Tambopata Research Center – Suggested Expedition 5 days / 4 nights
PERUVIAN AMAZON TOURS
Day 1: Welcome to the Amazon!
Arrive in Puerto Maldonado, the capital of Madre de Dios, and start your journey with a 1-hour bus ride followed by a 2.5-hour boat trip to the lodge. As you travel along the river, enjoy your first taste of Amazonian cuisine while soaking in the breathtaking rainforest landscapes.
Cross the confluence with the Malinowski River, leaving behind the last traces of human habitation as you enter the 700,000-hectare uninhabited core of the Tambopata National Reserve. Along the way, keep an eye out for capybaras, caimans, geese, macaws, and other large species that become increasingly frequent as you venture deeper into the reserve.
Arrive at Tambopata Research Center, a boutique eco-lodge set in the heart of the Tambopata National Reserve. Surrounded by projects from the Wired Amazon Program, including the Tambopata Macaw Project, 8 Primates Project, and Discovering New Species, the lodge is a haven for nature enthusiasts. Enjoy comfortable accommodations ranging from 21-square-meter rooms to spacious 83-square-meter suites, all featuring private bathrooms and open windows facing the forest.
Your stay includes three daily meals, tea, coffee, guided excursions and activities, refreshments upon arrival, and transfers to and from the airport. Guides are provided in small private groups with a 6:1 ratio to ensure personalized experiences.
Before dinner, attend a night lecture where scientists provide insights into the ongoing projects of the Wired Amazon Program and discuss the conservation challenges they face.
After dinner, take the opportunity to embark on a night hike, exploring the jungle under the cover of darkness. Although many mammals are active but elusive, the varied shapes and sounds of frogs are easier to observe and equally captivating.
Day 2: Macaw Clay Lick and Canopy Tower
Start your morning with a visit to the Macaw Clay Lick, one of the most spectacular wildlife events in the Amazon. Dozens of large macaws and hundreds of parrots gather on the riverbank in a raucous and colorful display. From a discreet viewing spot 50 meters from the cliff, watch as Green-winged, Scarlet, and Blue-and-gold Macaws, along with several species of smaller parrots, descend to ingest clay—a behavior that has been extensively documented and celebrated in nature publications.
Macaw Clay licks inside the Tambopata National Reserve
In the afternoon, experience the Canopy Tower at Tambopata Research Center. Ascend the 30-meter-high tower, offering panoramic views above the treetops. From this elevated vantage point, you’ll have the opportunity to spot treetop wildlife such as monkeys, toucans, macaws, and a diverse array of other bird species, all while enjoying the endless vistas of the Amazon canopy.
Day 3: Bamboo Trail and 8 Primate Project
Begin your morning with an exploration of the Bamboo Trail, a surreal journey through a unique bamboo forest. As the sunlight filters through the thin, spindly leaves, you’ll meander along the trail with the tranquil river glinting beside you. The Guadua bamboo, native to the Americas, thrives in the poorly drained upland soils of this region, growing several meters each year and creating a distinct habitat.
Bamboo Trail - Tambopata National Reserve
In the afternoon, participate in the 8 Primate Project, a hike through a five-kilometer trail in a prototypical rainforest filled with immense trees, creeks, and ponds. This trail provides excellent opportunities to observe various primate species, such as Squirrel Monkeys, Brown Capuchin Monkeys, and Spider Monkeys, as well as peccaries. The Tambopata Research Center’s strategic location within this habitat makes it an ideal spot for primate watching.
Day 4: Creek Trail and Rainforest Master Hike
Spend the morning exploring the Creek Trail, a distinctive terra firme forest that’s best experienced from November through March during the rainy season when the creeks are full of water. This half-day hike provides insight into the unique ecology of these creek-crossed forests, offering glimpses of wildlife and the intricate network of waterways that support the rainforest’s biodiversity.
Howler monkeys prefer the tallest trees of the Master Hike
In the afternoon, embark on the Rainforest Master Hike, a longer trek that delves deeper into the forest’s incredible biodiversity. Led by knowledgeable guides, this hike reveals the hidden gems of the rainforest, including elusive canopy birds, various monkey species, and remarkable plant life, leaving you with a profound appreciation for the Amazon’s complex ecosystem.
After dinner, join the Discovering New Species activity. Accompany researchers at a night light trap to explore the forest and potentially identify new species. This hands-on citizen science activity allows you to contribute directly to ongoing biodiversity research and gain a deeper appreciation of the rainforest’s vast and complex ecosystem.
