Stories
Three Great Reasons To Visit Tambopata: Jaguar
Just this week we saw a record THREE jaguars on one boat ride on the Tambopata! Three great reasons to visit Tambopata!
The first thing you have to know, is where is Tambopata?
The Tambopata National Reserve is nestled in the southeastern region of Peru, deep within the heart of the Amazon rainforest. To reach this pristine and remote area, travelers typically start their journey by flying into the city of Puerto Maldonado, the capital of the Madre de Dios region. Puerto Maldonado is well-connected to the rest of Peru by domestic flights from Lima and Cusco.
From Puerto Maldonado, visitors embark on a river journey by boat, venturing deeper into the Amazon basin to access Tambopata National Reserve. Note there are 2 rivers in the region but only the Tambopata River is the one that crossed the national area.
The journey along the Tambopata River is not only an immersive experience in itself but also the gateway to exploring the breathtaking biodiversity and lush landscapes that define Tambopata’s unparalleled natural beauty.
Having said that, why should you visit Tambopata while you are in Peru?
Here are 3 reasons to visit Tambopata
1. Encounter the Elusive Apex Predator
Tambopata southeast of Peru, offers a rare but the best opportunity to witness one of the world’s most elusive apex predators, the jaguar, in its natural habitat. These magnificent big cats are notoriously difficult to spot due to their solitary and elusive nature. A visit to Tambopata presents a chance to catch a glimpse of this iconic creature in the wild, an experience that is both thrilling and awe-inspiring.
2. Immerse in Pristine Rainforests
Tambopata is home to lush, pristine rainforests teeming with biodiversity. While on the quest for jaguars, visitors are treated to a sensory feast of vibrant flora and fauna, from colorful birds to exotic plant species. Exploring Tambopata’s rainforests is an adventure in itself, and the opportunity to encounter jaguars only adds to the allure of this biodiverse paradise.
3. Support Conservation Efforts
Your visit to Tambopata contributes directly to the conservation of jaguars and their habitat. Tourism revenue supports vital conservation initiatives aimed at preserving these magnificent creatures and the delicate ecosystems they inhabit. By choosing to explore Tambopata, you actively participate in the efforts to protect this charismatic species and the biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest. Your visit becomes a meaningful contribution to the conservation of the jaguar and the entire ecosystem it represents.
Now our 3 reasons to visit this part of the Peruvian Amazon
During a photo tour, we saw these awesome jaguars, part of the Amazon rainforest wildlife. To not disappoint, the next day a big group of travelers saw two more jaguars along the shore. This is a record for the area, while two have been seen on one trip more often, three have only been seen once before years ago. Check out the images below:



Three great reasons to visit Tambopata
When traveling to Peru, come visit Tambopata to see these jaguars and experience the Amazon.
How to plan your Amazon travel to see this and other Amazon wildlife
- Go on a hike or on a boat journey along the Tambopata River in the rainforest with a trained guide: They have eagle eyes, at least, ours have.
