River saga

There is a lot to see and do in the magnificent land that is South America. That is why Mercury Travels has various options for you - live it up in one of the big cities, or wander through the more remote ancient settlements or explore a world that few have seen. Or, just to experience a small slice of the mighty rain forest, drift down the Amazon river and feel the call of a jungle where all life may have begun...

PERU’S POSADA AMAZONAS (2 nights/3 days)

Day 1 – Puerto Maldonado/Posada Amazonas
Upon arrival from Cusco, you are met and taken to the Tambopata river port in Puerto Maldonado. Puerto Maldonado is situated at the confluence of the mighty Madre de Dios and Tambopata rivers. It is a bustling and booming town, known for its gold mining, timber extraction, agriculture and ecotourism. After a brief survey of the town, take the motorized canoe for a two hour ride to Posada Amazonas. The boat ride is your opportunity to see bird species typical of the river or forest edge such as the Black Skimmer, Pied Lapwing, Capped Heron, Jabiru Stork, Roadside Hawk, and several species of kingfishers, swallows and flycatchers.
Posada Amazonas is a comfortable yet unobtrusive 24 room lodge owned jointly by the Rainforest Expeditions and the Local Community of Infierno. After a short briefing on the lodge and the Ecotourism Project, you commence with a visit to the 35 meter scaffolding tower. The scaffolding tower is built so that you can climb safely using the internal staircase with verandahs on each side, and rest on the platforms built at every two meters. From the tower, you get spectacular views of the river and surrounding forest, in addition to observing birds like parrots, toucans and macaws. A video about the forest of Tambopata is played after dinner.
Day 2 – Posada Amazonas
Visit the Tres Chimbadas oxbow lake at dawn. After an early breakfast, travel fifteen minutes from Posada Amazonas by boat and thirty minutes by foot to the lake shore. Take a long, easy canoe ride around the lake while keeping a lookout for giant river otters, turtles, hoatzin and wading birds. Return to the lodge’s trails in time for a visit to a small parakeet clay lick. Dozens, and sometimes hundreds of Blue Headed Parrots, Orange-Cheeked Parrots, Cobalt-winged Parakeets, and sometimes even the rare Rock Parakeet, congregate here on clear days to ingest clay. This congregation creates a riotous and colorful spectacle where the greens, oranges, reds and blues of the parrots dance around the bank as they compete for their beakful of clay. Return to the lodge for lunch, before embarking on an afternoon outing to the community’s Ethnobotanical Center. From this little shop, the community has been registering the uses of medicinal plants from elders, planting, producing and distributing them for over ten years. Hike the trails around the center with one of the residents who will explain the everyday uses of forest resources in medicine, construction, food and fiber. Return to Posada Amazonas for dinner and overnight. After enjoying our popular happy hour and refurbishing your spirits, you may take an optional night walk to look for amphibians and insects.
Day 3 – Depart Posada Amazonas
After an early breakfast, depart by boat back to the city of Puerto Maldonado and onward to the airport.
Please carry the following articles for the stay in the jungle:
Long pants (no jeans), long sleeved shirt, shorts, t-shirts, rain gear, flashlight with extra bulb and batteries, sneakers, hiking boots, shower shoes, binoculars, camera, repellent, personal toiletries, sun glasses, sun block, rubber boots, bathing suit.