Day 1 - Puerto Maldonado to Heath River Wildlife Center  We meet at the Puerto Maldonado airport and drive through town to the Tambopata River port. After boarding motorized canoes, we travel downriver to the mighty  Madre de Dios, which we follow for approximately four hours to the Heath River. We then travel up this wild and intimate river, which forms the wilderness border between Peru and Bolivia, and arrive at the Heath River Wildlife Center. Note that the Lodge is located on the Bolivian side of the Heath River so passports are required to clear Bolivian passport control. (L, D).

Day 2 - Heath River Wildlife Center We rise early in the morning to board a motorized canoe for the 10-minute journey up the Heath River to the macaw and parrot clay lick. Brightly-colored parrots and macaws fly in by the hundreds to feed on the clay that detoxifies certain seeds and nuts they eat. Marvel at the cacophony of sound and color as Red-and-green macaws vie for the best clay-eating position. A specially-designed floating blind allows for proximity and complete concealment -- so you can even have breakfast and coffee while the birds are performing their morning ritual. When we return to the lodge, the guide leads us on an ethno-botanical walk through the forest, pointing out flora used in the daily lives of rainforest people. The guide explains how certain plants are used for medicinal or healing purposes, which ones can be made into the best bows and arrows, and how to select trees and leaves for home construction. After lunch and a short rest, we hike through the rainforest to the Pampas del Heath, the largest remaining undisturbed savanna in the Amazon. The contrast is striking as we emerge from the mature rainforest onto the grassland plain of the Pampas. (B, L, D)

Day 3 - Heath River Wildlife Center We breakfast in the floating blind at the macaw and parrot clay lick for a last round of looks and photos. Then we return to the lodge to explore some trails. After lunch we could visit the Ese'Eja native community of Sonene, where there will be an opportunity to interact with the community and purchase local handicrafts or explore the trails. After dinner we'll explore the forest by flashlight, including a visit to a small mammal clay lick if it is active. (B,L,D)

Day 4- Heath River To Cusco or Lima Early morning departure to Puerto Maldonado. During the river trip back downstream, families of Capybaras are often spotted on the banks of the river. Weighing up to 120 pounds (55 kilograms), this giant, three-toed relative of the guinea pig is the largest rodent in the world. If time permits If time permits we will also Upon arrival, reception and transfer to the airport for the flight back to Cusco or Lima. (B)

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Published articles and reviews about us

2009 Testimonials

Ajay Parikh
Date: Thu,16 Jul 2009

Hello all the folks at Peru Gateway Travel, 
We had a fantastic time in Peru.  We thank you all for making our trip a success. 
The only concern is that the accommodation in Cusco was below average and we would not recommend the Emparada Plaza (?) to anyone.  Even though the staff was good, the room/bathroom, breakfast was very bad. 
Once again, thanks a lot for making our trip to your country a memorable one.  All the guides, especially Guillarmo in Lima and Erica in Cusco, were excellent.

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Kazuaki Kubo
Date: Thu,16 Jul 2009

I want to thank you and all of the staff of Peru Gateway Travel for the perfect arrangement of my trip in June.
Everything was so fantastic and I was made to think about another trip to Peru. 

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Sincerely, Denise Pratico
Date: Mon, 6 Jul 2009

I am writing to let you know that we enjoyed Peru very much. The city tour led by Marco was fantastic. We will be happy to recommend your agency to other Americans

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Jane
Date: Mon, 6 Jul 2009

We have completed our trip to Peru and are now back in New York City.  I want to thank you for all the arrangements you made.  The trip was wonderful and all our accommodations excellent.  Thank you for making our trip a success. 

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Best regards, Marcy
Date: Mon, 6 Jul 2009

We arrived home at 4 o'clock in the morning, very tired (we had a long lay-over in Amsterdam) but very very happy. I am so pleased to tell you that our Peru vacation that you planned for us was excellent! Everything was just as the itinerary said it would be. We were very pleased with the hotels, and the transfer people and guides were always there and everybody was so nice and knowledgeable. We learned a lot about your very exciting country and its history, particularly about the Quechua culture. We will always remember the Inti Raymi festival in Cusco. I am so glad we were able to see that. Of course Machu Picchu was also a great highlight. And, Michael and I also very much liked Arequipa. We didn't know much about that city, but we had a very great time there on our free day and visited the cathedral, spent a lot of time going through the Santa Catalina monastario and, of course, went to the museum to see "Juanita". Beautiful architecture there too.
Really, every day was wonderful, and we would like to thank you so much for all your efforts. Also please extend our thanks to Maria Carmen who was so helpful on the phone and to Julia, who came to the hotel our first night to explain many things to us and give us all our tickets and vouchers. And perhaps you also had something to do with our last night in Lima at the Libertador. We got a suite -- a very big beautiful room! Thank you so much.
We wish you and your family all the best, and for sure we will be recommending Peru Gateway Travel to our friends.

 

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