CLASSIC HEATH RIVER | 5 days / 4 nights
(Daily Departures from Lima or Cusco)

Sandoval Lake Lodge-Heath River Wildlife Center
Only 4 hours by river from P. Maldonado, the Center is the best-located lodge in the world's largest pristine rainforest. Within easy reach are an excellent macaw clay lick, Capybaras (120-pound Guinea Pigs), oxbow lakes with Giant Otters, 480 bird species, and 6 monkey species. Furthermore, we feature healthy populations of Tapirs and Jaguars. Heath offers the world's only large macaw clay lick reachable in less than a half a day from a jetport. Visitors have seen up to 260 macaws there at one time, making it one of the top 5 of the world's 100 known licks. Travelers view this spectacle from a roomy blind floating only 100 ft (30 m) away. A trail grid with mapped fruiting trees allow our guides to take you straight to the wildlife. At the end of one trail, the rainforest suddenly melts away, offering a startling, open vista reminiscent of East Africa--the only lowland pampas accessible from Peru. Downriver is the Ese'Eja Indian village of Sonene, where you can learn about tribal traditions and life in the rainforest. Everyone in Sonene speaks their native language, with Spanish reserved for school and for trading handicrafts with outsiders, including you. The Heath's unique combination of comfort, macaw lick, pristine forest, unique pampas, and traditional culture offers what we believe is the Amazon's finest all-around value for money.

ITINERARY

DAY 01: PUERTO MALDONADO TO HEATH RIVER WILDLIFE CENTER
- We meet at the Puerto Maldonado airport and drive through town to the Tambopata River port. After boarding motorized canoes, we travel downriver to the mighty Madre de Dios, which we follow for approximately five hours to the Heath River. We then travel up this wild and intimate river, which forms the wilderness border between Peru and Bolivia, and arrive at the Heath River Wildlife Center. Note that the Lodge is located on the Bolivian side of the Heath River so passports are required to clear Bolivian passport control..
- PLEASE ITS IMPORTANT NOT FORGET TO TAKE THE PASSPORT FOR THIS TRIP.
- After dinner we'll explore the forest by flashlight, including a visit to a small mammal clay lick if it is active.
- Overnight.
** (Meals included: Lunch / Dinner)

DAY 02: HEATH RIVER WILDLIFE CENTER
- We rise early in the morning to board a motorized canoe for the 10-minute journey up the Heath River to the macaw and parrot clay lick. Brightly-colored parrots and macaws fly in by the hundreds to feed on the clay that detoxifies certain seeds and nuts they eat. Marvel at the cacophony of sound and color as Red-and-green macaws vie for the best clay-eating position. A specially-designed floating blind allows for proximity and complete concealment -- so you can even have breakfast and coffee while the birds are performing their morning ritual.
- When we return to the lodge, the guide leads us on an ethno-botanical walk through the forest, pointing out flora used in the daily lives of rainforest people. The guide explains how certain plants are used for medicinal or healing purposes, which ones can be made into the best bows and arrows, and how to select trees and leaves for home construction.
- After lunch and a short rest, we hike through the rainforest to the Pampas del Heath, the largest remaining undisturbed savanna in the Amazon. The contrast is striking as we emerge from the mature rainforest onto the grassland plain of the Pampas.
- Overnight.
** (Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

DAY 03: HEATH RIVER TO SANDOVAL LAKE
- We breakfast in the floating blind at the macaw and parrot clay lick for a last round of looks and photos. We return to the lodge to pack, and then it's back on the Madre de Dios River, box lunch in hand, for the trip to Sandoval Lake Lodge, located on the banks of one of the most beautiful lakes in Amazonian Peru. During the river trip back downstream, families of Capybaras are often spotted on the banks of the river. Weighing up to 120 pounds (55 kilograms), this giant, three-toed relative of the guinea pig is the largest rodent in the world.
- On the journey to Sandoval Lake Lodge we will also visit the Ese'Eja native community of Sonene, where there will be an opportunity to interact with the community and purchase local handicrafts.
- We embark at the trail head to Sandoval Lake Lodge and walk for 45 minutes on a wide, flat trail through the forest, stopping to look at birds, butterflies, and towering trees. At the end of the trail, we board dugout canoes or catamarans, and are paddled across the lake in the golden afternoon light. We drift through flooded palm forest and listen to the babbling of Red-bellied Macaws overhead as they roost in treetops for the night. We arrive at the lodge around nightfall, and walk up the torch-lit path to dinner in the dining hall.
- Overnight.
** (Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

