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DAY 1: PUERTO
MALDONADO.
From here the trail takes you on a
2-mile walk/or rickshaw ride through
secondary forest, until we reach a
small canal where we board canoes
and are paddled 220 yards through a
flooded forest of 100-foot tall
Mauritia palms. As the canal opens
onto the shimmering surface of the
lake, we transfer to a catamaran and
are leisurely paddled across half
the lake to the lodge.
After lunch and a brief rest to
avoid the early afternoon heat, we
once again board the catamaran and
set off to explore the entire west
end of the lake. Here, in the
flooded palm forest we drift to the
sounds of hundreds of Red-Bellied
Macaws as they return to the palm
forest for the night. We return to
the lodge around nightfall for
dinner. After dinner we will return
to the canoes to look for the large
and extremely rare Black Caimans. If
it is a clear starlit night, we will
also be able to float in the middle
of the lake and marvel at the
brillance of the sky. (L, D).
DAY 2: VIRGIN
FOREST.
A pre-dawn wake-up call will enable
us to be on the lake for sunrise and
a hopeful encounter with the family
of Giant Otters which frequent the
lake and are most active at this
time of day. Most of the fish-eating
water birds around the lake actively
fish in the early morning as well,
and this outing should provide
excellent views, and photographs, of
the prehistoric- looking
Hoatzins.After returning for a late
breakfast we set off into the cool
understory of the tall virgin forest
near the lake to see some towering
wild Brazil Nut trees and a
demonstration of how our hosts
collect, open and commercialize this
important natural product. After
lunch and an hour or so to relax we
once again board the catamaran to
explore the eastern part of the lake,
where we might see one or more of
the five species of monkeys which
live in the forest near the lake,
such as the Brown Capuchin Monkey.
There is a final chance after dinner
to try and spot some Black Caimans
on the lake, or to go on a short
night walk through the primary
forest. (B, L, D).
DAY 3: EXPLORING
THE RAIN FOREST.
Rising once again at dawn, we have a
quick snack before boarding the
catamarans to explore the western
end of the lake in the hope of an
Encounter with Giant Otters. After a
late breakfast we explore some of
the rain forest trails with our
knowledgeable resident naturalist
guide. As we walk the forest will be
brought to life as your guide
explains the ecology of the rain
forest and its diverse flora and
fauna. We return for lunch, and then
there is an optional rest for those
who would like to escape the early
afternoon heat. For those still full
of energy, there is an option to
independently explore some of the
forest trails. In the cooler late
afternoon we will once again board
the catamaran to explore the eastern
end of the lake, and hopefully
experience a spectacular sunset over
the lake before returning to the
lodge for dinner. After dinner,
there is a final chance to look for
Blanc Caiman on the lake, or to go
on a short night hike thought the
forest. (B, L, D).
DAY 4: TRANSFER
OUT.
After a dawn breakfast we take a
final, shorter paddle around the
west end of the lake to try and
glimpse the Giant Otters before
returning to Puerto Maldonado to
catch the flight to Lima or Cusco
(B). |
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NOTE:
Due to the remoteness of the lodge
from the main river, we ask all
travelers to limit their luggage to
15 kilos (33 lbs.) per person.
Excess baggage can be left in our
Puerto Maldonado office at no charge,
but any gear in excess of the limit
will be assessed at a rate of S\ .5
(15 cents US per pound).
INCLUDED:
Pickup at the Puerto Maldonado -
airport private river canoe
transportation to Sandoval Lake.
Private accommodations with private
bath, all meals. - excursions by
catamaran viewing giant otters and
caiman watching. - expert naturalist
guides.
Use of the Lodge's miles of nature
trails.
NOT
INCLUDED IN THE FEE
International or domestic airfares,
airport departure taxes or visa fees,
excess baggage charges, additional
nights during the trip due to flight
cancellations, alcoholic beverages
or bottled water, snacks, insurance
of any kind, laundry, phone calls,
radio calls or messages,
reconfirmation of flights and items
of personal nature. |
