TOUR INFORMATION:
Rainforest Expeditions, (877) 231-
9251, perunature.com
GETTINGTHERE:
You’ll fly into
the small townof PuertoMaldona-
do fromeither LimaorCusco. Abus
takesyou to the river; aboat takes
youupriver to the lodges.
WHENTOVISIT:
Thedry season,
June throughAugust, isbest,when
animalsareon themove looking for
food. If youwant toavoidyour
fellowman, try the shoulder sea-
sonsofApril/MayandSeptember/
October, but beprepared for rain.
WHERETOSTAY:
Rainforest
Expeditions runs three lodges, each
onedeeper in the rain forest.
PosadaAmazonas
A45-minute
boat rideupRioTambopata from
the townofPuertoMaldonado, this
30-room lodge iseasiest toget to.
RefugioAmazonas
Farther
upriver (3½hours), but still luxuri-
ous and family-friendly,witha
playareaanda rain-forest trail
designed for children
.
TambopataResearchCenter
Deep (four hoursupriver from
RefugioAmazonas) inanunin-
habitedportionof theTambopata
National Reserve, here’s your best
chance to seewildlifeandhave the
fun chance to talkwithbiologists
andecologists conductingfield-
work. Amenities are slightlymore
spartan (i.e., sharedbathrooms),
andyou’ll need to investmore
time toget here.
MUSTBRING:
Sunglasses; hat;
mosquito repellent; raingear;
loose-fitting, lightweight clothing
that driesquicklyandkeeps you
cool. Long sleeves tohelpprotect
from insects. Yes, therearea lot
of insects.
MUSTSEE:
●
TresChimbadasLake,witha
chanceofgiant riverotters
●
TheTambopataRiver fromakayak
●
The rain forest at night
●
Glowinggator eyesat night (The
Tambopata region ishome to four
speciesof caiman.)
●
Thegargantuan strangler figon
theother sideof LagoCondenado
●
Aharpyeagle, theAmericas’ larg-
est raptor (askEnzo)
MUSTHEAR:
Howlermonkeys(the
second loudestcreatureonearth)
MUSTSAMPLE:
Copoazu
The
chewy sour-sweet fruit isused in
desserts, drinks, andcandies.
Ceviche
Rawfishmarinated in
lemon juiceandnicely spiced
(Peruvians like their spices), this is
prettymuchPeru’snational dish.
Aji deGallina
Chickencooked in
milkandaji sauce.
PiscoSour
Peru’s signaturemixed
drink ismadewithpisco, lemon,
eggwhite, and syrup. Nice tohave
something to
cool
the spice.
MUSTREAD:
TheCloudForest:
AChronicleof theSouthAmerican
Wilderness
byPeterMatthiessen;
TreeofRivers: TheStoryof the
Amazon
by JohnHemming;
InTroubleAgain: A Journey
BetweenOrinocoand the
Amazon
byRedmondO’Hanlon
LEARNMORE:
For general infor-
mationonvisitingPeru, contact the
PeruTradeCommission.
(310)496-7411,
facebook.com/pages/Trade-
Commission-of-Peru-Los-Angeles
VISITINGTHETAMBOPATARAIN-FORESTREGION:
SUMMER
AA.COM CELEBRATEDLIVING
