PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION

Sandoval Lake Lodge and Heath River Wildlife Center - The Best Combination in Tambopata

Only four hours by river from Puerto Maldonado airport, Heath River Wildlife Center is the gateway to the largest uninhabited and unhunted rainforest in the Amazon. An immensely photogenic macaw clay lick, capybaras, oxbow lakes with Giant Otters, hundreds of birds and mammal species and a lodge 100% owned by the Ese'eja Indians of Sonene make the Heath the best combination of nature and culture in the entire Amazon. No other lodge in Tambopata is 100% owned and operated by a community of lowland Indians.

Located in the Tambopata National Reserve, Sandoval Lake Lodge is perched above what many rain forest specialists feel is the most attractive lake in Peru, and provides access to one of the most biologically diverse areas on the planet. The Tambopata National Reserve and the adjacent Bahuaje-Sonene National Park, is home to over 2000 plant species, over 900 species of birds (more than all the species in the continental USA), 91 mammals, 1230 butterflies, 127 amphibians and reptiles, and much more! It is also a haven for the Amazon's largest, most spectacular and most endangered predators - the Jaguar, the Giant Otter, the Harpy Eagle and the Black Caiman.

Try a visit to the excellent lowland rain forest of the Tambopata National Reserve to see some of the world's best rain forest wildlife that is available in a short, economical stay. Six species of monkeys inhabit the surrounding forest, the lake's resident family of Giant Otters are regularly seen fishing in the lake, a large flooded palm grove harbors hundreds of Red-Bellied macaws, and at nightfall Black Caimans, the rarest of the crocodilians, head out into the lake to fish.

WEATHER CONDITIONS
Rainfall in the Tambopata National Reserve is around 2500 - 3500 millimeters per year, with most rainfall occurring in the rainy season months from November to April. The average temperature in the National Reserve is 28° C (82° F), with daily highs of 34° C (94° F) and nightly lows of 22° C (72° F). During the dry season (May to October) cold fronts from the South Atlantic (friajes) occur every month or so, with daily temperatures dropping as low as 16° C (59° F) and nightly temperatures to 13° C (55° F).

HOW TO GET THERE
A daily commercial flights from Lima (2 hours) and Cusco (30 minutes) brings you to Puerto Maldonado, a bustling frontier town and the gateway to the Tambopata National Reserve.

We have a 15-minute bus transfer from the airport to the Tambopata River port, and then take a motorized canoe down the Madre de Dios River before entering the Heath River. The four hour journey by river from Puerto Maldonado to Heath River Wildlife Center includes a stop at the border checkpoint at the mouth of the Heath River which forms the border between Peru and Bolivia.

The return boat journey against the current from Heath River Wildlife Center to the trailhead for Sandoval Lake Lodge takes approximately 5 hours.

From the the Madre de Dios River access trailhead to Sandoval Lake Lodge, we walk for 45 minutes along two miles (3 km) of flat, rain forest trail. Once we reach the lake, we board canoes and are paddled 220 yards (200 meters) through a flooded forest of 100-foot (30 meter) tall Mauritia palms. As the canal opens onto the shimmering surface of the lake, we transfer to a catamaran and are leisurely paddled across the lake to the lodge.

Our return trip to Puerto Maldonado will only be 30- 35 minutes down the Madre de Dios River from the trailhead of Sandoval Lake Lodge. Our boats are equipped with a 55 HP engine, a roof to protect from the sun and the rain, cushioned seats, and carry a spare motor in the unlikely event that the principal engine breaks down.

ABOUT THE LODGES

At Heath River Wildlife Center, guests enjoy roomy, private, double-occupancy bungalows with electric fans and en-suite facilities with hot showers. All rooms and communal areas are fully-screened and have electricity, supplemented by kerosene lamps and candles. The traditionally constructed dining hall/bar/lounge and bungalows are placed within a seemingly natural forest clearing to blend with the surrounding primary rainforest.

The absence of human habitants along the the Heath River ensures the lodge's intimate and peaceful environment. Add to this the warmth and uniquely traditional hospitality of our Indian hosts for an unforgettable rainforest experience.

