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Amazon
Adventure ~ Payara Fishing
Introduction
| Summary | Full itinerary
| Pricing
| Further Info | Back to homepage
INTRODUCTION
Only a few minutes from Cuzco, is one of the most pristine and unspoiled
areas in the Amazon rainforest, housing more species of animals
than any other place on earth. Officially created in 1990, the Tambopata
- Candamo Reserved Zone is located east and south of Puerto Maldonado.
It comprises 1.5 million hectares (3.5 millions acres) of the Madre
de Dios and Puno regions. |
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Like Manu National Park, the reserved zone protects a diversity
of landscapes and wildlife, including pristine oxbow lakes with
herons, kingfishers, caimans and giant otters, spectacular waterfalls
with swimming holes, amazing clay licks ("collpas") visited
by hundreds of macaws, monkeys and tapirs, swamps filled with palm
trees in which colonies of birds nest, and rivers with sandy, white
beaches for camping. All these wonders attract tourists, scientists
and wildlife photographers.
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SUMMARY
Day 1 Arrive
in Lima, overnight Lima
Day 2 Lima - Puerto
Maldonado, overnight jungle lodge
Day 3 Full day
fishing at Baltimore Rapids, overnight lodge
Day 4 Full day
fishing & overnight camping
Day 5 Morning
fishing, return to lodge, overnight lodge
Day 6 Guided jungle
walk, evening's fishing 'local-style', overnight lodge
Day 7 Full day
fishing, overnight lodge
Day 8 Return to
Puerto Maldonado, overnight hotel & evening free
Day 9 Puerto Maldonado
- Lima. End of services.
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ITINERARY
9 days, 8 nights & 5 days fishing |
Day
1 Arrive Lima
Arriving into Lima, your Peruvian
Secrets Tour Controller will meet you at the airport,
and transfer you to the Hotel Faraona, Miraflores. Your guide will
return to give a small evening tour of the area around the park
and to recommend a good restaurant if your arrival time is before
late afternoon.
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Day
2 Lima – Puerto Maldonado, transfer to lodge
You will be met at the hotel and transferred to the Airport
for your flight to Puerto Reception at Puerto Maldonado. On
arrival your guide will meet you and transfer you by road
the Wasai Puerto Maldonado hotel on the banks of the Madre
De Dios River. Here you will prepare to board your boat for
the four hour transfer into the forest with a picnic box is
provided. On arrival you will settle into your comfortable
room and have time to explore. We also take time for rest
and preparation of the tackle for the next days fishing. Lunch
and dinner included. |
Day
3 Fishing at Baltimore Rapids
Breakfast at the Lodge and then departure to the first of
our fishing spots at the Baltimore rapids. Here we have
the day to fish and take our first prize fish. A packed
lunch is provided along with hot coffee and drinks. We return
to the lodge before the light fades and have a typical jungle
fish dinner. The evening can be spent relaxing or you may
wish to take a short boat trip with lantern to spot the
caiman.
Day
4 Fishing & camping
Early breakfast at the Lodge and departure to the fishing
spots in the Collpa Area. This will be a full day of fishing
in the different spots in this area, using lures and baits.
The helpers will arrange the camping area while the group
takes lunch. From your camp you can again try fishing for
catfish and Pacu. With a nice fire burning the evening offers
a real outdoor experience with the sounds of the forest
for company. Tonight your guides will prepare a dinner with
barbecue.
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Day
5 Return to lodge
Breakfast at the camp served with hot drinks will get you started
for morning fishing in the area with a mixture of baits and lures
for Payara, Catfish and Pacu. By midday we head back to the Wasai
Lodge to take lunch and refreshments. The afternoon is spent returning
to the excellent fishing grounds of Baltimore rapids. As the name
suggests this is fast action and strong fish, the river can rise
and fall over night so changing the river and the action. You
will be returning by evening to the lodge to take a well earned
rest and discuss the fishing so far.
Day
6 Guided jungle walk & evening fishing
Today is a break from the fishing as we learn more about the forest
and its wildlife. Your guide will take you for a trek through the
forest and explain all you see. You will also learn of how man and
jungle live together and the natural healing powers of many plants.
The afternoon can be spent swimming at the waterfall or just relaxing
in the lodge. Tonight we try fishing the local way without all out
modern lures and tackle. Fishing for food is so different, it’s
not the prize fish you need but the quantity to feed the family.
Give their way a go and you will soon realise they have an incredible
fishing skill.
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Day
7 Fishing excursion
Breakfast at the Lodge and departure to the fishing spots, with
so many to choose from each day not only brings new fishing but
a new part of the forest to see and an abundance of wildlife.
Today is our last trip out to catch the one that got away as we
return to your favourite spot and enjoy a days fishing. Returning
to the lodge we will have an evening to celebrate our last night
in the jungle.
Day
8 Return to Puerto Maldonado, evening free
After breakfast you will have your last chance to catch
the ‘big one’ as the guides prepare and load
the boat for your return journey back to Puerto Maldonado
where you will check into the Wasai hotel. This is a great
chance to relax and have some fun on the town. Puerto Maldonado
offers many bars and restaurants for your enjoyment, take
a game of pool with the locals or just enjoy the tranquility
of the hotel lounge area overlooking the beautiful Madre
de Dios River.
