You are here : Destination Info - Amazon Jungle Tours

Amazon Jungle Tours

4 Day Amazon Tour

Today we take you to the airport to catch your flight to Puerto Maldonado and the start of your Amazon jungle adventure. In Peru, we recommend the Amazon Jungle at the Tambopata National Reserve for its proximity to Cuzco and its depth and variety of wildlife.

The Tambopata National Reserve , with over one million square hectares, is believed to be the most diverse ecosystem on the planet. It is possible to observe groups of rare animals such as the giant otter, collared peccary, tapir, anaconda, jaguar, ocelot, horned currasow, etc. The variety of birds is particularly rich, boasting an incredible 590 species. There can be found over 200 mammal species, 900 butterfly species, 190 reptile species, 94 species of fish, and 2,000 flower species. Two 1 hectare sections of the reserve have been identified amongst the richest pieces of land in the world, one of them boasting 187 species of trees, and the second one 207 species of plants. The reserve is also home to several native tribes, including the Ese'eja, which has been actively participating in protecting the wildlife of the region.

On arrival in Puerto Maldonado, a bustling tropical boomtown, embark on a motorized canoe trip up the Tambopata River to your lodge. The lodges we recommend are the Refugio Amazonas or their sister lodge Posada Amazonas.

Refugio Amazonas is built on a 200 hectare private reserve on the buffer zone of the Tambopata National Reserve. It is becoming integrated to the communities of Brazil nut extractors that surround it, attempting to extend the benefits of ecotourism to the families that commit to the sustainable use of the forest within this buffer zone.

The Posada Amazonas is an eco-friendly and innovative lodge adjacent to the Tambopata Candamo Reserve. Its 30 rooms are spacious, attractive and rustic with en suite bathrooms and kerosene lamps. One side of each bedroom is open to the rainforest, creating the sensation of sleeping in the wild. Privacy is therefore limited, with curtains replacing doors. All rooms have two comfortable beds which are fully enclosed by mosquito nets. There is an open-air buffet-style dining room with bar, lounge area with hammocks and sofas, and craft shop.

Each day will have an excursion in the morning and the afternoon as well as optional evening excursions on some days. You will be assigned a guide in a small group who will co-ordinate activities for you.

Activities include: A walk to the 35m scaffolding to get spectacular views of the forest and river. Opportunities to observe parrots, toucans and macaws. Briefing on the Infierno community ecotourism project. The Tres Chimbadas oxbow lake which is reached by a 15 minute boat trip followed by a half an hour walk. (Once there you board a canoe in search of giant river otters, turtles and other aquatic wildlife). Canoe rides looking for giant otters, turtles and lakeside wildlife. A colorful spectacle can be seen at a small clay lick, where Blue-Headed and Orange-Cheeked parrots and Cobalt-Winged parakeets congregate. A chance to visit the Community's Ethnobotanical Center where you can hike trails while learning the uses of forest resources. Optional night walks to look for amphibians and insects. Boat trips and walks in the jungle to spot wildlife and learn more about this amazing environment.

6 Day alternative itinerary

Today we take you to the airport to catch your flight to Puerto Maldonado and the start of your Amazon jungle adventure. In Peru, we recommend the Amazon Jungle at the Tambopata Reserve for its proximity to Cuzco and its depth and variety of wildlife.

The Tambopata National Reserve , with over one million square hectares, is believed to be the most diverse ecosystem on the planet. It is possible to observe groups of rare animals such as the giant otter, collared peccary, tapir, anaconda, jaguar, ocelot, horned currasow, etc. The variety of birds is particularly rich, boasting an incredible 590 species. There can be found over 200 mammal species, 900 butterfly species, 190 reptile species, 94 species of fish, and 2,000 flower species. Two 1 hectare sections of the reserve have been identified amongst the richest pieces of land in the world, one of them boasting 187 species of trees, and the second one 207 species of plants. The Reserve is also home to several native tribes, including the Ese'eja, which has been actively participating in protecting the wildlife of the region.

On arrival in Puerto Maldonado, a bustling tropical boomtown, embark on a two and half hour trip by motorized canoe trip up the Tambopata River to the Refugio Amazonas where you will spend the first and last night.

Amazon package including excursions (B, L, D).

The Tambopata Research Center (TRC) is a spartan yet comfortable 18 bedroom lodge which was built fifteen years ago with the object of lodging tourists and researchers alike and of protecting the adjacent macaw clay-lick. Because of its remote location in uninhabited wilderness housing stable populations of endangered wildlife, the small scale of its infrastructure and operations and the presence of researchers and naturalist guides, Tambopata Research Center is an excellent headquarters for in depth explorations of Amazonian nature and wildlife.

"TRC" is located in a half hectare clearing in the middle of the uninhabited portion of the Tambopata National Reserve, adjacent to the Bahuaja National Park and 500 meters from the world's largest macaw clay lick. 

From the airport in Puerto Maldonado you are transported by truck to the Infierno River Port where you board our boats for the two and half hour trip to Refugio Amazonas where you will spend the first and last night. From Refugio Amazonas, the Tambopata Research Center is four hours upriver, and a few minutes walking from the river.

 

Fly to Puerto Maldonado for your 3 day / 2 nights Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica package.

Today we take you to the airport to catch your flight to Puerto Maldonado and the start of your Amazon jungle adventure at the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica.

This jungle lodge is one of the most accessible in the area, 45 minutes by motorised dugout canoe along the Madre de Dios River.

