PUERTO MALDONADO - PERÚ
Puerto Maldonado, capital of the Madre de Dios region, is the gateway to the Amazon of south-eastern Peru and the Tambopata area. Rainforest wildlife — monkeys, macaws, caimans and giant otters — is the main reason to travel.
Accommodation is provided at jungle lodges set upriver, reached by river boat from the city. These are usually sold as multi-day packages on full board, with airport transfers and guided activities included.
Operationally, programmes of at least three days and two nights are advisable to absorb the river travel times. Puerto Maldonado has air links from Lima and Cusco, and lodge transfers combine a road leg with a boat journey along the Madre de Dios and Tambopata rivers.
Useful information
Access Padre Aldamiz Airport (PEM), with flights from Lima and Cusco. From the airport, a road transfer to the jetty and then a river boat to the lodge (30 minutes to over an hour depending on the property).
Season Dry from May to October (best wildlife viewing and accessible trails); rains from November to April.
Currency · time · language Peruvian sol (PEN). UTC-5. Spanish; English at lodges.
Operations Lodge programmes run on full board, usually with a minimum-night stay. Pack light, with repellent, closed shoes and a torch. Coordinate flight times with the river transfers. Carry soles in cash.