4 Day Refugio Amazonas - Classic Program

Arrival & Reception by Guide
Our guides are tourism professionals or community members. Unless noted otherwise, our guides speak English. We assign guides at 10:1 ratio in Refugio Amazonas. This means groups smaller than 10 people will be merged with other groups under one guide. If you would like a private guide or a guide in a language other than English, please let us know.

Transfer Airport to Puerto Maldonado Headquarters
Upon arrival from Lima or Cusco, we will welcome you at the airport and drive you ten minutes to our Puerto Maldonado headquarters. While enjoying your first taste of the forest in our gardens, we will ask you to pack only the necessary gear for your next few days, and leave the rest at our safe deposit. This helps us keep the boats and cargo light.

Transfer Pto Maldonado Headquarters to Tambopata River Port
Skirting Puerto Maldonado, we drive 20 kilometers to the Tambopata River Port, entering the Native Community of Infierno. The port is a communal business.

Transfer Boat - Tambopata River Port to Refugio Amazonas
The two and a half hour boat ride from the Tambopata Port to Refugio Amazonas will take us past the Community of Infierno and the Tambopata National Reserve´s checkpoint and into the buffer zone of this 1.3 million hectare conservation unit.

Boxed Lunch

Orientation upon arrival, the lodge manager will welcome you and brief you with important navigation and security tips.

Dinner

Caiman Search
We will be out at the river's edge at night, scanning the shores with headlamps and flashlights to catch the red gleams of reflection from caiman eyes.

Superior Room at Refugio Amazonas - Overnight

Breakfast

Oxbow Lake Visit
We will paddle around the lake on a canoe or a catamaran, looking for lakeside wildlife such as hoatzin, caiman and horned screamers, hoping to see the otters which are infrequently seen here. You will also be rewarded with overhead sightings of macaws.

Canopy Tower
A thirty minute walk from Refugio Amazonas leads to the 25 meter scaffolding canopy tower. A bannister staircase running through the middle provides safe access to the platforms above. The tower has been built upon high ground, therefore increasing your horizon of the continuous primary forest extending out towards the Tambopata National Reserve. From here views of mixed species canopy flocks as well as toucans, macaws and raptors are likely.

Lunch

Farm Visit
Five minutes downriver from the lodge, lies a farm owned and managed by charismatic Don Manuel from the neighbouring community of Condenado. He grows a variety of popular and unknown Amazon crops just about every plant and tree you see serves a purpose.

Ethnobotanical Tour
Along this trail, we will find a variety of plants and trees that are used by the local population for a variety of purposes. We will learn about the medicinal and other uses of Ajo-Sacha, Yuca de Venado, Uña de Gato, Charcot-Sacha, Para-Para among several others.

Dinner

Tambopata National Reserve Lectures
Nightly lectures prepared by the staff of Refugio Amazonas, cover conservation threats and opportunities /projects in the Tambopata National Reserve.

Superior Room at Refugio Amazonas - Overnight

Breakfast

Parrot Clay Lick
A fifteen minute boat ride and sixty minute walk from Refugio Amazonas, is a clay lick used both by parrots and parakeets. From a blind, you will see parrots and parakeets descend on most clear days to ingest the clay on a bank. Species such as Dusky headed and Cobalt winged Parakeet descend at this clay lick. With luck, we will also see some of the following species in the early morning rush: Mealy and Yellow-crowned Amazons, Blue-headed Pionus, Severe macaw and Orange-cheeled (Barraband`s) Parrot. We visit the lick at dawn, when parrots are most active as well as the midmorning to early afternoon.

Lunch

Brazil Nut Trail and Camp
A few minutes hike from the lodge, is a beautiful old growth patch of Brazil Nut forest that has been harvested for decades (if not centuries), where the precarious remains of a camp used two months out of the year by Brazil Nut gatherers can still be experienced. We will be demonstrating the whole process of the rain forest's only sustainably harvested product from collection, transportation to drying.

Mammal Clay Lick
Twenty minutes walking from Refugio Amazonas, is a peccary clay lick. These wild rain forest pigs show up in herds of five to twenty individuals to eat clay during the late morning. Chances of spotting them are around 15% but well worth the short hike. Other wildlife also show up including deer, guan and parakeets.

