Tambopata Research Center – 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 a perfect Amazon experience.
Day 1: Welcome to the Amazon!
Arrive in Puerto Maldonado, the capital of Madre de Dios, and start your journey with a 1-hour bus ride followed by a 2.5-hour boat trip to the lodge. As you travel along the river, enjoy your first taste of Amazonian cuisine while soaking in the stunning rainforest landscapes.
Cross the confluence with the Malinowski River, leaving behind the last traces of human habitation as you enter the 700,000-hectare uninhabited core of the Tambopata National Reserve. Along the way, keep an eye out for capybaras, caimans, geese, macaws, and other large species that become increasingly frequent as you venture deeper into the reserve.
Arrive at Tambopata Research Center, a boutique eco-lodge set in the heart of the Tambopata National Reserve. The lodge offers a comfortable retreat with a bar, massage center, and buffet service, surrounded by projects from the Wired Amazon Program, including the Tambopata Macaw Project, 8 Primates Project, and other conservation initiatives.
Accommodation ranges from rooms of 21 square meters to spacious 83-square-meter suites, all featuring private bathrooms and open windows facing the forest. Your stay includes three daily meals, tea, coffee, guided excursions and activities, refreshments upon arrival, and transfers to and from the airport. Guides are provided in small private groups with a 6:1 ratio to ensure personalized experiences.
Before dinner, attend a night lecture where scientists provide insights into the ongoing projects of the Wired Amazon Program and discuss the conservation challenges they face.
Night lecture at Tambopata Research Center. Photo by Gabriel Serrano
After dinner, embark on a night hike to explore the jungle after dark. While many mammals are active but elusive, the varied shapes and sounds of frogs are easier to observe and provide a fascinating glimpse into the nocturnal rainforest.
Day 2: Macaw Clay Lick and Canopy Tower
Begin your day with a visit to the Macaw Clay Lick, one of the Amazon’s most spectacular wildlife events. Dozens of large macaws and hundreds of parrots gather along the riverbank in a vibrant and noisy display. From a discreet viewing spot 50 meters from the cliff, watch as Green-winged, Scarlet, and Blue-and-gold Macaws, along with smaller parrots, descend to ingest clay—a behavior that has been widely documented and celebrated.
Macaws on clay lick. Photo by Paul Bertner
In the afternoon, explore the Canopy Tower at Tambopata Research Center. Ascend the 30-meter-high tower to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the rainforest. From this elevated vantage point, you can spot treetop wildlife such as monkeys, toucans, macaws, and a variety of other bird species, all while taking in the sweeping vistas of the Amazon canopy.
Day 3: Bamboo Trail, 8 Primate Project, and Sunset Cruise
Begin your morning with an exploration of the Bamboo Trail, a unique habitat dominated by Guadua bamboo. This fast-growing bamboo species thrives in the Amazon’s poorly drained upland soils, creating a distinct ecosystem. As you navigate the trail, keep an eye out for bamboo specialists like Antbirds, Rufous-headed Woodpeckers, and Capuchin Monkeys. Listen for the cricket-like calls of the Bamboo Frog, a tiny amphibian that lives inside the bamboo stalks, adding to the trail's enchanting ambiance.
Become a citizen scientist with our 8 Primates Project
In the afternoon, participate in the 8 Primate Project, where you'll hike a five-kilometer trail through a typical rainforest filled with towering trees, creeks, and ponds. This trail offers excellent opportunities to observe various primate species, such as Squirrel Monkeys, Brown Capuchin Monkeys, and Spider Monkeys, as well as peccaries. The Tambopata Research Center’s strategic location within this habitat makes it an ideal spot for primate watching.
Conclude your day with a serene Sunset Cruise along the Tambopata River. As the sun sets, the sky is painted with hues of orange and pink, reflecting off the water in beautiful patterns. This peaceful journey offers a perfect opportunity to relax and reflect on the day’s adventures, often accompanied by sightings of wildlife along the riverbanks.
Day 4: Relaxation, Wildlife on the Riverbanks, and Departure
Enjoy a leisurely morning with breakfast and some final moments of relaxation in the lodge’s hammocks, soaking in the tranquility of the Amazon. This is also your last chance to observe wildlife along the riverbanks as you make your way back to Puerto Maldonado. Often, animals come out as if to say goodbye, providing a fitting end to your Amazon adventure.
Your journey concludes as you depart via boat and bus for your flight, carrying with you unforgettable memories of your exploration through the heart of the Amazon. Your visit has directly supported the Wired Amazon program and conservation efforts in the Tambopata National Reserve.
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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