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Detour, The Adventure Travel Marketplace - Heath River Wildlife Center, 4 Days

Heath River Wildlife Center, 4 Days

From USD $560.00 Per Person

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Start city(s):
End city(s):
Trip length:
Activities: Wildlife Viewing, Birdwatching, Jungle Lodge, Indigenous Market
Destinations: Tambopata/Puerto Maldonado, Amazon Basin
Min/Max group size: -
Comfort: Moderate
Moderate
Difficulty: Moderate Difficulty
Moderate Difficulty
*Details may vary with dates. Select dates to see exact details.
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Only four hours by river from Puerto Maldonado, the Heath River Wildlife 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.

Abbreviated Itinerary

Day 1 - Puerto Maldonado to Heath River Wildlife Center

Day 2 - Heath River Wildlife Center

Day 3 - Heath River Wildlife Center

Day 4- Heath River To Cusco or Lima




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Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - 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 four 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. (L, D).


Day 2 - 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. (B, L, D)


Day 3 - Heath River Wildlife Center

We breakfast in the floating blind at the macaw and parrot clay lick for a last round of looks and photos. Then we return to the lodge to explore some trails.
After lunch we could visit the Ese'Eja native community of Sonene, where there will be an opportunity to interact with the community and purchase local handicrafts or explore the trails.
After dinner we'll explore the forest by flashlight, including a visit to a small mammal clay lick if it is active. (B,L,D)


Day 4- Heath River To Cusco or Lima

Early morning departure to Puerto Maldonado. 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. If time permits we will also Upon arrival, reception and transfer to the airport for the flight back to Cusco or Lima. (B)

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Additional Services

This provider can help with your other additional needs

  • local flights
  • transfers
  • additional accomodations
  • trip extensions
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What's Included

Transfers from the airport to the port in Puerto Maldonado and vice versa. Accommodations with all meals (from lunch on the first day to the breakfast on the last day), English speaking guide, river transportation, all guided excursion describes in the itinerary and the entrance fees.

Not Included

Airport taxes, Air tickets to and from Puerto Maldonado, excess baggage charges and additional nights at Puerto Maldonado in case of flight cancellations.

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Overview

Itinerary

Dates & Prices

Customer Reviews

Details

Photos

What's Included

What's Included

Transfers from the airport to the port in Puerto Maldonado and vice versa. Accommodations with all meals (from lunch on the first day to the breakfast on the last day), English speaking guide, river transportation, all guided excursion describes in the itinerary and the entrance fees.

Not Included

Not Included

Airport taxes, Air tickets to and from Puerto Maldonado, excess baggage charges and additional nights at Puerto Maldonado in case of flight cancellations.

Transportation to Trip Departure Point

Arriving to trip starting point

Passenger must arrange their own transportation

Type of transportation available to trip starting point

Commercial flight

Arriving to trip starting point description:

HOW TO GET THERE
A daily commercial flights from Lima (2 hours) and Cusco (30 minutes) brings you to Puerto Maldonado, a bustling frontier town and the gateway to the Tambopata National Reserve. Here one of our resident naturalist guides will meet you as you leave the airport arrivals area, and will remain with you until you return to the airport to board your flight back to Cusco or Lima.

We have a 15-minute bus transfer from the airport to the Tambopata River port, and then take a motorized canoe for 2 hours down the Madre de Dios River and 2 two up the Heath River to the lodge. (Returning trip to Puerto Maldonado may take 45 additional minutes) Our boats are equipped with a 65 HP engine, a roof to protect from the sun and the rain, cushioned seats, and carry a spare motor in the unlikely event that the principal engine breaks down.

Transportation On Trip

Transportation Types

Private Bus
Motor Boat

Lodging - Accommodations

What are the accommodations like?

Heath River Wildlife center is constructed almost entirely of ecologically-harvested "driftwood" mahogany trees collected from the floods that naturally carry logs downriver out of Manu National Park. The Lodge consists in a large screened main dining room/lounge and 10 double ( or triple) bungalows with private bathrooms with hot shower and toilets.

Main room area has electricity and the rest are supplemented by kerosene lamps and candles. Camcorders can be recharged from our generator, but please note that guests may need to bring a special adaptor to plug into the generator.

Lodging Types

3 Nights Jungle Lodge

Details

Provider Social and Environmental Responsibility

InkaNatura Travel is the only leading tour operator in Peru owned by a nonprofit conservation group, Peru Verde,

Our work is part of Peru Verde's overall strategy to protect the country's unique cultural and biological diversity. InkaNatura contributes heavily to the maintenance of national parks, reserves, and archaeological sites while at the same time treating local people with respect and dignity.

InkaNatura Travel is 100% owned by Peru Verde. All net proceeds benefit conservation. To learn more about Peru Verde's conservation work please visit www.peruverde.org

What is the food like on this trip?