Dinner

Night walk
You will have the option of hiking out at night, when most of the mammals are active but difficult to see. Easier to find are frogs with shapes and sounds as bizarre as their natural histories.

Superior Room at Refugio Amazonas - Overnight

Breakfast

Transfer Boat - Refugio Amazonas to Tambopata River Port

Transfer Tambopata River Port to Pto Maldonado Headquarters

Transfer Puerto Maldonado Headquarters to Airport
We retrace our river and road journey back to Puerto Maldonado to our office and the airport. Depending on airline schedules, this may require dawn departures.

Know Before You Go

Although most of the planning and preparation is taken care of for you, there are still a few things you should know and some details you should take care of to ensure your comfort, safety and peace of mind. Please review the following information before your departure to ensure that any surprises along the way will only be pleasant ones.

Getting Ready to Go

Passports and Visas

It is each traveller's responsibility to have a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of entry to Peru and a visa if required.

Passengers requiring visas, whether obtained in advance or locally upon arrival, should ensure that their passport has unstamped visa pages.

Passport information must be submitted to Valencia Travel Cusco at least 30 days prior to departure. This information is necessary to issue Machu Picchu train tickets.

 

Trip Preparation

A little pre-planning can make your trip go a lot smoother. Several weeks before your trip, make a list of what you will need to take with you. Make sure your personal documents (passports, visas and driver’s license) are in order and that you have enough prescription medications to last through the trip. We suggest that you make photocopies of passports, visas, personal IDs and any other important travel documents and pack them separately from the originals. Pack a list of medications including dosage and generic names. If you lose the originals while travelling, you'll have copies for easier reporting and replacement. You may consider bringing a small supply of over the counter medications for headaches and/or anti-diarrhea pills. We recommend that you pack a portable alarm clock. Avoid placing valuables such as cameras in your checked luggage. Airplane pressure can cause similar pressure in your body, most notably in ears, as well as liquid tubes and bottles. Your physician can suggest medication for decongestion. As for the liquid containers, we suggest that you squeeze out excess air from those containers and place into Ziploc bags to catch any leaks.

Cell Phones and Calling Cards

You may wish to carry a cell phone while traveling. Check with your cell phone provider if your phone will work in the destination(s) you are visiting. U.S. service is dominated by the CDMA technology standard, while most of the world uses the incompatible GSM standard. Some U.S. providers do offer GSM, but you may incur high international roaming fees. With GSM, however, you can often choose to have your phone unlocked and then add a local SIM card for lower fees. If you can access the Internet as you travel, you can take advantage of email or a Skype Internet telephone (VOIP) account for the best value. Alternatively, you may investigate renting a cell phone before you leave or buying an inexpensive phone locally.

When calling the U.S. from a Peru, you may also use a prepaid calling card; normally, the only additional charge (besides the prepaid long distance charges) is a local fee of a few cents and possibly a connection fee if you are using your card at your hotel. It is best to check with the hotel's reception desk prior to making phone calls to avoid unexpected charges.

Wireless Internet Access

Passengers traveling with WiFi enabled devices (such as a personal computer, smartphone, tablet, or digital audio player) may be able to connect to the Internet via wireless networks. Passengers requiring Internet access can often locate free WiFi hotspots such as libraries or coffee shops.

Staying Healthy While Traveling

All travellers should familiarize themselves with local conditions, such as high altitude or required immunizations, which could affect their health. We recommend you consult with your personal health-care provider, the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov) and/or the World Health Organization (http://www.who.int/en/) for their recommendations.

There are several easy steps you can take to stay healthy while traveling which may help prevent contracting an illness while away from home.
Watch what you eat. Try new foods in modest quantities, and depending upon your destination, you may want to avoid street foods, salad bars, raw vegetables and fruits, unless they have thick peels like bananas or grapefruit.

Stay hydrated. Drink bottled water and avoid consuming ice cubes made with tap water.
If you have allergies to foods, medications or insect bites, or have any other unique medical issues, consider a medical alert bracelet and/or a physician's note detailing required treatment should you become ill.

