Fishing in the Peruvian Amazon

While most fishing in the Tambopata National Reserve is illegal due to conservation concerns, Casa Hospedaje El Gato is a privately-owned property adjacent to the reserve offering sustainable fishing in their local creek.  This lodge, located about 5-hours by boat from Puerto Maldonado is an ideal location to fish for a variety of species while getting an introduction to the incredible flora and fauna in the area.

• The Owners: Don Adrian Ramirez settled on his property in the 1980’s with his family.  While he was aware of the resources the land and creek had to offer for agriculture and fishing, tourism had not yet become popular in Puerto Maldonado.  For years the family lived sustainably as they developed their farm and trails throughout the property.  In the 1990’s the Peruvian Amazon began to see a significant increase in tourism in the area and the family began to welcome guests to the property.  Eventually, Don Ramirez passes the property on to his sons Victor and Eduardo and in 1997, Casa Hospedaje El Gato was officially opened to tourism.  Today Don Ramirez’s two sons guide fishing tours and manage the property with the support of their mother and other family members for preparing meals and making guests comfortable.  
• What types of fish can I catch? Visitors have the option of releasing their catch or bringing it back to camp and having it prepared for dinner.  Among many species of fish that can be found in El Gato, here are some of the more common:
  • Piranhas
  • Doncellas
  • Catfish
  • Sardines
  • Huansacos
• What is the lodging like? Lodging at El Gato consists of 6 basic cabins (a total of 18 beds) with shared bathrooms.  The main lodge serves as a dining room and meeting area.  From here there is a view of the small waterfall along the Quebrada El Gato.  Travelers can also enjoy this view while relaxing in a nearby hammock.  All buildings at El Gato are constructed using local materials and techniques.
• What else can I do while I’m there?
  • Guided jungle walks offering the opportunity to see a variety of fauna such as monkeys, peccaries and many birds species.
  • Guided night walks through the forest to see some of the nocturnal species or along the water to hunt for Caiman with flashlights.
  • A visit to the family farm where guests will be able to try local fruits such as Papaya or Copuazu fresh from the plants.
  • Down time at the camp can be spent listening to the stories of the Ramirezs’ who are native to the area.  Ask them about their ancestors or how the area has changed since they first arrived.  They will have a wealth of stories to share with you.

 

Native Families in the Peruvian Amazon invite tourists for homestays

The Native Community of Infierno, comprised mainly of people from the Ese’eja tribe, sits adjacent to the Tambopata river only minutes from the city of Puerto Maldonado, Peru.  In 1996 the community signed a contract with Peruvian ecotourism company Rainforest Expeditions to build the Posada Amazonas lodge on their property.  When the 20-year contract was signed it was agreed upon that Rainforest Expeditions would train members from the community in ownership and operation of the lodge while both parties benefited financially.  At the end of the twenty years ownership and management of the lodge will be turned over completely to the community of Infierno.  The collaboration has received many awards for setting the standard of ecotourism in its purest form.  

 
Through this contract, the people of Infierno, who once made their living off destructive practices such as slash-and-burn farming or logging, are now familiar with all aspects of the tourism industry from guiding and food preparation to operations and marketing. Eventually, several families from Infierno learned that tourists had an interest in learning more about their native culture and traditions.  For this reason they developed their land, made their accommodations suitable for international tourists and opened their households up to homestays.  With deforestation of the Amazon wreaking havoc on many of the local flora and fauna species, the goal is to give value to the forest in a sustainable way.  Through tourism, this is possible.  

Saona: Saona is owned by the Durand family, comprised of twelve siblings with extensive experience in both agriculture and tourism.  Many of the siblings are bilingual (English and Spanish) and have been involved in some way or another in eco-tourism through the initiative with Rainforest Expeditions.  Their land is located approximately two hours by boat from Puerto Maldonado and consists of extensive farms with a plethora of local fruits and vegetables such as bananas, various citrus fruits, papaya, yucca, and corn.  

While staying with the Durands guests learn about indigenous Peruvian culture, have an opportunity to try local foods and are able to experience the jungle guided by those who were born and raised there.  There property has both a parrot and mammal claylick where animal species such as Macaws or Peccaries can sometimes be found eating clay.  The Durands offer tours of their extensive farms, allowing guests to sample many of the local fruits fresh from the tree.

The Durands are eager to welcome guests into their home to share in their customs and show others the value of this incredible forest.  As Rolando Durand says, “The aim is to preserve the area and protect wildlife.”

