L  A   D  A  T  C  O     T  O  U  R   S
	HOME	South America	Falkland Islands	Antarctica	Unique Destinations	Unique Experiences	Newsstand	e-mail

PERUVIAN RAINFOREST Tambopata Candamo Posada Amazonas FAQs About FAQs Programs

FAQs and Other Useful Travel Tips
Applicable to Refugio Amazonas and Posada Amazonas

Luggage
Luggage is hand-carried at various stages in the trip for long distance. We strongly recommend you limit your weight to 15 kilos (32 pounds a piece).

If you are visiting other destinations in Peru or South America that require different kinds of clothing, you can always pack separate bags and safely leave them at our offices in Puerto Maldonado on the first day so we won’t be carrying them around uselessly. Your bag will be waiting for you at the airport the day you leave.

Power and Light
The lodge is run mainly on propane. You can charge batteries a few hours a day in the dining rooms.

Communications are powered by solar energy and there is wireless internet available at night.

Every room has kerosene lamps on the walls and candles on the night-stands. Please do not handle kerosene lamps and always blow out the candles before sleeping or leaving your room. We use electric bulbs in public areas at night.

Water
We provide natural spring water 24 hours per day. Please use the water wisely. We advise you not to drink the water from the river, lake or any of the taps. Consumable water can be found throughout the lodge from many dispensers and pitchers as well as a variety of other beverages available.

All the water that the lodge provides is purified with an ozone treatment. We also suggest that you use this water to brush your teeth. Please turn off the water flow while lathering and soaping up to reduce unnecessary water usage.

Rooms
Our open and spacious rooms offer lots of natural light and fresh air while providing a safe but close contact with the forest environment. Each room is also equipped with private bathrooms for your convenience. Use of the mosquito netting on each bed is strongly recommended to ensure your comfort and safety. We try to be as eco-friendly as possible so we request that you only change towels when really needed. After 9:30pm we kindly ask that you lower your voices to allow all guests to enjoy the sounds of the forest at night.

Soap and Shampoo
According to our environmental policies, we only use Brazil nut biodegradable soap and shampoo which you will find in the bathroom If you are allergic to nuts, please let us know and we will provide you with a lemongrass soap. We wash the towels and bed sheets using biodegradable detergent and we clean the bathrooms with biodegradable products as well.

Phone
Thank God we do not have a telephone available in our lodge!!

Meals
Breakfast time depends on your scheduled activity but starts from 4:30am onwards. Lunch is served at 1:00pm and dinner is served at 7:00pm. Please let us know if you are vegetarian or have any special dietary needs. We do offer a special menu for children.

Laundry
This service is only available on sunny days. Please ask for the rate at the lodge. Clothes are hand-washed using White Swipe biodegradable soap and are sun dried in order to protect the environment.

Smoking
Smoking is allowed in the lobby and bar except at meal times. Please do not smoke in your room, the dining rooms, boats or during activities.

Safes
We ask you to keep your valuable belongings and documents in the safe. Do not leave them valuables in plane view. Equally if you have food or candies please keep them in the safe. Do not leave them outside. This way you will avoid attracting insects and other animals. Ask the lodge manager or guide to inform you about the proper use of the safety box.

Rubber Boots
Around the lobby you will find racks with rubber boots arranged by size. You can use these boots for our walks or outings into the forest. Please remember ALWAYS that when walking inside the lodge facilities and in order to prevent bringing mud inside, you must walk without boots or any muddy shoes. Use only sandals, socks, clean sneakers.

What To Bring

• Good binoculars
• Camera gear
• Tight-weave, light colored, long cotton pants
• Long sleeved, tight-weave, light colored cotton shirts
• Ankle-high hiking boots and sneakers
• Flashlight with batteries
• Sunblock lotion
• Sunglasses
• Broad-brimmed hat
• Rain suit or poncho
• Insect repellent
• Small denomination bills
• Small daypack
• Luggage is hand-carried at various stages in the trip for long distance. We strongly recommend you limit your weight to 15 kilos (32 pounds a piece).

If you are visiting other destinations in Peru that require different kinds of clothing, you can always pack separate bags and safely leave them at our offices in Puerto Maldonado on the first day so we won’t be carrying them around uselessly. Your bag will be waiting for you at the airport the day you leave.

Weather
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 78F and 93F (24C and 31C)
• The average nighttime low is between 66F and 78 F (20C and 24C).

Cold Fronts - 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.

Other Tips

• No smoking in the forest, nor in the boats (which carry gasoline).
• No littering.
• Do not harrass wildlife – when sighting wildlife follow your guides instructions.
• No wildlife collection or manipulation, unless specifically authorized by SERNANP. If you should come across hurt wildlife, leave it be. It is part of the natural processes of the wilderness.
• Please separate your trash in the proper trash bins. All non-biodegradable trash is taken to Puerto Maldonado. Please take batteries back with you.
• Please keep it quite. Our rooms are not sound proof and guests come to listen to the sounds of nature. If you should want to listen to music outside the bar area, use headphones.
• The lodges are highly flammable. Do not leave candles unattended and locate the nearest extinguisher.
• Never go swimming in the Tambopata without a guide.
• Stay on the trails and take to the trails only with a guide. If for some reason you are separated from your guide, you can return to the lodge using your map and the trail markers.
• Always use life jackets on the boat and during boarding. Wear light shoes that are easy to take off. Never have rubber boots on when in the boats.
• Use rubber boots when heading to the forest or gardens at night. They reduce the risk of snake bites.
• When taking people photos, ask first!

MEDICAL INFORMATION

First Aid and Emergencies
In case of emergencies we have a first aid kit that is equipped to deal with most cases that may reasonably arise in the area. Our guides are all certified by the Red Cross, which means they are prepared to deal with foreseeable emergencies (broken bones or snake bites, for example) but not complex emergencies (such as an appendicitis).

For snake bites, an unheard of at Tambopata so far, we have extractors and an anti-venom at the lodges. In case of evacuation, we need to travel by boat by to Puerto Maldonado. During the day, evacuations take about 20% less time than our regular boats. During the night, evacuations take about 30% more. In Puerto Maldonado there is access to a state clinic.

Yellow Fever Inoculations
Yellow fever inoculation is highly recommended for travel to Tambopata.

Leishmaniasis
Leishmaniasis is present throughout the rain forests of southeastern Peru. It is a skin lesion caused by a protozoan transmitted by a certain kind of small biting fly. There is no vaccination against it but it is curable in every case. The selected cure, injections of pentavalent antimony (Glucantime), is uncomfortable. Leishmaniasis is also very easy to prevent by wearing long-sleeved shirts, pants, and repellent on exposed skin at all times, and sleeping under mosquito nets. If you are interested in receiving complete information on leishmaniasis contact us before your trip.

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

Rabies
There is no risk for rabies at our lodges. Animals are afraid to get closer to people. Indeed is a matter of luck to spot them, so it is not possible to get bitten by monkeys or any other mammal at our lodges although we have access to two local 2 local hospitals in Puerto Maldonado which have rabies vaccinations.

Medical Emergencies
In case of emergencies we have a first aid kit that is equipped to deal with most cases that may reasonably arise in the area. Our guides are all certified by the Red Cross, which means they are prepared to deal with foreseeable emergencies (broken bones or snake bites, for example) but not complex emergencies (such as an appendicitis). For snake bites, we have extractors and an anti-venom at the lodges. In case of evacuation, we need to travel by boat by to Puerto Maldonado. During the day, evacuations take about 20% less time than our regular boats. During the night, evacuations take about 30% more. In Puerto Maldonado there is access to a state clinic.