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Only four hours by river from Puerto Maldonado
airport, Heath River Wildlife Center is the gateway to the largest
uninhabited and unhunted rainforest in the Amazon. An immensely
photogenic macaw clay lick, capybaras, oxbow lakes with Giant Otters,
hundreds of birds and mammal species and a lodge 100%-owned by the
Ese'eja Indians of Sonene make the Heath the best combination of
nature and culture in the entire Amazon. No other lodge in Tambopata
is 100% owned and operated by a community of lowland Indians.
Every person in Sonene speaks the original indigenous language, with
Spanish being a distant second used mostly in school and to trade
with outsiders and, now, to chat with pampered guests. Women from
Sonene hold daily crafts workshops at the lodge, teaching visitors
tribal traditions handed down through the millennia.
Two ecosystems : Rainforest and Savannah
4 days/3 nights
Day 1 - Puerto Maldonado to Heath River Wildlife Center
We meet at the Puerto Maldonado airport and drive through town to
the Tambopata River port. After boarding motorized canoes, we travel
downriver to the mighty Madre de Dios, which we follow for
approximately four hours to the Heath River. We then travel up this
wild and intimate river, which forms the wilderness border between
Peru and Bolivia, and arrive at the Heath River Wildlife Center.
Note that the Lodge is located on the Bolivian side of the Heath
River so passports are required to clear Bolivian passport control.
(L, D).
Day 2 - Heath River Wildlife Center
We rise early in the morning to board a motorized canoe for the
10-minute journey up the Heath River to the macaw and parrot clay
lick. Brightly-colored parrots and macaws fly in by the hundreds to
feed on the clay that detoxifies certain seeds and nuts they eat.
Marvel at the cacophony of sound and color as Red-and-green macaws
vie for the best clay-eating position. A specially-designed floating
blind allows for proximity and complete concealment -- so you can
even have breakfast and coffee while the birds are performing their
morning ritual.
When we return to the lodge, the guide leads us on an ethno-botanical
walk through the forest, pointing out flora used in the daily lives
of rainforest people. The guide explains how certain plants are used
for medicinal or healing purposes, which ones can be made into the
best bows and arrows, and how to select trees and leaves for home
construction.
After lunch and a short rest, we hike through the rainforest to the
Pampas del Heath, the largest remaining undisturbed savanna in the
Amazon. The contrast is striking as we emerge from the mature
rainforest onto the grassland plain of the Pampas. (B, L, D)
Day 3 - Heath River Wildlife Center
We breakfast in the floating blind at the macaw and parrot clay lick
for a last round of looks and photos. Then we return to the lodge to
explore some trails.
After lunch we could visit the Ese'Eja native community of Sonene,
where there will be an opportunity to interact with the community
and purchase local handicrafts or explore the trails.
After dinner we'll explore the forest by flashlight, including a
visit to a small mammal clay lick if it is active. (B,L,D)
Day 4- Heath River To Cusco or Lima
Early morning departure to Puerto Maldonado. During the river trip
back downstream, families of Capybaras are often spotted on the
banks of the river. Weighing up to 120 pounds (55 kilograms), this
giant, three-toed relative of the guinea pig is the largest rodent
in the world. If time permits If time permits we will also Upon
arrival, reception and transfer to the airport for the flight back
to Cusco or Lima. (B)
END OF OUR SERVICES
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Journey By The River
Otters
Macaw Clay Lick
Madre De Dios River
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Please note that the program may vary slightly so as
to maximize your wildlife sightings, depending on the reports of our
researchers and experienced naturalist guides based at the lodge.
INCLUDES: All hotel and lodge accommodations based on double
occupancy. All scheduled land, lake and river transportation. All
transfers. All scheduled excursions with English-speaking guide
services. All entrance fees. Meals as specified in the itinerary. B=Breakfast;L=Lunch;D=Dinner.
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 and non-alcoholic beverages or
bottled water, snacks, insurance of any kind, laundry, phone calls,
radio calls or messages, reconfirmation of International or Domestic
flights and items of personal nature.
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