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Not Your Average Birthday Commute—Rain, Rivers, and the Wild Unknown in Tambopata, Peru

Day 1 of dad’s genius plan: ‘Let’s all jump into the Amazon River’ and check it off our bucket list!

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For my 30th birthday, I ditched the cake and candles for the thrill of the Amazon River. Who needs frosting when you can feast on piranha sushi and zip-line through jungle canopies, right? Blame it on the Anaconda movie obsession as a girl, I always fantasized about prowling the Amazon jungle, and this trip was a dream come true and one hell of a way to celebrate a birthday with the family.

Our journey began with a dramatic 45-minute boat ride through a torrential downpour, it felt like the opening scene of an adventure movie. Upon arrival, we were greeted by Pumba, the lodge’s resident rescued collared peccary. This charming little one stole our hearts faster than you can say ‘Hakuna Matata!’

Rain or shine, my mama is ready!

Pumba, the collared peccary, greeting us at the lodge

Our guide, Jonathan, wasted no time in whisking us off to the canopy tour. As we trekked through the jungle, we came upon this sketchy 100-foot tower that looked like it came straight out of a B-movie set. Jonathan, assured us it was ‘secure and safe’ though in jungle terms, that probably meant it wouldn’t collapse right away.

At the top, we crossed a rickety bridge that can only be described as something straight out of an Indiana Jones movie. The bridge was suspended high in the treetops, swaying gently (and sometimes not so gently) with each step. Made out of wooden planks and supported by ropes, this rickety bridge spanned across a breathtankingly high canopy, offering panoramic views of the Amazon Jungle below. The bridge’s age and wear were evident, adding an extra layer of thrill to the experience.

As we confidently stride across the bridge to the next tower, we’re serenaded by the unmistakable sound of a crying baby. Yes, you read that right. Someone actually brought their newborn…like, straight out of the womb newborn along for a zip line adventure across the Amazon…Tarzan might’ve started young, but this takes jungle parenting to a whole new level.

After the zip lining adventure, as we descended the tower, the guy behind me tried to step down smoothly, only to have his leg plunge through one of the wooden planks. Now that’s a moment that makes you break a sweat! Secure tower? It felt more like hoping and praying we’d make it down in one piece. Did anyone bite the dust? No, but just a few heart stopping moments and plenty of nervous laughter.

Later that night, we dove into a thrilling night trek, spotting caimans and other nocturnal creatures.

Day 2 sightings of wildlife.

Day two ramped up the adventure—hiking untamed paths and kayaking at Sandoval Lake Reserve. While the birds were impressive, my sights were set on piranhas, caimans, and maybe even a glimpse of an anaconda (spoiler: no luck with the anaconda).

A culinary highlight was tasting freshly fried piranhas. Those terrifying fish turned out to be surprisingly delicious, definitely not just jaws with fins! And who can forget the nightly Amazonian sound of the jungle at 9 pm, when the lights and Wi-Fi blinked out. No screens, no distractions – just us, and the jungle. Taking a break from the digital world was just what we needed. We slept like babies that night, with the sounds of the Amazon’s wildlife all around us.

After a morning of parakeet-watching and a visit to Monkey Island, we thought our epic birthday celebration was winding down. But on our last night, our guide Jonathan dropped a bombshell: an invite to a traditional Ayahuasca ceremony. My parents, always up for new experiences, were immediately intrigued. The words “spiritual healing” sold them instantly.

The truth is, they had no idea what Ayahuasca really involves. They figured if the tour guide suggested it and everyone else was doing it, how bad could it be? We had to break it to them—it’s an intense hallucinogenic experience, not exactly a casual activity. There was no way we were ending our trip on a mind-bending note without being prepared.

After some convincing, they agreed to skip it this time, but now it’s on their bucket list. I know they still don’t fully grasp what Ayahuasca is, but they’re determined to come back and try it. Never in my wildest dreams did I think my parents would be up for an Ayahuasca ceremony in the Amazon. Maybe someday I’ll join them, but it was definitely not happening during this trip!