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Motorboat and hammock camping expedition over 160 km / 100 mi between the gold mining towns of Boca Colorado and Laberinto on the Mother of God River. On this stretch of river we have numerous oxbow lakes and canals to explore in between areas which are currently being mined for gold. We will paddle lengthy canals which enter and exit the oxbow lakes and canals such as Panacocha, Ponal, Caiman and J's Lake. Our base camp consists of your personal and private bug hammock / tarp sleeping area, dining mesh and kitchen mesh tents with guide, captain, captain's assistant and chef available.
Duration
Difficulty
Adventure
Walking Distance
Boating Distance
Boating Duration
Comfort
Accomm
Water Quality
Bugs?
5D4N
2 of 5
7 of 10
3km/2mi(opt)
160km/100mi
1-2 hrs/day
6 of 10
Hostal/Hammock
Murky/Good
Yes
Day 1 Cusco or Puerto Maldonado - Boca Colorado - Madre de Dios Campsite
We leave Cusco at 5 am towards the south then climb up through Tinki at 4,435 m (14,550 ft) near Mt. Ausangate then descend to Mazuko at 244 m (800 ft) and transfer to Boca Colorado on the Madre de Dios River. We'll board our motorboat 1 hr downriver to our first campsite. Night hammock camping.
Day 2 Laguna Panacocha - Mauritia Palm Swamp - Madre de Dios River Campsite
After breakfast we boat downriver to an inlet canal which takes us to Laguna Panacocha to explore before returning to the main river by another channel. In the afternoon we we reach another canal further downriver and take this to a Mauritia Palm swamp then return to the Madre de Dios River and our campsite. Night hammock camping.
Day 3 Caracol Canal - Laguna Caracol - Ponal Canal Campsite
Early this morning we return to the main river then motor downriver 1 hr to another canal and packraft 1 km to Laguna Caracol to explore and have lunch. In the afternoon we'll return to our boat, continue downriver to downriver to another canal wide enough for our motorboat and motor up 3 km to our campsite. In the afternoon we can explore the canal by packraft or hike into virgin forest. Night hammock camping.
Day 4 Caiman Canal - J's Lake - Madre de Dios Campsite
Today we return to the Madre de Dios (3 km) in our personal rafts and continue downriver in our motorboat for a few minutes until we reach "Caiman Canal" which is just big enough for our rafts. We'll paddle up this canal to J's lake to explore and return to our campsite on the river in the late afternoon. Night hammock camping.
Day 5 Laberinto - Cusco / Puerto Maldonado
Today we will enjoy a 2.5 hr boatride downriver on the Madre de Dios River which meets with the Inambari River until we reach the gold mining town of Laberinto. In the late morning our private car will be waiting to take us back to either Cusco or Puerto Maldonado.
"Skimmer Beach"
Also See: Base Camp Expeditions | Manu to Boca Colorado Base Camp Expedition 7 Days | Las Piedras Base Camp Expedition 7 DaysDay 1 Cusco or Puerto Maldonado - Boca Colorado - Madre de Dios Campsite
We leave Cusco at 5 am towards the south then climb up and over the mountains through Tinki at 4,435 m (14,550 ft) near Mt. Ausangate before descending to Mazuko at 244 m (800 ft) (7 hrs) and another 1 hr to the Inambari River, cross by ferry then another 45 mins by 4X4 to Boca Colorado on the Madre de Dios River. We'll board our motorboat 1 hr downriver to our first campsite. Your guide, captain and chef will set up camp including your private hammock and tarp sleeping quarters and both dining and kitchen mesh mosquito tents. In the late afternoon we can familiarize ourselves with the forest and go over the basics of sleeping in hammocks. At night we can relax and chat in the group-sized mesh tent or explore the area during a night walk for nocturnal wildlife. Night hammock camping.
Private transfer from Puerto Maldonado (8 am)
Begin this tour from Puerto Maldonado leaving at 8 am and arriving in Boca Colorado at 11:30 am.
Day 2 Laguna Panacocha - Mauritia Palm Swamp - Madre de Dios River Campsite
This morning after breakfast prepared by our chef we boat downriver to the community of Los Amigos where there is a small almost unnoticable canal which we will either enter in our motorboat or paddle in packrafts depending on group preference and water level. We'll take this canal in (1 km) to reach an older oxbow lake called "Laguna Panacocha". We'll explore the full length of this lake where we will find hoatzins, amazonian kingfishers, striated herons, jumping piranhas, caimans, rails and black-capped squirrel monkeys. From the lake we will return to the main river along a 2.5 km long outlet canal (15 m / 50 ft wide) providing up close and personal opportunities to see various species along the way. At the main river we'll head downriver by motorboat to another channel which leads us to a Mauritia swamp (Mauritia flexuosa) aslo known as "aguajales" a palm tree which is considered a "keystone species" which provides wildlife species (and people) with an edible nut and nesting habitat. Macaws, parrots and flycatchers use the tree for nesting while peccaries, tapirs and monkeys eat the nut. Mauritia swamps are also the preferred habitat for anacondas. We'll explore for the rest of the afternoon and return to our campsite for dinner. At night we can paddle any navigable areas with lanterns in search of any reflections from pairs of eyeballs we can find in the swamp or canal. Night hammock camping.