By Phil Torres
NOW READ: 4 Tips to Increase Your Chances of Spotting a Jaguar in the Amazon: A Guide for Visiting Tambopata in Peru
-
What our guest say
-
- Valuation Excellent
- 5/5
Sue_szb April 2026
Beam May 2026
David Staro May 2026
Serg Averkin April 2026
Carlotta May 2026
Asha S May 2026
Laurence W April 2026
Isobel Griffith April 2026
Kay T April 2026
Nancy Hodgson March 2026
Lesly Lagos March 2026
Batya K. February 2026
Wow what an experience! If you want to be fully immersed in Amazon life in a wonderful , comfortable eco lodge, and not have expectations of a 5 star city hotel (I'm not sure why you would, but some reviewers seemed disappointed it wasn't!) you will love this. You will be in a group, 6 in ours, but you don't all have to do the same activities, you just join another group. Plenty of spaces to chill and downtime if you need it...its hot and humid! There's a fan in the room and I heard the superior rooms have a fan under the mozzie net. Take a torch! We were never bitten, used deet repellent only. They provide rubber boots if you want them, some of the trails were very muddy, but we managed in our walking boots. We loved the open wall to the jungle, despite some bugs, but not too many surprisingly. Sooooo much wildlife, all sorts of monkeys, otters, turtles, caiman, different birds, capybara etc. Luis M was our guide, a local, and he could spot a spider from 5 metres I'm sure... great sense of humour and a wealth of knowledge, loved him. We spent 3 nights 20th-24th April, it rained on a couple of occasions but not much. Perfect holiday for an immersive wildlife experience! Read all
Beautiful lodge in the rainforest, very well maintained and clean. We had a lot of fun and excellent guides. The rooms and facilities were top-notch! Read all
We stayed at Posada Amazonas Lodge in May 2026, and it was a truly unique experience. It’s important to note that the concept is unlike a traditional hotel: the rooms (the lodge has around 30 in total) are built entirely of wood and open completely to the rainforest, with no windows. The walls are about two meters high, and everything is open-air, meaning you can hear your neighbors as well as the sounds of the forest throughout the night. There is a hot-water shower with drainage flowing through wooden beams beneath the floor, and the beds are protected with mosquito nets. The food is delicious and nutritious, and one pleasant surprise was the excellent Wi-Fi connection (Starlink) available both at the lodge and on the boats. The logistics are flawless from the moment you land in Puerto Maldonado, including a short car ride (accompanied by a security company) followed by a forty-minute cruise along the Tambopata River. The staff is incredibly friendly. Our guide, Luis M. (a member of the local community that manages the lodge), was simply outstanding, with eagle-eyed vision for spotting wildlife and always wearing a smile. Tour highlights: Canopy Tower: a 42-meter tower rising above the treetops with panoramic views. We loved seeing the river, the rainforest, and even the distant Andes Mountains on the horizon. We returned at night during a nocturnal wildlife tour, where we spotted tarantulas, white sloths, and tree frogs. Lake Tres Chimbadas: a peaceful catamaran ride (without a motor) where Luis showed us a group of red-bellied monkeys, giant otters, and caimans. The scenery and tranquility are incredible. Trek to the “Great Tree”: a forest hike where we saw deer, jaguar tracks, a three-toed sloth, and more wildlife. At the end of the trail, we reached the gigantic ceiba tree: around 500 years old, approximately 60 meters tall, and with an impressive 11-meter base diameter. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to experience the true Amazon! Read all
An exceptional experience that truly exceeded all expectations. What impressed me the most is that here they genuinely want to make your stay as comfortable as possible — and that, to me, is what real high-level service is all about. The guide really tries to fill every excursion with emotions and memorable moments, turning simple activities into meaningful experiences. The kitchen team puts great effort into variety and introduces you to Peruvian cuisine — it feels like a small гастрономic journey. Housekeeping works like invisible bees — you don’t notice them, but everything is always perfectly taken care of. Another big highlight is the comfort level: stable electricity and surprisingly good internet both on the way and at the lodge, powered by Starlink. Having this level of connectivity in the middle of the jungle is something truly special. From reception and the bar to the boat driver — everyone is genuinely warm and happy to have you. You can really feel that each person is a small but important part of one big system delivering outstanding eco-tourism service. Bravo — achieving this level of service in the wild is not easy, and it shows. This experience was very valuable for me and my family. I won’t get tired of thanking you for the emotions you gave us. Highly recommended. Dear travelers — don’t hesitate. Go, enjoy the incredible nature and the level of service. This is something you will remember for a lifetime. Read all
