Tambopata Express 3 Days

Reception at Puerto Maldonado airport or bus terminal and transfer to the port on the Madre de Dios River. A 30–45 minute ride in a roofed motor canoe: along the way, herons, kingfishers, turtles lined up on logs and capybaras on the bank. Arrival at the lodge, welcome with Amazonian fruit and lunch. In the afternoon, a first scouting walk in the forest or a sunset climb up the canopy tower, when toucans and macaws return to their roosts. After dinner, a night caiman safari by boat: we sweep the banks with flashlights looking for the red eyeshine of white and black caimans, under a roof of Amazonian stars. Night at the lodge with mosquito nets.

Distance: 45 min by boat · Meals: L, D

The big day. Dawn departure by boat down the Madre de Dios to the Tambopata National Reserve checkpoint; from there, a 3 km trail (~1 hour, rubber boots provided) into the heart of the palm swamp, where a wooden canoe waits to cross onto the open mirror of Sandoval Lake. We paddle in silence among 30-meter aguaje palms: this is the territory of an endangered giant river otter family, of black caimans up to 4 meters, hoatzins, toucans, macaws, and howler, squirrel and capuchin monkeys. Lunch at the lodge and rest through the hot hours. In the afternoon, a walk through primary forest: centuries-old ironwood trees, giant lupunas, strangler figs and ayahuasca vines. At night, a flashlight walk: frogs of every size, tarantulas and whip scorpions. Dinner and a second night at the lodge.

Distance: 3 km trail + canoe · Meals: B, L, D

Wake to the chorus of howler monkeys. A short sunrise outing or birdwatching from the lodge — the first hour of light is the jungle's most active — and breakfast. Return along the Madre de Dios to Puerto Maldonado with your last photos of the river. Transfer to the airport or bus terminal, timed at least 2 hours before your flight. The program includes a bilingual naturalist guide, rubber boots, purified water, reserve entrance fees and all listed meals — yellow fever vaccination and DEET repellent are recommended.

Meals: B