basin, known for an incredible variety of plant and animal species, many of which are endemic to the region. As you venture into the lush jungle, you’ll encounter towering trees, vibrant orchids, and medicinal plants used by indigenous communities. In terms of wildlife, you’ll find giant river otters, ancient turtle species, and colorful macaws — sometimes alongside rare creatures like jaguars and the Amazonian giant centipede.

Nature Hike and Citizen Scientist Status

During your Amazon stroll today, you’ll follow your expert local guide on an Amazonian wildlife-watching hike. Along the way, you’ll embrace your role of citizen scientist. Meaning, you’ll record your own sightings of birds, monkeys, or even insects, not only to have as a personal log but also, importantly, to take part in real conservation research. Every observation you record will help build data real scientists actually use.

Accommodations

Refugio Amazonas Lodge (or similar)

Discover an oasis of wildlife at Refugio Amazonas, deep in the tropical jungle. This ecolodge in the Peruvian Amazon spans 32 rooms and offers a wide variety of scientific and adventure activities. An ideal location for travelers seeking adventures with comforts — and nature lovers short on time — Refugio Amazonas exemplifies how ecotourism can help recover wildlife in the Amazon jungle. It's also the headquarters of the Wired Amazon Program, offering guests opportunities to participate in scientific projects for the conservation of Tambopata.

Location:

Rio Tambopata, Tambopata, Perú

Phone:

+51914712007

Transportation

Your driver will meet you at your hotel for an hour-long transfer to the airport.

by car

Depart:

Lima

Arrive:

Lima's New Jorge Chávez International Airport

Your nature guide and driver will meet you at the airport with a sign bearing your name. You'll be transferred via small bus before your river cruise.

by car

Depart:

Puerto Maldonado Airport

Arrive:

Puerto Maldonado

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What's included

Included in the final price

Roadbook with local tips and expert recommendations
24/7 on-the-ground support
On-trip concierge service
Personalized trip crafting
Professional English-speaking guides for excursions mentioned
Domestic flights from Lima (LIM) to Puerto Maldonado (PEM) and Puerto Maldonado (PEM) to Cusco (CUS)
All meals, transport, nature guides, and experiences mentioned in the itinerary
All entrance tickets included for the sites described in the itinerary
11 nights of hotels, with daily breakfast included
Anything else listed in the itinerary as included
Entry and exit information and assistance

Not included in the final price

International arrival and departure flights
Travel insurance
Personal expenses and gratuities
Drinks, tips, and meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Anything listed as optional or not detailed in the itinerary

Day 1:

¡Bienvenido a Peru!

Day 2:

Bohemian Barranca and Lima at Leisure

Day 3:

Adventuring Into the Amazon

Day 4:

The Amazing Amazon: Lake Condenado, Rainforest Greenery, and Farm Biodiversity

Day 5:

Macaw Sunrises, Real Brazil Nuts, and Rainforest Remedies

Day 6:

Hidden Trails, Mammal Tails, and Nighttime Tales

Day 7:

From The Amazon to the Andes

Day 8:

Exploring the Sacred Valley: Ancient Innovations

Day 9:

Ollantaytambo Hike and the Ancient Culinary Tradition of Pachamanca

Day 10:

Machu Picchu: The Lost City of the Incas

Day 11:

Cusco's Historic Plaza, Temple of the Sun, and San Blas Neighborhood

Day 12: