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Top 10 Must-Do Activities in the Tambopata Jungle
As Tambopata has risen as an Amazon travel destination, its travel offerings have exploded. These days, it can be overwhelming to choose between different activities — especially when you only have a few days to enjoy the area! Here, I’ve made some tough choices myself to give you 10 Tambopata activities that you really can’t miss.
1. Canopy Tower
The rainforest is spectacular from all angles — viewed from the river, from cliff overlooks, and from trails, of course. But there’s nothing quite like the vista from a Tambopata canopy tower! Reaching up over 100 feet (30 meters), canopy towers offer sweeping views of the treetops, all the view to the Tambopata National Reserve and the distant, rolling hills of the cloud forest. As if the splendid panorama wasn’t enough, you’ll also be able to spot wildlife like Toucans, Parrots, and Monkeys.
Canopy tower photo by Paul Bertner
2. Venture into the Amazonian Night
The Amazon Rainforest comes alive at night when the jungle’s shyest creatures come out. Even if you’ve walked the same path a dozen times during daytime, you’ll see an entirely different host of critters once darkness falls! This makes a jungle night walk an essential Tambopata experience. Insect lovers, in particular, will enjoy this activity, where you can see everything from Tarantulas to Stick Bugs.
3. See Spectacular Macaws and Parrots at a «Clay Lick»
Tambopata has inspired wanderlust in countless travelers since the 1990s when a National Geographic Magazine cover featured the region’s Macaw Clay Licks. These dramatic river bluffs attract hundreds of colorful birds, especially Parrots and Macaws, who eat their nutrient-rich clay. Early risers head out with a guide to watching one of several Clay Licks. As the sun rises, more and more tropical birds flock to the cliffs, creating a brilliant natural spectacle that travelers will never forget.
4. Explore an Oxbow Lake Habitat
Hundreds of thousands of years ago, sharp river bends dried up, turning parts of Amazon rivers into small lakes. Because of their curvy shape, locals call these Oxbow Lakes. They’re an essential habitat to visit, with tranquil waters that hold unique wildlife and beauty. You can ply the calm waters in a small catamaran, look for waterbirds, Caiman, and Giant Otters, and even catch-and-release fish for Piranha.
Oxbow Lakes in the Amazon rainforest are some of the best places to spot Cocoi Herons.
5. Connect with Rainforest Science
Science lovers of all ages might be interested in more than just the beauty of the Amazon — as the most biodiverse place on the planet, there’s nowhere better to engage in scientific discovery. Several activities through the Wired Amazon Citizen Science project connect you with real-time scientific research in Tambopata. You can «fly» through the treetops with Amazon Aerobotany, find new insects with the Discover a New Species activity, or spy on shy mammals with the AmazonCam.
6. Watch an Amazon Sunset
Everyone who visits Tambopata will enjoy boat rides along the river — most lodges are only accessible this way! Boat rides afford travelers lovely views, water wildlife, and a much-needed breeze to break the jungle’s heart. Taking time for a Sunset Cruise is best of all, combining the relaxation of a canoe ride with one-of-a-kind rainforest views. The wide, peaceful Tambopata River is illuminated with captivating blues and pinks as the jungle sky lights up with color. A rainforest sunset is one of the most memorable, romantic experiences of any trip.
7. Encounter Indigenous Culture
While many think of the Amazon Rainforest as untouched nature, indigenous groups have lived throughout the jungle for thousands of years. Today, native peoples like the Ese Eja serve as stewards of their rainforest home. No visit to Tambopata would be complete without connecting deeply with Amazonian culture and tradition.
8. Marvel at the Jungle’s Tallest Trees
The Amazon is home to some of the world’s largest tree species, and Tambopata is no exception. You can walk through Terra Firme forest with a guide to gawk at giant Ceiba and Ironwood trees — just as impressive as any redwood in Muir Woods. While you’re at it, you can learn about sustainable agriculture: locals collect nuts from the giant Brazil Nut Tree in the Amazon’s only sustainable harvest.
See that little blue dot? That’s a person, gazing in awe at perhaps the largest tree he’s ever seen.
9. Embark on an Active Adventure
Tambopata also offers a variety of «Soft Adventure» activities for active travelers. Mountain bikers can take advantage of extensive trails leading to an Amazon overlook — a ride with a view.
10. Learn about Amazon Healing
Finally, you should explore a different, but equally fascinating aspect of jungle biodiversity: medicinal plants. Many of these gardens, which are home to plants like Ayahuasca and Uña de Gato, are cultivated by indigenous communities, and still serve as a source of healing and medicine. By visiting a medicinal plant garden — sometimes they’re called ethnobotanical gardens — or a shamanic clinic, you’ll gain insight into both Amazon nature and culture.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide to Tambopata’s top activities — believe me, it was hard to choose! Keep in mind that any of these activities will feature fantastic wildlife sightings and, if you’re with an experienced guide, almost any activity can teach you a great deal about rainforest ecology, preservation, and ways of life. All 10, though, will give you the Amazon trip of a lifetime! To learn more, chat with our experts about Amazon travel options.
By Merin McDivitt
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What our guest say
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- Valuation Excellent
- 5/5
Jacob Shama May 2024
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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
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