MEALS AND DRINKS AT HEATH RIVER WILDLIFE CENTER
All meals are included in the trip: from the Lunch on the first day until the breakfast on the last day, We believe that our guests should experience as much of the Peruvian cuisine as possible, and this is reflected in the range of Peruvian dishes offered, with an occasional international twist. Typical lunch dishes served are lomo saltado (a spicy mix of stir fried beef, tomato, peppers, onion and french fries), arroz con pollo (a mildly spicy mix of saffron rice, chicken and vegetables) or other delicious dishes prepared with local ingredients.

Our experienced kitchen personnel can also cater for special dietary requirements, such as low or no salt, low or no sugar, low or no fat, and vegetarian (strict "vegan") or "ovo-lacto" vegetarian), upon request.

Maximum Age

None

Weather

Rainfall in the Tambopata and Heath River area 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).

Travel Provider

Provider Name

InkaNatura Travel

Why should I choose this provider?

InkaNatura Travel is a versatile Peruvian tour operator in different nature and archaeology areas. With offices in Lima, Cusco, Puerto Maldonado and Chiclayo, InkaNatura is there to serve you. Every detail is meticulously planned, and every service is carefully monitored.

The Inca trail offerings from InkaNatura Travel complement or extensive portfolio of Wildlife and nature destinations like Manu and Tambopata where we have several outstanding lodges: Manu Wildlife Center, Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, Sandoval Lake Lodge and Heath River Wildlife Center. Conde Nast Traveler (Dec 2002) described Manu Wildlife center as “The finest wildlife lodge in all the Amazon” and Sandoval Lake Lodge as “The budget rainforest alternative to Manu” Our lodges are accessible via short light flight from Cusco, and provide attractions like macaw clay licks, tapir clay licks, Giant Otters, canopy platforms and much more.

There are a limited number of tour operators authorized to operate the Inca Trail. InkaNatura Travel is one of these and in just three years of Inca Trail operations has been recognized by the Government Tourism Office as one of the two BEST tour operators in the area, in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

InkaNatura Travel is proud to be member of important organizations like: International Ecotourism Society, Latin America Travel Association (UK), Sustainable Travel International, Adventure Travel (USA), Tropical Nature, Tourism for tomorrow and works with the following sustainable travel standards :

Educate our clients and provide them with opportunities to make meaningful connections with local people.
Be Culturally Sensitive.
Respect the values, customs and beliefs of the local people we visit.
Foster a greater understanding of their culture and their environmental issues.
Generate Economic Benefits.
Buy locally produced goods, become a patron of locally owned businesses, and enhance the well being of host communities.
Be Environmentally Friendly.
Conserve natural resources when traveling just as we do at home and in your offices.
Offset carbon emissions from airline and land travel.
Make positive Contributions to the conservation and preservation of natural and cultural heritage and to the maintenance of the Peru’s biodiversity.

Provider Policies

Terms and Conditions

General Conditions:

For hotels and tours:
* Rates are listed in American dollars and include taxes and service charge for non - residents in Peru.
* Tour rates are per person, unless we specified a different option.
* In case the hotel of your preference does not have space available, we will inform you of an alternative option.
* Some hotels ask for a prepayment at the time of the booking to guarantee the room. If this is the case, we will request for that payment to confirm the room and we will inform you about the special policy of that hotel.
* The confirmation for tours requested will be sent by e-mail including the itinerary, dates, information tips and pre-departure information for nature and adventure programs (tambopata, manu and inca trail programs).
* To reserve the train to Machu Picchu, we need the following information from the passengers: complete name as per in passport, nationality, date of birth and passport number.
* Clients must bring the passport with which the train ticket was issued. If not clients will not be allowed to get in the train with no obligation to Inkanatura.
* In case passengers get a new passport after they made the reservation, please inform us to make the necessary arrangements with the entity in charge of the train reservations. Please help us to avoid any inconvenience for your experience in Peru.
* For nature programs (Tambopata and Manu), in each booking please indicate: Complete name of the passengers, date of birth, gender, nationality, passport number, name of the hotel in Cusco (where the passenger will stay), special food requirement (Vegetarian, low salt, low fat, diabetic or other), and any special health condition. All the information should be as per in passport.
* Due to the permit regulations that allow only 500 people per day entering to the inca trail, it is therefore essential to make reservations well in advance as the system is on a first-come, first served basis. We do recommend to book at least 90 days prior to departure.
* Clients must bring the passport with which the Inca Trail permit was issued. If not clients will not be allowed to enter to the Inca trail system with no obligation to Inkanatura.
* Prices are per person and subject to change without notice due to entrance fees to inca trail, tax and other expenses that increase without our control.
* In each booking for the Inca trail please indicate: Complete name of the passengers, date of birth, gender, nationality, passport number, name of the hotel in Cusco (where the passenger will stay), special food requirement (Vegetarian, low salt, low fat, diabetic or other), and any special health condition. All the information should be as per in passport.
* Park authorities may occasionally designate different campsites at the Inca trail than those indicated.
* All trash produced during the treks will return to Cusco.
* In case passengers get a new passport after they made the reservation, please inform us to make the necessary arrangements with the UGM (Management office for Machu Picchu Sanctuary). Please help us to avoid any inconvenience for your inca trail experience.

