Budget Travel in the Peruvian Amazon

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Looking to travel to the Amazon but can’t afford to stay in one of the popular ecolodges?  Try one of these alternatives for Budget Travel in Peru.  Each lodge or homestay is owned by local Peruvians who are familiar with the flora, fauna and culture in the rainforest.  Prices include transfers from the Puerto Maldonado airport, lodging, food and a local guide knowledgeable in many aspects of the Amazon jungle.

 

 

1.     El Parayso: Owned by the Balarezo Yabar family, Parayso (paradise), has one of the most well-preserved forests in the ecotourism corredor.  The homestay is located about 25 mintues from the airport by car along the Tambopata river.  Guest sleep in double bungalows located by the riverbank, each one with a small balcony and hammock. Bathrooms are shared.  Along with forest walks and learning about and tasting local fruits, guests can learn about the area from a family who settled in the ecotourism corridor during the heyday of the rubber boom.  Mr. Francisco and Mrs. Beatriz, parents of 10 grown children, are still in admirable physical condition. Listening to their life stories from decades ago helps visitors better understand the lifestyle and development of this region. 3D/2N program: $113 USD

 

2.     El Refugio K'erenda Homet:  This lodge is owned by the Zambrano family who are have been greatly acknowledged for turning pasture, used for cattle ranching, into an exuberant and diverse forest over the course of 22 years.  El Refugio is located along the Tambopata river 15 minutes from Puerto Maldonado city. Its lodging area offers 3 cabins, each with a restroom and basic utilities. Visits to K'erenda Homet are focused on agroforestry, environmental education and the rainforest itself. The main attraction is the "Environmental Educational Path – Tropical Forest Diversity" where visitors will be able to see a great variety of species of flora and with luck animals that have repopulated the zone after the rehabilitation of their natural habitat. 3D/2N program: $113 USD

 

3.     Majosehue Homestay: The Mishajas are Ese'eja descendents who live in the Native Community of Infierno and have created a homestay led by Don José Mishaja, a shaman from the Community. From Puerto Maldonado, the homestay is located 50 minutes by car and 2 hours upriver by boat. Visitors are lodged in a small building with basic utilities, a kitchen and a little dining area.  The farm and the ethno-botanical garden, located right next to Majosehue, give visitors a chance to learn about local fruits and plant species as well as medicinal plants like Ayahuasca.  Other activities include natural attractions such as a visit to a nearby parrot clay lick, a 90-minute walk to the Cocococha Lake, inhabited by a group of river otters, paddling and fishing on the lake. 3D/2N program: $210 USD

 

4.     El Gato:  The Casa Hospedaje El Gato is built on a 45-hectare property, which is situated adjacent to the Tambopata National Reserve. It is located some four and a half hours by boat from the River Port in Puerto Maldonado.  Lodging accommodations consist of six simple rooms, with a total of 18 beds. Bathrooms are shared. The main building serves as the dining room and meeting area for family and visitors. Activies at El Gato include jungle walks that offer the possibility to see a variety of flora and fauna, fishing for creatures such as doncellas, piranhas, sardines, huasacos and catfish, visits to a local farm, a trip to a parrot claylick, and a nocturnal boat trip on the Tambopata River which makes it possible to look for caimans with the help of flashlights. 3D/2N program: $282 USD

 

 

 

 

10 Best Places in Peruvian Amazon

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1.     Puerto Maldonado: The capital of Madre de Dios and the gateway to protected areas of the region. The city is located in southeastern Peru, 55 km (34 mi) from Bolivia's border and sits on the confluence of the Tambopata and Madre de Dios rivers. Holding about half of the region's total population it is the largest city in Peru's southern Amazon.

 

2.     Tambopata Research Center:  This lodge is home to the famous Macaw research project and the Colpa Colorado, one of the largest Macaw clay licks in the world.  A minimum of four nights is required to visit TRC due to the fact that it is 8 hours by boat from the river port in Puerto Maldonado, but it’s well worth the trip. 

 

3.     Sandoval Lake:  Home to a family of endangered Giant Otters, Sandoval lake is one of the most beautiful and wildlife-rich lakes in the Tambopata region. 

 

4.     The Amazon Shelter:  Located in the Tambopata Ecotourism Corridor, the Amazon shelter is temporary home to a variety of rainforest animals that are either injured or victims of illegal wildlife trafficking.  The ultimate goal is reintegration back into the wild.  Go for a day tour or stay a week to volunteer and interact directly with the animals. 

 

5.     Kapievi: An ecovillage that serves as a peaceful refuge for guests who want to experience the tranquility of the rainforest.  The center conducts yoga classes twice a day, offers affordable lodging and serves 3 meals a day in their vegetarian restaurant.

 

6.     Tambopata Adventure Center: Sea kayak on the Tambopata river, learn stand-up paddling, climb a Brazil Nut tree using ropes and harnesses, or mountain bike in the Amazon rainforest.  Experience the Peruvian Amazon in action.

