Castaña Amazon Park invites visitors to live an authentic experience in the primary forest of the Madre de Dios region, Peru. Through a unique experience, you will learn about the ancestral knowledge of a true Brazil nut grower and his close relationship with nature. Through participatory activities you will learn the whole process of the Amazonian chestnut: from its reproduction, fruit gathering, crushing, transportation, to peeling, using traditional tools. During the tour through the interpretative trails, you will be able to admire wooden sculptures representing the local fauna, further enriching the connection with the environment. In addition to getting close to nature, this experience also revaluates the culture and identity of the Madre de Dios region, since the chestnut activity is one of the most representative and traditional practices of the area, transmitted from generation to generation by its inhabitants. The experience also includes a visit to a Shiringa Interpretation Center, as well as complementary spaces that invite you to fully enjoy the place: a bicycle path, regional cuisine, bar area and lodging options. Everything has been designed for you to live an immersive, cultural and sustainable experience, in harmony with the Amazonian biodiversity.
Country: Perú,
When did this experience begin?: 16/01/2019
At what stage is the experience currently?: It's a consolidated. established experience
Is the experience legally recognized?: Yes
Where does the experience take place?:
Name of the organization leading the experience: Dzamalloas ZAC.
Year in which it was established: 23/06/2022
Acronym (initials) of the organization: N/A
Logo of the organization:
Description of the Organization: Dzamalloas S.A.C. is a Peruvian family business dedicated to promoting the cultural identity and sustainable development of the Madre de Dios region, through its main tourism venture: Castaña Amazon Park. Its purpose is to revalue the chestnut activity, an ancestral tradition representative of the Peruvian Amazon, integrating visitors in unique experiences that combine nature, culture and conservation. The organization offers an authentic experience in a primary forest, where tourists can learn about the work of the Amazonian chestnut growers, their customs and traditions. These activities allow visitors to learn about chestnut harvesting, the biodiversity of the area and the importance of forest preservation, all using sustainable practices and traditional tools. Guided by its mission, Dzamalloas S.A.C. seeks to connect visitors with the cultural legacy of Madre de Dios and promote the conservation of Amazonian ecosystems. In turn, its vision for 2027 is to consolidate itself as a leading company and a family tourism business model, recognized for generating a positive impact on the sustainable development of the region and the revaluation of the chestnut activity. With a responsible, educational and experiential approach, Dzamalloas S.A.C. works every day so that each visitor lives an authentic, culturally enriching and unforgettable experience, while contributing to the conservation of the Peruvian Amazon.
Address of the organization's headquarters: Está ubicado a 9.8 Km. De la plaza de armas de la ciudad de Puerto Maldonado (8.8 Km hasta el ingreso a Madama y 1 Km. hasta llegar al Parque de la Castaña).
The Castaña Amazon Park experience contributes to Socio-Environmental Justice and Good Living because it is designed to balance the well-being of local communities with the conservation of Amazonian ecosystems. By revaluing the chestnut activity as an ancestral and representative practice of Madre de Dios, it recognizes and strengthens the right of local families to maintain their traditions, while promoting the sustainable use of primary forest resources. This model of experiential tourism generates fair income for the local population, fosters respect for their culture and strengthens the sense of belonging to the territory. It also educates visitors about the importance of conserving the Amazon's forests and biodiversity, encouraging responsible environmental awareness. The concept of Good Living is materialized in the way the experience integrates nature, culture and family economy: tourists participate in activities that do not degrade the ecosystem, collective learning is promoted and solidarity relationships are built between visitors and hosts. In summary, Castaña Amazon Park contributes to Socio-environmental Justice because it values local knowledge, guarantees economic benefits to the communities and protects the primary forests, essential pillars for the Good Living of current and future generations.
Context: Castaña Amazon Park was created in the Madre de Dios region of Peru, an area of great biodiversity where chestnut production is an essential part of the cultural and economic identity of its inhabitants. This family enterprise arose from the need to revalue the ancestral practices of the Amazonian chestnut growers and to offer sustainable alternatives to conserve the primary forests, a source of life for the local communities. In a context in which deforestation, land use change and extractive activities threaten Amazonian ecosystems, the founding chestnut family decided to create a space that integrates responsible tourism, conservation and environmental education. Thus was born Castaña Amazon Park, a place designed to share with visitors the culture, customs and traditions of the chestnut growers, while generating economic opportunities for the community and promoting awareness of the importance of caring for the Amazon. This venture thus becomes a response to the socio-environmental challenges of the region, showing that it is possible to promote local development without compromising the balance of nature, but rather strengthening it through cultural identity and respect for the forest.
Social Issues:
Other - Which one?
Other - Which one?: invasiones de terrenos aledaños
Cultural Issues:
Loss of cultural identityDeterioration of cultural heritage
Political Issues:
Absence of public institutionsCentralism
Economic Issues:
Mining
Environmental Issues:
PollutionDeforestationDegradationDroughtsDeterioration of water sourcesClimate changeForest firesDestruction of ecosystems
Title | Unit | Number | Description |
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reforestando castañas | Trees | 50 | Fifty chestnut trees were planted in a space that had been used for planting papaya; the trees are already 4 years old. |
Visita de estudiantes | Students | 600 | Students from different educational levels: kindergarten, primary, secondary and university were visited. During the tour, they learned about the culture of Madre de Dios and the ancestral knowledge of the chestnut growers, connecting with the forest and recognizing the value of the chestnut trees. This experience fostered commitments for their protection. |
LA ESTRADA DEL CASTAÑERO
La Estrada del Castañero invites you to enter the heart of the Amazon forest, walking among centenary trees, living stories and traditions that still throb in Madre de Dios. The tour begins in El Shiringuero, where you will learn about the fascinating history of rubber in the Amazon, and continues along trails that reveal how the Brazil nut is born, how the chestnut tree lives and how this fruit is transformed into food and culture. More than a simple tour, it is an experience to connect with the forest, value its ancestral knowledge and contribute to the protection of what gives us life. Itinerary of the tour Duration: Approximately 3 hours - Registration and welcome. - General indications of the tour. - Visit to the interpretation center "El Shiringuero", where you will learn about the history of Amazonian rubber and its importance in the region. - Experiential tour of the Chestnut Route, which includes: o The natural dissemination of the chestnut seed. o Visit to the house of the chestnut grower and his kitchen, with tasting of the traditional Amazonian drink chapo. o The domains of the Chullachaqui, mythical character of the forest, accompanied by legends and stories about the sachavaca and the jaguar. o Explanation of the processes of the chestnut: gathering, crushing, barriqueado and peeling. - Rest in the bar "El Monazo", surrounded by nature. Includes - Guided visit to the interpretation center "El Shiringuero". - Chestnut planting activity. - Complete tour of the Estrada del Castañero. - Wearing of typical chestnut tree clothing during the tour. - Preparation and tasting of the "chapo". - Chestnut-based snack. - Round trip transportation. Not included - Breakfast, snack or lunch. - Additional drinks. - Other services not mentioned.
90 Soles
Partners or Allied Organizations
Organization Name | Organization Role in the Experience |
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Asociación Cáritas Madre de Dios | Aliada |
Dirección de Comercio Exterior y Turismo de Madre de Dios | Aliada |
Fundación Socioambiental Semilla | Aliada |