Sandoval Lake Lodge is constructed almost entirely of ecologically-harvested "driftwood" mahogany trees collected from the floods that naturally carry logs downriver out of Manu National Park. The Lodge is one extended structure consisting of a large screened main dining room/lounge with 25 fully-screened double-occupancy rooms (50 beds) with private bathrooms with hot shower and toilets, arranged in two wings. One wing features 16 rooms (32 beds) with private bathrooms, while the other includes 9 rooms (18 beds) with private bathrooms.

All rooms and communal areas have electricity, supplemented by kerosene lamps and candles. Camcorders can be recharged from the generator, but please note that guests may need to bring a special adaptor to plug into the generator. Electricity at both of the lodges is produced by a generator which is used in the early morning hours, at midday and in the evening until 10pm.

WHAT TO BRING
We recommend:
· Good binoculars
· Camera gear (ASA 50, 100 and 200 recommended)
· Two or three pairs of long pants
· Four pairs of absorbent cotton socks
· Rain suit or long poncho (100% waterproof - test before you leave home)
· Three or four long-sleeved cotton shirts
· Two or three T-shirts
· Sunscreen lotion (high factor)
· A bottle or canteen to carry water on outings
· A hat that will not come off in windy boat-rides
· One pair of shorts
· Sunglasses
· A pair of sneakers or hiking boats (with good gripping soles) and sandals
· Insect repellent (Skin-so-soft for river, and 20% or more deet for forest)
· A large, bright flashlight
· Personal toiletries and medications
·Rubber Boots for the rainy season from November to April.
·Money for souvenirs at the lodge´s PeruVerde stand and alcoholic beverages.
· YOUR PASSPORT

Please note: Guests should arrive in clothes which they do not mind getting slightly dirty or wet, and should wear footwear that is suitable to walk on a rain forest trail. Sun cream, insect repellent, hat and waterproof clothing should be carried in hand luggage and kept accessible for the journey to the lodge. Insects for which you will need repellent include mosquitoes (forest interior), sandflies (rivers and lakes) and chiggers (grassy areas and forest floor).

Rickshaws are available if guests feel they are unable to walk the 2 miles (3 kilometers) to or from Sandoval Lake, but these must be arranged in advance.

It is not necessary to bring all of your luggage with you to Sandoval Lake Lodge. You will enjoy your trip more if only the essentials are brought (see above list). You will also be helping our lodge staff who must carry all luggage and goods three kilometers inside the National Reserve. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU PREPARE YOUR DAY PACK A DAY BEFORE YOUR TRIP. YOUR MAIN BAGGAGE CAN BE LEFT IN OUR STORE ROOM AT OUR OFFICE IN PUERTO MALDONADO. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A DAYPACK YOU MAY BORROW ONE FROM OUR PUERTO MALDONADO OFFICE TO TAKE WITH YOU TO THE LODGE.

YOU MUST BRING YOUR ORIGINAL PASSPORT ON THE JOURNEY FOR THE HEATH RIVER CHECKPOINT.

General Conditions

In each booking please indicate the following information:

1. Complete name of the passengers and age.
2. Passport number and nationality.
3. Occupation.
4.Any special food requirements (Vegetarian, low salt, low fat, diabetic or other)
5.Any special medical requirements
6.Any special interest
7.Flight information to/from Puerto Maldonado (flight number and airlines)

Important: Though we have never heard of anyone contracting yellow fever anywhere in Peru or neighboring countries, Peru nevertheless requires a current yellow fever vaccination for trips to the rain forest regions. This vaccination normally is required or recommended for all rain forest regions around the world. This vaccination, which is valid for 10 years, must be administered AT LEAST 10 days before the guests arrival in Peru, Vaccination cards are always required on arrival at the airport in Puerto Maldonado.

Both lodges have a basic first aid kit that also includes anti-venom. The lodge is equipped with a short-wave radio and is in contact with our Cusco office every morning and evening. Cusco can also be contacted through a telephone patch during daylight hours. Our staff (English-speaking) can be contacted 24 hours a day on 084-623666 or 084-650965 in Cusco, and 01-9090996 in Lima.

