Tambopata Research Center – Suggested Expedition 5 days / 4 nights
PERUVIAN AMAZON TOURS
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 breathtaking 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. Surrounded by projects from the Wired Amazon Program, including the Tambopata Macaw Project, 8 Primates Project, and Discovering New Species, the lodge is a haven for nature enthusiasts. Enjoy comfortable accommodations ranging from 21-square-meter rooms 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.
After dinner, take the opportunity to embark on a night hike, exploring the jungle under the cover of darkness. Although many mammals are active but elusive, the varied shapes and sounds of frogs are easier to observe and equally captivating.
Day 2: Macaw Clay Lick and Canopy Tower
Start your morning with a visit to the Macaw Clay Lick, one of the most spectacular wildlife events in the Amazon. Dozens of large macaws and hundreds of parrots gather on the riverbank in a raucous and colorful display. From a discreet viewing spot 50 meters from the cliff, watch as Green-winged, Scarlet, and Blue-and-gold Macaws, along with several species of smaller parrots, descend to ingest clay—a behavior that has been extensively documented and celebrated in nature publications.
Macaw Clay licks inside the Tambopata National Reserve
In the afternoon, experience the Canopy Tower at Tambopata Research Center. Ascend the 30-meter-high tower, offering panoramic views above the treetops. From this elevated vantage point, you’ll have the opportunity to spot treetop wildlife such as monkeys, toucans, macaws, and a diverse array of other bird species, all while enjoying the endless vistas of the Amazon canopy.
Day 3: Bamboo Trail and 8 Primate Project
Begin your morning with an exploration of the Bamboo Trail, a surreal journey through a unique bamboo forest. As the sunlight filters through the thin, spindly leaves, you’ll meander along the trail with the tranquil river glinting beside you. The Guadua bamboo, native to the Americas, thrives in the poorly drained upland soils of this region, growing several meters each year and creating a distinct habitat.
Bamboo Trail - Tambopata National Reserve
In the afternoon, participate in the 8 Primate Project, a hike through a five-kilometer trail in a prototypical rainforest filled with immense trees, creeks, and ponds. This trail provides 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.
Day 4: Creek Trail and Rainforest Master Hike
Spend the morning exploring the Creek Trail, a distinctive terra firme forest that’s best experienced from November through March during the rainy season when the creeks are full of water. This half-day hike provides insight into the unique ecology of these creek-crossed forests, offering glimpses of wildlife and the intricate network of waterways that support the rainforest’s biodiversity.
Howler monkeys prefer the tallest trees of the Master Hike
In the afternoon, embark on the Rainforest Master Hike, a longer trek that delves deeper into the forest’s incredible biodiversity. Led by knowledgeable guides, this hike reveals the hidden gems of the rainforest, including elusive canopy birds, various monkey species, and remarkable plant life, leaving you with a profound appreciation for the Amazon’s complex ecosystem.
After dinner, join the Discovering New Species activity. Accompany researchers at a night light trap to explore the forest and potentially identify new species. This hands-on citizen science activity allows you to contribute directly to ongoing biodiversity research and gain a deeper appreciation of the rainforest’s vast and complex ecosystem.
Day 5: Relaxation, Wildlife on the Riverbanks, and Departure
Enjoy a leisurely morning with breakfast and a relaxing time in the lodge’s hammocks, soaking up the last moments of tranquility in the Amazon. This is also your final chance to observe wildlife along the riverbanks as you make your way back to Puerto Maldonado. Often, animals come out as if to bid you farewell, offering a fitting end to your Amazon adventure.
Your journey concludes as you depart via boat and bus for your flight. Carry with you the unforgettable memories of your exploration through the heart of the Amazon and the knowledge that 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
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