5day Tambopata Ecolodge Rainforest Expedition Tour

5day Tambopata Ecolodge Rainforest Expedition Tour

There can be no better way to experience the tropical forests of Peru: Five days in the rainforest, based at our Tambopata Ecolodge, with an additional two nights at our comfortable riverside camp, during a journey upriver in search of typical Amazon wildlife. This itinerary includes a river journey deep into Tambopata National Reserve to an isolated clay lick where macaws, parrots and other fauna gather to feed. And on forest trails in the company of an expert naturalist guide, we will go in search of species such as saddle-back tamarins, brown capuchins, agoutis, blue-morpho butterflies and many bird species. If we are fortunate enough, we may even spot the biggest cat in the Americas: the solitary jaguar. This unmatched 5-day itinerary includes all transport, accommodation, meals, and guided excursions.

Day 1: By river to Tambopata Ecolodge

Your rainforest expedition begins with a 68-kilometer journey to the Ecolodge (23 km by vehicle, 45 km by boat). As we leave the town, the vegetation changes from colonized deforested areas to virgin rainforest. On arrival you'll have time to settle into the Ecolodge and meet the staff before setting off for an introductory walk in the surrounding forest, accompanied by one of our naturalist guides. Species here include saddle-back tamarins, brown capuchins, agoutis, blue-morpho butterflies and many bird species.

Day 2: River, forest trails, camping

Today’s 4-hour boat ride upriver will take us deep into the National Reserve to the isolated Colorado clay lick, where macaws, parrots and other fauna tend to gather in huge numbers. After arrival at our camp and a good lunch, you will have the afternoon free to explore the area’s forest trail system, spotting wildlife in the company of your naturalist guide. We will spend the night at our riverside campsite.

Day 3: Birdlife, monkeys and other forest fauna

Today will begin before dawn for us, as we need to get into position before the birds arrive at the clay lick. Several hundred macaws and parrots visit the clay-lick daily. This is indisputably one of the greatest spectacles the Amazon basin offers visitors. Following a late morning forest hike in search of some of the nine species of monkeys present in the area, after lunch we will explore a clear forest stream where it is safe to bathe, before spending another relaxing evening and night at our campsite.

Day 4: Clay lick, forest trails and wetlands

After a second opportunity to witness the spectacle at the lick, we will hike to an oxbow lake. These wetland ecosystems are among the best places in the Amazon basin to spot wildlife. A family of giant otters lives in the vicinity of the lake and is often observed. Birds abound here, especially rufescent tiger-herons, great egrets, wattled jacanas and hoatzins. Later, our final evening at the Ecolodge will be spent enjoying a fine meal, followed by a return to the river, in search of nocturnal species, including caimans.

Day 5: Early morning river journey

An early start is required for the boat trip back to the jungle town of Puerto Maldonado. Riverside wildlife is particularly active at this time of day. Howler monkeys are seen and heard frequently, staking out their territory.