Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
LAGO VALENCIA
Just off the Río Madre de Dios and near the Bolivian border, Lago Valencia is about 60km
from Puerto Maldonado. At least two days are needed for a visit here, though three or four
days are recommended. This lake reportedly offers the region's best fishing , as well as
good bird-watching and wildlife-watching (bring your binoculars). There are trails into
the jungle around the lake. Lodges nearer Puerto Maldonado can arrange tours, as can in-
dependent guides.
RÍO HEATH
About two hours south of the Río Madre de Dios and along the Río Heath (the latter form-
ing the Peru-Bolivia border), the Parque Nacional Bahuaja-Sonene (admission S30) has
some of the best wildlife in Peru's Amazon region, including such rarities as the maned
wolf and spider monkey, although these are not easily seen. Infrastructure in the park, one
of the nation's largest, is limited, and wildlife-watching trips are in their infancy here.
Bahuaja-Sonene comprises part of the vast Tambopata-Madidi wilderness reserve that
spans a nigh-on 14,000 sq km tract across Peru and Bolivia. Park entrance fees should be
paid at Sernanp ( Click here ) in Puerto Maldonado: checkpoints along the way don't sell
tickets.
The simple, 10-room Heath River Wildlife Center Offline map (s/d 4 days & 3 nights
US$725/1150) is owned by the Ese'eja indigenous people of Sonene, who provide guiding
and cultural services. Trails into Parque Nacional Bahuaja-Sonene are available, and field
biologists have assessed this area as one of the most biodiverse in southeastern Peru: it's
too early to tell if the Tranoceanic Highway's construction could change this. Capybaras
are frequently seen, and guided tours to a nearby colpa (clay lick), a popular attraction for
macaws and parrots, are arranged. Hot water is provided and park entrance fees are in-
cluded. The first and last nights of tours are spent at Sandoval Lake Lodge ( Click here ) .
Contact InkaNatura ( www.inkanatura.com ; Cuzco 084-23-1138; Ricardo Palma J1
Urb Santa Mónica & Plateros 361; Lima 01-440-2022; Manuel Bañón 461, San
Isidro) .
RÍO TAMBOPATA
The Río Tambopata is a major tributary of the Río Madre de Dios, joining it at Puerto
Maldonado. Boats go up the river, past several good lodges, and into the Reserva Nacion-
al Tambopata (admission up to 4 nights S100) , an important protected area divided into
the reserve itself and the zona de amortiguamiento (buffer zone). The park entrance fee
needs to be paid at the Sernanp office ( Click here ) in Puerto Maldonado unless (as is
nearly always the case) you are on a guided tour, in which case you will pay at the relev-
Search WWH ::




Custom Search