We had the most amazing time at Refugio Amazonas for 3 nights, with a huge thanks to our guide Juan Carlos! On the first afternoon we sat down and planned our activities, which we loved! We came face to face with hundreds of birds, tarantulas, leaf carrying ants spanning 10 meter motorways to work and deliver the leaves to the ant house for food, parasites, and even leaves that cause natural dyes on oxidation - we learned so much. Carlos was genuinly interested in showing us everything the jungle had to offer, humorous and caring too. Carlos knew anything and everything about what was around us, pointing out things and creatures that the untrained eye would miss, carrying a telescope at all times for us to see the birds, ensuring we got magical videos on our phones using the telescope! Read all
Many thanks to Refugio Amazonas for an unforgettable experience! Brenda and team were so wonderful and accommodating, and Alan was a great guide. Thank you for a memorable experience! :) Read all
We had an excellent time at Tambopata research center. We are tourists like most who now visit the center, but it’s great to know that you can support research and the local community by visiting a place like this. Our guide for our trip, Esau, was extremely knowledgeable and showed great passion for his job. He described it as a hobby and he would get very excited if you spotted a specific bird or a tree. His specific knowledge about each and every creature in the forest was very impressive and I would recommend asking for Esau to be your guide in the future if you plan to visit. The hotel itself is unique. You are in the middle of the Amazon rainforest - the accessibility to nature is second to none. There are no windows in the hotel rooms. We had bugs in our room, of course, but the mosquito nets keep everything out and, actually, we both slept very well. The bar staff, Harrison, is very knowledgeable with drinks and works very hard. The food isn’t the best you’re ever going to have, but you have to remind yourself you are in the middle of the rainforest and that it takes a 6 hour round trip to get to the nearest town, and so the job that the hotel does in respect of the food is actually intuitive and very good. I would recommend this hotel to my peers and I would love to visit again in a few years time. Read all
We just finished a 4-night stay at Tambopata Research Center and it was the highlight of our entire Peru trip. From the first email with Mariella to being picked up at the airport to the actual stay itself, every step was smooth and every employee was attentive. Having never stayed in a lodge like this (this remote or exclusive), we were a little nervous about what to expect. Our guide, Timo was INCREDIBLE at tailoring all the activities to us. When he found out we liked more adventurous hikes, he took us on walks through swamps, bamboo forests, and little-used trails while always keeping an eye out for monkeys, birds, and insects. His knowledge of the wildlife, plants, and history of the area was beyond what we hoped for and he truly made the experience worth it. Read all
Spent 4 nights in mid April. I had high expectations and was not disappointed. Our guide Carmen picked us up at the airport and we saw monkeys already on our way to the lodge. We had a wonderful stay with exceptional food and activities everyday. Our guide Carmen was great and our itinerary was based on her suggestions however we could decide on what we would like to see. Wildlife is abundant, however, sometimes difficult to spot and photograph due to the low light. It rained a lot despite April being considered a transitioning time to dry season. But come on ... it's the rainforest. The clear highlight are the macaws which you can hear all time and also see from the tower and at the leks. Read all
This trip was the highlight of our travels through peru. The lodge was absolutely 5 stars for everything. The room, food, people. We had a private guide, Allen, who grew up locally and really had deep knowledge of the land, the history, and the variety of plant and animal species in the jungle. His knowledge and passion were invaluable to our experience. There are a variety of tour companies and lodges you can book to visit the Amazon, however, I would only recommend Rainforest Expeditions as they are truly connected to the community and offer high quality first class amazon experience! Read all
We had a truly wonderful stay with Rainforest Expeditions. Everyone was incredibly kind and welcoming, and our guide was fantastic — very knowledgeable and passionate about the rainforest. We saw many animals, even from the boat, which made the experience unforgettable. Read all
I just spent 3 days here with my family. The research center surpassed all our expectations. I want to give a special shout out to Carlos who took such good care of us. He went above and beyond to make sure we werr comfortable. And he was always smiling. He made us feel so welcome. We had Erik as our guide who is so knowledgeable and experienced. We learned so much, saw so much wildlife. It really was a dream vacation. Thank you!! Read all
-
June 13, 2013 How Many Tapirs Visited This Claylick In 24 Hours...
A recent study on the Tambopata region showed that we are truly in a Tapir paradise, with numbers that have recovered from any hunting or habitat disturbance of the past due to wel...
Read more -
June 13, 2005 In One Afternoon, All Of This Amazon Rainforest W...
I've been working in the Tambopata rainforest for almost a year. I'm still continually impressed by the quantity of wildlife you can see over the course of several hours. Yesterd...
Read more -
June 26, 2017 Why First Time Travelers to Peru Should Consider ...
Thinking of going to Peru? Congratulations on picking one of the most exciting and interesting destinations on the planet! But where to go? Most people put Machu Picchu at the t...
Read more