The lodge was built using traditional indigenous techniques. It consists of a collection of individual cabins, well laid out in neat landscaped grounds overlooking the river. Impressive raised walkways connect the dining area to the cabins. There are 34 in total, seven of which overlook the river, which are attractively designed with a thatch roof. Each has veranda with hammock, mosquito net around the beds and bathroom with hot showers.

The fully screened dining room (tasty, simple, buffet meals) and bar area is large with comfortable lounge areas and upper decks with panoramic verandas. There is generator-powered electricity in the dining room only and lanterns are provided in the cabins. After dinner, guests return to their cabins across tree-trunk-boardwalks to find lit candles and kerosene lamps lighting the entry and bathroom. There is also a spa which is essentially two treatment rooms.

Inclusive excursions available from the lodge are led by knowledgeable, English-speaking local guides. They include day and night walks in the nearby forest, a visit to the stunning Sandoval Lake, and a visit to a plantation of Amazon crops cultivated by the local community. A further excursion is available to Rolin Island and the Fauna Rescue Centre, located close to the lodge and offering the possibility of observing various species of monkey.

On day 3 return to Puerto Maldonado.

Fly to Puerto Maldonado for your 5 day / 4 nights Tambopata Research Centre package.

On arrival in the bustling tropical boomtown of Puerto Maldonado, it is a 45-minute drive to the launch where you will embark on a motorised canoe trip (including light lunch) up the Tambopata River to Refugio Amazonas .

This 24-roomed lodge is located in a private reserve in the Tambopata National Reserve Buffer Zone, a ten-minute walk from the riverbank. It is convenient for visits to the Tambopata Research Centre.

The lodge has been constructed in harmony with its isolated jungle setting, combining simplicity with relative comfort.

The design takes advantage of modern eco-technology while using traditional materials such as mahogany (bright polished floors), palm fronds (to cover the roof), and cane and clay. The walls do not rise to meet the roof, to assist ventilation - so sounds can be heard from room to room. All 24 rooms (located in three blocks) are spacious and twin-bedded with mosquito nets, with one side facing the forest and open air, taking advantage of the low incidence of mosquitoes to allow intimate contact with nature. The private bathrooms have cold water only.

There is also a canteen-style dining room, kitchen, upstairs relaxation room, and 35m canopy observation tower. There is electricity only in public bar/restaurant (12-1pm, 5-9.30pm), with many points in public areas to charge batteries or access Internet. At night kerosene lamps are provided on walkways and in rooms, as well as candles. We recommend you bring a torch.

The guides are biologists, tourism professionals or come from the nearby indigenous settlements. Rainforest wildlife is most active in the early mornings and late afternoons, so excursions are normally at these times. You will learn about the natural environment and how the local communities benefit from it.

Visit the canopy tower, brazil nut trail and camp, mammal licks, a local farm and a nearby ox-bow lake, and enjoy presentations and nocturnal walks. A highlight is the ethno-botanical tour, a trail leading from the door of the lodge through small plantations of medicinal plants. There are activities for children including a biology field project designed for teenagers, handicraft workshop and children's rainforest trail. There is an extra charge for some of these which must be booked in advance.

On the second day there is a 1½-hour hike to Schavacayoc oxbow lake. Take a canoe ride in search of wildlife such as giant otter and turtle. Afterwards, take a four-hour boat trip up the Tambopata River in the heart of the reserve, eventually arriving at the Tambopata Research Centre .

The lodge has bamboo walls and is made entirely of natural materials. Everything is in one single storey structure, which makes for an intimate and friendly atmosphere. It has 13 bedrooms which are completely exposed to the elements on one side, save for a wooden railing. There is an exposed thatch roof and a partition wall and curtains replace doors, so that privacy is limited. Mosquito nets are provided. Cold water showers and flush toilets are a short walk from the bedrooms, although not outside the building. There is only electricity in the main public areas (12-1pm and 5.00-9.30pm) but kerosene lamps are provided and candles have been placed in each room. Meals are self-service and guests eat with the guides.

That day, hike the 2km Bamboo Trail, noted for the abundance of rare birds that live exclusively in this habitat and are endemic to southern Peru. It is also home to the frequently found howler and dusky-headed titi monkeys. Later, take a night frog walk through the forest, allowing photographers to take macro-shots of a variety of frogs and insects.

On the third day set off at dawn to the world's largest known macaw clay lick where hundreds of parrots and macaws congregate daily. Access is by motorised canoe to a sandbank approximately 100m from the lick. Red bellied and chestnut-fronted macaws are the most frequently seen here. The birds are easily scared and there is no guarantee that the macaws will settle on the lick, even if the weather is good.

After breakfast, hike the 2½ km Ocelot Trail, which offers a stunning insight into the tropical primary rainforest. The forest is home to huge ceiba trees, squirrel and brown capuchin monkeys and collared peccary. This trail is one where ocelot, puma and jaguar tracks are often seen although these three large cats are extremely difficult to spot.

Take a short five-minute boat ride to a small drying oxbow lake to observe bird life. Hike back to the Tambopata Research Centre and overnight.

On day 4 at dawn, make a second visit to the macaw clay lick and take a short walk on one of the trails. Return to Refugio Amazonas , and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight.

On the final 5 th day take the three-hour ride back to Puerto Maldonado and then to the airport for your outbound flight.

Please note that excursions can be subject to change due to local weather conditions. There is a 15kg baggage limit at the lodge, surplus luggage can be stored in Puerto Maldonado.