Lake Expedition Program

07:30 h – Breakfast: Breakfast is served at the main house.

08:30 h – Rescue Center Excursion: Start your day with an excursion along the forest parallel to the river until you reach the Taricaya Volunteer Lodge and Research Center. You will visit one of the leading conservation projects in the Reserve: the Taricaya Wildlife Rescue Center. Encounter many different wild animals including macaws, toucans, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, jaguarundis, bush dogs, river turtles, and tortoises, as well as the Andean Spectacled bears (rescued from a circus). The animals you visit are in enclosures as a necessary first step in their rehabilitation process to be released back into the wild whenever possible. Some animals are permanent residents who cannot be released for their own wellbeing and are provided with a high quality of life at the center.

PLEASE BE AWARE: This is a rescue center, NOT a zoo. These animals are in the process of rehabilitation before being released back into the wild; we do not support or condone keeping animals in captivity for tourist attractions. Taricaya has single-handedly repopulated these parts of the jungle with animals that have successfully returned to the wild—including the Black Spider Monkey, which was once extinct in this area—through the first Wildlife Reintroduction Program in Peru.

You will also see the artificial beaches of the Taricaya Turtle Project. Between July and September, you will see the flags marking turtle nests in the sand, relocated to keep them safe from poachers until they hatch and are released in November. Enjoy the sunset from the tower close to the river before walking back to the lodge through the forest (Approx. 2 hours).

13:00 h – Lunch: Lunch is served. After lunch, relax in the hammock area, enjoy a cocktail from the Tunche Bar, or rest in the comfort of your private bungalow.

15:45 h – Canopy Walkway: Begin your afternoon with a deep excursion into the Taricaya Eco-reserve through primary protected forest, surrounded by 300-year-old trees. Arrive at our first platform, located 15 meters high, to access the Canopy Walkway—a 90-meter long suspension bridge that takes you to the highest tree platform in South America. Located 45 meters high in the crown of an ancient Kapok tree, it is a great challenge for adventure seekers. Catch a glimpse of flying macaws, parrots, or toucans as we gaze at the forest from above for a truly unforgettable sunset experience.

18:00 h – Return Walk: Descend from the platform and walk back to the lodge as the forest changes from day to night, making way for nocturnal animals specially adapted for the dark (1 hour).

19:30 h – Dinner: Enjoy dinner and delicious Amazonian cocktails at the bar. Rest and end of day.

04:30 h – Lake Sandoval: A very early wake-up call before sunrise. Enjoy a cup of coffee and a to-go breakfast before heading upriver for a 1-hour boat ride to the entrance of the Tambopata National Reserve.

Why so early? Two main reasons: first, the earlier we go, the better our chances of spotting wildlife. Second, because the lake is an open area, the heat during the paddle becomes very strong and overwhelming from 10:00 h onwards.

06:00 h – Trek to the Lake: Start your 3 km trek to Lake Sandoval. Along the way, enjoy the diverse ecosystem, spotting wildlife such as squirrel monkeys, howler monkeys, and blue-and-yellow macaws. Upon reaching the mouth of the lake, hop on a rowboat. Your guide will paddle the group across the pristine, mirror-like lake to enjoy the beautiful scenery and search for the impressive Black Caiman. We will also look for the resident family of endangered Giant River Otters that calls this lake home. Take a snack by the water’s edge (Approx. 5 hours).

11:00 h – Return Journey: After enjoying the amazing nature of the lake, we return via the 3 km hike back to our motorboat and travel downriver to the lodge.

12:00 h – Return to Lodge: Arrive back at the lodge for a well-deserved rest.

13:00 h – Lunch: Lunch is served at the main house.

14:00 h – Relaxation: Relax in the hammock area, enjoy a cocktail at the bar, or rest in the comfort of your private bungalow.

16:00 h – Sunset Cruise: Meet your guide at the main house to explore the river by boat. We’ll look for turtles, monkeys, herons, and other riverside birds. We will then drift to the middle of the river and turn off the engine to let the current take us on a relaxing ride while enjoying the beautiful backdrop of the sunset over the river. For the adventurous, you can take a refreshing dive in the river. During the dry season (July to Oct), we stop at the beach to swim (Approx. 1.5 h).

18:30 h – Night Cruise: Prepare for a night river cruise on the motorboat. We will search for spectacled caimans along the river banks, as well as nightjars and capybaras (the world's largest rodent), if we are lucky. On a clear night, you will enjoy an amazing sky filled with stars and look for constellations as we float downriver, enjoying the quiet energy of the jungle night.

19:30 h – Dinner: Enjoy a delicious dinner and Amazonian cocktails at the bar. Rest and end of day.

07:00 h – Check-out: Time to check out from your bungalow. Please leave your bags packed and ready for our housekeeping staff to carry them to the boat. Important: Please double-check your room to ensure you haven't forgotten any personal belongings. Breakfast will be served at the main house.

08:00 h – Departure: The boat is ready to leave. We travel upriver back to the city of Puerto Maldonado.

09:30 h – Transfer Out: Arrival at the Amazon Planet office. From here, we will provide your transfer to the airport, marking the end of our services.

Note: If you have a later flight, you are more than welcome to stay at our office. We can recommend places to visit for a self-guided city tour and will arrange your later transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule.

• Activities in itinerary are subject to change with short notice due to weather or other unforseen circumstances out of our control.
• Order of activities is variable depending on date of arrival and tour availability.
• Established schedules can be modified in coordination with the guide and in agreement with other guests in the tour.
• In the case you do not want, or are not able to participate on anexcursion, you may choose to stay at the lodge.
• River transfers in and out of the lodge are not private and have a specific schedule. Make sure you arrive to Puerto Maldonado before 13h and depart after 12h to avoid extra fees for private river transfers.
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