WHY YOU WILL LOVE TRC
The lodge
Highlights
Immerse yourself in one of the most biodiverse forests in the world
Explore the heart of the Tambopata National Reserve and actively participate in the conservation of its forests through citizen science on this Amazon ecolodge in Peru.
Our beloved Tambopata Research Center is located within the Tambopata National Reserve in front of the Bahuaja Sonene National Park in Madre de Dios PERU, making it one of the most remote lodges in South America! The lodge's pristine location means that it's surrounded by the best wildlife the Peruvian Amazon jungle has to offer and you will be able to discover it throughout our unique explorations.
Note this is not a hotel, but a comfortable ecolodge with only 28 rooms in the middle of the rainforest.
The Tambopata Research Center experience is ideal for nature lovers and photographers.
* The lodge features 300 meters (almost 1000 feet) of elevated walkways! These walkways are located on the perfect level of the forest — in between the canopy and the floor — where wildlife becomes more active.
*A trip to the Tambopata Research Center includes a visit to the 2 most important clay licks in the region: the Colorado and Chuncho Clay licks.
*Support Research and Conservation. Since 1989, researchers have been carrying out groundbreaking conservation research from the Tambopata Research Center.
Where is Tambopata Research Center?
Tambopata Research Center requires at least 3.5 hours of travel time. To begin your rainforest tour, you take a quick plane trip from Lima (1 hour and a half) or Cuzco ( 30 minutes) to the Amazonian city of Puerto Maldonado in Southeastern Peru.
After we meet you at the airport, we'll take you to our office 5 minutes away to refresh yourself and prepare for the journey to the lodge. After a 1-hour road trip, we will take a tranquil 2 and half-hour boating on the Tambopata River to immerse ourselves in the heart of the Tambopata National Reserve to get to the Tambopata Research Center lodge our most secluded lodge.
To join our free cost departures to the lodge, we suggest arriving before 12:30 hrs. Nevertheless, note that flights are changing constantly, please chat with our specialist to help
For departure, we recommend taking a flight after 11:30 hrs as you will be back around 10:00 am
Being one of the most remote lodges in South America, will the Tambopata Research Center ideal for you? Find it out here.
Get Details On Rates & Services
Science and Conservation
Wildlife Observation
Gallery
Activities
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What our guest say
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- Valuation Outstanding
- 4.8/5
Alan U November 2024
Sergio J October 2024
Megan Jackson October 2024
Hayley October 2024
Jonathan K October 2024
Jonathan Krejci October 2024
Hannah E October 2024
David G October 2024
Yueran M October 2024
Abraham Stephanos October 2024
Terri O October 2024
Emma Macey October 2024
I am normally not a nature-oriented person but spending a few days in the rainforest was mind-blowing. Our guide, Juan Carlos, was knowledgeable, passionate about his work, and a fun person to go on a several hours long hike to boot. He made sure we were taking the activities at our own pace, answered all our questions and had a seemingly endless knowledge of the plants and animals. The lodge is located in a protected area of the rainforest and as a result, the biodiversity is amazing and the staff are very respectful and protective of the wildlife. For a note on the lodging, late september is the end of dry season and also the hottest time of year. If I were to come back, I would upgrade to a room with a fan as there is no AC in the facility. Lodging was clean and I personally enjoyed the chance to unplug and sleep so close to nature. Without hyperbole this was a once in a lifetime experience and I cannot recommend it enough. Read all
We had a truly amazing time at Tambopata Research Center and its sister lodge, Refugio. Days were filled with long walks in the jungle to see all the incredible wildlife and plant life, the evening talks with the researchers were thoroughly enjoyable and inspiring, and meals with like minded travelers were a pleasure. Our rooms were extremely comfortable and well laid out, the food was varied, healthy and tasty, and the staff really went out of their way to ensure we had everything we needed and that our stay was going well. Truly couldn't recommend this experience more. Read all
