Average rating Rainforest Adventure; the Tambopata Reserve

Have a five-day rainforest adventure! Explore the jungle flora and fauna and stay in a beautiful eco-lodge situated in the Tambopata Reserve. Go mountain biking, kayaking and see the amazing sight of Macaws gathering at a clay lick.

The Tambopata Reserve is part of the Tambopata-Candamo Reserve, an area of over a million hectrates of tropical forest in South-Eastern Peru. It is home to more than a hundred species of mammals and 1300 species of butterflies, as well as an astounding 590 bird species -more than are found in the whole of the USA. Refugio Amazonas is situated in the reserve’s buffer zone, in a 200-hectare private reserve, and is devoted to establishing economic relationships and fostering communication with the local community, in order to limit the exploitation of natural resources in the surrounding area.

On this adventure you’ll alternate comfortable nights in the lodge with days filled with amazing experiences. On your first night you’ll search for caiman using flashlights on the riverbank. You’ll witness the whole process of harvesting Brazil nuts from beginning to end- the Brazil Nut Tree requires an intact forest ecosystem in order to produce nuts, so this is a sustainable economic resource that by nature also helps to preserve the pristine forest. You’ll visit clay licks frequented by macaws and parrots, which gather each morning to get the valuable minerals and in doing so produce a mesmerising natural spectacle. You’ll climb into the canopy using rope ascenders and a viewing tower for a better look at this important habitat, and take a night hike to discover the amazing sounds of the nocturnal animals’ world.

If you’re looking for a trip that combines education and excitement, Natural wonder and education, and a healthy dose of idyll thrown in, this is definitely one to consider. This is real eco-tourism, too; the lodge is actively involved with helping to preserve the forest ecosystem through educating and providing alternative economic opportunities for the local people, so the precious resources of the area remain sustainable. It should also be noted that this is perhaps the closest you can get to three-star luxury in a place with no electricity! Refugio Amazonas is comfortable, beautifully built and in harmony with the surroundings.

Getting there

You need to get to Puerto Maldonado Airport. There are no direct flights from the UK, but you can fly to Lima or Cusco and take an internal flight from there.

Price includes

All meals, accommodation and services, all river transportation, and transfer from and to Puerto Maldonado airport.

Price details

Rack $660 per person, based on two or three people sharing

Single supplement fee Rack $180

When is best

The lowland rain forests of the Tambopata Reserve lie far enough south of the Equator to provide a cooler, drier winter season between May and October. The general weather conditions, are warm and humid. The average daytime high is between 78° and 93° F (24° and 31°C) and the average nighttime low is between 66° and 78° F (20° and 24°C). Nevertheless between May and September, cold fronts from Argentina can sweep into southwestern Amazonia and push daytime highs down to 50° F (9° C) and the nighttime lows to 43° F (5° C).

During the rainy months of November through April, always be prepared for heavy rain that can continue for hours or days. Around 80% of the annual average 3000 mm rainfall occurs during this season.

Available

Jan—Dec

Typical Duration

5 days

Comfort level

Reasonably comfortable (Inns, B&Bs, luxury camping etc.)

Experience required

A reasonable interest is all that is needed