Day 3 Caracol Canal - Laguna Caracol - Ponal Canal Campsite
After breakfast this morning we will continue downriver 1 hr in our motorboat to another narrow waterway which runs through a bamboo forest and leads us (1 km) to another oxbow lake called "Laguna Caracol". This lake is more than 2.5 kms around and offers plenty to explore with black caimans, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, tamarins, anhingas, red-capped cardinals, grey-necked wood rails, donocobius just to name a few. At midday we will return to our motorboat at the river for lunch and then continue downriver to another waterway which is much wider and longer, suitable for motoring up. We'll follow this canal 3 km in until we reach our campsite next to the canal. In the afternoon we can bushwhack a trail in to explore the forest or paddle the canal in our inflatable rafts. This canal is rarely used by the locals and offers some of the best opportunities for spotting wildlife. Tonight we can enjoy a card game under the mosquito and no-see-um mesh tent with a hot drink while we enjoy the quirky and sometimes spooky sounds of jungle critters at night. Night hammock camping.
Stay a night at Los Amigos Biological Station (Add a Day)
AARC provides private bungalows equipped with air conditioning and hot showers which are all situated next to their own private oxbow lake. Expect solitude, typical meals of the region and activities such as trail outings through primary forest for bird species and spider monkeys or paddling the lake for giant otters and caimans. Contact us for availability and pricing.
Day 4 Ponal Canal - Caiman Canal - J's Lake - Madre de Dios Campsite
Early this morning we leave our campsite on our inlfatable boats in order to take advantage of our remote location and best time of the day for seeing unsuspecting animals. Our motorboat will stay behind and catch up to us later so as not to disturb the caimans, hoatzins, ____ and ____ which live along this canal. We'll paddle with the outflow for about an hour until we again reach the main river. Soon our motorboat and crew will arrive and together we head downriver a few minutes until we reach yet another waterway "Caiman Canal". This canal is just big enough for paddling in using our packrafts, in fact this keeps out any locals using traditional boats. This also means the wildlife is left undisturbed and will be very surprised by our sudden appearance. We will steadily paddle this canal in about 1 km to an unknown oxbow lake, never visited by people and inhabited only by the local caimans, flycatchers, hoatzins, squirrel monkeys, wattled jacanas and multitude of dragonflies. By shuffling across a 20 ft band of tall grass at the shore we can enter this small oxbow to paddle, explore and relax. Our attention constantly shifts from the water hyacinth to surrounding canopy noticing any movement, call or shift in the vegetation. In the late afternoon we will return to the main river for dinner and another night under the mesh protected from the mosquitos but still within earshot of of any activity near our camp. We can also enjoy the sounds of the rushing river right down the bank from our hammocks. Night hammock camping.
Stay a night at Boca Manu Lodge
AARC provides private bungalows equipped with air conditioning and hot showers which are all situated next to their own private oxbow lake. Expect solitude, typical meals of the region and activities such as trail outings through primary forest for bird species and spider monkeys or paddling the lake for giant otters and caimans. Contact us for availability and pricing.
Day 5 Laberinto - Cusco or Puerto Maldonado
This morning after breakfast we'll take our boat downriver reaching the Inambari River confluence where the river now doubles in width to a km or more in width. We will pass by a series of spoil tips (leftover mining piles) until we arrive at the busy gold trading town of Laberinto where our private transfer will be waiting. We have an hour to explore the town or have a cold shower at a local hostal before our return to either Cusco (9 hrs) or Puerto Maldonado (2 hrs) arriving in Cusco at night or Puerto Maldonado midday.
Begin upriver in Manu National Park
Add a 243 km (151 mi) 7 day base camp boat trip from Atalaya in Manu National Park making your total trip duration 13 days and over 403 km (250 mi)! You know the routine.
Continue to Puerto Maldonado by Boat
If you would like to see more of the river and would like to continue boating to Puerto Maldonado please contact us for more options.
| Group Size | Price/Person | Group Type | Optional Lodges |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | $1090 | Private | Contact for Prices |
| 3 | $790 | Private | Contact for Prices |
| 4 | $650 | Private | Contact for Prices |
| 5 | $550 | Private | Contact for Prices |
| 6 | $490 | Private | Contact for Prices |
| 7 | $450 | Private | Contact for Prices |
| 8 - 10 | $420 - $350 | Private | Contact for Prices |
| Included | Not Included |
|---|---|
|
* Hotel Reception * Private Transfer Cusco / P. Maldonado - Boca Colorado * Private Transfer Laberinto - Cusco / P. Maldonado * Boat Transfer - Boca Colorado to Laberinto * Inambari River Ferry * All Camping Equipment - Mesh Tents, Table, Chairs, Hammocks, Tarps * All Paddling Equipment - Alpacka Rafts, Paddles, PFDs * Peruvian Chef * English Speaking Guide * Boat Captain and Assistant * 04 Nights Hammock Camping * Bottled Water * Meals - 4B / 4L / 4D |
* Optional Lodge Stays * First Day's Breakfast * Last Day's Lunch or Dinner * First Day's Bottled Water * Soft Drinks / Beer |
| To Bring | Optional |
|---|---|
|
* Long Pants * Long Sleeve T-Shirt * Shorts / Swimsuit * Sunblock / Sun Hat * Mosquito Repellent * Rain Poncho * Comfortable Shoes * Change of Clothes * Flashlight * Camera |
* Binoculars * Long Camera Lens |
• Prices are per person according to your group size.
