Your Travel Experience with Bamba
Day 1
Puerto Maldonado Airport / Bus Terminal Pick-up
Welcome and reception at the airport or bus terminal. Depending on when you arrive, you might first be transferred to our local office and wait for the rest of the group to arrive before taking the boat transfer (with the purpose of preserving the environment and using less amounts of gasoline). There you'll be able to rest, have a snack, coffee and use wifi internet. Around noon, once the whole group has arrived, you'll transfer to the boat wharf, Port Captain, located 15 min from both the airport and bus terminal.
Transfer to Jungle Lodge
Begin the 1-hour boat ride to the Amazon research station while enjoying the wonders of the rainforest. We set off down the Madre de Dios River through the heart of the jungle surrounded by flora, fauna and breathtaking scenery.
After check-in, walk through the station’s exclusive trails to explore the rainforest ecosystems, where 540 bird species, 362 ant species (world record) and over 100 mammal species have been registered.
Later, cruise on the Madre de Dios River in search of the wildlife that surfaces during the night. Identify the behaviour of various animals such as capybaras, white caimans, and nightjars, as they take advantage of the dark to roam around the Amazonian riverbanks.
Day 1 - 2
Overnight in Research Station
Overnight in your private accommodation.
Day 2
Canopy Walkway, Carachama Trail
Winner of the PURE Award in the ‘High Emotion/Low Impact’ category, the station’s canopy walkway is a 1129-ft. system of 2 observation towers, 8 platforms, and 7 hanging bridges 100ft above the ground. Designed to perform scientific research on ecosystems inhabiting the rainforest canopy, this attraction contributes to birdwatching and other eco-friendly activities.
Later, after a 20-minute walk, visit a natural water pool known as Carachamayo. Learn about the ecosystem where these waterholes are found and about carachama fishing, freshwater fish native to the Peruvian Amazon, known for their nutritional value.
*Lake Sandoval (Alternative excursion at additional cost). By canoe, navigate this beautiful oxbow-shaped water mirror surrounded by Aguaje palm trees, inhabited by giant river otters, blue and yellow macaws, hoatzins, red howler monkeys, black caimans and one of the world’s biggest freshwater scaled fish: the paiche. Access to discretion during rainy season.
Day 2 - 3
Overnight in Research Station
Overnight at your jungle lodge.
Day 3
River Island, Bio-Orchard, Palmetum, Rainforest By Night
A 20-minute boat ride will lead you to the river island near the guide’s field station, a large sandbank at the shores of the Madre de Dios River. Walk across the island to explore the floodplain that provides the island an ecosystem with a great diversity of birds such as the Amazonian umbrellabird, one of the most sought-after species by birdwatchers Later, visit the station’s orchard, where organic native goods are cultivated. Learn the diverse phases of sustainable horticulture: the preparation of recycled compost; sowing and harvesting vegetables, fine herbs and tropical plants; using natural fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.
Afterwards, explore a 30Ha permanent-plot area for rainforest restoration and conservation, where researchers have registered up to 19 native palm species. Learn about the rainforest’s survival mechanisms including natural seed dispersion, as well as the characteristics and cultural meaning of trees within the Palmetum, such as the yarina (vegetable ivory) or the walking palm, which moves its roots in search of sunlight.
Tonight, head out on a night walk through the jungle. While walking under the tree shades that intensify the Amazonian darkness, tune up your senses to identify the lively sounds of birds, mammals, insects, and amphibians that wander around the forest during nighttime.
Day 3 - 4
Overnight in Research Station
Overnight at your jungle lodge.
Day 4
Puerto Maldonado Airport / Bus Terminal Drop-off
You may spend the afternoon at the beautiful Butterfly House or choose to be dropped off at the airport or bus station, after which you are free to continue on to your next destination. Safe travels!
Boat to Puerto Maldonado
Enjoy an early breakfast at your lodge before a scenic return boat trip on the Madre de Dios River bringing us back to Puerto Maldonado.