Reserva
Amazonica |
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RESERVA AMAZÓNICA is part of a
private ecological reserve adjacent to the Tambopata National Park,
situated in the southern part of the Peruvian Amazon basin, in the Tambopata
Province, Department of Madre de Dios. The Reserve is reached by following
the extraordinarily broad Madre de Dios River, accessed from the nearest
town, Puerto Maldonado, which is located at the intersection of the
Tambopata and Madre de Dios Rivers.
The southern Peruvian rainforest is one
of the last easily accessible virgin tropical rainforests of the world.
Conservation International considers it widely unexplored and one of
the global Mega Diversity Hot Spots. The region has remained intact
because of limited road access and the fact that it is home to several
major National Parks: Manu, Candamo, Tambopata National Reserve, Amarakaeri
and Bahuaja Sonene Reserve, altogether summing over 9 million protected
acres or 3.6 million hectares -larger than the total area of Belgium-.
The wildlife is remarkable, from giant
and colorful macaws, to toucans, parrots, tapirs, tamarin monkeys, owls,
the gorgeous Southern Amazon Red Squirrels, as well as a large variety
of monkeys. RESERVA AMAZÓNICA has the world record of ant species
in a single place (362 species), according to Professor E.O. Wilson
(Harvard University).
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RESERVA AMAZÓNICA is an ecological
lodge in a Rain Forest environment and climate providing an authentic
experience in a natural setting. The rooms have no electricity or hot
water (with the exception of the Amazónica Suites which have
solar heated showers).
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RESERVA AMAZÓNICA provides the best
tourism infrastructure available in the entire region, and is a prime
location for exploring the rainforest. The lodge boasts 30 private cabanas
and 3 suites built with local materials in native style. Service areas
are located in a two-story wooden pavilion with a cathedral ceiling housing
the dining room, bar, the main lounge and a mezzanine overlooking the
rainforest, where visitors can relax while contemplating the unique scenery. |
Rooms are palm thatched-roofs, wooden
and rustic, built in the Amazon's traditional Ese-Eja and Machiguenga
styles. Each room is attractively furnished with log chairs, comfortable
beds shrouded by mosquito netting and a small porch with two hammocks.
The cabanas have no electricity, adding to the charm and authenticity.
After dinner, guests return to their cabanas across tree-trunk-boardwalks
to find lit candles and kerosene lamps lighting the entry and bathroom.
Three of the cabanas rate as "suites"
and have a more luxurious bedroom with two double beds. Also following
indigenous architectural traditions, suites are more spacious and feature
large bathroom showers with solar heated filtered water, a walk-in closet,
large windows and a spacious terrace with two hammocks.
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Massage
The massage room is located on the banks
of the Madre de Dios River, facing Rolin Island called the island of the
monkeys. This is a great spot for watching Amazonian sunrises and sunsets,
adding to your relaxation. |
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The following Activities are
part of the explorations on Reserva Amazonas:
Amazon Gastronomy
Visitors learn directly from our cooks about the variad, exotic ingredients
and processes involved in Amazon cooking.
Animal Footprints
Visitors search and identify animal footprints along the Amazon trails,
and have the chance to take home intact wax replicas of the footprints
they find.
Bird Watching
The Madre de Dios Rainforest is home to more than 500 bird species.
Visitors can view approximately 180 species, both inside the rainforest
or outside on beaches and rivers. Specialized guides with wide ornithological
experience are available at the lodge, allowing birdwatchers to enjoy
their hobby in one of the richest bird ecosystems on earth.
Discovering the Amazon Ecosystem
The Amazon Rainforest encloses a wide array of ecosystems, each composed
of specific water and land resources, specific microclimates and diverse
species. Travelers may explore part of this universe through trails,
swamps, creeks and streams in RESERVA AMAZÓNICA.
Flora Observation
Visitors discover the colors and shapes of orchids, heliconias and bromelias;
the divine world of the "walking palm trees"; the smells of
vanilla and the sacha ajo; the symbiosis between the tangarara tree
and the "fire ant"; and the "battle" between the
destroyer matapalo and immense trees. Our guides are perfectly qualified
to answer all visitor questions.
Jungle Survival Skills
Our skilled local guides show the jungle through the eyes of a survivor.
Guests learn several techniques including how to use the longbow and
the blowgun, to recognize which animals and plants are edible and to
identify local sounds.
Native Styled Fishing
Visitors have the chance to experiment with diverse Amazon fishing techniques:
using fishhooks and spears, nets and traps, or fishing bows and tarrajas.
Photography
Visitors explore the photo opportunities of this magnificent photographic
paradise.
Searching for Medicinal Plants
Amazon foresters know of more than 3000 medicinal plants from which
they obtain resins, fruits, leaves, brews or essences. Many of these
species have been incorporated in western medicine in a variety of ways,
and there is still much research. Visitors will acquire this learn to
identify oje, uña de gato, sangre de grado, and aphrodisiac cashapona
aerial root, and even sample native medicinal plants.
Swimming in the Amazon
Occasionally, travelers may swim in the lukewarm waters of lakes and
streams, at their own risk.
Star Gazing
Visitors discover the astounding southern sky from land or the Madre
de Dios River, using our special equipment.
Tracking Ants
This activity entails following and identifying different Amazon ant
species and learning about their team-based working system, as well
as understanding the importance of ants in the Amazon ecosystem. During
his work at RESERVA AMAZÓNICA, Harvard Professor Edward O. Wilson
registered the world record of ant species in a single place (362 species).
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Excursions on Reserva Amazonas
Lodge
Evening Nature Presentations
Peruvian and international scientists
-or our resident biologist- present slide shows and lead informative
talks on their work and their experiences with the flora and fauna of
RESERVA AMAZÓNICA. Topics include Amazon ecosystems, local communities,
the Tambopata biodiversity, and other topics related to the ecological
reality of Madre de Dios.
Duration: 1 hour
Trails System
Our Trails System includes four clearly-cut trails and extends across
roughly 8 km (6 miles) of the lodge's surrounding rainforest, providing
access to the various Amazon habitats: seasonably flooded forests and
groves, Amazon palms, and primary and secondary forests, among others.
Walking slowly and cautiously is advisable, as well as magnifying your
senses in order to take in the surrounding views and sounds. The Trail
System includes: Oje Trail, Lupuna Trail, Swamp Trail and Aguaje Palm
Trail.
Duration: 1 hour
Rainforest by Night
Venturing into the rainforest after dark enables visitors to listen
to nocturnal forest sounds and spot Amazon species that only emerge
at night, such as tarantulas, armadillos and even ocelots. A guide and
a powerful flashlight are required.
Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes.
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