TOP 10 MUST DO ACTIVITIES in the Tambopata Jungle

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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

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.

nightwalk in the Amazon Rainforest

 

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.

chuncho clay lick by paul bertner

 

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.

Tambopata Landscapes -

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.

wired-amazon camera tramp

 

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.

Tambopata River At Sunset

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.

eseeja at Posada Amazonas

 

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.

giants-of-the-rainforest

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.

Mountain biking in the Peruvian Amazon

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.

NEW-Medicinal-plants-trail

 

By Merin McDivitt

  • What our guest say

    • Valuation Excellent
    • 5/5

Shropshire Boy October 2026

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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