Your Travel Experience with Argentinien Pro
Day 1
Transfer from Puerto Maldonado to Corto Maltes Amazonía Lodge
After arriving at Puerto Maldonado airport, you will be met by a member of the lodge staff. You will then go to the office where you can repack your luggage (smaller bags will be provided) and store your main luggage until your return.
At the port of Puerto Bolívar you board a boat and travel for about 40 minutes on the Madre de Dios to the lodge. There, a welcome drink made of delicious seasonal fruits awaits you. Your guide will explain the itinerary of your stay.
After lunch you have time to rest until your first excursion. In the afternoon, your first exploration of the rainforest begins in the company of your guide, who will show you the tropical trees, medicinal plants and lush nature of Corto Maltes Amazonía's 60-hectare property. After a short stop at one of the observation towers, where toucans and other bird species can be seen, you will visit a rubber plantation where latex is extracted and processed. The plantations are among the most important economic factors in the region.
After returning to the lodge, you can relax by the pool or in the hammock in front of your bungalow, enjoy an exotic cocktail at the bar or treat yourself to a relaxing massage.
In the evening, you continue with a "caiman safari". Before dinner, there is a night boat trip to observe caimans and, with a bit of luck, other animals that inhabit the riverbank.
Day 2
Animal observation at Sandoval Lake
In the early morning, after a coffee or hot tea, you set off for Sandoval Lake. After a 20-minute boat ride across the river, you will arrive at the landing stage of Sandoval Lake. During the subsequent 3-kilometre hike to the lake, you will pass through the lush vegetation of the Tambopata National Reserve. Here you can admire enormous trees, snakes, monkeys (squirrel monkeys, howler monkeys and capuchin monkeys), birds (especially the hoatzin).
Once at Sandoval Lake, you will go in search of giant otters in small rowing boats. You will also have the opportunity to see caimans, piranhas and a wide variety of birds. When your guide has found a suitable spot, you will have breakfast on site. Afterwards, return to the lodge and have lunch.
In the afternoon, a visit to one of the lodge's two observation towers awaits you, which are 20 respectively 42 metres high. Besides the animals, you can enjoy the view of the sunset from here. You will also visit a Brazil nut plantation, the Brazil nut is one of the most important exports of the Madre de Dios region.
Day 3
Visit an indigenous community
After breakfast, you will visit an indigenous family who will give you an insight into their ancestral traditions such as fishing, hunting and handicrafts. Watch them make tools, dwellings, clothing and jewellery from the resources of the rainforest.
Later, after a ride across the river, you will arrive at a Chacra. This is a piece of land that is inhabited and cultivated by a local family. You can learn about and taste different tropical fruits (cocoa, banana, cocona, noni, cassava, limes...). The families of this area cultivate their plants in a natural way with a lot of care and without adding chemical substances.
Later return to the lodge, rest of the day at leisure.
Day 4
Taricaya Animal Rescue Centre
Today, after breakfast, you will take the boat to the Taricaya Animal Rescue Centre. A wide variety of animal species can be found here: Jaguars, different species of monkeys, tapirs, peccaries (skunk pig) and some exotic birds. The aim of the centre is to cure the animals and reintroduce them to their natural habitat. However, there are also some animals that cannot be returned to their natural habitat for various reasons.
The centre has a treetop trail that is used to observe the surrounding flora and fauna. It takes you about 30 minutes over the tops of the jungle. Enjoy the impressive view!
Then return to the lodge for lunch. The afternoon is free for you to relax at the lodge or to do other activities in consultation with your nature guide.
Day 5
Visit to a parrot lick and transfer to Puerto Maldonado
After an early morning coffee or tea, make your way to a parrot salt lick. The parrots come there to ingest a special clay that is essential for regulating their metabolism. You can observe up to five different parrot species during this colourful spectacle. Afterwards return to the lodge.
After breakfast, you will travel by boat to Puerto Maldonado. After a short stop at the office, you will continue to the local market. During your stroll through the market, you can admire the various local products on offer. Afterwards you will be taken to the airport.