My husband and I recently had the opportunity to visit the Tambopata Research Center in the Amazon rainforest, and it was truly an unforgettable experience! We did the 5 day, 4 night experience, which was so worth it. I personally think this is the perfect amount of time as it gave us the flexibility to have more opportunities to see wildlife, but also moments of relaxing at the lodge. We booked the trip through Tambopata Travel, with Mike. He was extremely helpful, very organized, and answered all 5 million questions I had haha. He was a very effective communicator and I would recommend anyone and everyone use him to help plan your rainforest experience. Before I get to my review, my only recommendation to the center would be for them to incorporate more of a variety of activities. A majority of the available activities are equivalent to walking around the rainforest looking for animals and learning about the surroundings. Which was amazing to me, but could lead to boredom for some. Thankfully, we had out guide Timo who made every walk through the rainforest interesting. Reaching the lodge does take about 3.5 hours, but if you embrace this part of the journey it only makes everything better. Once we arrived, I found the lodge to be absolutely amazing given its remote location. There will be bugs and there will be loud animal sounds, I think it’s important to remember we are guest in these animals home. Having spent 11 days in Peru prior to this trip, I can confidently say that the food at the lodge was the best we had consistently enjoyed throughout our travels. We also had the opportunity to work with other guides in Peru, all of whom were booked through reputable companies, but none compared to our guide, Timo, in terms of his English proficiency and extensive knowledge. The bar manager was also a highlight; he was very knowledgeable about alcohol and offered great recommendations and was able to make a variety of drinks based on what we were wanting to experience. All of the staff at Tambopata were very friendly and always had a smile on their face, especially the busser, I unfortunately missed his name, but he was great and so friendly. From start to finish, the trip was filled with incredible moments, largely thanks to our amazing guide, Timo. Timo was hands down the most knowledgeable guide I have ever encountered. His expertise about the rainforest was impressive, and he had an uncanny ability to spot wildlife that we would have completely missed without him. It was raining one day and we were willing to go out in the rain and Timo was right there with us. We had the chance to see a wide variety of animals, far exceeding my expectations.Timo also provided us with extensive knowledge about the plants and trees, helping us to understand the ecosystem as a whole. I was seriously blown away by how much he knew about the rainforest. Timo’s insights made the experience not just about the wildlife we saw, but also about the profound interconnectedness of life in the rainforest. We also appreciated Timo’s insight about the nature of wildlife viewing in the rainforest; some days were bustling with activity while others were quieter. I think it’s important for anyone wanting to travel to the Amazon to remember, this is a vast ecosystem with thousands of acres of wilderness- not a zoo. Overall, my time at the Tambopata Research Center was filled with awe-inspiring moments, and I learned so much about the rainforest. I highly recommend this experience to anyone looking to connect deeply with nature. Just remember to go with the flow and appreciate the rainforest for what it is! Read all
Fantastic lodge and research station deep in the reserve and the Amazon forest far from all visible signs of humanity, dense rainforest teeming with birds, animals, insects - it balances the discomfort of the steamy forest heat and biting insects perfectly with a little luxury when you are not out on excursions in the jungle - exactly what one would want from an Amazon experience. Read all
This lodge is a bit of a splurge, but for me, totally worth it. The staff were, without exception, cheerful, friendly and helpful. Our guide, Dino, was a true professional: a calm presence and a genius at spotting wildlife, and having no more than seven people in our group at all times was a plus (the other Rainforest Expeditions lodges have up to ten). We opted for a Comfort Room, and it was lovely; spacious and attractive, with a hammock and a terrific shower. The biggest surprise for me was the food, which was consistently terrific. Finally, it is clear to me that Rainforest Expeditions is truly committed to environmental preservation and giving back to the local community. As for the rainforest itself, it was interesting and we saw lots of wildlife, but don't expect it to be like an African safari. You can walk for a long time without seeing much, and often the animals are far way or well hidden (this is one reason group size matters; we often took turns looking through our guide's high-powered telescopic lens). Also, your experience will depend a lot on the weather. Two of the days we were there were quite nice; the other two were oppressively, stultifyingly hot and humid. Read all
