Taste of the Amazon--Posada Amazonas | Trip Itinerary

The lodge of Posada Amazonas is built on 200 hectares of protected forest within the territory of the Native Community of Infierno, adjacent to the Tambopata National Reserve and very close to the Bahuaja Sonene National Park. Explorers arriving here have a 63% chance of seeing Red and Green Macaws, a 53% chance of seeing Howler Monkeys and a 35% chance of seeing Giant River Otters in addition to other amazing species.

We also offer programs for teens, soft adventure, and special interest itineraries such as birdwatching and photography.  Detailed itineraries and prices are available on request

Also offered at the lodge is an optional (with extra cost)  visit to a local community.  Meet  Ese Eja Nation with the Infierno Native Community’s stories and traditions thru a half day visit to their village.  

Our recommended 4 day/3 night itinerary below offers you a general, round-rounded Amazon experience. All programs are on an "A la Carte" basis where guests have the option to select from a wide range of tour offerings that are discussed with your on-site guide. A list of those activities can be found here.

DAY 1:  Arrival & Reception by Guide
Transfer Airport to Puerto Maldonado Headquarters
Upon arrival from Lima or Cusco, we will welcome you at the airport and  drive you ten minutes to our Puerto Maldonado headquarters.  While enjoying your first taste of the forest in our gardens we will ask you to pack only the necessary gear for your next few days, and leave the rest at our safe deposit. This helps us keep the boats and cargo light.   

Transfer Pto Maldonado Headquarters to Tambopata River Port
Skirting Puerto Maldonado, we drive 20 kilometers to the Tambopata River Port, entering the Native Community of Infierno.  The port is a communal business.  Boxed Lunch

Transfer Boat - Tambopata River Port to Posada Amazonas
The forty five minute boat ride from the Tambopata Port to Posada Amazonas will take us into the Community´s Primary Forest Private Reserve.

Orientation
Upon arrival, the lodge manager will welcome you and brief you with important navigation and security tips.

Canopy Tower
A twenty minute walk from Posada Amazonas leads to the 30 meter scaffolding canopy tower. A bannistered staircase running through the middle provides safe access to the platforms above. From atop you obtain spectacular views of the vast expanses of standing forest cut by the Tambopata River winding through the middle. Now and then toucans, parrots or macaws are seen flying against the horizon, or mixed species canopy flocks land in the treetop next to you.

Dinner and Ecotourism Lecture
A daily presentation on the Infierno ecotourism project is available every night from a staff member.  (L, D)

DAY 2
Breakfast and visit to Tres Chimbadas Oxbow Lake
Tres Chimbadas is thirty minutes by boat and forty five minutes hiking from Posada Amazonas. Once there you will paddle around the lake in a catamaran, searching for the resident family of nine giant river otters (seen by 60% of our lake visitors) and other lakeside wildlife such as caiman, hoatzin and horned screamers. Otters are most active from dawn to eight or nine AM. Lunch

Ethnobotanical Tour
A twenty minute boat drive downriver leads you to a trail designed by the staff of the Centro Ñape. The Centro Ñape is a communal organization that produces medicines out of forest plants and administers them to patients who choose their little clinic. They have produced a trail which explains the different medicinal (and other) uses of selected plants.

Dinner and Night walk
You will have the option of hiking out at night, when most of the mammals are active but rarely seen. Much easier to find are frogs with shapes and sounds as bizarre as their natural histories. (B, L, D)

DAY 3
Parrot Clay Lick
This clay lick is only a twenty minute walk from Posada Amazonas. From a blind located about twenty meters away you will see dozens of parrots and parakeets descend on most clear mornings to ingest the clay on a river bank. Species such as Mealy and Yellow- headed Amazon, Blue-headed Parrot and Dusky headed Parakeet descend at this clay lick. The clay lick is active at dawn, during the late mornings and mid-afternoons.

Ceiba Trail Hike
We leave from the lobby at Posada Amazonas and embark on a two hour hike crowned by the largest tree in the vicinity: a giant ceiba tree. During the hike we will focus on the natural history of the rain forest and its principal taxonomic groups.

Lunch

Farm Visit
A thirty minute boat drive downriver takes us to the most complete farm in the community of Infierno. The owner grows a diverse variety of popular and unknown Amazon crops. In his garden, just about every plant and tree serves a purpose. (B. L, D)

DAY 4
Transfer Boat - Posada Amazonas to Tambopata River Port; Transfer Tambopata River Port to Pto Maldonado Headquarters; Transfer Puerto Maldonado Headquarters to Airport
We retrace our river and road journey back to Puerto Maldonado, our office and the airport. Depending on airline schedules, this may require dawn departures. Depart on your flights to either Cusco, or Lima. (B)

B=Breakfast; L= Lunch; D=Dinner.

Ese Eja Community optional tour/3 hour tour for maximum 10 people:
Leading by your guide to visit the Infierno Community. During their time in there, you will experience a diverse set of activities, such as:

The Heritage House – The community’s main house will be open for you. It has a heritage museum, showcasing antique photos and clothing, ancient ceramics and stone instruments, as well as working tools. Also, contemporary handcrafts will be on display, and how-to demonstrations will be offered.  You can buy some products, and profits from the sales will benefit all members of the community.
Catch and release fishing – Visit the local fish farm, where five pools have been built. The largest pool is designated for fishing activities,  while the other four are exclusively for fish farming. You will fish using a traditional cane from the pool’s edge.  If desired, our local staff will cook up the fish for lunch! Otherwise, fish is released back into the pool.
Boat ride – In the same fish pool, there are four fiberglass boats for boat rides. You are able to row your own boats or community members can row for you. Our staff, including a lifeguard, are always supervising the activities.  You must wear a life jacket.
Lunch time Ese Eja style – Catch of the day will be the main menu. A vegetarian option will be available upon request.
Optional :
A fish feeding station near the pier, that cost $1 per fish food package.