DAY 04: SANDOVAL LAKE AT TAMBOPATA NATIONAL RESERVE
- After an early breakfast, explore the western end of the lake in the catamaran or canoe. We might see Giant Otters that live on the lake, or encounter a Black Caiman lazily crossing the water, or see the huge splash of the Paichi, a 10-foot-long Amazonian fish, as it rises to the surface of the water to gulp down bubbles of air.
- Later that morning, your naturalist guide will lead a hike through the forest, pointing out plants with medicinal uses, interesting insects, and colorful birds and butterflies.
- Following lunch and a short siesta, in the late afternoon we once again board the catamaran or canoe and set off to explore the eastern end of the lake. Capuchin, Squirrel and Titi monkeys often forage along the lake's edge, and energetic guests can take another hike through forest on the other side of the lake.
- After dinner, we go out on the lake to search again for the Black Caiman since they are most abundant on the lake at night as they forage. Floating in the middle of the lake, the brilliant stars light up the sky as the night sounds of the rainforest surround you.
- Overnight.
** (Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

DAY 05: SANDOVAL LAKE TO CUSCO OR LIMA
- After a dawn breakfast, we paddle across the lake, perhaps encountering a family of macaws leaving their roost to forage or a troupe of monkeys greeting the day. We hike back out to the river and return to Puerto Maldonado for the flight back to Cusco or Lima.

End of Our Services
** The program will be able to have changes in order to improve the diverse activities that are realized.

This Tour Includes:
- Transfer In / Out in Puerto Maldonado
- 02 nights in Heath River Wildlife Center
- 02 nights in Sandoval Lake Lodge
- Transport in boat for the river Manu
- Complete Meals
- Tours indicated in the Program
- Permanente Assitance with bilingual guide (English-Spanish)

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PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION

Located in the Tambopata National Reserve, Sandoval Lake Lodge is perched above what many rain forest specialists feel is the most attractive lake in Peru, and provides access to one of the most biologically diverse areas on the planet. The Tambopata National Reserve and the adjacent Bahuaja-Sonene National Park, is home to over 20,000 plant species, over 900 species of birds (more than all the species in the continental USA), 91 mammals, 1230 butterflies, 127 amphibians and reptiles, and much more! Try a visit to the excellent lowland rain forest of the Tambopata National Reserve to see some of the world's best rain forest wildlife that is available in a short, economical stay.

WEATHER CONDITIONS
Rainfall in the Tambopata National Reserve is around 2500 - 3500 millimeters per year, with most rainfall occurring in the rainy season months from November to April. The average temperature in the National Reserve is 28° C (82° F), with daily highs of 34° C (94° F) and nightly lows of 22° C (72° F). During the dry season cold fronts from the South Atlantic (friajes) occur every month or so, with daily temperatures dropping as low as 16° C (59° F) and nightly temperatures to 13° C (55° F).

WHAT TO BRING
- Good binoculars
- A hat that will not come off in windy boat-rides
- Sunglasses
- Camera gear (ASA 50, 100 and 200 recommended)
- One pair of shorts
- Two or three pairs of long pants
- A pair of sneakers or hiking boats (with good gripping soles) and sandals
- Four pairs of absorbent cotton socks
- Insect repellent (Skin-so-soft for river, and 20% or more deep for forest)
- Rain suit or long poncho (100% waterproof - test before you leave home)
- A photocopy of your passport
- Three or four long-sleeved cotton shirts
- A large, bright flashlight
- Two or three T-shirts
- A bottle or canteen to carry water on outings
- Sunscreen lotion (high factor)
- Personal toiletries and medications
- Rubber Boots for the rainy season from November to April.
- Cash for souvenirs at the lodge´s PeruVerde stand, alcoholic beverages, etc