Peruvian Amazon Sustainable Development in Tambopata

Stories

Empowering Indigenous Women Leaders for Sustainable Development in Tambopata

This is the first phase of the project that seeks continuity in order to generate a positive impact for sustainable development in the native communities. The academic research project is led by Ph.D. Inés Ruiz from the Universidad Científica del Sur and Doctor Miguel Ángel Coll from the University of the Balearic Islands UIB together with the Ese Eja Native Community of Infierno and Rainforest Expeditions. The university team has experienced professionals such as Claudia Torres Sovero – Biologist, Veronica Ponce – Social Psychologist, Gonzalo Alvarado – Director of Photography

Why doing this?

In the heart of Tambopata, nestled within the lush landscapes of the Madre de Dios region in Peru, lies a remarkable community with a vibrant heritage—the Ese Eja Native Community of Infierno. It is here that an inspiring journey unfolds, one that centers around empowerment, identity, and sustainability. 

Since 1996, Rainforest Expeditions and the Native Community of Infierno have had a successful strategic alliance. The Ese Eja Native Community of Infierno, Peru, owns Posada Amazonas eco-lodge, while Rainforest Expeditions supports its marketing and management. This partnership has been one of the most successful ventures between a local community and a tourism company anywhere in the world!

The Universidad Científica del Sur has embarked on a transformative mission to amplify the roles of women leaders within this community, leading to an enriching project that encapsulates the essence of cultural preservation, gender equality, and sustainable tourism.

Revitalizing Identity and Leadership Through Workshops

The Ese Eja Native Community of Infierno is at the core of this uplifting initiative. Recognizing the invaluable roles that women leaders play in shaping the destiny of their community, a series of workshops were conducted by a dedicated team from the Universidad Científica del Sur. 

These workshops, conducted for both women and children, aimed to revitalize their cultural identity, strengthen leadership qualities, and inspire a deeper connection with their roots.

The workshops acted as a bridge between academia and local wisdom, fostering an environment of learning and mutual exchange. Participants had the opportunity to delve into discussions about heritage, sustainability, and gender empowerment. Through this exchange of knowledge and ideas, a renewed sense of pride and purpose emerged among the women of Ese Eja Infierno.

Behind the scenes photos workshop tambopata

Unveiling Stories Through «Yo soy el Bosque»

A pivotal aspect of the project is the creation of the documentary «Yo soy el Bosque» (I Am the Forest). This poignant film captures the essence of the community’s journey, shedding light on the incredible work undertaken by the women of Infierno and Palma Real. Their leadership roles, both in preserving their native language Ese Eja and in championing sustainable practices, are highlighted with deep reverence.

«Yo soy el Bosque» serves as a testament to the strength, resilience, and wisdom of the women of Ese Eja Infierno. Their efforts stand as a beacon of hope for sustainable development in the region, demonstrating that empowered women leaders are pivotal drivers of positive change.

filimg the documentary you soy el bosque

«Turismo y género» Project: A Pathway to Sustainable Future

The larger project, titled «Turismo y género desde la perspectiva de la educación universitaria» (Tourism and Gender from the Perspective of University Education), is a collaborative effort led by Inés Ruiz Alvarado, Dean of the University Científica del Sur, and Miguel Coll, a researcher from the University of Islas Baleares. This project encapsulates the ethos of sustainable tourism, cultural preservation, and gender equity.

At its core, the project seeks to collect meaningful data about the women of the Amazonian community, uncovering the variables that determine their roles within the realm of Sustainable Development Goals and poverty alleviation. These efforts extend to exploring the profound impact of Ese Eja women in the domains of gender equality, environmental conservation, and the creation of resilient communities.

Sustainable Development in the peruvian amazon 1

Towards a Brighter Future through sustainable development

In a world where preserving cultural heritage and embracing sustainable practices are of paramount importance, the initiative undertaken by the University Científica del Sur shines as a beacon of hope. Through workshops, documentaries, and collaborative projects, the Ese Eja women of Infierno and Palma Real are not just preserving their identity—they are actively shaping a future that celebrates their wisdom, resilience, and leadership.

As we navigate the complexities of sustainable development, let the story of Ese Eja Infierno remind us that empowerment knows no bounds, and that by nurturing women leaders, we nurture the world itself. Together, we can create a world where culture and sustainability go hand in hand, paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future.

NOW READ: The Ese Eja Native Community of Infierno

  • What our guest say

    • Valuation Excellent
    • 5/5

Shropshire Boy October 2026

Nicholas Nguyen October 2026

David Forrest September 2026

Susanne Ratzenberger September 2026

juandiegohurtadom September 2026

Jazmin M September 2026

Paul H August 2026

FineSpitz August 2026

Jack Looney August 2026

Ching Han Toh August 2026

Maggie Kwok August 2026

Jim July 2026

If you want to know what it is like in the jungle, this is the place to come. Amazing scenery, wildlife, and knowledgeable guides. To get the most out of the experience prepare for some early starts and early bedtimes. A fantastic few days which I won't forget in a hurry. Read all

The excursions were the best part of the trip and how the guides were so knowledgeable and welcoming. We were lucky to have seen all different kinds of animals including capybara, giant river otter, spider monkey, red howler monkey, scarlet macaw, hoatzin. Read all

