Sadly we departed Cuzco after what was an incredible stay in what I think is the most beautiful city in Peru. Next stop Amazon! Arriving into Puerto Maldanad0 it was steamy and around 30deg. a slight difference from 15 deg in Cuzco. We all thought that we would melt when we stepped off the plane. It was a 45 minute drive on a dirty dusty road to our river boat that would take us on a 45 minute ride to our resort at Posada Amazonas for the next 3 days.

Posada Amazonas is a 30 bedroom lodge owned by the Community of Infierno and managed with Rainforest Expeditions. Thanks to its accessibility, excellent wildlife observation opportunities, cultural context and comfortable accomodation, Posada Amazonas is an ideal location for our introductory 2 night stay in Amazonia’s richest rain forests.

Posada Amazonas is built within a 2,000 hectare private reserve and is built using a combination of traditional native materials (wood palm fonds, wild cane and clay) combined with the architecture of modern day eco-lodge technology. Staying here is going to be the beginning of what will be the relaxing section of our trip. We were tempted with 3 course delicious meals consisting of a local flavor which also included fresh fruits and salads. After lunch on our first day we took a short hike to the Canopy Tower, a 35 mtr scaffolding canopy tower with bannistered staircase running through the middle provides safe access to the platform above. – Definately not for the faint hearted. From the top we obtained spectacular views of the vast expanses of standing forest cut by the Tambopata River winding through the middle of the jungle. Now and then toucans, parrots or macaws could be spotted flying against the horizon. Mixed species canopy flocks also landed in the treetop next to us

Back at the lodge we had an informative presentation on the Infierno ecotourism project and then enjoyed a scruptuous dinner by candlelight.

The following day we were up at 4am, yes I did say 4am not joking. Breakfast at 4.30am and then it was a 30 minute boat ride and 40 minute walk to Tres Chimbadas Oxbow Lake. The group were not convinced about starting early, but gratefull that they did, as we were not exposed to the heat of the hot sun which seems to envelope you in the middle of the day. When we arrived at the lake we hopped on a catamaran to search for the resident family of nine giant otters and other lakeside wildlife such as caiman, hoatzin and horned screaners. Some of the group fished and even managed to catch piranaha!! It was a huge and exciting day and sleep that night was peaceful. The following morning we were greated with the sounds of surrounding wildlife which was pure bliss.