• All prices are for your own private group. We will not "pool" your group with other groups.
• We require a deposit which we refund 100% with the return of all undamaged equipment.
• We have included prices for those wanting to bring their own camping gear and/or meals. For all 3 options your transportation, lodging and guide are included. Contact us if you will be bringing specific gear for adjusted prices.
• "Local" transportation (Cusco to Manu) is a 15 passenger Sprinter van which is available to the public. You will be sharing the bus with local Peruvians. We leave Cusco at 11 am and arrive in Manu at dusk to dark. There is only 1 stop in Pilcopata for lunch. The Mercedez Sprinter is a high ceiling passenger van built for comfort.
• "Private" transportation (Cusco to Manu) is an 11 passenger Toyota H1 van for your group only (Sprinter also avail). We leave Cusco at 5 am with time for stops for breakfast, lunch, photos and a 30 min birding hike along the "Manu Road". We will arrive in Manu in the early afternoon.
• "Private" transportation (Mazuko to Cusco) is a 4 passenger car for your group and guide only. We leave Mazuko anytime morning or night according to the groups preference and arrive in Cusco in the early morning, afternoon or night.
• There are also options for private transportion (Cusco to Manu) for an additional cost or local transportion (Mazuko to Cusco) for groups of 3 or less with slightly lower costs. Contact us for more info.
• Contact us if your group is larger than 5 people for more options.
Cancellations: We are not responsible for natural occurances, delayed or cancelled flights, political protests or personal sickness.
Refunds: Tours and deposits (partial payments) are 100% refundable if cancelled within 2 months of your reserved start date. Partial refunds of 50% are available up until 2 weeks of your reserved start date. This is to protect us from any loss as we operate 1 group at a time. If we have reserved your dates then denied availability to another we are unable to fully refund a deposit or full payment according to specified time limits.
Gear: Our equipment is expensive and has to be imported so we require a 100% refundable deposit (specified in "Rates") in case of any loss. This is 100% refundable at our office in Cusco following our trip provided that all gear is returned and undamaged. This includes replacing any lost items, repairing holes in packrafts or mosquito nets etc. We're in this together and any lost or damaged gear in the field can make for a difficult trip. Please follow our simple guidelines for gear care.
Gear Care: Please review the following helpful guidelines in order to avoid any additional fees.
1. For our jungle trips and after arriving to our campsites on the river bank, simply deflate your raft. Please do not carry your raft into the forest. At most campsites there are bamboo thorns which can put holes in your boat. Your guide is responsible for taking care of your boat at campsites. Please do not under any circumstance carry a fully inflated packraft into the forest!
2. Keep a list of provided gear and check this list every morning before rafting. You are responsible for any gear items left behind at campsites. Your guide is unable to check all items for all group members. If something is missing please bring it to your guide's attention.
3. Be mindful of your boat's inflation volume (tightness). It can get hot in the jungle and regulation is very important as to prevent any warping to your packraft.
4. No smoking in your boat or in your hammock. You do not want to sink or let any bugs in.
Safety: We are not responsible for any injuries, sickness or accidental death. Sorry, we've got to put it out there but know that we have not have had any issues thus far. Although the jungle has been portrayed as a dangerous environment with flesh eating disease, hungry piranhas and man-eating caimans, this is not the case. You are more likely to hurt yourself with your own machete or with a nasty fall. As with any forestal environments there are precautions to take such as watch where you step and what you touch. Be aware of your surroundings always. Listen to your guide's instructions both on the river and at camp and most of all, have a humble attitude. The Amazon commands the greatest respect from the most experienced campers to local guides to the indigenous for good reason. For experienced rafters, the river may not act according to your experience creating eddies where they shouldn't be or unexpected moments of turbulence from below the surface.
Machete Safety: Always swing your machete away from your body, never towards your limbs and especially your legs. Be aware of anyone in close proximity and warn others nearby of anything you need to cut down. Do not cut anything towards your arms or hands such as small sticks, cordage etc. Always cut out and away. If you are unsure of any machete work, let your guide help or do it for you.
River Safety: No experience is required for most of our rafting trips as we mainly stick with class 1-2+ whitewater. Please consult with us before booking as we are not responsible for river levels and changing conditions nor are we responsible for your boating skills. In most cases there is a road which follows our river so at any time you do not want to continue, let your guide know. Not to worry, we prefer calmer rivers for sightseeing as opposed to wild and rocky adrenaline rushes.
Conclusion: Whew! We don't like these things either and appreciate you taking the time to read this. Glad that's over now let's just have fun! We are sure it will all go well, but if you have any questions or concerns just let us know. We are happy to help.