It gives a great insight into the jungle. We had a great visit. I recommend going during the dry season. Our guide Luis M. was excellent! Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, kind and a gentleman. Bear in mind it's going to be hot and humid with some mosquitos. It's a jungle out there! Read all

A spectacular experience—Juan Carlos and Carmen, we’d like to sincerely thank you for our stay at your lodge on the banks of the Tambopata River. This part of our two-month trip through Peru and Bolivia left an indelible impression on us. The transfer itself was a testament to the professionalism of your team: the journey from Puerto Maldonado to the lodge—with a very tight schedule to arrive before dark, a guide waiting for us, and a smooth trip by bus and boat—went off without a hitch despite our tight flight connections. Everything about the lodge won us over: comfortable accommodations in the heart of the jungle, good food, and a comprehensive, well-structured excursion program with morning, afternoon, and evening tours. We were thrilled every time we saw something new. We’d especially like to highlight our guide, Jordi: his knowledge of the flora and fauna, combined with his patience in spotting wildlife, made our stay truly special. Equally impressive was the condition of the jungle: pristine, clean, and home to an intact ecosystem ranging from big cats to macaws. The care and responsibility devoted to maintaining this place are evident. Incredible guides. And the entire staff was very attentive. Highly recommended Read all

A spectacular experience—Juan Carlos and Carmen are incredible guides. And the entire staff is very attentive. Highly recommended Read all

It was a wonderful experience and a pleasant surprise. The staff and guides at the Rainforest Expeditions lodge were fantastic and always went out of their way to ensure we had the best possible experience. Thank you to Juan Carlos and Carmen for their care and dedication to the group. Read all

We had an excellent 5 night stay at TRC with two couples. The remote Lodge and accommodation are unique especially with the open walls to the jungle in the rooms. The guides were first rate with superb knowledge and their ability to spot fauna in the dense jungle was incredible. We saw many species of monkeys; macaws, parrots, tapirs, etc.. even lucky enough to spot a jaguar. Food and service was really good. While not cheap it was I think very good value for money. We really enjoyed all the hikes and citizen science activities as well, he trips on the river and the clay licks. Overall amazing experience! As it’s the jungle not a zoo, you can’t guarantee that you’ll see everything all the time so allow enough days to properly explore. Read all

A once-in-a-lifetime experience in the middle of the rainforest. From airport pickup in Puerto Maldonado to the lodge and back, everything was exceptionally well organised. Communication was clear throughout, with the team always explaining what would happen, where to be and what to take care of. The staff at both HQ and the lodge were incredibly attentive, making the entire stay feel completely carefree. At this price point, this is the level of service you expect, but it is still impressive to experience it in such a remote setting. The food was another highlight: very well curated and balanced, with plenty of options at every buffet and, surprisingly, we never had the same dish twice. Read all

This was an excellent experience!! Highly recommend if you’re interested in visiting the Amazon Rainforest and Tambopata region. Especially happy with our guide Miguel, who was highly professional, informative, and organized. It was an immersive adventure and we got to see so many unique plants and animals. 10/10! Read all

Amazing experience at Refugio Amazonas. Rooms were comfortable and clean. Great buffet spread every day. Staff were friendly and attentive. Our guide Alan was very informative. Overall would definitely recommend a visit! Read all

We stayed 3 nights at Posada Amazonas during our summer trip to Peru, and it was definitely one of the biggest highlights of the whole journey. The staff were incredibly warm and welcoming. Our guide, Joss, was professional, friendly and amazingly knowledgeable. Sometimes it honestly felt like he could communicate with the animals — he could spot black caimans or giant river otters from hundreds of metres away! The excursions were unforgettable. We saw beautiful macaws, giant river otters, capybaras, sloths, tarantulas, an anaconda, different species of monkeys, toucans and so much more. I especially loved the rainforest walks and joined both the daytime and night walks. Every walk felt completely different, and you never knew what you might find. What also made the stay special was the lodge’s involvement in scientific and environmental projects. There was a talk every evening, and we learned a lot about the rainforest and its wildlife. We also joined the “Discover New Species” activity and helped search for possible new species of tiger moths — such a fun and memorable experience. The lodge itself is definitely rustic luxury rather than a city-style 5-star hotel. There is no air conditioning or hair dryer, but the hot shower, fan and hammock in the room were all very comfortable and suited the rainforest setting perfectly. And surprisingly, the internet connection was excellent — even the boats had Starlink! One of the things I appreciated most is that Posada Amazonas is a collaboration between Rainforest Expeditions and the local Indigenous community that owns the land. Many community members are directly involved in running the lodge, and you can really feel how much the staff care about and are connected to this rainforest, which is part of their ancestral home. If you are looking for an authentic, educational and truly memorable Amazon rainforest experience, I highly recommend Posada Amazonas. We absolutely loved our stay. Read all

The Tambopata Research Center (TRC) offers a well-organized immersive rainforest experience within the Tambopata National Reserve. The TRC and its accommodations put a spin on the term creature comforts by keeping guests comfortable while they commune among the creatures within the rainforest. I appreciated, through what I observed and the interactions I had, the attentiveness of the TRC team members. They knew their guests and seamlessly organized a lot for our benefit. The center assigns guests to a small group with a dedicated guide. In my case, Erick Arguedas was a superb ambassador for all things living in the rainforest, in part because it was the environment in which he grew up. His role was to ensure we got the most out of our visit. Being a long-term TRC guide gave him the expertise he needed to easily fulfill this role. Read all