Wash your hands regularly and carry hand sanitizer.

Where appropriate, pack sunscreen and insect repellent (for both active and warm destinations).

You may also want to bring a small first-aid kit with band aids, antibiotic cream, pain killers, bug bite cream, digestive aids like antidiarrheal or anti-bloat medications, antacids, and cold medicine. This is in addition to any prescription medications to last for the entire trip.

Climate & Clothing

In Peru, the sun is strong, particularly in higher altitudes. Please, bring a sun hat that has a circular brim all the way around (not a baseball cap) and sunscreen. Bring comfortable, cushioned walking shoes for the hard cobblestone streets, a sweater, clothes you can layer and an all-weather jacket. Remember that during your trip, you will be travelling between regions and will need to be prepared for all weather conditions. Winter months (May through October) are cold. During those periods, you will need a warm jacket, gloves, a hat and a scarf.

The highland regions of Peru (Cuzco, Puno, Urubamba and Machu Picchu) have a dry temperate climate that also experience two distinct seasons. The dry season (May through October) consists of sunny days and cold nights with very little rain. The rainy season in the highlands runs from December to March. Temperatures can change drastically during the day in this region, sometimes varying as widely as highs around 65°F and lows of 35°F during the same day.

IMPORTANT
Peru Average Temperatures

City		Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Lima	Low	68	70	70	67	63	61	61	61	59	61	63	67
	High	79	81	81	76	72	70	67	67	67	70	72	76
Urubamba	Low	46	46	46	43	39	36	34	37	41	45	45	46
	High	68	68	68	70	70	68	68	70	70	72	72	70
Cuzco	Low	43	43	43	41	36	32	32	36	40	41	43	43
	High	65	65	67	67	67	67	67	67	68	70	70	70
Puno	Low	39	38	38	34	29	25	21	25	30	34	37	38
	High	61	61	61	63	61	61	61	61	63	65	63	63
Aguas Calientes	Low	45	45	42	41	37	34	32	36	39	43	43	45
	High	66	66	66	68	68	66	66	68	68	70	70	70

Book & Film Recommendations

Many of our guests enjoy reading about their destination, either in advance of their trip or while travelling, as a way of adding context to their visit. Whether reading a traditional guidebook, learning about the history and culture, or simply enjoying a fictional novel set in the destination, a good book can add greatly to your experience. Similarly, a good movie set in your destination helps set the mood before you travel. We asked our tour managers and staff to recommend books and films that past guests may have enjoyed. The following list does not constitute an endorsement of any authors, books or movies; it is merely a collection of guests' recommendations.

Books

Machu Picchu:
Lost City of the Incas by Hiram Bingham (1948)
Machu Picchu Sacred Center by Johan Reinhard (2007)
Turn Right At Machu Picchu by Mark Adams (2011)
Machu Picchu: Unveiling the Mystery of the Incas by Richard L Burg (2008)
Incas: Book 3: The Light of Machu Picchu by A.B. Daniel (2003)
The Steamer Trunk Adventures #2: The Ghosts of Machu Picchu by R.M. Garcia (2006)

General Peruvian Life / Exploration:
The Peru Readers by Orin Starn, Carlos Ivan Degregory, and Robin Kirk (2005)
The Art of Peruvian Cuisine by Tony Custer (2003)
Eight Feet in the Andes: Travels with a Mule in Unknown Peru by Dervla Murphy (2003)
Conversation in the Cathedral by Mario Vargas Llosa (1975)
Aunt Julia & the Scriptwriter by Mario Vargas Llosa (1977)
The White Rock - An exploration of the Incas heartland by Hugh Thomson (2001)

Incas:
The Conquest of the Incas by John Hemming (1970, reprint 2003)
Narrative of the Incas by Juan de Betanzos (originally from 1550s, not discovered and published until 1980s)
The Secret of the Incas by William Sullivan (1997)
Incas: Books 1&2 by A.B. Daniel (2002-2003)

Other Archaeology/sites:
Lost Tomb of Viracocha by Maurice Cotterell (2001)
Temple by Matthew Reilly (2002)

Movies:
The Secret of the Incas (1957)
The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)
The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1969)
Indiana Jones & The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008).

