Current as of: April 20, 2024 - 15:37
Amazon Rainforest Extension (from Cuzco) Trip Notes
- Destination: Peru
- Programmes: Trip Extensions
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Activity Level:
2 out of 7 - Leisurely / Moderate
- Ages: 16+
- Trip Code: XPC
- Carbon Footprint: 73kg CO2e
Trip Overview
Explore the world’s largest rainforest, of unparalleled biodiversity
Easily accessible via a short flight from Cuzco, the Amazon is the world’s largest rainforest and home to an astonishing array of wildlife, as well as countless plant species. Spending three nights at a riverside lodge in the Tambopata Reserve, we use motorised canoes to explore its lakes and rivers, and follow jungle trails to discover its dense forests. The biodiversity of this region is incredible and with a bit of luck you may see colourful macaws and other tropical birds as well as an array of native South American mammals, such as capybara and Giant river otter. There’s also time to relax by the river at the lodge or to sit back in a hammock.
At a Glance
- 4 days / 3 nights – Land Only
- 3 nights Amazon lodge
- Travel by boat, on foot, and one internal flight
- Accompanied by expert local guides
- 2023 price from £599 (per person, shared room and travelling together)
- 2023 single supplement from £125 / sole traveller supplement from £135
- Note – this extension runs on a shared tour basis with Exodus and non-Exodus guests
Highlights
- Fall asleep to the sound of the jungle, spending three nights in a riverside lodge in the Tambopata Reserve
- Explore the dense rainforest and its waterways on foot and by motorised canoe
- Look out for mammals including giant river otters, wild boar, capybara and a variety of monkeys
- Chance to spot tropical birds including parrots, macaws, hoatzin and kingfishers
- Learn about the diversity and medicinal properties of the vegetation
Is This Trip for You?
This extension may be booked before of after any Exodus tour that starts/ends in Cuzco.
Activities during the extension and transfers to and from the lodge are not exclusive to Exodus clients and may be shared with other guests at the lodge.
There are some walks along jungle trails, which although well marked, can be muddy following periods of rain. The walks are not particularly physically demanding but you should have a reasonable level of fitness. The rainforest is generally hot and humid in the daytime and the high humidity can be uncomfortable at times, although nights and early morning end evening can be a little chilly. Mosquitoes are present, and are particularly active after it has rained and at dawn and dusk.
The Amazon is teeming with life and at night you will hear the sounds of the jungle. There will be some very early morning starts as the wildlife is often most active at dawn and dusk when the temperature is cooler.
Unfortunately we cannot guarantee wildlife sightings and factors such as poor weather can affect the likelihood of seeing wildlife. Many creatures are more elusive during rain and additionally some planned activities may be postponed or altered depending on the weather or river levels for safety reasons. Your guide may assume that you don’t want to go out in the rain but if this is not the case please make this known to your guide to make sure you don’t miss out.
The accommodation is simple but comfortable. Given the remoteness of the lodges, please be aware that there is no mains electricity and service at meal times can be quite relaxed. Only the main buildings have power for a few hours a day. Lighting in your room will be by torch and lanterns/candles.
Group
Please note that there is no Exodus leader on this extension and no Exodus group as such. You will have the services of a driver for any road transfers and a local specialist guide from the rainforest lodge.
The local guide will meet you at Puerto Maldonado airport and travel with you to the lodge. The same person will normally be your guide throughout the duration of your stay in the rainforest, accompanying you on excursions and activities. You will also be given the contact details of our local partners in Peru in case of emergency.
Jungle activities will usually be shared with other guests from the lodge and can be a mix of Exodus and non-Exodus clients.
Adult min age: 16
Min group size: 1
Itinerary
Land Only
- Start City: Cuzco hotel (Pre-tour Extensions: Puerto Maldonado airport)
- End City: Puerto Maldonado airport (Pre-tour Extensions: Cuzco hotel)
Land Only Itinerary
Start Cuzco; fly to Puerto Maldonado and transfer to your Amazon lodge by boat.
A car and a driver will collect you from your hotel early this morning and take you to Cuzco airport in time for the early morning flight to Puerto Maldonado. Puerto Maldonado is a small jungle town and you will be met by a guide at the airport, who will accompany you to the jungle lodge. The transfer is a short (45 minute) drive to the river, from where you continue by boat to the jungle lodge in the Tambopata Reserve (between 1.5 and 3 hours depending on which lodge you are staying in). On the way it is possible to see caiman, River turtles and a wide variety of bird life. A light lunch/snack is served on the boat. You will make a stop at the lodge’s office in Puerto Maldonado town en route where you will be provided with a duffel bag and be asked to take only what you need with you, whilst your main luggage will be stored securely at the office during your stay in the rainforest.