- Deposits - due dates + amounts / Final balances - due dates.

For Hotel and tours:
* The total payment should be made 30 days before the passengers arrival for individual travellers and 45 days in advance for groups.
* If payment is not sent on the right day, Inkanatura is entitled to cancel the reservation.

For Inca trail portion:
* A deposit per person must be paid at the booking time, including the full name of clients and personal information. We must prepaid Inca trail entrance fees in advance.
* Balance of the total payment should be made 30 days before arrival for individual passengers and 45 days in advance for groups.
* For last minute reservations, total payment should be made during a week.

- Cancelation policy / fees for changes.

For hotel and tours:
* No refund will be possible for any unused part of tours or packages, due to passengers decision.
* No refund will be possible for the entire cost for services bought in advance bus tickets, train tickets, entrance fees). Airline tickets refund will be according to the airline regulations.
* Cancellations made between 30 to 16 days prior to arrival, we will charge 50% of the total amount.
* Cancellations made between 15 to 0 days prior to arrival, full amount will be charged.
* For no show, full amount will be charged

Note: Please take note that some hotels do not accept cancellations made between 30 days in advance for individual passengers and 60 days in advance for groups. We will let you know about their policy at the reservation moment.

For Inca trail portion:
* No refund will be possible for any unused part of the tour or entrance fee bought in advance.
* Entrance fee can not be transferred to another traveller. This is prohibited by law.
* For no show, full amount will be charged.
We charge the following fees per person:
For individual passengers:
* Cancellation after the booking time, we will charge USD 200.00.
* Cancellation make between 44 to 8 days prior to arrival, we will charge USD 300.00.
* Cancellation make between 7 to 0 days, we will charge full amount.
For groups:
* Cancellation after the booking time, we will charge USD 200.00.
* Cancellation make between 44 and 31 days, we will charge USD 300.00
* Cancellation make between 30 and 15 days, we will charge USD 450.00
* Cancellation make between 14 and 0 days, full amount will be charged.

Refunds:
* Refunds will be provided within 30 days of the clients submitting a letter or e-mail.

Additional notes:
* Inkanatura is responsible for providing al the services, tour packages and accomodations as confirmed.
* Inkanatura reserves the right to alter the program.
* It is important to mention that Inkanatura works by and for the client and it will look for the best for its clients not only when they book or travel but also when for a reasonable situation they have to cancel.
* Last minute bookings will be accepted but you must be alerted that there is the possibility that we will not get space at the hotel or tour that you need.
* Passport, visa, and health requirements are passengers responsabilities. We do recommend to obtain a travel insurance against cancellation and medical coverage.

Thanks for choosing InkaNatura Travel and Detour for your upcoming trip to Peru!

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Heath River Wildlife Center Bungalows
Heath River Wildlife Center Bungalows
Heath River Wildlife Center, Main Lodge
Heath River Wildlife Center, Main Lodge
Macaw Clay Lick
Macaw Clay Lick


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-- Susan L, Refugio Amazonas Family Adventure

We just got back from Peru on Sunday. It was a GREAT trip. We thoroughly enjoyed it! The highlight was truly the trek to Machu Picchu. Thanks for all of your help in making the trip very special. Everything went off without a hitch. We were very impressed.

-- Mary Ann, B., Multi-Activity Peru

We had a great time on the Galapagos Cruise. Our guides were very engaging and informative and everything was timed just right. We had the right amount of activity, food and leisure time every day. We are not \"cruising\" people and were apprehensive at first about being stuck on a boat for 7 days but we didn\'t feel \"stuck\" given the number of excursions we had each day and the fact that we snorkeled at least once or twice a day. We also extended our trip on the Islands and stayed at a hotel but definitely would recommend a cruise over staying on the islands. The islands gets very hot and there are lots of mosquitos but on the boat there is shade, wind and no bugs! Great amount of variety of animals and geography we saw. Sad to leave!

-- Wendy K., Galapagos Islands on the Eric, Letty, and Flamingo

I want to say I LOVED the trip. ECOCAMP was divine. Really amazing setting. The mix of people in the group was healthy. We all liked each other enough to dine every meal together.

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