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Wind down the Madre de Dios river from the gold mining town of Boca Colorado 161km/100mi to Laberinto. See firsthand the effect of legal mining on the banks of the river followed by protected areas where established oxbow lakes host a variety of tropical flora and fauna. Here we can find even more species of monkey, exotic birds, piranha and caiman. Expect friendly faces on the main river and secluded canals into non-touristic areas of newly formed and ancient oxbows.
Duration
Difficulty
Adventure
Walking Distance
Rapids Class
Rafting Distance
Rafting Duration
River Speed
Water Quality
Bugs?
8D7N
2 of 5
7 of 10
1km/.6mi
1-2
161km/100mi
6 + 2 hrs
5-11kph/3-7mph
Murky
Yes
Day 1 Cusco - Mazuko - Boca Colorado
We leave Cusco in the morning and take a private car 8 hrs to the jungle town of Mazuko then Puerto Carlos where we cross the Inambari river by ferry then by truck to Boca Colorado arriving in the late afternoon. Night in a basic hostal.
Day 2 Boca Colorado - Madre de Dios
We raft 4-6 hrs down the Madre de Dios river to our first campsite. Night hammock camping.
Day 3 Madre de Dios (* Los Amigos Biological Station Option)
This morning we raft again down the Madre de Dios for 4-6 hrs reaching our next campsite on the main river. Night hammock camping or * Los Amigos Lodge Option.
Day 4 Madre de Dios - Huitoto Lake Concession Area
After rafting 4 hrs we reach an entrance into protected primary forest next to Huitoto Lake. Night hammock camping.
Day 5 Lake Huitoto Packrafting (* Huitoto Lake Lodge Option)
From last night's campsite we follow an overgrown, unmaintained path which takes us to the oxbow lake of Laguna Huitoto. We'll spend the rest of the day fishing or exploring the full length of this 2 mi+ long lake. Night hammock camping or * Option to stay a night at Huitoto Lake Lodge.
Day 6 Madre de Dios - Caiman Canal - J's Lake
This morning we return to the Madre de Dios river and float down to a natural canal which will lead us to our next campsite between the canal and a small, hidden oxbow lake. Night hammock camping.
Day 7 Madre de Dios - Laberinto - Cusco
This morning after breakfast we raft another 5-6 hrs arriving at the mining town of Laberinto. We'll check into a basic hostal for the night.
Day 8 Laberinto - Cusco
We leave Laberinto in the morning for an all day private car trip back up to Cusco arriving in the late afternoon.
Skimmer Beach
Related Raft | Manu Rafting and Camping to Boca Colorado 9 Days | Manu Rafting and Camping 3 Days | Manu Rafting and Camping 4 Days | Manu Rafting and Camping 5 Days | AmazonDay 1 Cusco - Mazuko
We leave Cusco at 6 am towards the southeast in our private car(s) up through Tinki near Ausangate then down until our surroundings turn green to lush to Mazuko then another 30 mins to Puerto Carlos on the Inambari River. We'll take a short ferry to cross the river then another 40 mins truck ride to the town of Boca Colorado on the Madre de Dios River. We'll stay the night in a basic hostal and have dinner at a local restaurant.
7-8 hrs
15 mins
40 mins
Hostal
Meals LD
Day 2 Boca Colorado - Madre de Dios River
Early morning we'll have breakfast near the local market and do any last minute shopping before heading down to the beach on the Madre de Dios River. We'll go over basic packrafting and rigging techniques we'll use for the next 6 days on mild, class 1 and 2 rivers, canals and lakes. At about 9am, we'll set off for a 4-6 hr float where we'll get our first sights of Amazonian river birds, giant trees and local goldminers on the banks. We'll pick a spot which looks interesting for our first night hammock camping.
4-6 hrs
Hammock
Meals BLD
Day 3 Madre de Dios (* Los Amigos Biological Station Option)
Early this morning we'll wake up early to have breakfast before rafting another 4-6 hrs until we find our next campsight. Night hammock camping.
Full Day
Hammock
Meals BLD
Stay a night at Los Amigos Biological Station
Known primarily as a research station, the Los Amigos Biological Station now also offers guided tours. In addition to meals, Los Amigos offers 40 km of established trails, 5 nearby oxbow lakes, presentation facilities and a library. With a total of 4,369 species recorded so far, you are assured experts in the fields of mammals, reptiles and birds. In fact, management at Los Amigos would first like to know what you are interested in. We will spend a day here until the following morning after breakfast when we will continue rafting.
Day 4 Madre de Dios - Huitoto Lake Concession Area
This morning we raft on the main river for about 4 hrs until we reach an entrance into primary and protected forest where we make camp. In the afternoon and into the night we have the chance to hear or see peccaries, howler monkeys and bioluminescent moths. Night hammock camping.
