Step into the lush Amazon rainforest and uncover the fascinating world of the Brazil nut—a prized treasure that thrives only in untouched forests. This immersive experience takes you beyond the harvest, introducing you to the ‘castañeros’, the dedicated harvesters who have safeguarded this tradition for generations.
By supporting the Brazil nut industry, local communities protect the rainforest, as these towering trees can only survive in primary forests. Their sustainable harvesting helps prevent deforestation and provides an economic alternative to logging and agriculture.
During this journey, you’ll visit ‘castañeros’ in their homes, learning firsthand how they cultivate and process Brazil nuts while ensuring the conservation of their land. You’ll also visit a wildlife rescue center, where protecting Amazonian fauna plays a crucial role in maintaining a balanced ecosystem—essential for thriving Brazil nut trees.
To complete your adventure, you’ll enjoy a unique gastronomic experience at a stunning lodge, discover handcrafted artisan goods from local communities, and even try your hand at chocolate-making! This is more than a tour—it’s a meaningful way to connect with the Amazon, its people, and its future.
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What to Bring
For those arriving today in Puerto Maldonado, you’ll be picked up from the airport or bus terminal and taken to the port, where we’ll meet at 12 PM to begin our journey to Fundo Lazo—a special tourism project run by a local ‘castañero’ family.
Once there, you’ll be immersed in Amazonian culture! You’ll have the opportunity to watch and learn as a traditional meal is prepared in an open oven.
After lunch, we’ll take a short walk around the area, where you’ll be amazed by the impressive renaco trees with their aerial roots and the shiringa trees, known for their sap—a natural material that’s transforming industries worldwide.
Around 2 PM, we’ll embark on a 1-hour motorboat ride to Amazon Planet EcoLodge, where we’ll settle in and get ready for our afternoon adventure at Taricaya Ecoreserve. There, we’ll walk through the forest in search of wildlife and experience the canopy from above with a thrilling canopy walkway.
If you’re not too tired from today’s journey, join us for an exciting night walk! The Amazon comes alive at night with species you won’t see during the day, making this an unforgettable experience.
End the day with a comforting dinner and rest up for tomorrow’s adventures.
Today’s an early start, but don’t worry—the sunrise in the Amazon is an experience that makes waking up early totally worth it. Enjoy the stunning view with your breakfast and get ready for the trip to Sandoval Lake.
The lake is about a 3km walk through the forest, an easy trek that won’t take longer than an hour. But be warned—the wildlife along the way is so captivating you’ll want to stop every minute! Get ready to spot various species of monkeys and whatever else crosses your path—the Amazon is full of surprises.
Once you reach the lake, you’ll hop into a rowboat for a tour around the water. The giant river otter steals the show, but keep an eye out for caimans, the vulnerable taricaya turtles, and countless bird species.
Back at the lodge, recharge with a delicious lunch. Then, experience the life of a wildlife caretaker at the Taricaya Wildlife Rescue Center, where you’ll get a hands-on look at the vital work they do in caring for rescued animals.
The adventure continues after dark with a river night cruise—your best shot at spotting a caiman! The day wraps up with a relaxing dinner.
After breakfast, you’ll embark on a 1-hour motorboat trip to the Palma Real Community, where you’ll visit the Ese-Eja handcraft house of the Shi’oi native community.
Here, you’ll meet Teófila, the president of a local artisan association dedicated to preserving ancestral crafts and empowering women through their work. Using fibers from palm trees and natural dyes, they create intricate handmade pieces that reflect their deep connection to the Amazon. Prepare to be amazed by the incredible things made from natural materials—it’s sure to awaken your creative side!
Next, you’ll hop on a short boat ride to an Brazil nut forest. Guided by local harvesters, you’ll discover the vital role these trees play in the ecosystem and how the forest is carefully preserved to allow the nuts to grow. You’ll get to experience each stage of the collection process and enjoy freshly harvested nuts!
Lunch will be served on the boat as you make your way to your next destination: Warayo Lodge for a gastronomy experience. Here, a “Biodiversity Table” will be presented, showcasing local ingredients like cacao, Amazon nuts, plantains, and more in a vibrant and colorful spread. You’ll learn how these products are used in local cuisine and how they are cultivated.
Afterward, return to the lodge and soak in the breathtaking sunset over the Madre de Dios River while enjoying a delicious dinner, followed by a captivating conservation talk with experts.
