IMPROVE YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THE PERUVIAN AMAZON By understanding when is the best time to travel

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When is the best time to travel to the Peruvian Amazon according to a local expert guide

When planning a trip to the Peruvian Amazon, it’s crucial to consider the timing of your adventure. The Amazon rainforest is known for its incredible biodiversity and understanding the best time to visit can greatly enhance your experience. For this reason, we share with you the experience of one of our local expert guides on when is the best time to travel to the Peruvian Amazon.

When should I visit the Peruvian Amazon?

From November to June – Our local expert guide’s perspective: Erick Arguedas was born in Puerto Maldonado, the capital of the Madre de Dios region. He has more than 17 years of experience as an environmental interpreter in the Tambopata National Reserve, loves to share the beauty of nature, and is a specialist in bird watching and wildlife photography. He is one of our local expert guides, with his extensive experience as a guide in the Madre de Dios region, he offers a unique perspective on the ideal time to explore the Tambopata National Reserve. According to him, the sweet spot for a visit to this natural wonder is between November and June, and below he explains why.

Transitioning Between Rainy Season

Erick explains that this period signifies the transition from the beginning to the end of the rainy season. This transition is a magical time in the Amazon. It’s when the lush rainforest undergoes remarkable changes, creating a captivating environment for visitors.

Erick Arguedas with two passengers by Carlos Gonzales

Erick Arguedas – Environmental Interpreter Guide photo by Carlos Gonzales

A Blooming Paradise – the best time to travel to the Peruvian Amazon

One of the standout features of this season, as Erick points out, is the abundance of blooming trees. This is the time when most trees in the Amazon are fruiting and in full bloom. The vibrant colors and fragrances of these flowering trees are a spectacle to behold, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike.

Now imagine yourself watching this amazing landscape from a 42 mts canopy tower. At Posada Amazonas lodge you not only have a bird’s view but also have the opportunity to maybe watch the sunrise or the sunset in the best canopy tower of the area, this is due to the pristine forest you will find around the lodge, protected by the Native Community for decades.

Black-capped squirrel monkey

Black-capped squirrel monkey eating some tree fruits.

The Buzz of Insects

While some may be concerned about insects, Erick reassures us that they are an essential part of the ecosystem. In fact, this season is characterized by the presence of many insects (also food for many species). It’s a unique opportunity to witness the incredible diversity of insect life in the Amazon and to understand their crucial role in the ecosystem.

lighttrap at tambopata Research center by Carlos Gonzales

By Visiting our lodges you can participate in Citizen Science with our Discovering New Species project, photo by Carlos Gonzales.

A Birdwatcher’s Dream

For birdwatchers, visiting Tambopata during this period is a dream come true. Most of the birds are actively nesting or have already welcomed their chicks into the world. This means that birdwatching opportunities are at their peak, with an abundance of species to observe and marvel at. The Best time to travel to the Peruvian Amazon!

Now, enhance your experience by staying inside the Tambopata National Reserve in one of the most remote lodges in South America, yes, the Tambopata Research Center besides being a biological station, offers amazing accommodation for nature lovers.

Baby Boom in the Canopy

Erick highlights another fascinating aspect of this season: all types of monkeys have babies. The lush canopy of the Amazon comes alive with playful, young monkeys exploring their environment. It’s a heartwarming and entertaining sight for anyone lucky enough to witness it.

Red Howler Monkey

Red howler monkey with offspring by Paul Bertner

The Chorus of Frogs

For those with an interest in amphibians, this season is perfect. Frogs can be found everywhere, adding their melodious chorus to the soundscape of the Amazon. Their vibrant colors and unique behaviors make for fantastic sightings.

Frog by Carlos Gonzales

Poison dart frogs like these can be seen during hikes this season, photo by Carlos Gonzales

Sensational Snake Encounters

Lastly, Erick mentions that if you’re keen on spotting snakes, this is the time to do it. The increased activity of various creatures, including snakes, adds an extra layer of excitement to your Amazon adventure.

Boa Arboricola del amazonas by Carlos Gonzales

Amazon tree boa photo by Carlos Gonzales

In conclusion, Erick Arguedas, one of our expert local guides, recommends the period from November to June as the best time to visit Tambopata in the Madre de Dios region. During this transitional phase from the beginning to the end of the rainy season, the Amazon comes to life with blooming trees, an abundance of insects, nesting birds, baby monkeys, croaking frogs, and the possibility of thrilling snake encounters. Plan your visit accordingly, and you’ll be rewarded with an unforgettable experience in this breathtaking part of the Peruvian Amazon.