Day 5: Relaxation, Wildlife on the Riverbanks, and Departure
Enjoy a leisurely morning with breakfast and a relaxing time in the lodge’s hammocks, soaking up the last moments of tranquility in the Amazon. This is also your final chance to observe wildlife along the riverbanks as you make your way back to Puerto Maldonado. Often, animals come out as if to bid you farewell, offering a fitting end to your Amazon adventure.
Your journey concludes as you depart via boat and bus for your flight. Carry with you the unforgettable memories of your exploration through the heart of the Amazon and the knowledge that your visit has directly supported the Wired Amazon program and conservation efforts in the Tambopata National Reserve.
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What our guest say
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- Valuation Excellent
- 5/5
Jacob Shama May 2024
Yaacov May 2024
secaBoulder May 2024
Cecilia D May 2024
Andrea Breanna Apr 2024
A user Apr 2024
Niko Dietsch Apr 2024
Yuting C Apr 2024
Yuting Chen Apr 2024
Víctor Moscoso Apr 2024
Ari S March 2024
Dreamer627120 March 2024
The lodge is located in the middle of the forest accessible only by boat. The experience was very unique and exciting. Service is great, and the fun part are the nature activities and tours the hotel offers for free. We had an amazing tour guide that had a lot of knowledge and was fun to spend time with. The rooms are totally open to the forest which is really cool the struggle is the there is no privacy at all in between the rooms, also food was pretty basic. All together a very unique experience. Read all
This hotel is the perfect blend of comfort and hospitality, with the natural experience. The hotel is reached by a hours boat ride from Puerto Maldonado, expertly organized and accomplished. Most staff are members of the local Esa Ejja community. The food is good and plentiful. Hot water is always available and lovely bedding features mosquito nets. There is of course no air conditioning (one side wall is open in rach room) and the electricity is off for a few hours at night affecting overhead fans, so I was glad to have brought a small battery powered fan for sleeping. But the best of the experience is the wildlife. Our expert guide Oscar Mishaja introduced us to nearly 100 bird species, along with caimans, river otters, poison dart frogs and capybara. A trip of a lifetime. Read all
Excellent experience overall— really kind and welcoming staff at every point of the journey. All transfers were well organized and smooth. Excellent and educational excursions all around the rainforest. Delicious food for every meal. We had wonderful guides- Freet and Alvaro. Enjoyed our time here! Read all
We had a surreal experience at Refugio Amazonas. From the well organized transportation to the warm welcome, hospitality and the experience of living in nature - we loved it all. Huge shout out to our guide Boris who went out of his way to ensure we had a good experience and got to watch all kinds of wild life. The meals and cocktails were delicious. And even though this place is smack in the middle of the jungle there was super fast WiFi available. We made unforgettable memories. Read all
We had an amazing time in TRC. From the guide, tours, lounge staff, food and room, everything has exceeded our expectation and like an amazing dream came true. We highly recommend to directly book with the lounge website, so that you got a private guide for your group. Special thanks to our guide Saul, who made this experience extra special! We were so impressed by his knowledge about all the animals and the rainforest. Read all
We had an amazing time in TRC. From the guide, tours, lounge staff, food and room, everything has exceeded our expectation and like an amazing dream came true. This is the only lounge available in Tambopata national park, and this eco lounge takes environment seriously. We highly recommend to directly book with the lounge website, so that you got a private guide for your group. Special thanks to our guide Saul, who made this experience extra special! We were so impressed by his knowledge about all the animals and the rainforest. If you are a natural lover, you can’t miss this place Read all
Excellent and luxurious place, wonderful experience and our guide Boris was first class, he had a unique patience with my 8 year old son. An experience in the tropical rainforest that marks the life of its visitors. In addition to the scientific research that takes place in the place: a whole research center. Rooms: Very comfortable and luxuriou Read all
El mejor hotel para visitar la Amazonia peruana. Hotel eco turístico metido en medio de la selva, equipado para visitar y vivir la selva, su flora y fauna, en todas sus facetas. Todo incluido, con guías preparados y amables, resultó una experiencia increíble para mi familia. Dentro de las opciones no se debe perder el Canopy de 45 metros de altura para observar y escuchar la selva, así como el lago de las tres Chimbadas, lugar único para ver caimanes, nutrias gigantes, monos y aves exóticas. Recomiendo mínimo dos noches!!! Read all
Wunderbare lodge mit freundlichen Menschen. sehr persönliche guides, tolle Tourangebote und super kulinarische Verpflegung ! Wir wurden herzlichst von Caesar empfangen und unser guide JuanJo hat uns phantastische Dinge gezeigt. Wir können die lodge nur wärmstens empfehlen! Read all