Majosejue: The Mishajas are Ese’eja descendants who have also worked in tourism for many years.  The father Don Jose Mishaja is a Shaman (natural healer) from the Native Community of Infierno.  Two of his sons are naturalist guides in the area and are experienced in meeting the needs of international tourists.  

Guests visiting Majosehue are taken on a tour through the Mishajas’ ethnobotanical garden to learn about the various plants the shaman uses for healing.  As their land is located along the border of the Tambopata National Reserve it offers close access to pristine forest.  A 90-minute guided hike takes guests to a nearby oxbow lake which is home to a family of Giant Otters.  Guests can paddle around the lake, fish for Piranhas and look for many of the bird species that inhabit the area.  

Centro Etnobotanico Ñape: This center, located along the Tambopata River, within the Native Community of Infierno was opened in 1986 with the goal of providing natural medicine to locals from the community.  In 2001, the center saw that tourists also had interest in the healing powers of rainforest plants and began to open its doors to international guests.

Operated by the shaman Don Horonato, the center recently completed construction of rustic cabins.  The shaman teaches guests the significance and use of many plants and offers the opportunity to prepare the medicines themselves. Visitors leave with a deep appreciation for the natural healing powers of the forest.

After a stay at one of these initiatives, tourists feel they have gained an understanding of not only the incredible flora and fauna in the rainforest but also the people who call it home.  For more information about Saona, Majosehue or Nape, please visit www.tambopataecotours.com.

What is Leishmaniasis? Your questions answered.

While very few travelers to Peru actually contract Leishmaniasis it is an important condition to be aware of in order to take proper preventive measures against it.  Here is the basic information about Leishmaniasis.  For more detailed facts, figures, and epidemiology,  visit the website for Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

 

• What IS Leishmaniasis?  It is a disease caused by the bite of a female sandfly carrying the parasite.  While there are two type of Leishmaniasis (visceral and cutaneous) we’ll just talk about cutaneous Leishmaniasis as it is the most common form of the disease.
• Symptoms of Leishmaniasis:
  • The most common symptom is a painless skin ulcer in the location where the bite occurred.
  • Less common symptoms may include: difficulty breathing, stuffy or runny nose, difficulty swallowing, or sores near mucous membranes.

• Treating Leishmaniasis: With the proper diagnosis and medication cure rates are high.  The sooner the parasite is discovered the sooner it can be treated and cured.  The disease can be identified by a doctor taking a small sample from the ulcer to look for the parasite.  Once diagnosed the condition can be treated with either tablets or injections, and occasionally it heals on its own.
• Preventing Leishmaniasis: The best way to prevent this disease is by preventing sand fly bites particularly during the hours of dawn and dusk when they are most active.
  • Minimize your skin exposure by wearing long-sleeved tightly-woven, light weight clothing during your time in the rainforest.  
  • Tuck in your shirt and pull your socks over the hem of your pants.
  • Use insect repellent containing Deet, carefully following the instructions on the container.  
  • Sleep under mosquito netting tucked tightly underneath your mattress.  

Three Great Ways to Spend a Day in Puerto Maldonado

What is the best way to spend a day in Tambopata?  Here are a few budget ideas that wont break the bank.  For $60 US each of these day-long activities includes transportation from Puerto Maldonado, snacks, lunch and local guides who known the rainforest better than anybody since they grew up there and call it their home.  Whether you're interested in adventure activities, local flora, or a day on the water there is an activity that caters to you.

Go on an Adventure!  Go to the Tambopata Adventure Center and try Sea Kayaking, Stand-Up Paddling and Mountain biking.  All equipment is included along with local guides who have extensive knowledge of wildnerness adventure safety.  For lunch, guests are taken to the rural botafogo estate where they will have the opportunity to chose from a variety of local fares. 

Visit the Puerto Maldonado private reserve.  This pristine forest is home to tress that are over 500 years old and more than 40 species of birds.  Tambopata is often referred to as the 'Capital of Biodiversity' due to its wide variety of fauna and flora species.  Guided by local people who call the rainforest their home, you can walk along well-maintained trails and see many of the varieties offlowers that grow in the forest.  Guests also have the opportunity to learn about the traditional medicinal uses of rainforest plants.

Spend your day on a Lake.  Sandoval Lake is one of the largest oxbow lakes in the area.  It is home to a family of the nearly extinct giant lake otters along with turtles, monkeys and more than 1,600 species of birds.  Spend the day navigating this lake on a catermeran with a local guide who can help you to spot and identify various wildlife species.

For more information or to book you adventure go to www.tambopataecotours.com