This lodge is a bit of a splurge, but for me, totally worth it. The staff were, without exception, cheerful, friendly and helpful. Our guide, Dino, was a true professional: a calm presence and a genius at spotting wildlife, and having no more than seven people in our group at all times was a plus (the other Rainforest Expeditions lodges have up to ten). We opted for a Comfort Room, and it was lovely; spacious and attractive, with a hammock and a terrific shower. The biggest surprise for me was the food, which was consistently terrific. Finally, it is clear to me that Rainforest Expeditions is truly committed to environmental preservation and giving back to the local community. As for the rainforest itself, it was interesting and we saw lots of wildlife, but don't expect it to be like an African safari. You can walk for a long time without seeing much, and often the animals are far way or well hidden (this is one reason group size matters; we often took turns looking through our guide's high-powered telescopic lens). Also, your experience will depend a lot on the weather. Two of the days we were there were quite nice; the other two were oppressively, stultifyingly hot and humid. Read all
We had an amazing time during our trip to the Tambopata Research Center. The staff make your stay as comfortable as possible, and the food is delicious. From the moment they collect you at the airport, you don’t have to worry about anything - you’ll be in good hands. Our guide, Boris, did an incredible job of planning our daily activities, and we were spoiled to see and learn about the incredible wildlife - parrots, macaws, monkeys, capybara, innumerable insects, and more! This is a fantastic trip is highly recommended if you are keen on science, nature, and not too fussed about some pretty big bugs! We did a 3-night, 2-day trip (with a travel day on both sides), and would recommend one more day if you can swing it! Read all
Our 3-night stay at the Tambopata research was an experience we will never forget. Everything was well coordinated starting with our pickup at the airport. We then took a 10 min bus ride to the Rainforest Expeditions office where a busload of us all repacked our stuff into 30 lb duffel bags. The remainder of our items stayed at the office. Next, we got back on the bus for a 90-minute ride to the boat dock. Along the way, we had a box lunch and had an overview of the area and our upcoming days. Once on the boat, the guides slowed down for wildlife photo ops of capybaras and the many birds we saw. When we arrived at the lodge, Mary gave an overview of the facility while our bags were taken to our room which was a 10-minute walk from the main lodge/dining area on an elevated boardwalk in the rainforest. The room as advertised was open on one side to the rainforest and yes, we did have some nighttime visitors, but the mosquito netting kept them off us. The room was spacious and well-appointed with a fridge, ceiling fan, water, etc. At dinner we met our own personal rainforest guide – Timo. We made our plans for the next day which included a 5AM boat ride to the clay lick where we saw the most amazing macaws. Timo was very knowledgeable, fluent in English and well equipped with a telescope which provided some great pix even with using just an iPhone. Timo also took us on several hikes around the facility and up to the top of the canopy tower where we saw various species on monkeys and more birds. Each evening there were lectures presented by the researchers on various topics. Then there was the food! Each meal was freshly made and well prepared. Quite a variety for all tastes. The food is amazing and goes quickly so be sure to load up your plate. And the bar had a decent variety of beer, wine and liquor! We spent more at Tambopata than we normally would, but I can say it was definitely well worth it!! Read all