Pre-tour Extensions: If travelling on this extension before your main Exodus tour, the extension starts at Puerto Maldonado airport this morning.
Amazon Rainforest Lodge
Two full days exploring the forest, rivers and lakes surrounding the lodge on foot and in both motorised and paddle canoes in search of wildlife and birdlife.
The next two days are spent exploring the forest, rivers and lakes surrounding the lodge, on foot and in both motorised and paddle canoes. Although a lot of the wildlife tends to hide in the dense foliage, we should expect to see a wide variety of birds, including herons and egrets, jacanas, macaws and the almost prehistoric-looking hoatzin, as well as several species of monkey, reptiles and insects, and with luck the Giant otters which live in the rivers of the Amazon Basin.
Amazon Rainforest Lodge
Transfer to Puerto Maldonado Airport where the extension ends.
A dawn start is required for the boat transfer back to Puerto Maldonado (usually departing between 07:30 and 08:30), giving memorable views of the sunrise over the river. Look out for the early morning wildlife, which is particularly active at this time. Howler monkeys are frequently heard as they stake out their territories. You will go via the lodge’s office in town to collect the rest of your luggage and then continue to Puerto Maldonado airport (usually arriving between 09:30 and 11:00 – depending on which lodge you have come from). The extension ends at Puerto Maldonado airport – if booking your own flights, you should not book an onward flight from Puerto Maldonado departing before 13:00 at the earliest.
Pre-tour Extensions: If travelling on this extension before your main Exodus tour, a flight from Puerto Maldonado airport to Cuzco is included today. Upon arrival into Cuzco you will be transferred to the start hotel of your main Exodus holiday.
Accommodation
Amazon Lodge
Although we usually use Cayman Lodge, this is subject to availability and we work with a variety of lodges in the Tambopata Reserve within the Amazon. All offer a similar standard of accommodation and rainforest experience, and each has a network of walking trails through the forest.
The lodges are between 1½ and 3½ hours by boat from Puerto Maldonado, and each has a main building surrounded by lodge/bungalow accommodation. The rooms are usually based on two people sharing, and all have private bathrooms with a shower as well as mosquito nets over the beds. Some lodges also have mosquito screens on the windows, but this will vary from lodge to lodge. There is usually no electricity in the bedrooms, and lighting is provided by lanterns or candles.
The main buildings each have a dining room and bar, as well as a small selection of books relating to the rainforest and its flora and fauna. These are usually the only areas of the lodge with an electrical supply (not 24 hour).
A compulsory single supplement or sole traveller supplement may be applicable.
Food & Drink
All meals are included during your stay in the Amazon. The food is a mixture of Peruvian and international cuisine.
Please do not drink the tap water or brush your teeth with it – it is not potable.
Transport
An internal flight from Cuzco to Puerto Maldonado is included in the price of the extension (if you are booking this extension pre tour, a flight from Puerto Maldonado to Cuzco will be included on Day 4 of the extension instead).
The transfer from your hotel in Cuzco to the airport is by car and there is also a 45 minute road transfer from Puerto Maldonado airport to the river. River transfers to and from the lodge are by motor-boat with a canopy for shade (life-jackets are supplied). Transfers between Puerto Maldonado and the lodge will usually be shared with other guests who are staying at the lodge.
Excursions in the jungle are both on foot, by canoe and by motor-boat.
Weather & Seasonality
Whilst the Amazon Rainforest is generally warm and humid, it can be subject to drops in temperature caused by cold fronts pushing in from the south, especially in June and July. This can send temperatures dropping into single figures, and if taking the rainforest extension we recommend that you take some warm clothing with you to the lodge in case of sudden changes in the weather.
Weather Charts
Puerto Maldonado, Peru
Joining Instructions
Transfer Details
If booking this extension POST tour:
4 days starting Cuzco hotel, ending Puerto Maldonado airport
A car and driver will collect you from your hotel in Cuzco early in the morning and take you to Cuzco airport to catch a flight to Puerto Maldonado. Puerto Maldonado is a small jungle town and upon arrival you will be met by a guide at the airport, who will accompany you by river to the lodge in the Tambopata Reserve.
On the last day of the extension you will be transferred to Puerto Maldonado airport where the extension ends – if booking your own flights, you should not book an onward flight from Puerto Maldonado departing before 13:00 at the earliest.
If booking this extension PRE tour:
4 days starting Puerto Maldonado airport, ending Cuzco hotel
Puerto Maldonado is a small jungle town and upon arrival you will be met by a guide at the airport, who will accompany you by river to the lodge in the Tambopata Reserve. If you have not booked flights through Exodus please ensure that you have supplied us with your flight details in advance. If booking your own international flights, please ensure that you arrive into Puerto Maldonado by lunch time (by 13:00hrs at the latest) in order to join a transfer to the lodge.
