What to bring to visit the Amazon

Here we will share with you how to get ready and what to bring to Tambopata. As soon as you land at Puerto Maldonado airport – you are in our good hands! Your guide will be waiting for you at the airport with a sign with your name on it. From there, you’ll be transferred to the office by car and then to the port, for your journey upriver.

Your trip with us includes:

• All transportation once you arrive in Puerto Maldonado
• All meals
• Guide services
• Accommodation

And does not include:

• Flights
• Alcoholic drinks
• Massages
• Tips
• Souvenirs
• Travel Insurance
• Personal expenses

*It is imperative that clients take out adequate insurance cover for cancellation, curtailment, and medical.*

Baggage

Luggage is restricted to 15 kg per person (33 pounds).  

Luggage will be hand-carried during different stages of the trip. For your convenience, you can store your larger luggage at our office in Puerto Maldonado.

If you plan to visit other destinations in Peru or South America that require different clothing, you can pack separate bags and leave them safely at our offices in Puerto Maldonado.

We provide duffle bags for this purpose. Your bag will be waiting for you at the airport on your departure day.

Wi-Fi

Is available in the common areas of our lodges.  While the connection allows for email and social network perusing, it can be tough to upload photos or have a video call. We advise you not to plan virtual calls during your time at the lodges.

Please note that our lodges do not have phones and there is no cell phone service.

Languages

Our trips are conducted in English or Spanish, and it is therefore required that all participants have knowledge of English or Spanish and be able to communicate in that language. This is primarily due to safety factors.  If you would like a guide who speaks a different language, let us know and we will do our best to accommodate that request.

Currency

The currency in Peru is soles, which is the only legal tender in Peru.

Foreign currency can be exchanged at any of the commercial banks, which are well represented throughout the country. Visitors may bring any amount of foreign currency into the country.

At Rainforest Expeditions lodges we accept payment for services such as bar, boutique, and massages by credit card only. You can use cash for gratuities.

Please ensure you have a sufficient amount of US Dollars/Euro in cash of small denominations, as it is difficult to get any US$ or Euros locally.

Electricity

Electrical power at our lodges is run by generators that are on in the morning, around lunchtime, and at night. When you arrive at the lodge, our staff will inform you of the exact hours. Hot water is available throughout the day and there are chargers in common areas where you can always recharge your devices.

Note that 110V appliances will not work in Peru.

Peru has an electricity supply of 220 Volts and the shape of the plug looks like this

Time

Peru is always 5 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time

(UTC−05:00). Peru has only one time zone and does not observe daylight saving time.

Tipping / Gratuities

Tipping is not compulsory. If, however, you have received excellent service and would like to leave a token of your thanks, the following are guidelines:

• Guide – US$10 – $12 per guest per day.
• Lodge staff – US$5 per guest per day.

We would like to emphasize that tipping is definitely not a requirement but should be undertaken only by choice and dependent on the service received. Whatever you believe to be appropriate will be appreciated by the staff you have met.

Travel Documents

All visitors to Peru must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond their intended departure date from Peru.

Lost Luggage

The luggage that goes missing on scheduled flights is beyond the control of Rainforest Expeditions however, in the event that you arrive and your luggage does not arrive, we’ll work with the airline to get it delivered to you as soon as possible.

Each of our lodges has small gift shops where you can buy necessities.

Loss of Articles

Please note that we cannot accept any responsibility for the misplacement of any articles whilst on your travels. Naturally, we will endeavor to reunite you with your misplaced items but please bear in mind that logistics may not always be favorable for the return of articles.

Respecting Wildlife & Safety When Staying at Lodges

Safety is of utmost concern to us and we request you take note of the following guidelines:

1. Please listen to the lodge staff and guides. The safety precautions need to be taken seriously, and strictly adhered to.
2. Never walk on your own outside the lodge without a guide.
3. Observe animals silently and with a minimum of disturbance to their natural activities.
4. Loud talking can frighten the animals away.
5. Never attempt to attract an animal’s attention. Don’t imitate animal sounds, clap your hands, or throw objects.
6. Please respect your guide’s judgment about proximity to animals.
7. Litter tossed on the ground can choke or poison animals and birds and is also unsightly plus environmentally unfriendly.
8. Only smoke in the designated areas.
9. It’s not allow the use of drones for entertainment.

Photographic Tips

Spare batteries are essential (we recommend that you bring 3 spare batteries) and an image storage device of some sort is recommended. Make certain you have enough card storage – most people take more photographs than they expect to.

Packing List for an expedition in the Amazon

Note: Bright colors and white are not advised

1. Binoculars
2. Camera gear, bring your long lens!
3. Thin clothing, light color, long cotton pants
4. Tight-weave, light-colored cotton shirts
5. Ankle-high hiking boots and sneakers
6. Flashlight (headlamp) with batteries
7. Sunblock lotion
8. Sunglasses
9. Broad-brimmed hat
10. Rain suit or poncho
11. Insect repellent
12. Small-denomination bills
13. Small daypack
14. Slippers or sandals for walking around the lodge* HAVE IT ON THE HANDS*
15. Small personal kit with your daily medicines or vitamins and basic medicines such as antihistamines

Do you have doubts? check our frequently asked questions section

Torches/Flashlights

It is essential that you bring a good torch as our electricity only runs at certain hours of the day. We suggest at least a TWO D-cell torch/flashlight and a headlamp. (A good flashlight is NOT a mini-Maglight or a small penlight flashlight).

Climate

The lowland rainforests of Tambopata lie far enough south of the Equator to provide a cooler, drier winter season between May and October. The general weather conditions are warm and humid. In Tambopata the average daytime high temperature is between 78°F and 93°F (24°C and 31°C) The average nighttime low is between 66F and 78°F (20°C and 24°C).

Cold Months – May through September Cold fronts from Argentina can sweep into southwestern Amazonia and push daytime highs down to 50°F (9°C) and the nighttime lows to 43°F (5°C). Thus, during that season always be potentially prepared for cold and drizzle.

Rainy Months – November through April Be prepared for heavy rain that can continue for hours or days. Around 80% of the annual average 3000 mm rainfall occurs during this season.

Health

There are a few basic health matters that require care and attention. The following points are recommended guidelines only – please consult your doctor and check with your health department/travel clinic prior to departure from your home country, in the event, there have been changes in the health regulations of the country you are visiting.

Malaria is present but extremely rare. If you wish to take medical precautions against malaria consult your physician or a specialist in tropical medicine.

Dietary Requirements

For those guests with specific dietary requirements please ensure we are notified prior to arrival. We can accommodate most requests but need advance warning to do so.

Medical Conditions

Please notify us of any medical condition you may have prior to your arrival. This includes any allergies e.g. bee stings, nuts, shellfish, etc.

Insurance

Compulsory Insurance:

• Emergency evacuation expenses
• Medical expenses
• Repatriation expenses

Recommended Insurance:

• Cancelation or curtailment of the trip
• Damage/theft/loss of personal luggage

Share your journey with us!

If you post photos while at our lodge, we’d love it if you could use the hashtag #RainforestExpeditions and tag us on the relevant channel – we absolutely love seeing our guests’ photos!

/RainforestExpeditions  @RainforestExpeditions   @RainforestEx