Heath River Wildlife Centre

General Info

A tumultuous gathering of brightly coloured macaws and parrots greets you each morning as you enjoy a coffee and watch the spectacle of Tambopata’s largest claylick. At dusk, stalk the forest searching for tapir while listening to chattering monkeys overhead. Heath River Wildlife Centre offers a small, comfortable and intimate environment from which to explore the Amazon rain forest- choose from 2,3,4 or 5 night programs

Itinerary

Day 1 Puerto Maldonado/Heath River Wildlife Centre

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Puerto Maldonado, where you will be met and driven through town to the Tambopata River port. After boarding motorized canoes, we travel down river 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.

 

Day 2 Heath River Wildlife Centre

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-coloured 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.

 

Day 3 Heath River Wildlife Centre

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.

 

Day 4 Heath River Wildlife Centre/Puerto Maldonado

We depart early this morning for 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. Upon arrival in Puerto Maldonado, transfer to the airport for your onwards flight.

Prices

Description	Price
3 Night Package	$615
3 Night Package Single Supplement	$160
4 Night Package	$795
4 Night Package Single Supplement	$215

Rates are per person, twin share

Ask for our special deals for solo travellers

3Night package departs Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
4Night package departs Monday & Thursday

Please contact Contours Travel for two, four & five night itineraries- Heath River Wildlife Centre and Sandoval Lake Lodge can be combined for more options

Please note that airfares are not included- contact Contours Travel for current specials!

Enquire Now

* Required