Peru - Rainforest Trip of a Lifetime

Peru - The Rainforest Experience of a Lifetime

Mike Langford, a South African living in Cusco, Peru, is a photographer, environmentalist, and owner of Tambopata Travel which promotes responsible travel to the Tambopata rainforest region.

Rainforest Experience in Peru

I’ll tell you a secret......the unspoilt Peruvian Amazon is within a few hours travel from Cusco, heart of the Inca Empire & the gateway to Machu Picchu.

Forest tree giants over fifty metres (164 feet) in height, world records for the numbers of birds, butterflies and dragonflies amongst others, seven species of monkeys, intact populations of endangered species such as the giant river otter, jaguar, black caiman and harpy eagle – they’re all here.

We’re not talking about roughing it either. Comfortable award-winning lodges are on hand to take care of you with amazing food, a range of activities and quality of guiding all contributing to making your trip unforgettable.

The Tambopata River opens up before you and adventure beckons. As you enjoy wonderful river journeys the stress of modern living diminishes with each meander until you are one with nature in all its splendour and your soul is invigorated. Floating on a tranquil lake you breathe in and realise you have fulfilled a lifelong ambition to go to the rainforest. Standing atop a canopy-high tower the panorama takes your breath away. Walking along jungle trails your senses are awakened as you observe incredible wildlife.

All this is good enough, but today’s environmentally conscious traveller does not simply want to experience unspoilt nature; they need to know that their trip is actually making a contribution to local conservation efforts and making a contribution towards local communities that value their natural and cultural heritage.

Making a travel decision can be difficult and complex because there’s a bewildering array of tour offerings with both reliable and unreliable operators plus a range of service levels not always reflected in the pricing. How do you find the ideal, good value rainforest trip while being confident that you will contribute towards local conservation and cultural awareness efforts at the same time?

With my experience in the region I decided to address this need and Tambopata Travel was born to cater to independent, group or family travellers. The idea was to offer personalised service and no automated booking forms, but a discussion of your needs and expectations. You can use the suggested itineraries on the website as an end in themselves or as a starting point to be tailored to your requirements or special interests.

So there you have it, the ideal addition to any Cusco trip – fly to Puerto Maldonado only thirty minutes away, and be prepared for the rainforest experience of a lifetime beginning on arrival.

My aim through Tambopata Travel and through my photography is to share the wonders of nature with as many interested and like-minded people as possible in the hope of spreading the word on the need for conservation, cultural respect and local economy support. Sustainable development is a phrase often over-utilised and not understood, but it is the only way forward, and you can be a part of it by simply travelling to the Peruvian Amazon.

Visit Mike at www.tambopatatravel.com or see his photography at www.mikeonlocation.com

Note: We met Mike on a trip to Cusco, Peru after some correspondence with him via one of the business social networking sites. Over some coffees and big plate of delicious thin french fries at "Trotamundos", which overlooks the Plaza de Armas and Cathedral, he told us all about how he is trying to promote sustainable tourism in the rainforest. To me this is more than a noble cause, but something that has to be done to ensure the forest stays with us for generations to come. If you can show the indigenous people & government that they can earn a living by leaving the forest as is & not cutting it down, then it is a win/win for everyone. I hope to have Mike contribute to this site whenever he finishes up another foray into the beautiful landscape of Peru. He is also listed in the "links" page on this site.