Peruvian Amazon Sustainable Development in Tambopata

Stories

Empowering Indigenous Women Leaders for Sustainable Development in Tambopata

This is the first phase of the project that seeks continuity in order to generate a positive impact for sustainable development in the native communities. The academic research project is led by Ph.D. Inés Ruiz from the Universidad Científica del Sur and Doctor Miguel Ángel Coll from the University of the Balearic Islands UIB together with the Ese Eja Native Community of Infierno and Rainforest Expeditions. The university team has experienced professionals such as Claudia Torres Sovero – Biologist, Veronica Ponce – Social Psychologist, Gonzalo Alvarado – Director of Photography

Why doing this?

In the heart of Tambopata, nestled within the lush landscapes of the Madre de Dios region in Peru, lies a remarkable community with a vibrant heritage—the Ese Eja Native Community of Infierno. It is here that an inspiring journey unfolds, one that centers around empowerment, identity, and sustainability. 

Since 1996, Rainforest Expeditions and the Native Community of Infierno have had a successful strategic alliance. The Ese Eja Native Community of Infierno, Peru, owns Posada Amazonas eco-lodge, while Rainforest Expeditions supports its marketing and management. This partnership has been one of the most successful ventures between a local community and a tourism company anywhere in the world!

The Universidad Científica del Sur has embarked on a transformative mission to amplify the roles of women leaders within this community, leading to an enriching project that encapsulates the essence of cultural preservation, gender equality, and sustainable tourism.

Revitalizing Identity and Leadership Through Workshops

The Ese Eja Native Community of Infierno is at the core of this uplifting initiative. Recognizing the invaluable roles that women leaders play in shaping the destiny of their community, a series of workshops were conducted by a dedicated team from the Universidad Científica del Sur. 

These workshops, conducted for both women and children, aimed to revitalize their cultural identity, strengthen leadership qualities, and inspire a deeper connection with their roots.

The workshops acted as a bridge between academia and local wisdom, fostering an environment of learning and mutual exchange. Participants had the opportunity to delve into discussions about heritage, sustainability, and gender empowerment. Through this exchange of knowledge and ideas, a renewed sense of pride and purpose emerged among the women of Ese Eja Infierno.

Behind the scenes photos workshop tambopata

Unveiling Stories Through «Yo soy el Bosque»

A pivotal aspect of the project is the creation of the documentary «Yo soy el Bosque» (I Am the Forest). This poignant film captures the essence of the community’s journey, shedding light on the incredible work undertaken by the women of Infierno and Palma Real. Their leadership roles, both in preserving their native language Ese Eja and in championing sustainable practices, are highlighted with deep reverence.

«Yo soy el Bosque» serves as a testament to the strength, resilience, and wisdom of the women of Ese Eja Infierno. Their efforts stand as a beacon of hope for sustainable development in the region, demonstrating that empowered women leaders are pivotal drivers of positive change.

filimg the documentary you soy el bosque

«Turismo y género» Project: A Pathway to Sustainable Future

The larger project, titled «Turismo y género desde la perspectiva de la educación universitaria» (Tourism and Gender from the Perspective of University Education), is a collaborative effort led by Inés Ruiz Alvarado, Dean of the University Científica del Sur, and Miguel Coll, a researcher from the University of Islas Baleares. This project encapsulates the ethos of sustainable tourism, cultural preservation, and gender equity.

At its core, the project seeks to collect meaningful data about the women of the Amazonian community, uncovering the variables that determine their roles within the realm of Sustainable Development Goals and poverty alleviation. These efforts extend to exploring the profound impact of Ese Eja women in the domains of gender equality, environmental conservation, and the creation of resilient communities.

Sustainable Development in the peruvian amazon 1

Towards a Brighter Future through sustainable development

In a world where preserving cultural heritage and embracing sustainable practices are of paramount importance, the initiative undertaken by the University Científica del Sur shines as a beacon of hope. Through workshops, documentaries, and collaborative projects, the Ese Eja women of Infierno and Palma Real are not just preserving their identity—they are actively shaping a future that celebrates their wisdom, resilience, and leadership.

As we navigate the complexities of sustainable development, let the story of Ese Eja Infierno remind us that empowerment knows no bounds, and that by nurturing women leaders, we nurture the world itself. Together, we can create a world where culture and sustainability go hand in hand, paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future.

