For backpackers looking for a genuine rainforest experience but at a cheaper price we offer a lodge and camping trip to the River Piedras. It is cheaper as a peke-peke motor is used not an outboard motor thereby increasing the journey time but not effecting the quality of service.

Otherwise the expedition is very much the same as our "Classic" offering, and you will have the all the lodge facilities at your disposal.

Day 1
We will meet you at the airport and take you to Puerto Arturo, a port at the mouth of the River Piedras, a 40 minute car drive away. The rest of the first day will be spent travelling up the River Piedras, looking for birds and animals along the banks of the river and seeing how the local people live. We will stop just before dusk to set up camp on a beach or on one of the farms next to the river.

Day 2
Our journey begins again after breakfast. Before arriving to the Research Station we will make a stop at an ox-bow lake to spend time exploring the lake and its surroundings. There maybe a chance to see the strange looking Hoatzin bird or the Horned Screamer or if we`re really lucky the family of Giant River Otters maybe out fishing. Our arrival time to the Research Station will vary depending on the time we left Puerto Arturo and the height of the river. On average the journey upstream takes 1½ days. After settling into the Station there maybe time for an afternoon walk or after a late arrival a night walk.

Day 3
After an early breakfast we can go and explore the rainforest surrounding the Station and if we`re lucky spot some of the 9 species of monkey that inhabit the area. In the afternoon there is time for a swing in one of the hammocks until the midday heat cools. Then there is the opportunity to walk to our nearby farm. At the farm it is possible to see some of the many fruits and vegetables that grow in the tropical climate, it is also a great place for spotting birds that are so difficult to see inside the forest. For small groups after dinner there is the option to spend then night at the mammal collpa where it is possible to spot Tapir, deer or other nocturnal mammals entering to feed on the clay minerals in the soil.

Day 4
In the morning we can go to the macaw collpa to see the spectacular macaws and parrots that visit the clay lick Upto 2 species of large macaw and 8 species of parrot have been seen at the lick. The afternoon is free to relax around the Station or to take another walk in the forest. After dinner we can take out the boat to look for caiman along the river banks or go for a night walk.

Day 5
After breakfast the we begin the journey back to Puerto Maldonado typically arriving late afternoon to town in time to check into the hotel and explore the town.

Day 6
You may get a chance for a lie in depending on flight times! Then it`s off to the airport and farewell to the rainforest.