Amazon Jungle Tours
Posada Amazonas and Tambopata Research center Tours

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Amazon Jungle package tours pre departure information

WEATHER CONDITIONS
The lowland rain forests of Tambopata lie far enough south of the Equator
to provide a cooler, drier winter season between May and October, which also
happens to be the major season for international travel. Also, Tambopata
lies close enough to the Andean foothills as to be influenced by the cooler,
drier Andean weather. The general weather conditions, however, are warm and humid.
In Tambopata the average daytime high temperature is between 82 and 93 F
(25 and 31C) and the average nighttime low is between 62 and 73 F (16 and
22C). Nevertheless between May and July, cold fronts from Argentina can
sweep into south-western Amazonia and push daytime highs down to 50 F (9 C)
and the night-time lows to 43 F (5 C). Thus, during that season always be
potentially prepared for cold and drizzle.
During the rainy months of November through April, always be prepared for
heavy rain that can continue for hours or days. Around 80% of the annual
average  2000 mm rainfall occurs during this season. Regardless, this is
much less than the 3000 mm annual average rainfall that occurs in areas
nearer to the Equator.

WHAT TO BRING
We recommend that each visitor limit gear to good binoculars; camera gear
with a maximum of a 300 mm lens (though a 250 mm is probably adequate);
tight-weave, light weight, light coloured, long cotton pants;long sleeved,
tight-weave, light coloured cotton shirts;  undergarments; a bathing suit,
absorbent socks; ankle-high hiking boots; sneakers; a small flashlights with
batteries; a small toilet kit; a water bottle; sunblock lotion; sunglasses;
a secure, broad-brimmed hat; 100% waterproof, head-to-ankle rain suit;
insect repellent; yellow fever inoculation certificate; small denomination
bills and a small daypack.

IMPORTANT: each visitor must limit luggage to 15 kilos. If there is need to
bring extra luggage please consult in advance. Since luggage could get wet,
it should be stored in advance. The reason for the limit in luggage is so
that we don't exceed our boat's capacity.

MEDICAL INFORMATION
Yellow fever inoculation is required for travel to Tambopata; tetanus,
typhoid and gamma globulin shots are recommended.  
It is necessary that you bring your yellow fever inoculation certificate to
prove to the airport officials in Puerto Maldonado that you are vaccinated.
Leishmaniasis is present throughout the rain forests of south-eastern 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.  

For precautions against malaria consult your physician or a specialist in
tropical medicine.

For a nation-wide list of physicians providing travellers to tropical
countries with medical information and inoculation services contact:

James E. Allen, M.D., Ph.D.
Travellers Medical & Immunisation Service
3825 Highland  Avenue, Suite 2E
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(708) 964-5010
FAX (708) 964-0451

International Medicine and Travellers Immunisation Service
Mulcahy Outpatient Service
2160 South First Avenue
Maywood, IL 60153
(708).216-5810

Leonard C. Marcus, V.M.D.,M.D.
Immunisations and Preventive Medical Care for Travellers
148 Highland Avenue
Newton, MA 02165
617-527-4003

It is vital that persons with medical problems or special diet requirements
make them known to us well before departure so that land operators are
properly informed.

IMPORTANT:
it is important that travellers or items brought by travellers that have had
previous contact with pets be thoroughly disinfected so as to diminish the
risk of infecting our hand reared macaws with domestic bird diseases.

COMMUNICATIONS
Both Posada Amazonas and Tambopata Research Centre are in daily radio
contact with our offices in Puerto Maldonado and Lima. We have short-wave
radios at all four stations. From Lima and Puerto Maldonado we are able to
communicate by fax, phone or via the internet with the rest of the world.

PASSPORTS, MONEY, AIR TICKETS
You may need your passport upon arrival at Puerto Maldonado in the event
authorities want to spot check tourist entries, as the local airport is
officially an international airport.
Upon arrival, a  representative will collect your
internal air tickets to confirm your return flights. Also, he will collect
cash from you to pay for the airport tax upon departure from the Lima and
the Puerto Maldonado airports (usually from $5-10).
You should also take small change to purchase beverages, alcoholic drinks,
and T-shirts or other souvenirs for sale at Tambopata Research Centre.

MEALS
We provide all meals during the trip. Meals consist of a buffet selection
of soup or appetisers, main course, dessert, and coffee or tea. All fresh
fruits and salads are thoroughly disinfected before serving by soaking in
iodine solutions, which kill all micro-organisms. We also provide at all
times unlimited amounts of boiled, cooled drinking water.