NOW READ: The Ese Eja Native Community of Infierno

  • What our guest say

    • Valuation Excellent
    • 5/5

Paul H August 2026

FineSpitz August 2026

Jack Looney August 2026

Ching Han Toh August 2026

Maggie Kwok August 2026

Jim July 2026

Kai Liao July 2026

asbraziller July 2026

Tom K July 2026

Maria Carrero June 2026

Lauren Kuenstner June 2026

Adam C June 2026

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

Our stay at Refugio Amazonas was a great experience from beginning to end. The entire trip was very well organized, and having a tour guide with you throughout the experience made everything easy and enjoyable. Our guides, Dennis and Tuto, were excellent. They both spoke English very well and did a fantastic job explaining the different birds, trees, plants, and animals we encountered. Their knowledge really made the excursions much more interesting and helped us appreciate the Amazon on a deeper level. The expeditions were definitely a highlight. I highly recommend the clay lick, sunset cruise, observation tower, river boat tour, and night walk. Each activity offered something different, and we were able to see so much wildlife. The food was also excellent. Everything was fresh and tasted great. I especially enjoyed the protein dishes, fresh fruit, and yuca potatoes. Considering how remote the lodge is, we were very impressed with the quality of the food. The rooms are very open to nature, which is part of what makes the experience so unique. We saw monkeys right from our room, along with many birds and lizards. We even had a frog visit our room at night—which was definitely an interesting Amazon experience! 😂 One thing to be aware of is that the walls between rooms are quite thin, so you can hear your neighbors at times. Overall, the entire experience was absolutely worth the trip. If you’re visiting the Peruvian Amazon, I would strongly recommend Refugio Amazonas. The wildlife, guides, excursions, food, and being completely immersed in nature made this one of the highlights of our Peru trip. 🌿🦜🐒 Read all

Our stay here was one of the favorite parts of our trip to Peru. One of the most memorable parts of the stay is how wonderful the guides were. We had two different guides during our stay: Jos and Jorge. Jos had an amazing connection with the birds, knowing all the bird sounds by ear, he could imitate most of them. His passion for the birds was evident when we went out to see them, and during a visit to look for macaws at the clay lick, he moved locations just so we would have the opportunity to see them. When we viewed them up close through a new blind that had been built, his joy was as much as ours, delighting as if it was his first sighting. Jorge had a beautiful spirit that he shared with us during our time with him. Growing up in the community there, he had so much knowledge about the plants and trees. He introduced us to a medicinal plant, and had stories about some of the different trees. We felt well cared for by both guides. We also enjoyed the nightly science talks, teaching us about some of the ongoing projects which helped us feel more connected to the area. The food was wonderful, and all the staff were extremely helpful throughout our stay. Read all

Amazing location and truly deep jungle. This organisation has three lodges and this is the nearest to Puerto Maldonado but don’t think that the wildlife here is any less than the lodges further along the river. We saw a LOT of different animals, birds and variety of colours. Well worth the stay. Read all

We stayed last february for 4 nights in the TRC lodge. I never could have imagined that I would explore the amazon in such confortable and immersive way. The lodge itself is such a luxurious place, in the middle of nowhere! The food was nicely curated everyday to offer new bits and pieces of the Peruvian cuisine. The absolute highlight of our stay here was for sure the activities and our guide Carmen, who accompanied us everyday! We were able to choose our everydays activities with our very reduced group and our guide. Carmen guided us on very activity, spotting and explaining what animals we saw and interesting facts about our surroundings. Her knowledge and excitement were so infectious that it would even make the sightings even more special! Read all

One of the most unique experiences we’ve had! You are deep in the heart of the Amazon and truly feel immersed in nature. Our guide Dino was awesome and taught us so much about the rainforest-he is like a walking encyclopedia, and his love for the forest really shows. Also very unique to listen to nightly talks from the research team-it really adds to the experience. Food was great and staff very friendly. Bring lots of bug spray and an adventurous spirit! Read all

The lodge was fantastic; they were very attentive to our needs. The dining staff brought special bread for my wife because of her celiac disease and offered to prepare dishes specifically for her to meet her dietary needs. The lodge guides were truly knowledgeable and went out of their way to help us see all the local wildlife. I especially loved the mosquito net service they provided. I was worried we’d be eaten alive, but their setup is fabulous; I had no concerns once I saw how they installed the impenetrable nets and curtains. The meals were as good as—or better than—anywhere else we ate in Peru. We saw the following animals: macaws, parrots, parakeets, pale-winged trumpeters, tamarins, caimans, capybaras, and a ton of insects on our night hike. Read all