By Pedro Naveros

 

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A truly magical experience. It’s set in a completely unique location in the middle of the jungle with no other lodges around. The guide we had (Jarinson) was the best, so so knowledgeable, experienced and lovely to spend the time with. The lodge itself is beautiful and food was great too. Would highly recommend. Read all

Interesting bus and river boat rides bring you to Posada Amazonas on the Tambopata River. It’s managed by the Ese Eja indigenous community. Luis M., our guide, helped us observe birds and learn about plants and other animals. A canopy tower, clay lick and oxbow lake are highlights. All personnel are extremely kind and researchers give short lectures in the evening. The food is delicious! Excellent mosquito netting in rooms! Read all

Wow where do I even begin. This was one of the most unique and special experiences we've ever had. You are smack dab in the middle of nowhere, deep in the Amazon jungle. Surrounded by plants and animals of all kinds and some of the most breathtaking scenery you can imagine. And in the company of scientists doing conservation work all around you. The facility is gorgeous beyond belief. Everything is so thoughtfully prepared, from water servers everywhere to comfy couches to hammocks to raised walkways so you can pad around barefoot without feeling like you're going to step on a scorpion. The meals are positively gourmet. They have delicious fresh juice out for you when you come back from your hikes. We spend 2 days there and I genuinely feel like I saw the jungle. 2-3 excursions a day with a private guide to show you everything from plants to birds to animals to a very tall tower where you can watch the sunset over the canopy. We only had 3 people in our group but I believe there can be up to 7. You have the same guide your whole trip so you really get to know them. Johan was our guide and he was wonderful. And I do believe the number of excursions/type/length can be adjusted based on your groups physical ability. The rooms are beautiful and comfy and they help you prepare mosquito netting at night so you can be comfortable. There's a full bar, in the middle of the rainforest. At night there are short (30 min) lectures you can go to if you want where the scientists talk about their work. Fascinating. We loved that the center was very eco conscious and put a lot of effort into being low impact while also offering a truly luxurious experience. That being said. Do yourself a favor and read the web site. This experience will not be for everyone. Ppl posting negative comments here about the heat, bugs, open rooms, etc did not do their homework. You are far, far inside pristine Amazon jungle. It is hot, humid, rainy, and there are bugs. You can expect to use your lovely shower a few times a day to cool off. Fortunately you have lots of down time during the heat of the day to rest under the ceiling fan in your room. There were lots of grasshoppers, moths etc around our room but honestly we didn't have many issues with biting insects or mosquitos despite visiting during the rainy season (we did use bug spray). Your room has one open wall that faces nature. Yes, technically than means someone could see you walking around naked in your room, but you are 15 feet up in the air and facing directly into thick jungle, there is no one out there besides birds and monkeys to see you. They do cut the brush back so nothing except maybe some birds could get into your room. The sounds are magical at night and during the day. It's hot especially if you go during the rainy season as we did. If you hate bugs or can't handle life without air conditioning, this is not for you. Truthfully we had no issues sleeping. Ventilation is another big benefit of the one open wall. Think of this as the glampiest glamping you'll ever do and you will not be disappointed. Read the web site and reviews thoroughly and you won't be surprised. Being good hiking shoes, a lightweight waterproof jacket, refillable water bottle, a hat, binoculars (you can rent them too), bug spray, and sunscreen. Lightweight long sleeved shirts and long pants are essential bc you want to be covered so you won't get bitten or in case you brush up against a nasty plant. We saw monkeys, macaws, capybaras, owls, a caiman, and some cool jungle bugs. The guides even have a telescope you can use to both look at the animals and take great pictures with your phone. once in a lifetime experience in one of the most special and precious ecosystems in the world. Worth every penny and honestly we felt the price was cheap considering what you get. The highlight of our trip to Peru. Thank you so much. Read all

It was our first time in the rainforest and we wouldn't do it any other way. The boat rides on the Madre de Dios and the walks through the rainforests were both exciting and peaceful. Exciting when we spotted wildlife and peaceful as we settled in to hear the sounds and sights of the forest. The lodge was comfortable and the food was great. The research talks in the evenings were a great pre-dinner ritual for us. Do check them out. Saul was an amazing guide - friendly, fun, knowledgeable and very tuned to the rainforest. He could pick up on slight sounds and movements and helped us spot some great wildlife. Read all

TRC is up close with nature deep inside the Peruvian Amazon. If you are a fan of wildlife and love being in the nature this is the place for you. This is an eco lodge, so come with similar expectations. The sound of macaws flying over would make your day. TRC is doing some amazing work on Macaw conservation, the visits to the clay lick would be special. During your journey you would be able to spot a number of animals, birds. Do not miss the guided walks, you would really see a lot of monkeys. If you are a photographer, invest in a good zoom lens ( it will pay you back). The other thing is the amazing staff that take care of you. The food is among the very best I tasted in Peru and they really pamper you. So make sure you walk a lot to burn the additional calories :) Starting from the booking to the pickup in the airport everything is meticulously planned. From Mariella of the booking team, Juan Carlos the guide and Tania, our manager in the hotel everyone was fantastic. Ultimately spotting wild animals is a lot of luck, but this would be a great experience. Rooms: Rooms are large, spacious with wide open balconies, but no monkeys come in ( they strictly don't encourage wildlife feeding). Nearby activities: Lots of them, morning hikes, afternoon hikes, sunset cruise Walkability: You need to walk a bit, so you need to be mobile Food & drinks: Awesome Buffet, great food. Read all