On the last day of the extension you will be transferred back to Puerto Maldonado airport to catch a flight to Cuzco. Upon arrival into Cuzco a transfer to the start hotel of your main Exodus tour is included.
What To Take
Essential Equipment
When flying to the Amazon, we recommend that you pack a change of clothes suitable for the rainforest (and your essential items) in your hand luggage in case your checked baggage does not arrive with you (which has occasionally been known to happen). In this event, you should contact the lodge representative and the airline desk for assistance and they will arrange for your luggage to catch up with you.
Before leaving Puerto Maldonado your guide will take you to the lodge’s office in town, where you will split your luggage and take just what you need in a locally provided duffel bag. The rest of your luggage will be stored securely at the office while you are in the jungle.
Please note that you should bring a small bag in which to pack what you need for the jungle – you should limit your packing to essential items only.
All bedding, mosquito nets (or mesh windows), and towels are provided at the lodge.
We recommend you pack the following for the rainforest:
Water bottle
Good strength torch with spare batteries (enough for one night’s short walk). There is only limited electricity at the lodge.
Light coloured long-sleeved cotton shirts or long-sleeved t-shirts for excursions (birds and wildlife are scared of bright colours and can recognize them from a distance).
Long lightweight trousers. Jeans not recommended!
Short-sleeved t-shirts and shorts for around the lodge
Rain gear (a rain coat or poncho is always useful)
Warm jumper in case of a sudden cold snap and for early morning boat excursions
Walking boots for the excursions (if the trails are muddy, you can use/hire rubber boots from the lodge)
Socks (two or three pairs)
Sandals for wearing around the lodge
Sun block, sunhat/cap and sunglasses
Insect repellent
Swimwear
Personal toiletries
Optional Equipment
Binoculars (if you have them)
Camera
Practical Information
Visa
Peru
Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Peru. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
- Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/peru
- Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/peru
- United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/peru/entry-requirements
- USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Peru.html
Vaccinations and Health
Peru
There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, typhoid, tuberculosis and yellow fever. Additionally, Zika fever, a mosquito‐borne viral disease, is a known risk in Peru. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, so you should take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Please check all vaccination recommendations with your doctor or travel clinic.
Amazon: If you are travelling to the Tambopata reserve in the Amazon rainforest, the risk of malaria is slight, but you may wish to consult your doctor or travel clinic for further advice. We also strongly recommend that you obtain a yellow fever vaccination. Additionally, dengue fever and chikungunya are known risks in the Amazon region. Both are tropical viral diseases spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for either, and therefore the best form of prevention is to take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Local Time
Peru's time zone: America/Lima (UTC -05:00)
Electricity
Peru's electricity: Plug types A (two flat pins), B (three pins: two flat, one round) and C (two round pins)– 220V, 60Hz. There are no charging facilities available on the Inca Trail, our other camping treks or Amantani Island, so we recommend you take spare batteries or a solar charger with you. If staying in an Amazon lodge, there is no mains electricity; a generator will provide power for a few hours a day only in the main lodge/dining area, while lanterns, torches or candles will be provided in the bedrooms. Additionally, if you stay at the Inkaterra Hacienda Conception Amazon Lodge, there is limited electricity in the cabanas; however, all cabanas have reading lights and a ceiling ventilator.
Money
Peru's currency: Peruvian nuevo sol (PEN)
ATM Availability
We recommend either taking cash with you to change into Sol locally, or using local ATMs to withdraw money in Peru as you go, so you are not left with excess at the end of your trip. It is a good idea to change a small amount into Sol at the counters in the baggage hall upon arrival. Change is often in short supply, so ask for small denomination banknotes and try to break up any large notes at the earliest opportunity.
It is possible to obtain Peruvian Sol before you travel but exchange rates can be lower than exchanging money locally in Peru.
Some larger establishments and hotels accept US Dollars but the vast majority of places will only accept Sol.
There is an ATM machine and currency exchange desk at Puerto Maldonado airport but it’s easiest if you bring some money from Cuzco.
Extra Expenses & Spending Money
There isn’t a huge amount to spend money on in the rainforest as all meals are included, but you should bring a nominal amount with you from Cuzco for buying drinks, tipping and incidentals.
Tipping
If you are happy with the service you have received you may wish to tip your guide or the lodge staff. If and how much you tip is entirely at your discretion but as a guideline only, something in the region of US$10-15 for your local guide would be a welcome gesture.
Important Information
Water safety
This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.
Important Information
Your safe participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
How to Book
- Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
- Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
- Complete your booking and payment
When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.
After booking
You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.
Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.
Trip Note validity
These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Licensing
Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.