Rainforest expedition at the Tambopata Research Center

Welcome to Puerto Maldonado! When you arrive at the airport, a partner agent will warmly welcome you. Now the adventure begins! Store your large luggage in the lodge’s city office so you can only take light luggage with you for the next few days. Then, you will take a twenty-minute bus ride to the Tambopata River into the rainforest. It will take about 2.5 hours to reach the first accommodation, Refugio Amazonas Lodge. On the way, you will receive a lunch box and then stay overnight at Refugio Amazonas on the first day.

You will already see the first exotic birds flying by while you drive to your destination. In the evening, you’ll learn everything exciting about the Tambopata rainforest area during an information event. After dinner, take a night walk to look for nocturnal animals and listen to the jungle sounds. Equipped with flashlights, go on a journey in search of caimans near the shore. The nature guides are English-speaking Peruvian biologists.

Best travel time: The clime is warm and humid all year round, the rainy season lasts from November to April. We recommend traveling between May and September.

The boat is the primary means of transport on the numerous rivers. There are daily flights to Puerto Maldonado from Lima and Cusco, and it is the starting point for tours in the rainforest of southeastern Peru.

Overnight with lunch box and dinner in Tambopata National Park, Peru

Today you’ll explore the 30-meter high canopy tower. From high above, you’ll have a fantastic view of the Peruvian Amazon’s canopy leaves. Keep your eyes peeled for the colorful toucans, parrots, and birds of prey. Then, take a boat ride up the Tambopata River! About halfway into your journey, you’ll visit the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick. Here, the macaws treat themselves to their daily portion of mineral-rich clay, which is an essential part of their diet. The parrot sightings depend on the weather, as the birds don’t get to the lick when it rains.

After another 2.5 hours, you’ll arrive at the Tambopata Research Center, which nestles in the heart of the rainforest. This destination is an absolute animal paradise because it is in the middle of the Peruvian Amazon region. When you arrive, explore the paradise for nature lovers and passionate hobby biologists. Because of the limited space in the lodge and the distance to Puerto Maldonado, not everyone comes here — only those interested.

When you arrive, enter a new world far away from any civilization. Discover the plethora of rare animals in the national park, for example, capybaras, caimans, macaws, geese, and other unique species!

The lodge is also a great place to relax. Sit on the terrace in one of the hammocks and enjoy the tranquil rainforest sounds. In the library, browse through the books, or unwind in your cozy room. Later in the day, you’ll set off on a three to five-kilometer-long hike through the jungle, and with a bit of luck, you’ll see howler monkeys and red-bellied jumper monkeys. Back at the accommodation, a scientist awaits you to give you a lecture about the local macaws. Learn more about the biology, feeding behavior, population sizes, and threats of the colorful bird. To end the exciting adventures of your day, enjoy a tasty dinner.

Overnight with full board in Tambopata National Park, Peru

Another highlight awaits you at dawn. On the banks of the Tambopata, you have a close-up view of the parrot lick. This natural spectacle sparked the interest of National Geographic, who wrote a cover story about it. Not only do many macaws meet here every morning, but other parakeet species are fans of the mineral-rich clay. The excursion takes place early in the morning because this is when most birds visit the site. Then go on a rainforest hike between streams, ponds, figs, and other large trees. You can see capuchin monkeys, squirrels, spider monkeys, and peccaries (umbilical pigs); with a bit of luck, you might see a tapir splash around the water. Giant otters also call the national park their home.

Afterward, take a boat trip to a small lake ten minutes away from the lodge. The lake has a quaint floating platform in the middle where you can stop to observe the diverse birdlife, such as Muscovy ducks, sunrays, woodpeckers, Montezuma fronted birds, tyrants, and parakeets.

In the evening, you’ll have the option to participate in a night jungle tour. Watch the rainforest come to life around you! A professional researcher will join the experience and teach you interesting facts about the species and surroundings.

Overnight with full board in Tambopata National Park, Peru

At dawn, set out on your return journey to Puerto Maldonado. Early in the morning, around 05:00, you’ll see a copious amount of animals in the rainforest. With a bit of luck, you will spot exotic animals on the riverbank that you don’t usually see in the day. The way back is first by boat and then again by bus. On the way to the airport, collect your luggage from the lodge’s city office. Please note that the return journey takes about six hours.

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Refugio Amazonas Lodge***, Tambopata National Park, Peru

The eco-friendly lodge nestles directly in the Tambopata National Park; therefore, the beautiful nature surrounds you endlessly. The 32 rooms have a bathroom with warm water, mosquito nets, and electricity three times a day with a generator. Usually, the lodge is generally lit with kerosene lamps and candles. The superior and premium rooms have WiFi. At the accommodation, guests have access to the restaurant, bar, small souvenir shop, and wellness spa. The lodge can be reached in 2.5 hours by boat from Puerto Maldonado.

Tambopata Research Center Lodge***, Tambopata National Park, Peru

The lodge is also a research center and a starting point for many biologists' expeditions into the rainforest. All rooms have a bed with a mosquito net and come furnished in a very typical way. There are no glass windows in the lodge, but instead, the lodge opens up on all sides toward the beautiful rainforest view. It gives you the feeling of being away from civilization and escaping into the middle of nature. The 18 rooms guarantee a family atmosphere in the lodge, which was built from only natural materials. A reed wall separates the room from the other room, and curtains are used instead of doors. In the middle of the complex is the main building with a bar, restaurant, and lounge. At night the facility is illuminated with kerosene lamps. Please also note that the electricity is completely switched off here at night. During the day, a generator makes this available for a few hours. Eight shared bathrooms with a shower and toilet are public for all rooms.

The lodge can be reached in about 6 to 6.5 hours from Puerto Maldonado and is in the middle of the primary rainforest. Please note that the shared bathrooms do not have hot water.

Duration of the trip: 4 days / 3 nights

Included

• 3 nights in the named accommodations or similar:
  • 1 night at Refugio Amazonas*** with lunch box and dinner in a superior room in Tambopata National Park
  • 2 nights at Tambopata Research Center Lodge*** with full board in a superior room with a shared bathroom in Tambopata National Park
• Transfer from/to Puerto Maldonado by land and boat (6 meter long boats with roof)
• Entrance fees
• Juices and water
• Daily excursions with English/Spanish speaking guides on a group basis
• The starting price is valid during the travel period 01.11.21 - 31.12.22

Excluding

• International flights

• Domestic flights

• Optional excursions (visits, admissions, etc.)

• Meals and drinks not mentioned in the scope of services

• Personal expenses, such as minibar and tips

• Travel insurance

• Possible PCR test, if still required

• Visa, entry and/or exit fees if required