 

7.     Castañal Valera: Brazil nut extraction, which produces about 10 million dollars per year, has become one of the most important sustainable enterprises in Madre de Dios. The El Castañal provides access to a camp that shows the visitors how the nut gatherers work and live during the gathering season and the tools they use to collect and open the nuts. Visitors are surrounded by giant Brazil Nut trees which can reach up to 50 meters (150 feet) tall. 

 

8.     The Tambopata River: This river flows from the eastern slope of the Andes, along the border of the Puno region, through the Tambopata National Reserve and ends in Puerto Maldonado, the largest city in Peru’s southern Amazon.  The river can be accessed through many tour companies.  Tambopata Ecotours is comprised of 15-different family-owned homestays, most of which are located along this biodiverse river. 

 

9.     Centro Etnobotánico Ñape: The Centro Etnobotánico Ñape of the Native Community of Infierno was founded in 1986 with the goal to offer a place where community members could find treatment with medicinal plants found in the adjacent forest. This is the best place in Tambopata to learn about traditional medicine in the Amazon.  Guests who have prepared ahead of time may be able to take part in an Ayahuasca ceremony.

10.  Refugio Amazonas: Rated by Trip Advisor as #1 for specialty lodging in Puerto Maldonado, Refugio Amazonas is a 32-room comfortable lodge operated by Rainforest Expeditions.  Located 4-hours by boat from Puerto Maldonado, this lodge has experienced guides and well-organized programs giving guests an excellent Amazon adventure. 

 

Budget Tours in the Amazon

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Budget Travel in Peru - Tambopata, Peru, often referred to as the “capital of biodiversity” is well known for its huge variety of plant and animal species.  In addition, the area has a culture of its own with unique food, handcrafts, and traditions specific to the people who have inhabited the region for many generations. There are a variety of affordable ways travelers can experience every aspect of the nature and indigenous culture Tambopata has to offer without breaking the bank.

 

 

Restaurants in Tambopata: 

●      Villa Hermosa:  This recreation center, located 10-minutes from the center of Puerto Maldonado, has a restaurant which offers a variety of dishes typical to the area (as well as a few touristic dishes which cater to the less adventurous eater). 

●      El Parayso:  A small homestay owned and operated by the Balerzo Yabar family, the original settlers in the Tambopata Ecotourism Corridor.  As part of their stay guests enjoy local cuisine prepared by the owners in their own kitchen. 

●      Kapievi: An ecovillage located about 10-minutes from Puerto Maldonado in the ecotourism corridor.  Their vegetarian restaurant offers both local and international vegetarian dishes.

 

Wildlife:

●      Amazon Shelter: A great place to not only see, but interact with the wildlife of Tambopata.  The Amazon Shelter rescues injured animals, or animals that have been kept as pets and attempts to rehabilitate them and integrate them back into the wild.  Go for a day visit or spend the night. 

 

Flora:

●      El Refugio K'erenda Homet: A botanical center owned by the Zambrano family who are widely acknowledged for turning cattle pastures into a diverse forest over the course of 22 years.  Visitors are taken for a tour along the  "Environmental Educational Path” and taught about many of the flora species the forest has to offer. 

 

Lodging:

●      Tambopata Ecotours Peru: This collaborative is comprised of 15 families offering a variety of homestays along the ecotourism corridor and the Tambopata river. For those looking for an introduction to the rainforest, the Tambopata Ecotourism Corridor offers the right mix of rainforest flair within proximity to the city. The Tambopata Homestays cater to visitors who want to learn about the culture of Tambopata while staying rustic and experiencing one of the most biodiverse rainforests in the world.

 

Ayahuasca Ceremonies:

●      Centro Etnobotánico Ñape:  Don Honorato is a medicine man from the Native Community of Infierno. His knowledge on medicinal plants, their preparation, use and importance is vast.  He and his assistant treat patients at this little clinic called Centro Etnobotánico Ñape, sometimes using the Ayahuasca ceremony as a form of treatment.  Guests who are interested in participating in an Ayahuasca ceremony are required to plan in advance so they are able to prepare properly.

●      Majosehue: This homestay is operated by the Mishajas, who are native descendants of the Ese Eja tribe.  Don José Mishaja, a shaman from the native community, is the leader of this initiative and provides an insight into the world of Ayahuasca to those visitors with great respect for this ritual and understanding of the importance of this plant for the local populations.

●      Saona: A homestay owned and operated by the Durand family which consists of twelve siblings native to Madre de Dios, who have forever been engaged in agriculture.  Visitors are able to participate in Ayahuasca sessions led by a shaman. 

 

Tours in the Peruvian Amazon

There are many ways to experience the rainforest in Peru, the “capital of biodiversity.”  While many tours in Puerto Maldonado offer calm jungle walks or boat rides along the Tambopata river, some people prefer active exploration of the forest.  If you are one of these people, try an adventure activity.  At the Tambopata Adventure Center, you can participate in as many as you have energy for!  Don’t know how to climb a tree?  Don’t worry, experienced adventure guides are trained in instruction and safety of each of these exciting activities. 

