Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A recommended guide is Gilber Reategui Sangama ( 57-9018;
junglesecrets@yahoo.com) , who owns the boat La Normita in Yarinacocha. He has ex-
pedition supplies (sleeping pads, mosquito nets, drinking water) and is both knowledge-
able and environmentally aware. He speaks some English, is safe and reliable, and will
cook meals for you. He charges about S125 per person per day, or S25 per hour, with a
minimum of two people, for an average of three to five days. Gilber lives at the lakeside
village of Nueva Luz de Fátima, and offers tours to stay with his family; his father is a
shaman with 50 years' experience. Another good guiding outfit is reader-recommended
father-and-son-operated Ucayali Tours ( 961-728-108; http://ucayali-
tour.blogspot.co.uk ) which charges around S90 for guided tours of Yarinacocha and the
more distant waterways of the Río Ucayali. Another good guide with his own boat is José
Selva ( 961-740-671) ; ask for him along the Puerto Callao waterfront.
Other guides, however, will claim the above are unavailable or no longer work there.
Don't believe all you hear: a good boat driver will float slowly along, so that you can look
for birdlife at the water's edge, or perezosos (sloths) in the trees. Sunset is a good time to
be on the lake.
Boat trips to the Shipibo villages of either San Francisco (also now reached by road)
or, better, Santa Clara (reached only by boat), are also popular. For short trips, boat
drivers charge around S20 an hour for the boat; these can carry several people. Bargaining
over the price is acceptable.
Sleeping & Eating
Several inexpensive restaurants and lively bars line the Puerto Callao waterfront. The bet-
ter ones are toward the right-hand side as you face the lake, where you'll find La Maloka
and nearby Anaconda , a floating restaurant, among other choices.
La Maloka Ecolodge $$
( 59-6900; lamaloka@gmail.com; Puerto Callao; s/d S120/180; ) This is the only
decent place to stay in Puerto Callao. It is worth forking out the extra cash for the comfort.
La Maloka Ecolodge is located at the right-hand end of the waterfront. It is built right out
on the water, with the amply sized but unadorned rooms sitting on stilts over the lake.
There is a relaxing outdoor restaurant and bar area overlooking the lake; pink dolphins
regularly flash their flippers for guests. The only downside is a small menagerie of sad-
looking caged animals.
LODGE
La Jungla $
BUNGALOW
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