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Day
8 Return to Puerto Maldonado, evening free
After breakfast you will have your last chance to catch the ‘big
one’ as the guides prepare and load the boat for your return
journey back to Puerto Maldonado where you will check into the
Wasai hotel. This is a great chance to relax and have some fun
on the town. Puerto Maldonado offers so bars and restaurants for
your enjoyment, take a game of pool with the locals or just enjoy
the tranquillity of the hotel lounge area overlooking the beautiful
Madre de Dios River.
Day 9 Puerto Maldonado – Lima, end of services
After an early breakfast you will be transferred to the airport
in Puerto Maldonado to return to Lima. Afternoon arrival to Lima,
transfer to your hotel and/or to the airport to take your international
flight.
Alternatively your itinerary can be extended to include other
destinations in Peru such as the famous ruined city of Machu
Picchu, Puno and Great Lake Titicaca,
or a relaxing break in one of Peru's northern beach
resorts (with the added bonus of a little deep sea fishing
of course!)
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PRICING
Price guide, what's included & not included
Price Guide:
Price for 2007 to be confirmed. All
prices are based on double occupancy (twin or double room)
Price includes:
• All transfers airport/hotel/airport
• 8 nights lodging
• Full meals while in the Amazon
• B&B in Lima
• Fishing equipment
• Camping equipment
• Private boat
• Professional bilingual fishing guide
• Guide for the National Park
• Entrance fee to the National Park
• Rubber boots during stay at Amazon lodge
Not
included:
• International air travel
• Alcoholic or soft drinks
• Personal travel insurance, laundry, tips
• Airport taxes
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FURTHER
INFORMATION
The
river, fishing, weather, tackle & other items
The
River: Just 30 minutes by plane from Cuzco is
Puerto Maldonado, the Capital of the Madre de Dios Department.
It is located in the confluence of Madre de Dios River and Tambopata
River. The waters of Tambopata River are born in Puno and receive
a lot of tributaries. The water is clear brown and warm in the
dry season.
The Fishing: The
waters of Tambopata River offer us a variety of fish such as Payara,
Pacu (Giant Piranha), Catfish (Zungaros, Piros, Surubim, etc.)
We usually fish for Payara with spinning and casting tackle. There
are a lot of black volcanic rocks in the river and the Payara
hunt sardines very close to the shore. The technique is to cast
from the rocks lures like rapala's magnum or sliver, rebel fast
track or jawbreaker. Pacu take only fruits and fish meat, so we
use sardines for bait and hooks and weights with multifilament
lines on the reels. They are so strong the same technique is used
on all the catfish.
The typical Peruvian Sport fishermen needs a good pair of boots,
t shirts, cap, wind jacket, a belt bait box, one 7 footer spinning
medium rod for Payara, one 7 footer medium heavy rod for Pacu
and catfish, different sinking and trolling lures, a lot of natural
bait, hooks and weights.
The Weather & Season: Dry and sunny climate
from June to October and extremely humid during the rainy season
from November to May. The fishing season starts early July and
ends in late October. The best months are August, September and
October with fishing during full moon not recommended.
SUGGESTIONS FOR PAYARA TACKLE:
The
tour package includes one rod & reel and 2 fishing lures,
however please take a look at some our suggestions to bring your
own tackle. Our fishing technique is casting and spinning from
the beautiful black volcanic rocks of the Tambopata River. Payara
are a strong fish, very fast, with a big tail and a couple of
big canines in the lower jaw and two holes in the upper to receive
them. They live in extremely fast water and take both lures and
flies with a savage force.
Rods: We suggest
at least 2 rods of medium-heavy to heavy action, from 7½
to 9 feet for bait casting or Spinning. For Fly fishermen a slightly
heavier 9-10 weight fly rod is suggested.
Reels:
As with the rods, at least 3 reels with a capacity for 200 yards
of a 20 pound line, similar to a Shimano Bait runner 4500 or 6500,
Fin Nor 12 or the Penn 6500.
Line:
All kinds of line from 30 pounds to 65 pounds,
we prefer the multifilament like Spider Wire, Power Pro or a simple
Dacron. Good leaders and swivels are highly suggested, bring plenty
of them.
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Lures:
All kinds of lures like Rapala Magnum, Rapala Countdown,
Rebel Fast Track, Spoonbill and big windcheater, and all
types of lures that swim on fast waters and dive quickly.
Because of the dark colour of the water, brightly coloured
lures like fire tigers, oranges, redhead and chartreuses
are the favourites. Plastic lures will be punctured by the
teeth of the Payara and will lose their action; we find
that wooden lures work better.
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Don't worry
about the size of the lure, about 4½ inches and up is ok.
Take a special look in the hooks; they have to be extra strong.
For fly fishermen,
the Payara take a variety of large streamers, but prefer heavily
dressed on a 4/0 heavy saltwater tarpon hook. A heavy mono leader
tipped with stout tipped is essential.
OTHER
USEFUL ITEMS:
Long sleeved shirts for fishing (3)
Long trousers for fishing (3)
Short sleeved shirts for camping or fishing (2)
Shorts for camping or fishing (2)
T-shirts (2)
Caps (2)
Sun Screen Lotion
Tennis or deck shoes (2)
Camera or camcorder
Spare battery/films or memory
Pen Light
Medications & medicines
Good quality insect repellent
Toiletries
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