AFS Jungle Program 4 Days / 3 Nights

Day 1 – Arrival & First Amazon Encounters Arrive in Puerto Maldonado and navigate the Madre de Dios River to your rainforest lodge, located within a private ecological reserve. Settle into your jungle cabaña and enjoy guided walks along exclusive rainforest trails, followed by a night river excursion to observe nocturnal wildlife along the riverbanks.

Day 2 – Canopy & River Ecosystems Experience the rainforest from above on the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway, crossing suspension bridges high in the treetops. Continue by boat to a nearby river island to explore its unique floodplain ecosystem rich in birdlife. Alternatively, visit Lake Sandoval inside the Tambopata National Reserve for a deeper wildlife experience.

Day 3 – Wetlands, Conservation & Night Jungle Explore the Amazon’s wetlands along a raised walkway and learn about the species adapted to this environment. Visit the bio-orchard and palmetum to understand sustainable rainforest conservation and traditional plant uses. End the day with a guided night walk to discover the rainforest’s nocturnal life.

Day 4 – Departure Return by motorized canoe to Puerto Maldonado for your onward flight, concluding your immersive Amazon rainforest experience.

DAY 1 -

ARRIVAL Begin your exciting Amazon adventure in Puerto Maldonado, coined the capital of biodiversity. Cruise the serpentine Madre de Dios River for 50-minutes to reach Amazon Field Station by Inkaterra, nestled within Peru’s first ever private ecological reserve. Surrounded by pristine nature kick back in your palm thatched wooden cabaña or pavilion to soak up the sounds of the rainforest, ready to discover what lies beyond your jungle base.

TRAIL SYSTEM Explore exclusive jungle trails that snake between the roots of towering trees for an immersive introduction to the rich ecosystems of the rainforest. A staggering 540 bird species, 362 ant species (a world record!) and over 100 mammal species have all been registered within Inkaterra’s ecological reserve. Duration: ¼ day / Difficulty Level: I

RIVER NIGHT WATCH Cruise the Madre de Dios River at night in search of wildlife that roams the riverbanks under darkness. Keep on the lookout for the likes of nightjars, owls, capybaras and caimans as you learn about the curious behaviour and characteristics of this nocturnal world. Duration: ¼ day / Difficulty Level: I

DAY 2

INKATERRA CANOPY WALKWAY Climb the exhilarating Inkaterra Canopy Walkway for an unforgettable opportunity to observe the rainforest from its rooftop. Originally designed for scientific research, a sophisticated network of seven suspension bridges are strung between eight treetop observation platforms over 30 metres (100 feet) above the forest floor, with the jungle stretching out beneath you. Duration: ½ day / Difficulty Level: II

RIVER ISLAND Take a 20-minute boat ride to an uninhabited river island close to Amazon Field Station by Inkaterra where you can see the striking contrast of vegetation within the transition rainforest. Pull up to the large sandbank island and walk through jungle trails on this floodplain which provides the island with an ecosystem rich in birdlife, including the Amazonian umbrellabird (Cephalopterus ornatus), one of the most sought-after species by birdwatchers. Duration: ½ day / Difficulty Level: II

Lake Sandoval (Alternative excursion to River Island - additional cost applies). Hike a boardwalk jungle trail to Lake Sandoval, a glassy ox-bow lake tucked inside the protected Tambopata National Reserve. Board a dug-out canoe to paddle through eerie mangroves and glide out onto the palm-flanked lake, home to thousands of bird species as well as anacondas, black caimans, yellow spotted side-neck turtles, red howler monkeys and two endangered (and elusive) families of giant river otters. Duration: ½ day / Difficulty Level: II

DAY 3

WETLANDS Discover the Amazon’s otherworldly realm of aguajales rainforest swampland, following a -200metre (656 feet) walkway through this diverse ecosystem. Learn how vegetation has adapted to this atmospheric natural habitat and the exotic species of amphibians, reptiles, snakes, birds and mammals that are drawn here. Duration: ½ day / Difficulty Level: I

BIO-ORCHARD Visit our organic bio-orchard to discover many of the rainforest’s tropical plants up-close, with a chance to learn about their many intriguing medicinal uses by indigenous communities.The bio-orchard is run by Inkaterra Association (ITA), our nonprofit organization, helping to rescue knowledge on sustainable agroforestry techniques. Duration: ¼ day / Difficulty Level: I