 

About Your Flights

Airline Seat Assignments

As a courtesy service, airline seat assignments are requested on your behalf and, when available, are displayed in order of passenger number. Assignments reflect the best available seats at the time of booking. Some airlines and/or fare types do not allow for pre-seating and require this be done at airport check-in only; in which case the display shows "N/A". Seats are subject to change by your airline(s) including, for example, when there is a schedule change or equipment change after your initial booking; this may cause seat assignments to be changed or even cancelled. In the event that you change seat assignments directly with your airline, changes will not be reflected on this display. At the time that Valencia Travel Cusco documents are issued, the currently assigned seats will be listed based on the assignments stored in your airline reservation at that time. Should you have questions regarding your assignments, please email us at the following: info@valenciatravelcusco.com.

Luggage

Although luggage sizes are now fairly standard, each airline does have specific requirements based upon the route and aircraft size.
Valencia Travel Cusco land tour packages allow for one piece of luggage per person plus a carry-on bag. Valencia Travel Cusco is not responsible for loss or damage to luggage and personal belongings. Therefore, you must report any loss or damage items immediately at the time of the incident and obtain a written report from the local authority for submission to your insurance provider. Avoid placing valuables in your checked luggage. If your luggage is lost or damaged by the airlines, a baggage claim form must be filed with the carrier before leaving the airport. Any cost to retrieve luggage will be your responsibility and you should retain receipts to submit to your insurance provider.

Code-share Flights

If your flight itinerary displays a flight as "Operated By" another carrier, you should check-in at the desk of the "Operated By" airline. When you arrive at the airport, check the airport monitors for updated check-in desk listings.

Airline Flights

Please check in at least three to four hours prior to the scheduled departure time for international flights and two hours prior for domestic flights. Many airlines do not permit check-in less than one hour prior to the scheduled departure time.

Passengers connecting from another point within the USA should check their luggage through to their final destination. Although problems with lost luggage have been minimal, it is a possibility. Certain carriers do not allow baggage "interlining," and luggage must be checked separately for each flight. When you check your luggage, please verify where your luggage is being sent. If you are connecting from a domestic flight that is delayed for any reason, causing you to miss your international flight, ask the airline for assistance in getting you to your destination. Since all airline tickets are issued on special fares that carry restrictions and penalties if changed, you must hold the airlines responsible for making alternate arrangements on your behalf, as Valencia Travel Cusco has no authority or control over airline activities and policies. Do not leave the airline check-in desk until an alternative itinerary has been confirmed.

The Transportation and Safety Administration

The (TSA) has increased security measures drastically since September 11, 2001. Plan to arrive no fewer than two hours prior to a domestic flight and three to four hours prior to an international flight. Check the TSA website www.tsa.gov for the current list of acceptable items you may bring on a plane before packing.

About Business Class Airfares
Business Class service may not be available on all flights or aircraft types, and therefore some flights within an itinerary may not include Business Class seating. This includes, for example, some US domestic connections and/or short haul flights abroad. When Business Class service is not available, you will be accommodated in the best alternative class of service and seating. Please check your operating airline to determine the extra services you may receive in Business Class.

Peru Domestic Flights
The airline tickets enclosed are for your international flights to/from Lima (provided that you purchased them from Valencia Travel Cusco). If tickets for your flights within Peru are not enclosed, you will receive your tickets (for example, Lima to Cuzco and vice versa) once you arrive in Peru. Please note that you may only bring a total of up to 50lbs of luggage per person on flights within Peru. This weight restriction may differ from your international carrier's and is subject to change.
A passport or picture ID is required to board all flights in Peru.

Frequent Flier Programs

Passengers are responsible to contact their airline directly regarding mileage eligibility and accrual. Airline frequent flier programs determine whether to award miles in part or total based on their own rules, which are updated frequently. Some discounted or promotional airfares as well as some code-share flights are not eligible for mileage accrual.