Our office contacts are :

Lima Manuel Banon 461 San Isidro, Lima
_ (51 1) 440-2022

Cusco Calle Ricardo Palma J1 Urb Santa Monica Cusco
_ (51 84) 243408

MEALS AND DRINKS AT HEATH RIVER WILDLIFE CENTER AND SANDOVAL LAKE LODGE
All meals are included in the trip: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. We believe that our guests should experience as much of the Peruvian cuisine as possible, and this is reflected in the range of Peruvian dishes offered, with an occasional international twist. Typical lunch dishes served are lomo saltado (a spicy mix of stir fried beef, tomato, peppers, onion and french fries) and arroz con pollo (a mildly spicy mix of saffron rice, chicken and vegetables).

The experienced kitchen personnel can also cater for special dietary requirements, such as low or no salt, low or no sugar, low or no fat, and vegetarian (strict "vegan") or "ovo-lacto" vegetarian), upon request.

OUR PRICES INCLUDE
Transfers from the airport to the port in Puerto Maldonado and vice versa. Accommodations with all meals (from lunch on the first day to the breakfast on the last day), English speaking guide, entrance ticket to the Tambopata National Reserve, river transportation and visits on the lake according to the itinerary

OUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
Airport taxes, air tickets to and from Puerto Maldonado, excess baggage charges and additional nights at Sandoval Lake Lodge or Puerto Maldonado in case of flight cancellations.

PLEASE NOTE THAT OUR PROGRAMS MAY VARY SLIGHTLY SO AS TO MAXIMIZE THE WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS DEPENDING ON THE REPORTS OF OUR RESEARCHERS AND RESIDENT NATURALIST GUIDES BASED AT THE LODGE.

IN CASE OF FLIGHT CANCELLATION
1. If the flight Lima or Cusco to Puerto Maldonado is cancelled owing to bad weather or maintenance of the aircraft, then the guest loses the first night in Sandoval. No refund can be given and the guest is responsible for the costs of the additional night in Lima or Cusco.

2. If the plane is cancelled Puerto Maldonado/Cusco or Lima the guests must pay for any additional costs incurred during this extra night and boat transportation.

More information about Tambopata and Bahuaja-Sonene:

Books and videos about the rainforests of Tambopata and Bahuaja-Sonene can be purchased in the Peru Verde store at Sandoval Lake Lodge. The following books are also very informative about neotropical rainforests and wildlife:

Kim MacQuarrie & André Bärtschi. 2001. Where the Andes meet the Amazon, Bahuaja - Sonene and Madidi National Parks of Peru and Bolivia. Francis O. Patthey & Sons. (SOLD AT SLL LODGE)

Les Beletsky & David Pearson. 2001. The Ecotraveller's Wildlife Guide Series: Peru. Academic Press.

Adrian Forsyth & Ken Miyata. 1987. Tropical Nature. Touchstone Books.

James F. Clements, Noam Shany, Eustace Barnes (illustrator), Dana Gardner (illustrator), Gamini Ratnavira (illustrator). 2001. A Field Guide to the Birds of Peru. Ibis Publications. (SOLD AT LODGE)

Centers of Plant Diversity - Tambopata
http://www.nmnh.si.edu/botany/projects/cpd/sa/sa10.htm

CONDITIONS AND RESPONSABILITY
Peru Birding and/or their employees act only as agents for the passenger in regard to travel, whether by car, boat, or airplane and assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity that may be caused either by reasons of defect in the vehicle or for any reasons engaged in conveying the client or carrying out the arrangements of the tour. They can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other causes. All such expenses will have to be borne by the passenger.

Peru Birding HAS THE RIGHT:
A).- To make any change in the itinerary when deemed necessary or caused by changes in air schedules.
B).- To accept or decline any persons as members of a tour.
C).- To fill unoccupied space on its boats and airplanes with its guides, staff and cargo.

If you would like additional information, please send an email to postmaster@perubirding.com