PALMETUM Explore our -30hectare Palmetum, a collection of 19 Amazonian palms in a plot reserved for rainforest restoration and conservation. Uncover some of the creative mechanisms plants and trees have adopted to survive in the rainforest and appreciate the characteristics and cultural meaning of trees within the Palmetum, such as the yarina (vegetable ivory) or the walking palm, which cleverly moves its roots in search of sunlight. Duration: ¼ day / Difficulty Level: I

RAINFOREST BY NIGHT Boldly venture out at night to discover some of the strange species that come alive under deep darkness in the Amazon. Wildlife activity greatly differs between day and night, as some creatures curl up and sleep while others employ ingenious adaption mechanisms to emerge. Stroll quietly as your senses heighten to the mysterious nocturnal sounds of birds, mammals, insects and amphibians wondering close by. Duration: ¼ day / Difficulty Level: I

DAY 4 DEPARTURE Return by motorized canoe to the city of Puerto Maldonado for your onward flight.

Note:

• Check-out is at 10:00. You can relax in the lodge’s restaurant lounge until your transfer to Puerto Maldonado.
• Lunch is not included on your departure day but can be arranged with advanced notice (additional cost applies).
• All activities and excursions are subject to change according to weather conditions

RECOMMENDATIONS:

ARRIVAL AND TRANSPORT A 20-minute flight from Cusco brings you to Puerto Maldonado Airport, where the Inkaterra staff will greet you. Luggage not needed during your rainforest stay can be stored at the Inkaterra headquarters in Puerto Maldonado, located near the airport. Following a 10-minute bus transfer to the port, you will board a motorized dugout canoe for your trip to your selected property. The journey down Madre de Dios River allows travellers to appreciate the spectacular scenery that will be part of the rainforest experience. Transportation by boat is also provided upon your departure.

EXPERIENCE PACE Relaxed, moderately paced, nature & ecological walks within the Nature Reserve with some boat rides along the river. Some activities/excursions may be physically demanding, and require hiking. Agility required for visiting the jungle. Not recommended for wheelchair or other mobility aids.

HEALTH The US Travel Advisory for Peru usually recommends yellow fever shots and malaria-preventive medication for tourists travelling to rainforest regions. Please consult your doctor at least a month before visiting the Amazon Basin. No cases of yellow fever or malaria have ever been reported on our properties.

Water: Inkaterra uses filtered river water that can be used for showers but is not safe to drink. Bottled drinking water is provided to all guests. For the convenience of our travellers, our properties have water containers.

WEATHER AND WHAT TO WEAR The weather is tropical, with an average temperature of 32°C (89° F), ranging from 25°C (77° F) to 42°C (107° F). The hotter season usually ranges from December to March and comes with frequent afternoon rainfall. Between June and September you may need some warmer clothing, since occasional “friajes” or Patagonia Cold Fronts can reduce the temperature to 10°C (50°F). Cool comfortable cotton clothes are required to counter the heat while sweaters and jackets may be handy at night. See Equipment and Luggage. Visitors must anticipate the extreme heat and humidity of the jungle by finding out the exact weather condition at the time of travel in order to be ready with clothing and accessories.

EQUIPMENT AND LUGGAGE It is important that you bring only necessary clothing and equipment to the lodge in your carry-on luggage. Due to weight and space limitations on the boat, passenger luggage is limited to 10 kg. (22 lbs.) per person. Additional luggage will be kept in our storage at Puerto Maldonado.

COMMUNICATION/TELEPHONE There is limited telephone access and no mobile phone coverage at the lodge. In case of emergency the Guest Service Department can contact the office in town via radio.

CURRENCY/FOREIGN EXCHANGE The official currency is the Nuevo Sol (PEN) divided into 100 céntimos. Inkaterra accepts major credit cards. There are no facilities to exchange Travelers’ checks; travelers are advised to have cash (in Soles) on hand as foreign currency exchange is limited. It is advisable to exchange to Soles before going to the lodge, though payment is accepted in both US Dollars and/ or in Soles. ATMs are available only in main cities.