Refugio Amazonas – Suggested Expedition 4 days / 3 nights
PERUVIAN AMAZON TOURS
This is a suggested itinerary. You have the flexibility to choose from the available activities each day upon arrival at the lodge, allowing you to create your perfect Amazon experience
Day 1: Welcome to Tambopata!
Arriving in Puerto Maldonado, the capital of Madre de Dios, we will begin with a one-hour road trip followed by a peaceful one-hour boat ride along the Tambopata River. As we travel deeper into the heart of the rainforest, you will enjoy your first taste of Amazonian cuisine during the journey.
When we reach the riverbank, you will climb a staircase whose length varies with the season, followed by a short walk through the vibrant Amazon rainforest. This journey marks the beginning of your stay, immersing you in the wonders of the Peruvian Amazon.
Arrive at Refugio Amazonas, a cozy ecolodge set in the heart of a chestnut forest, complete with a bar, massage room, and dining service. Located at the edge of the Tambopata National Reserve, this lodge also features a research station for the Wired Amazon program, a pioneering citizen science initiative that involves guests in rainforest research. Here you will find the following ongoing researchers: Aerobotany, AmazonCam, and Discovering New Species., that you can be part of during your stay.
Settle into your 45-square-meter room, which includes mosquito nets over the beds, a private bathroom, and an open window facing the forest to maximize your connection with nature.
Your stay includes three daily meals, teas, coffee, guided excursions and activities, a welcome drink upon arrival, and transfers to and from the airport. Guides are provided at a 10:1 ratio for personalized service.
In the afternoon, take a short walk to the 40-meter-high Canopy Tower. A safe staircase leads to the top, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the Tambopata National Reserve’s dense forest. Watch for toucans, macaws, and raptors soaring through the canopy.
Before dinner, attend a night lecture by Wired Amazon researchers, who will share insights into ongoing projects and the crucial role of citizen science in rainforest conservation.
After dinner, join the Discovering New Species activity. Venture to the night light trap with researchers to explore the forest and potentially discover new species, contributing to the area's rich biodiversity.
Day 2: Macaws, AmazonCam, and Farm Visit

Macaw clay lick - Photo by Juan Carlos Yatto
Begin your day early with a visit to the Macaw Clay Lick, a must-see spectacle of Amazon wildlife. On clear mornings, dozens of large macaws and hundreds of parrots gather on the riverbank, creating a vibrant display of color and sound. Watch discreetly as Green-winged, Scarlet, and Blue-and-gold Macaws, along with smaller parrots, descend to ingest clay. This activity occurs at dawn, when the clay lick is most active.
In the afternoon, consider participating in AmazonCam, where you’ll set up camera traps along the trail to the Amazon farm. This activity provides a unique opportunity to capture images of elusive wildlife, aiding researchers in monitoring animal populations and behavior.
Visit a local Amazon farm, where you’ll explore a variety of crops grown by the community. Learn about sustainable agriculture in the Amazon and discover how nearly every plant and tree serves a purpose, reflecting the deep connection between the local people and the land.
Day 3: Brazil Nut Forest and Citizen Science

Setting camera traps with AmazonCam - Photo by Carlos Gonzales
Explore the Brazil Nut Forest, located near the lodge, and learn about the origins of this key Amazonian product. Visit a Brazil nut camp to see the towering chestnut trees and understand how local communities harvest the nuts once a year during the rainy season. The Brazil nut is a significant source of income for the local population, making it one of the most impactful sustainable activities in the region.
In the afternoon, you have a few options to enrich your experience:
- Aerobotany + Oxbow Lake: Fly a drone to capture stunning aerial photographs of the canopy crowns on your way to Lake Condenado. This activity offers a unique bird’s-eye view of the Amazon and insights into the forest’s complex ecosystem.
- AmazonCam + Medicinal Plant Trail: Set camera traps along the trail to capture elusive wildlife, then explore the Medicinal Plant Trail to learn about traditional healing practices. Discover various plants like Sacha-Ajos, Uña De Gato, and Ayahuasca, used for centuries by local communities to heal the body and soul.