TRC is up close with nature deep inside the Peruvian Amazon. If you are a fan of wildlife and love being in the nature this is the place for you. This is an eco lodge, so come with similar expectations. The sound of macaws flying over would make your day. TRC is doing some amazing work on Macaw conservation, the visits to the clay lick would be special. During your journey you would be able to spot a number of animals, birds. Do not miss the guided walks, you would really see a lot of monkeys. If you are a photographer, invest in a good zoom lens ( it will pay you back). The other thing is the amazing staff that take care of you. The food is among the very best I tasted in Peru and they really pamper you. So make sure you walk a lot to burn the additional calories :) Starting from the booking to the pickup in the airport everything is meticulously planned. From Mariella of the booking team, Juan Carlos the guide and Tania, our manager in the hotel everyone was fantastic. Ultimately spotting wild animals is a lot of luck, but this would be a great experience. Read all

The immersion experience was great. Be prepared though to feel hot and full of bug spray much of the time. Wear hiking pants. Not Lulu leggings (too hot). The guides are great and you can do as much or as little as you want. We saw a lot of animals. Read all

Posadas Amazonas is an eco-friendly lodge that makes a huge commitment to preserving the rainforest for generations to come. The food served (breakfast, lunch and dinner) is fresh and delicious! The staff is extremely knowledgeable and caring. A special shoutout to the lodge manager Cesar for ensuring that we had packed meals for the onward journey when we were delayed by a rain storm. The main attractions apart from the abundant wildlife are the canopy tower and nearby Oxbow lake. The canopy tower gives a great 360 degree view of the rainforest and we were fortunate to see monkeys and macaws from the vantage point. At the Oxbow lake we saw river otters and Caimans and we were able to catch a piranha fish as well. Overall, Posada Amazonas is a great lodge owned and operated by the native communities located in the amazing Amazon rainforest. Read all

I had an amazing time here. I was traveling solo and did 4 days/3 nights through Inca Expert Travel. It was an unforgettable experience! I opted for a group tour for the excursions and am glad I did. Our guide, Boris, was fantastic and made sure we saw as much wildlife as possible. I can't say enough good things about him. The rest of the staff were also very kind. I enjoyed the large variety of fresh food at each meal. I felt safe and well-taken care of the entire time. Read all

TRC was an amazing place to stay. Being in the Amazon rainforest was truly like no other trip I have or will ever take. From arrival we were greeted by staff with cool drinks, warm welcomes. Beautiful main area w bar, sofas, tables,games. Our guide Fernando was SO knowledgeable, interesting, enthusiastic,. We already miss his smile and laugh :) We did every excursion available over our 4 days there. The night hike turned out to be our favorite as we spotted the wandering spider then and many other intersting moths/insects. January is hot and humid, so yes expect to be wet,sweaty. Pack extra bag for wet stinky clothes ... Be ok w insects as no 4th wall in your rooms so at night mosquitio nets do a good job preventing bugs in your bed but when you wake up to use bathroom excpect moths, grasshopppers etc in room. All harmless!! TRC does provide nice rainboots for wet swampy treks.. Read all

A perfect experience in the Amazon. Harry, our guide, made the entire experience very memorable. The food is good, the bar is expensive but good and the support staff were excellent. Tanya, the manager, took care of all our needs and was very supportive the entire stay. Please remember that the rooms are open to the nature and therefore comes with its pros and cons. You wake up with the nature including the mosquitos :) The experiences offered by the Refugio is fantastic and provides a great exposure to the Amazon. Dont miss the Macaw trip. It is just magical. Read all

This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! From the getgo, it was easy to coordinate our 4-day stay at Tambopata. The booking was all done via email with quick responses, there was clear communication leading up to our stay and even upon arrival the staff was extremely organized (incl. taking our bags and making sure they arrived to our rooms). During our stay the staff was all very friendly and accomodating, the lodge was always clean (actually impressively clean given it is located in the jungle), and the food was great and plentiful. By far the best part of our stay was our tour guide, Saul. Upon arrival, Saul helped us pick our activities based on what animals we wanted to see (using his 10 years of experience). He worked on timing to make sure we can see as much as possible, was extremely knowledgable on the rainforest, the plants, the insects and the animals and noticeably put in the extra effort to find animals. You can tell that he truly loves his job and was always equally as excited to see the animals as us, even though he has seen them thousands of times. He helped us find monkeys, birds, countless insects, lizards, capybaras ect. I am 100% confident our experience wouldn't be the same without him. He even helped us capture these cool photos with only our iphone!! If you are planning to stay are TRC, I would highly recommend asking for Saul as a tour guide, if possible. Read all

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