4 hrs
Hammock
Meals BLD
Day 5 Lake Huitoto Packrafting
This morning after breakfast we'll take an unused and usually overgrown trail 40 mins along the tail end of Lake Huitoto to a put in location on the lake. Here at this established lake which has been protected from gold miners we'll spend the rest of the day exploring the banks for rails, red-capped cardinals, taricaya turtles, giant black caiman, giant river otters, macaws, toucans, boas and spider monkeys. We will most likely be the only ones on the lake assuring a better probability of spotting shy creatures. We'll paddle the length of the lake arriving at Huitoto Island on the other side where spider and howler monkeys have taken over. In the afternoon we'll return to our campsite for another night next to the Madre de Dios River. Night hammock camping.
Full Day
Hammock
Meals BLD
Stay a day at Huitoto Lake Lodge
The lodge offers 4 bungalows (dbls/tpls), a spacious dining area and 3 meals along with their cool and refreshing limonade. They also have trails to nearby ceiba trees (giants) and lion monkeys "leoncillos". In the lake there are motorboat excurisons to see the family of giant otters, giant caiman and spider monkeys which live on Huitoto Island. Our group will most likely be the only ones visiting. This is a very private experience.
Day 6 Madre de Dios - Caiman Canal - J's Lake
This morning after breakfast we will again float down the Madre de Dios River 3 hrs until we reach "Caiman Canal" which we take 1 mile up to our final campsite next to J's Lake. In the afternoon we will explore the lake to find the Wattled jacana, squirrel monkeys, Hoatzins, flycatchers, kingfishers and caimans. We'll camp between the lake and Caiman Canal. In addition to countless insects, owls, night birds, crickets and frogs we can hear barking caimans only a few meters from our hammocks. Night hammock camping.
Full Day
5 hrs+
Hammock
Meals BLD
Day 7 Inambari Confluence - Laberinto - Cusco
This morning after breakfast we will continue rafting on the Madre de Dios until we reach the Inambari confluence where the joining river more than doubles the width. After 5 or 6 hrs we reach our final destination which is Laberinto, another gold mining frontier-type town. Here we'll check into a hostal for a cool shower before a night on the town. We can try "Paco Frito" (fried Pacu) at a local restaurant. Night in a basic hostal.
6 hrs
Hostal
Meals BLD
Day 8 Laberinto - Cusco
We leave Laberinto in the morning and arrive at your hotel in Cusco in the late afternoon stopping for breakfast and lunch along the way.
9 hrs
Meals BL
| Group Size | All Included | No Gear | No Gear / Meals | Transp. Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1250 | $1150 | $1050 | Private |
| 2 | $850 | $750 | $650 | Private |
| 3 | $800 | $700 | $600 | Private |
| 4 | $750 | $600 | $500 | Private |
| 5 | $700 | $600 | $500 | Private |
| All Included | No Gear | No Gear / Meals |
|---|---|---|
|
• All Packrafting Equipment • All Camping Equipment • Meals - 7B / 8L / 7D • Hotel Reception • RT Private Car Transfer Cuz - Boca Colorado • 05 Nights Camping • 02 Nights Hostals • English-Speaking Guide |
• Meals - 7B / 8L / 7D • Hotel Reception • RT Private Car Transfer Cuz - Boca Colorado • 05 Nights Camping • 02 Nights Hostals • English-Speaking Guide |
• Hotel Reception • RT Private Car Transfer Cuz - Boca Colorado • 05 Nights Camping • 02 Nights Hostals • English-Speaking Guide |
| All Included | No Gear | No Gear / Meals | Optional |
|---|---|---|---|
|
• Light Sleeping Bag • Backpack (Daypack) • Change of Clothes • Light Jacket • Raincoat / Poncho • Flashlight / Batteries • Hat / Sunblock / Sunglasses • Insect Repellent • Toilet Paper • Snacks • Water Bottle • Swimsuit |
• Packraft / Paddles / PFD • Dry Bag 50l+ • Hammock w/ Bug Net • Rain Tarp • Light Sleeping Bag • Backpack (Daypack) • Change of Clothes • Light Jacket • Raincoat / Poncho • Flashlight / Batteries • Hat / Sunblock / Sunglasses • Insect Repellent • Toilet Paper • Snacks • Water Bottle • Swimsuit |
• Cook Kit / Gas • Meals (6B / 6L / 6D) • Packraft / Paddles / PFD • Dry Bag 50l+ • Hammock w/ Bug Net • Rain Tarp • Light Sleeping Bag • Backpack (Daypack) • Change of Clothes • Light Jacket • Raincoat/Poncho • Flashlight/Batteries • Hat / Sunblock / Sunglasses • Insect Repellent • Toilet Paper • Snacks • Water Bottle • Swimsuit |
• Camp Chair • Binoculars • Long Camera Lens • Afterbite |
• 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.
• "Private" transportation is a 4 passenger sedan for your group only (2 or more cars can be booked). We leave Cusco in the morning with time for stops for breakfast, lunch, photos etc. We will arrive in Laberinto in the early afternoon.
• There are also options for local transportion for groups of 1-2 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.