Day 4: Time to Say Goodbye
Your Amazon adventure concludes as you prepare to say goodbye. Return to Puerto Maldonado for your flight, taking with you unforgettable memories and the knowledge that your visit directly supports the Wired Amazon program and its mission to conserve the Tambopata National Reserve's biodiversity.
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What our guest say
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- Valuation Excellent
- 5/5
Nancy Hodgson March 2026
Lesly Lagos March 2026
Batya K. February 2026
S. K. February 2026
Julian S January 2026
Flora Warfel January 2026
Julian Sack January 2026
Laura Franklin December 2025
Lee Wozencroft December 2025
Suraj Vijayan December 2025
Claudia A. January 2026
AMJNZ November 2025
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
Chose this place to stay at the Amazon, as I heard it benefits the local indigenous community. Life changing experience. Oscar was an excellent guide! We saw so many wildlife! No 4th wall made it such an immersive jungle experience. Since they are eco friendly, there is no AC. It can get pretty hot depending on the season. So better to follow their guidance for clothing choices Read all
If you want to experience the Amazon in all its glory This is the place to come to Staff and guides were excellent Food was just incredible The forest walks were really interesting and informative Read all
If you are a birder, ask for Juan Carlos Yatto. He recognizes an astounding number of bird calls and can duplicate many of them. This place is magical, all I could have imagined. All the staff and scientists are incredible. The experience of a lifetime. Read all
This was the most amazing experience Very well organised The ground staff were so well organised The guides were excellent ( I’m looking at you Carlos!) Food was tasty and very varied Amazed that the chefs managed to get such variety in the middle of the Amazon Do not hesitate Book immediately you will not be disappointed. Highly recommended Read all
I can not say enough good things about my time at the Tambopata Research Center. Between the guides, the boat drivers, the chefs, the staff, the bartenders, the researchers, etc. Everyone was absolutely wonderful! If you are interested in viewing wildlife in the Amazon, this is the place for you! A special thank you to the maître d' Carlos who was so incredibly kind and hospitable and our guide Dino who was like a real life Indiana Jones. I can't wait to come back! Read all
An unforgettable, fully immersive jungle experience. Amazing how Tambopata Lodge delivers luxury touches in such a remote and rugged location. The food is fantastic, the staff incredible, and the wildlife sightings non-stop. The personalised itinerary and one-on-one guiding made the trip truly special—huge thanks to our guide Johan for sharing his passion and knowledge. The Macaw Project is inspiring, and it’s clear the lodge fully supports this important conservation work. Manager Brian was always kind, helpful. Well-done all involved. Read all
The most important fact we are grateful for is the true sense of understanding of the ecology of the Amazon the staff at Rainforest Expeditions (RFE) have shown us. RFE stands out for its stand against the pure, profit-motive initiatives many other tour operators do. We are very grateful to have had Carlos as our guide. Carlos is deeply dedicated, and is able to explain the nuances of the flora and fauna. The world today needs to act as one against the impact of climate change. RFE is one, bright shining light in this regard. Read all
We had a fabulous trip! The people were amazing, kind and very professional. The food was exceptionally good! The facilities are beautiful and well kept. We just loved our second time with Rainforest Expeditions and can't wait to go again!! Read all
Fantastic to be deep in the forest surrounded by incredible wildlife with our amazing guide Juan Carlos Yatto, who really knew his stuff! Also his photography skills meant that we could share our experience even better through his telescope using our phone cameras! We learned so much!! He went to extra lengths to find butterflies and moths for us along with so many different birds and monkeys. This was a travel highlight for us as experienced wildlife travellers. We loved our spacious room with no windows and open to more wildlife visitors but after 5 nights the bed could have been a little more comfortable. Luckily we had a second bed to use. Otherwise it was fantastic with hot water showers and fresh drinking water all the time. We were amazed at the variety of food on offer for breakfast, lunch and dinner and couldn’t believe they could have such a wonderful food offering in such a remote location. Even the wine and cocktails were great. I highly recommend spending the extra money and time getting to this location. We stayed at another lodge later which was closer to Puerto Maldonado and there was far less wildlife. Read all