Castaña Amazon Park invites visitors to enjoy an authentic experience in the heart of the primary forest of the Madre de Dios region in Peru. Through a unique experience, you will learn about the ancestral knowledge of a true chestnut farmer and his close relationship with nature. Through participatory activities, you will learn the entire process of Amazonian chestnut production: from reproduction, fruit gathering, crushing, and transportation to peeling, using traditional tools. During the tour along the interpretive trails, you can admire wooden sculptures representing the local fauna, further enriching your connection with the environment. In addition to bringing you closer to nature, this experience also revalues the culture and identity of the Madre de Dios region, as chestnut farming is one of the most representative and traditional practices in the area, passed down 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 bike trail, regional cuisine, a bar area, and accommodation options. Everything has been designed for you to have an immersive, cultural, and sustainable experience, in harmony with 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 cultural identity and sustainable development in the Madre de Dios region through its main tourism venture: Castaña Amazon Park. Its purpose is to revalue the chestnut industry, an ancestral tradition representative of the Peruvian Amazon, by integrating visitors into 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 Amazonian chestnut harvesters, 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 heritage 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 model for family-run tourism businesses, recognized for generating a positive impact on the sustainable development of the region and the revaluation of the chestnut industry. With a responsible, educational, and experiential approach, Dzamalloas S.A.C. works every day to ensure that each visitor has 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 experience offered by Castaña Amazon Park 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 harvest as an ancestral practice representative 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 experiential tourism model generates fair income for the local population, fosters respect for their culture, and strengthens their sense of belonging to the territory. In addition, it educates visitors about the importance of conserving Amazonian forests and biodiversity, encouraging responsible environmental awareness. The concept of Buen Vivir (Good Living) is embodied in the way the experience integrates nature, culture, and the family economy: tourists participate in activities that do not degrade the ecosystem, collective learning is promoted, and relationships of solidarity are built between visitors and hosts. In short, Castaña Amazon Park contributes to socio-environmental justice because it values local knowledge, guarantees economic benefits for communities, and protects primary forests, which are essential pillars for the Good Living of current and future generations.
Context: Castaña Amazon Park was founded in the Madre de Dios region of Peru, an area rich in biodiversity where chestnut farming is an essential part of the cultural and economic identity of its inhabitants. This family business arose from the need to revalue the ancestral practices of Amazonian chestnut farmers and to offer sustainable alternatives that would allow for the conservation of primary forests, a source of life for local communities. In a context where deforestation, land use change, and extractive activities threaten Amazonian ecosystems, the founding chestnut-growing family decided to create a space that integrates responsible tourism, conservation, and environmental education. Thus, Castaña Amazon Park was born, a place designed to share the culture, customs, and traditions of the chestnut grower with visitors, while generating economic opportunities for the community and raising awareness about the importance of caring for the Amazon. This venture is thus 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| reforestando castañas | Trees | 50 | Fifty chestnut trees were planted in an area that had previously been used for papaya cultivation. The trees are now four years old. |
| Visita de estudiantes | Students | 600 | We welcomed students from different educational levels: preschool, elementary school, high school, and university. 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 chestnut trees. This experience fostered a commitment to their protection. |
LA ESTRADA DEL CASTAÑERO
La Estrada del Castañero invites you to venture into the heart of the Amazon rainforest, walking among centuries-old trees, living stories, and traditions that still thrive in Madre de Dios. The tour begins at El Shiringuero, where you will learn about the fascinating history of rubber in the Amazon, and continues along trails that reveal how chestnuts are born, how chestnut growers live, and how this fruit is transformed into food and culture. More than just a tour, it is an experience to connect with the jungle, value its ancestral knowledge, and contribute to the protection of what gives us life. Tour itinerary Duration: Approximately 3 hours • Registration and welcome. • General instructions for the tour. • Visit to the "El Shiringuero" interpretation center, 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 chestnut grower's house and kitchen, with tasting of the traditional Amazonian drink chapo. o The domains of the Chullachaqui, a mythical character of the forest, accompanied by legends and stories about the sachavaca and the jaguar. o Explanation of the chestnut processes: gathering, crushing, barrel aging, and peeling. • Break at the "El Monazo" bar, surrounded by nature. Includes • Guided tour of the "El Shiringuero" interpretation center. • Chestnut planting activity. • Complete tour of the Estrada del Castañero. • Use of typical chestnut grower's clothing during the tour. • Preparation and tasting of chapo. • Chestnut-based snack. • Round-trip transportation. Not included • Breakfast, snack, or lunch. • Additional beverages. • Other services not mentioned.
90 Soles
Partners or Allied Organizations
| Organization Name | Organization Role in the Experience |
|---|---|
| Asociación Cáritas Madre de Dios | Aliada |
| Dirección de Comercio Exterior y Turismo de Madre de Dios | Aliada |
| Fundación Socioambiental Semilla | Aliada |
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