 

 

●      Sea Kayaking:  Quieter than motorboats, kayaks can be one of the best ways to access rainforest wildlife along the Tambopata river.  These sea kayaks give the paddler more maneuverability to make quick turns when they spot an interesting bird, such as a Macaw, or mammal such as a Capybara.  And for those looking for more of an adventure than simply paddling, it is possible to access white water during time of the year when the Tambopata river is at higher levels. 

 

●      Tree Climbing:  Use ropes and harnesses to climb more than 30 meters to the top of one of Tambopata’s emergent trees.  After the total body workout it takes to reach the top, you will have a birds-eye view of the forest canopy.

 

●      Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) Boarding:  While SUP boarding has had a presence in the surfing world since the 1960’s, it has recently brought its presence to the Peruvian Amazon.  While some enjoy these long and wide boards for riding waves, others appreciate the core workout involved in stand-up paddling.  This can be an excellent way to not only access the Tambopata river, but feel apart of it as you paddle upstream, then ride back down with the flow of the river.  

 

●      Mountain Biking: Cruse through various types of temperate rainforest on a mountain bike circut.  Trails are designed to give you the right amount of challenge while allowing you to enjoy the sights around you.

The Health Benefits of Uña de Gato (Cat’s Claw)

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Of all of the traditional medicines in the Amazon, Cat’s Claw (locally known as Uña de Gato) is the most well-known around the globe.  While few scientific studies have been done to prove its effectiveness, this plant has been used for centuries in South America to treat and prevent illness.  In the seventies, it was discovered and marketed by a German company and can now be found in the herbal remedy section of most pharmacies world-wide.

 

The Uña de Gato vine is native to many countries in Central and South America, particularly in the Amazon Rainforest.  It is chalked full of antioxidants giving it excellent preventative properties to support the immune system.  In Tambopata, Peru and other regions of South America the medicine is often prepared by Shamans who create a drink from the extract of the bark.

 

A few more facts about Cat’s Claw:

 

●      In 1996 Peru exported 726 tons of this plant.

●      Uña de Gato has antinflamatory, antidiabetic, and antiarthritic properties. 

●      This plant is useful in both fighting and preventing cardiovascular disease.

●      In the past it has been used for abortions and to prevent pregnancy.

 

Other diseases that Cat’s Claw has been used against:

 

●      Cancer

●      Viral infections such as HIV and Herpes

●      Alzheimer’s Disease

●      Arthritis

●      Diabetis

 

 

Learn about other traditional medicines in South America: www.tambopataecotours.com

 

 

Add a homestay to your trip to Posada Amazonas or Refugio Amazonas

After spending 3 nights at one of Rainforest Expeditions’ ecotourism lodges, spend a couple more nights in Tambopata.  There are a variety of lodges and homestays in and around Puerto Maldonado that can give you a more thorough understanding of the people and culture in Madre de Dios.  All stays include food, lodging, and spanish-speaking hosts.  Interpreters are available upon request.  Here are a few great homestays in Tambopata:

 

 

●      Majosehue:  Majosehue is located within the Native Community of Infierno. Don José Mishaja, a shaman from the Community, is the leader of this initiative. The location of Majosehue allows access to different interesting natural attractions and an ethnobotanical garden. Majosehue give visitors a chance to get to know the fruit and plant species that are very important for the population.   know a

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●      Saona: Saona meaning “boa” in the Ese’Eja dialect, is located within the Native Community of Infierno. Saona is owned by the Durands, twelve siblings native to Madre de Dios. The property of all the Durand siblings accounts for approximately 600 hectares of well preserved forest. Saona show aspects of culture, as well as elements of nature. Saona offers Ayahuasca sessions led by a Shaman. by a

 

●      Casa Camping Sachavacayoc:The Casa Camping Sachavacayoc was formerly known as "Centro de la Interpretación de la Vida Silvestre El Castaño" offers a camping site which is next to the small farm. The activities are focused mainly on jungle walks and Brazil nut. The owner of The Casa Camping Sachavacayoc is Javier Huinga. For 8 years Javier was a park ranger for the Peruvian authority protecting national parks, reserves and other areas under public protection.

 

●      El Gato: Don Adrian Ramirez, Eduardo´s father, decided to start a new life with his family at the creek called El Gato.  The camp is built on a 45-hectare property situated adjacent to the Tambopata National Reserve. It is located on the right bank of the Tambopata River, next to the creek called El Gato. Thanks to its location ideal location this homestay offers diverse interesting activities for its guests organized around the creek, the forest and the small family farm. The property has a series of trails that go across one of the best well-preserved forests in private hand of the region.  Today it is operated by Don Adrian’s sons Eduardo and Victor with their mother’s support.

 

●      For more information and to meet some of these lovely families visit: http://www.tambopataecotours.com