Excursions
Quarter Day Excursions
Trail System
Take a walk to one of the trails that extend approximately 7,3 kilometers (4,5 miles) in Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica Natural Reserve and you will discover the incredible realm of the Amazon rainforest. The trails offer an excellent introduction to the jungle ecosystem, as you walk past exotic rainforest trees, such as the kapok tree (Ceiba pentandra) and the beautiful iron wood tree. Look down and spot the tiny lizards that rustle the leaves as they dart about on the forest floor. Gaze at the treetops and be amazed with the arena for bird watching. Observe the insect life and learn about the interpretation of the primary and secondary rainforest components, as well as the human impact and the relevance of the rainforests of the world.
Rainforest Walk
Walk along the lodge trails to the Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica Rainforest Garden just around the cabañas. This interesting native garden was started by the locals more than ten years ago showcasing native plants, trees and orchids. Learn to identify orchids, its flower parts, pollinators and different habitats. Know the fascinating history and legends, the practical and beneficial use of indigenous plants, as well as other remarkable rainforest flora. An in-depth explanation familiarizes you with the process, traditional use and highly interesting benefits of the plants and trees used for construction including those that were used for building the lodge, as well as native clothing accessories.
Twilight River
On this guided afternoon boat ride, you will witness the enchanting transformation from a diurnal to a nocturnal environment, as animals and birds of the daytime are replaced by species specially adapted to the night. As you enjoy their paradise, you will learn about their habits and characteristics while searching for nightjars, owls, capybaras and caimans. In addition, on a clear night the southern hemisphere stars can be appreciated.
Rainforest by Night
Walk through the Inkaterra Ecological Reserve at night. Biological activity differs greatly between night and day in the Amazonian ecosystem. Venture into the forest and experience the mystery of the animal activity that awakens in the rainforest after dark, enhancing animal resources to create new adaptation mechanisms. Listen to nocturnal forest sounds and spot species that only emerge at night.
Half Day Excursions
Wetlands
Visit the remarkable wetlands system in the 200-meter boardwalk over the Aguajales rainforest swamps. The wooden footbridge is elevated 1 meter from the ground to allow space when the water rises during the rainy months. See the transition of the forest ecosystem from dry to marshlands, and observe the various species of amphibians, reptiles, snakes, birds and mammals that inhabit them. Get to know the lush flora and trees, how they adapt to the wetland ecosystem, their benefits and uses.
Gamitana Creek
Enjoy a walk to reach the adventures of Gamitana creek. The sights, scents and sounds of the jungle will surround you as you walk for one and a half hour, rambling through the rainforest along the banks of this winding, dark-water creek that is home to piranha, caimans, turtles and an abundance of brightly colored birds, towards “Sanipanga”, embarkation point. Board a canoe and navigate 1 hour dawn stream to the Gamitana Model Farm, appreciating the rich plant and animal life along the way. Enjoy a short guided walk to learn about an Amazon model farm and get the chance to make your own plantain flour used to make bread for breakfast at the lodge.
Lake Sandoval
A 30-minute ride by motorized canoe takes you to the Tambopata National Reserve, where wildlife surrounds you as you enjoy the one and a half hour walk along three kilometers of trails to reach Lake Sandoval. Glide in a canoe, across a beautiful, mirror-like oxbow lake that is home to the endangered giant river otter, as well as red howler monkeys, macaws, prehistoric hoatzins, also called “shanshos”, point-tailed palmcreepers and yellow spotted side-neck turtles.
Inkaterra Canopy Walkway
Take a 15-minute walk along the trail towards the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway Interpretation Center. A short briefing will be given about the project history, structure and the highlights in this unforgettable adventure at the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway. You will ascend the first tower and walk through the treetops of the giant Amazon Basin, across hanging bridges. Views unimaginable from below and possible only from the air are revealed on this network of towers, bridges and platforms. Be on the lookout for different birds, such as toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, among many others, or try to identify them through their songs, while on the observation decks. Learn about the interaction between flora and fauna at the various levels of the forest and its integration into the rainforest ecosystem.
Inkaterra Canopy Walkway & Anaconda Walk
A 10-minute ride by motorized canoe takes you to the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway Interpretation Center. After ascending the first tower, at 95 feet (29 mts.) above the forest floor, you will literally walk through the treetops for one-and-a-half hours along suspension bridges that link eight observation platforms. Enjoy landscapes and vistas that would be unimaginable from below, while on the look-out for giant strangler fig trees, orchids, toucans, woodpeckers, trogons and –with luck- birds of prey, monkeys or sloths. After your descent from the Canopy, experience the Anaconda Walk for about 30 minutes along the 200-meter wooden bridge over the wetland. In this lush ecosystem, you may observe the various species of amphibians, birds, mammals and abundant flora and trees of this seasonal flooded marshland.
Hacienda Concepcion
A 35-minute ride upriver takes you to Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción, home to a remarkable Botanical Garden with over 200 different species of rainforest plants. An in-depth explanation familiarizes you with the processing, uses and benefits of these traditional indigenous plants, including fascinating native medicinal uses. Next, take a canoe trip on a small lake and watch for wildlife – turtles, sun grebes, nightjars and herons. The activity ends in the forest with the observation of cacao and rubber tree plantations.
Full Day Excursions
Tambopata
Following a short motorboat ride from the lodge, this activity begins with a walk to Lake Sandoval. Be on the lookout for hoatzins, herons and ospreys as you glide across this mirror-like oxbow lake in a wooden canoe. Your excursion continues with a hike through the reserve to Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción. The surrounding vegetation will be roused on this trip, home to the paiche and black caimans, red howler, brown capuchin and squirrel monkeys; and the extremely rare and endangered giant river otter. Lunch at Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción is followed by a guided visit to a garden containing more than 200 medicinal plants and the possibility to practice the native arch and arrow usage.
Additional Excursions (Extra Cost)
Lake Valencia
This one-day experience in the jungle begins with a two-hour boat ride downriver to the scintillating Valencia oxbow lake. Fishing in the lake is perfectly complemented by sightings of varied wildlife and birds, including ospreys, herons, huge flocks of flying macaws and the king vulture. For lunch savor the fish you caught in the lake, served alongside other local food. Walk 1-hour in the primary forest and Brazilian Nut fields on your way around the rainforest. Return to the lodge by boat.
Ornithology
This is a bird watching experience in the rainforest. Departing from the lodge by dawn, travel by boat or walk through the forest accompanied by an Inkaterra Explorer Guide, on the lookout for your preferred bird species. Return to the lodge for lunch, and resume birding activities until sunset. (The interpretation level will vary according to preferences).
