When planning our Peruvian adventure, we knew we wanted to experience as much of the country as possible. After a couple days in Lima, we next ventured to the highlands to explore Cusco and Machu Picchu and finally concluded our time with a couple days in the Peruvian rainforest. We opted for a two-night trip guided by Quechua Expeditions with accommodations at the Amazon Garden Lodge.
Our jungle tour both started and ended in Puerto Maldonado. We flew in the day before, allowing for time to explore this small, Amazon gateway city. We walked the quaint square, had dinner, and both giggled and gripped our seats on the motor car ride to the hotel.
Monkey Island
Our first day in the jungle started with a 45 minute boat ride to the lodge where we got settled and dropped our bags. From there we went on our first excursion to Monkey Island to join the chapucin monkeys for an early lunch. Armed with slices of watermelon and pieces of banana, our guides helped call the monkeys. As we stood at the base of the trees with fruit extended, the monkeys would scramble down, snag the snacks right from our hands, and then scurry up the tree to munch their treat.
With the monkeys fed, we returned to the lodge for a lunch of our own and some free time before we a nature walk and sunset paddle on Lake Sandoval in the Tambopata National Reserve.
Lake Sandoval
To reach the Tambopata National Reserve, we walked about 30 minutes through the jungle. After the hike, we boarded canoes and paddled along the shoreline of Lake Sandoval. This late afternoon trek included a caimen sighting, watching spider monkeys jump through the trees, many bird sightings, and big grins on our faces as we watched the otters play and eat as the sun set.
Parrot Clay Lick
Our second day in the Amazon started very early with a 4:00 am wake up. The early start was necessary so we could arrive at sunrise at the parrot clay lick. Each day several dozen parrots come to the clay covered cliffs on the bank of the Madre de Dio river to lick the clay cliffside. The clay is rich in salt, which the birds need to break down the many seeds and nuts they consume.
Machiguenga Visit
After seeing the parrots, we made our way to the village of the Machiquenga natives who live along the banks of the river. We were greeted by the group as they smeered smashed urucum seeds on our forheads and cheeks as a sign of welcome. The group demonstrated the weaving of palm leaves for mats as well as tried to teach us to spin yarn and shoot an arrow.
Canopy Walk
To conclude our second day in the Peruvian rainforest we went on a tree top, canopy walk across swinging bridges. We gingerly walked, one-at-a-time across a couple bridges, 300 feet high above the forest floor to try to capture glimpes of mccaws and toucans. We were able to spot a couple using binoculars. For our final night in the Peruvian rainforest we were treated to a magical, tree-top sunset.
Our time in Peru was incredible. For more on our adventures see our posts on exploring near Cusco and hiking the Inca Trail.
Happy Adventuring, Rochelle
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