This is an amazing place to visit to learn more about nature and to observe with your own eyes how the legendary Amazon, home of so many beautiful species, is disappearing day and night. The macaw clay lick is magnificent. And the macaws strategically picking up breakfast and lunch at the buffet are adorable—they seem to enjoy doing this especially when tourists are around to film them. The monkeys, caimans, capybaras, owls, butterflies, lizards, tarantulas are all spectacular. I always enjoy hearing the howlers in the morning. If you pay attention, you can see spider monkeys and howler monkeys very close to the lodge, though we did not manage to find the other types of smaller monkeys. But above and behind the wonderful creatures I saw, the most memorable part is learning about the challenging reality they face. In the car to the lodge, you see vast areas of forest being cut down for farming and you have to smell the thick smoke from burning wood. The Tambopata river in the dry season is so low that the small boats have trouble sailing upstream. The night lectures explain that the macaws are quickly disappearing from the area and the claylick spectacle may become much harder to see in a decade or two. Witnessing spectacular nature vanish in front of your eyes is unforgettable. TRC hosts many scientific research projects that use cutting edge technology for conservation, which is very educational and heart warming. Sleeping in mosquito nets in open air for a few days is not that bad. Some of the tour guides could be more proactive, and their binoculars are not great so bring your own. After the first day’s visit to the claylick and the canopy tower, activities become more repetitive because there is only so much area that visitors can go around the lodge. So perhaps a short stay is most efficient. Read all
Wonderful experience, lot of nature walks. Insect repellent is a must! Read all
This was an amazing jungle experience. The staff is friendly and accommodating. Our guide, Listen, was wealth of information and had great energy and enthusiasm. There was plenty of time to relax and explore. We found ourselves slowing down and connecting with nature. Read all
An absolutely magical stay in the heart of Tambopata National Reserve. It's a unique experience to be in a place like this and I spent hours simply on the hotel's raised walkway watching the monkeys and macaws passing by above. The accommodation and food were super, the night lectures (optional) interesting and the guides absolutely wonderful. If in doubt, do book! Read all
FEATURED AMAZON TOUR
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Tambopata Research Center
5 days / 4 nightsFrom USD$ 1728
Per person in double room
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Posada Amazonas & Tambopata Research Center
5 days / 4 nightsFrom USD$ 2390
Per person in double room
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Tambopata Research Center
4 days / 3 nightsFrom USD$ 1245
Per person in double room
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HELP ME PLAN MY TRIP
THE ACTIVITIES
- Jungle night walk Jungle night walk Duration 1 hour Difficulty I Best at All year
- Canopy Tower Canopy Tower Duration 2 hours Difficulty II Best at All year
- Discovering New Species Discovering New Species Duration 2 hours Difficulty I Best at All year
- Rainforest Master Hike Rainforest Master Hike Duration Half day Difficulty III Best at All year
- Amazon Birdwatching Amazon Birdwatching Duration From 2 hours to half-day Difficulty From I - III Best at March to January
- Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick Duration Half day Difficulty I Best at All year
- Sunset Cruise Sunset Cruise Duration 1 hour and a half Difficulty I Best at All year
- Amazon Creek Trail Hike Amazon Creek Trail Hike Duration 3 hours Difficulty III Best at All year
- Island Exploration & Pond Island Exploration & Pond Duration 3 hours Difficulty I Best at All year
- Bamboo Trail Bamboo Trail Duration 3 hours Difficulty III Best at All year
- Adventure To The Bowl Adventure To The Bowl Duration 4 hours Difficulty III Best at November to March
- The World of Butterflies The World of Butterflies Duration 2 hours - NEED TO BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE Difficulty I Best at May to September
OUR STORIES
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April 30, 2017 A Few Target Birds at the Tambopata Research Cent...
There are literally hundreds of bird species waiting to be seen in Tambopata, Peru. Of those, many are common and easy to see, others hide in the forest, and a fair number are rare...
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September 02, 2015 Purple “Donald Trump” Caterpillar Spotted at the ...
Purple “Donald Trump” Caterpillar It’s not something your cat coughed up. And no, it’s not really Donald Trump’s hair. It’s actually a caterpillar that sports a toupé...
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December 10, 2012 New species of Decoy Spider likely discovered at ...
From afar, it appears to be a medium-sized spider about an inch across, possibly dead and dried out, hanging in the center of the spider web along the side of the trail. Nothing to...
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