Peru Amazon Rainforest Tour - HACIENDA CONCEPCION LODGE

Your driver will be waiting for you at Padre Aldamiz, Puerto Maldonado international airport. After a 15-minute transfer to the port of Puerto Capitanía you will board a motorized riverboat to access the Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción.

Enjoy the fantastic river views, the surrounding lush forest and the fleeting wildlife on the 30-minute boat ride to your lodge.

Check-in and installation in your cabaña.

Take a guided walk on the many trails within the property of Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción.

Learn about primary and secondary rainforests, how humans use and process its resources and understand the relevance of these ecosystems for the world.

You will walk through cacao plantations and pass bread fruit and rubber trees. 

At dusk, take a motorized canoe ride on the Madre de Dios River. 

Gliding on the calm waters under the unaltered moonlight learn about the river ecosystems, the Amazonian creeks, the behavior of nocturnal animals filling the air with exotic sounds and spot the southern constellations in the open sky above. 

Walk into the Tambopata National Reserve through terra firma forest, towards Lake Sandoval.

Slowly explore the beautiful oxbow lake paddling on a canoe.

Learn about the conservation efforts in the reserve, how the lake formed and how it provides a perfect habitat for the aguaje palms (Mauritia flexuosa) and many animals like the endangered giant river otters (Pteronura brasiliensis), blue and yellow macaws (Ara ararauna), red howler monkeys (Alouatta seniculus), black caimans (Melanosuchus niger), and one of the world's largest fresh water fish, the paiche (Arapaima gigas).

(Access to discretion during the wet season). 

A 25-minute ride by motorized canoe will bring you to the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway Interpretation Center.

Climb up the 95-foot tall (29 m) tower above the forest floor and set out on an amazing one-and-a-half-hour experience among the treetops.

Cross the suspension bridges between the eight observation platforms.

From your privileged canopy view, discover the surprisingly varied landscapes surrounding you, while on the look-out for giant strangler fig trees, orchids, toucans, woodpeckers, trogons and the elusive birds of prey, monkeys or sloths.

Back on the firm land explore the Anaconda trail, a 15-min walk on a wooden bridge over the wetland.

In this lush ecosystem, you may observe the various species of amphibians, birds, mammals and abundant flora and trees of this seasonal flooded marshland. 

After dark your guide will bring to light the intriguing behaviour patterns and enhanced senses of the many nocturnal animals roaming the place.

Close your eyes and immerse yourself in the nocturnal sounds of the rainforest to get a deeper understanding of this hidden world. 

This morning, leave the lodge for a short boat ride to a local farm, where the residents still use ancient methods to grow their crops.

Learn about traditional agricultural techniques and taste some of the fresh local products. 

Guided walk through the botanical garden on the grounds of the lodge to learn about the incredible variety of medicinal plants that can be found in the Amazon basin.

Discover the use of these plants in modern western medicine and how it compares to its traditional usage in the rainforest. 

Paddle out on the oxbow lake of the Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción for a fishing experience.

Using the 'catch and release' technique favoured by the local indigenous communities and take time to soak in the untamed scenery and watch the bizarre and unique hoatzins (Opisthocomus hoazin), the dozens of fly catchers and the curious graynecked woodrails (Aramides cajanea).

With some time to ponder at what is left of Fitzcarrald's steamboat, you will learn about the history of the rubber baron, his boat and how it inspired Inkaterra to ask Werner Herzog to shoot the award-winning 'Fitzcarraldo' movie (Best Foreign Director at Cannes, 1982). 

Follow your explorer guides to a small hut within the lodge's grounds where you will learn about the Brazil Nut Tree and the importance of the nut in the local economy of Madre de Dios.

Learn how the Brazil nut is collected using traditional tools and techniques, and sample some of the freshly collected nuts. 

Visit the cacao plantation at Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción and take part in the chocolate making process.

Learn how to select the fresh cacao fruits and discover how the seeds are fermented and sundried.

After peeling the toasted cacao seeds and grinding them into an aromatic paste, end the excursion with a selection of treats made from our organic chocolate. 

Walk 15 minutes to one of the four claylicks or 'collpas' within the Hacienda Concepcion.

From inside the strategically located blinds, watch the wildlife go about their normal routine without disrupting their environment.

Learn about the different animals that come visit these claylicks to feed on the minerals and the difference between collpas according to their location.

Look for footprints and traces of activity on the clay walls that are regularly visited by agoutis, monkeys, and peccaries. 

Early breakfast, then boat transfer back to the port of Puerto Maldonado (2 hours). 

Transfer by bus to the airport (15 min).