If you’re a morning person and eager to spot wildlife, you have the option to wake up early for a sunrise nature walk at 5:30 AM. It’s the perfect time to experience the rainforest coming to life, with the sounds of birds, monkeys, and other wildlife all around. Breakfast will be waiting for you upon your return.
At 9:30 AM, we’ll visit the agroforestry farm of castañero Niño Herrera, who has been cultivating cacao commercially for the past eight years. You’ll explore different cacao varieties, from high-yield crops to rare native strains. Along the way, you’ll harvest ripe cacao pods, crack them open to taste the sweet, juicy pulp, and learn how to identify top-quality beans—because great chocolate starts at the source! We’ll finish with a chocolate tasting, featuring cacao grown right on-site and crafted into delicious treats.
Next, we’ll visit an Brazil nut processing plant, run mostly by women who are keeping this tradition alive. Here, we’ll follow the entire journey of the Brazil nut, from its arrival in the shell to the weighing, drying, hand-peeling, selecting, and packaging for sale.
Since processing is seasonal, and strict regulations limit other activities in the facility, tourism provides an important source of additional income for these families.
It’s a beautiful way to end the trip—gaining a deeper appreciation for the hard work behind every Amazon nut while directly supporting the community that preserves this vital Amazonian tradition!
This trip is truly impactful as it offers a unique opportunity to support both the local community and the environment. By visiting the ‘castañeros’, the skilled harvesters of the Brazil nut, you’re helping sustain a centuries-old tradition that relies on sustainable practices to preserve the rainforest. The Brazil nut trees, which thrive only in untouched primary forests, play a vital role in the ecosystem, and by supporting their harvest, you’re encouraging the protection of these precious forests rather than contributing to deforestation.
This experience supports the empowerment of women by providing them with the opportunity to work, earn an income, and break free from traditional roles. Through their involvement in nut processing and handcrafts, women gain financial independence, enabling them to support their families while preserving their cultural traditions. Tourism also provides an important alternative source of income, helping to support these families year-round, especially during off-seasons when nut harvesting isn’t possible.
I moved to Madre de Dios when I was three years old because of my father’s work in national parks. Growing up surrounded by nature, I developed a deep understanding of conservation. This led me to study biology, and later, gastronomy.
The Amazon remains a vast, untapped world of plant and animal species, rich in colors, aromas, and flavors. It is also home to communities that serve as guardians of diverse cultures, living in harmony with the forest. This experience was born from the desire to explore, protect, and share this untouched world, offering a window into its wonders.
Tourism is one of the few activities that adds value to a standing forest, generating income without destroying it—unlike mining, logging, or monoculture farming. By fostering sustainable tourism, we help preserve these ecosystems while connecting people to the beauty and importance of conservation.
Arrive into Puerto Maldonado one night before or at the latest by 11:45 on Day 1 of the itinerary. Leave Puerto Maldonado after midday on the last day of the itinerary.
While it may not seem significant, never underestimate the impact of heat and humidity in the jungle; for some, it can be extremely challenging.
This is a group tour, and throughout the activities, you will be in small groups with no more than 10 people.
The Amazon rainforest has a tropical, hot and humid climate, with the presence of torrential rains throughout the year, increased in the months of summer (December – March). The average annual temperature is 25ºC/77ºF. Day/night temperatures can differ between 15ºC/59ºF and 37ºC/100ºF. The colder temperatures occur during the so-called friajes, generally around June/July in the southern jungle areas. These short periods of extra cold temperatures are something to keep in mind because you will definitely need that extra sweater then! But normally, it will be very hot when you travel to the Peruvian Jungle.
Constructed in 2004, this structure may show its age, yet rest assured, it undergoes regular maintenance to ensure safety. To preserve its integrity, we limit its usage to 8 visitors per session, recommending an approximate spacing of 8 meters between individuals when traversing the suspended bridge. However, groups are welcome to gather closely on the staircases and the platform.
Please refer to our article What to Pack for your Trip to Peru for all your questions about packing for your Peru trip. Whether you’re going to the jungle or the mountains, you’ll find the answers you need. You can also download a full Packing List for free.
For questions about booking a tour, prices, preparation for your trip, health and safety or other themes, please check our Frequently Asked Questions page. If you can’t find your question & answer, email us and we’ll add it!
