If you're looking to get away, go deep into the Amazon and explore where few have gone before, the remote jungles near Puerto Maldonado in southeast Peru, is your best bet. Rushing through the region is the Madre de Dios river, a tributary of the Amazon river, and it waters several lakes, smaller rivers, and streams. Much of the area around Puerto Maldonado is protected, such as the Tambopata National Park, the Sandoval Lake, and other reserves. In this region lives hundreds of species of birds, insects, flowers, small mammals, reptiles, and fish. Accessible only by boat, the lodges near Puerto Maldonado are about as remote as you can get.
One of the lodges, Posada Amazonas, offers an exciting itinerary of activities for the adventurous traveler. During a three or four day stay at this lodge, you can can hike the surrounding trails, watch the beautiful parrots at the nearby clay lick, and paddle down meandering rivers to find a wide variety of birds, trees, flowers, and even the rare giant otter.
On your first day, once you arrive at the Puerto Maldonado airport, you will take a transfer to the nearby port, where you will ride with the next available boat to your lodge. Once there, the friendly staff will greet you, give you a brief orientation, and then allow you to unpack and rest in your new room.
Once settled, take a short walk to the 30 meter tall canopy tower. This tower will give you stunning views over the treetops to the Tambopata River, and will put you on the same level as the toucans, parrots, and macaws that nest here.
In the evening, relax in the dining room and enjoy an after dinner cocktail.
In the morning of your second day, you'll head out early for a boat ride and hike to lake Tres Chimbadas. At this location, you can glide along in a small catamaran, quietly passing by the sides of the lake so that you have the best chance of spotting the giant river otters who live here. There are also hoatzins and other birds here.
Next you'll head to the parrot clay lick. The salt on the embankment here attracts several types of macaws, parrots, and other visually striking birds. Then you'll head back to the lodge for lunch.
Afterwards, hop in a boat again, this time headed for the ethnobotanical trail, where you'll be guided by a naturalist who will explain how many of the plants along the trail are used for medicinal purposes in local communities.
After dinner in the lodge, you'll take a short night walk to encounter some of the nocturnal animals and insects who inhabit the jungles.
On your last morning in the jungle, you'll have breakfast in the lodge and then greet your river guide, who will take you back to Puerto Maldonado for the next section of your journey.
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